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Dear Fellow Believers:
Greeting. It is 10:20 pm, and
together with our Board Chairman and Vice Chairman I just
finished talking and praying with Dr Dalavai about the Orissa
situation in India. I promised you an update, so here is the
latest in the spiritual battle happening there...
Exact numbers of displaced
believers are not available in the current chaos, but it appears
that as many as 50,000-100,000 are homeless, taking refuge in
the refugee centers, or hiding in the jungles or homes of
sympathetic neighbors. We had thought earlier today that two BCM
churches had survived, but now confirm that all of the BCM
churches are gone, ransacked, burned or blown up. Our BCM
pastor's homes are gone. Our BCM believer's (there are about
3,000 of them) homes are all gone---ransacked and burned. The
radical Hindus have stated that they will cleanse Orissa of all
Christians, and are systematically targeting all churches,
beating and killing pastors and believers. They stated
publically that they have found and shot Rev Nayak, our
BCM district supervisor. The situation in neighboring Hyderabad
(where our main offices are located) is no longer safe.
BUT THEY LIED about Rev Nayak.
He is alive and well, escaping before they arrived at his house.
And they lied about the church too. Yes, the buildings are all
gone, but the church is still there, and they send a
message,"Tell the people that the church is still alive. Tell
them we are here. Tell them to pray for us. We will rebuild
every church, if not in our generation, then in our children's
generation!" The report tonight was that none have
recanted their faith or converted to Hinduism.
OUR BCM pastors and families
are safe for the present at several locations within Orissa.
None have yet been killed. WE have lost only three believers to
death so far. Pray for us in BCM in the next days, for safety of
leaders and wisdom for decisions. A large group of children have
come under our care because of the current events. They are
without families or homes. Their future is uncertain. Pray for
their protection and provision.
Thank you for praying,
Marty Windle
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