December 16, 2008
"We
had a wonderful time of experience in Ramagiri camp with the believers
from five village. We started our journey from Bhawanipatna
to Ramagiri, which is 250 kms from Bhawanipatna and 60-70 kms from
the district headquarters.
We didn’t
know that we would arrive at 10 pm on Tuesday night. We had traveled
around 12 hours to get there
by our own vehicle.
I cannot describe the roads of Orissa State. The roads are so rough
and stony that no vehicles will drive over 40 km/hour speed. I can
say if any healthy person travels on that road surely for a few hours
he will suffer.
As soon
as we arrived at the relief camp we heard very sad news that five
people had died due to the insufficiency of provisions from the
government.
In Ramagiri relief camp there are believers from five destroyed villages.
These villages are KKSINGH, DEHULISAHI, BOLDA, PODAGUMA and KAMALADIHI.
Thousand
of people are struggling in the relief camp with children and the
elderly.
Temporary
"shelter" for 201 believing families totaling 1,000 people
Persecuted
believers standing together under the tent
After they came to know that we are pastors they started to share
how they escaped from the Hindu fundamentalists and how they ran
away at night to save their lives. After hearing all those things
we felt very sad and truly our hearts were hurting greatly for them.
There were 201 families in that relief camp. Almighty God opened
a door for us to speak to the thousand of believers there. The police
did not allow us to minister to the believers. But praise God that
we got an opportunity to conduct a prayer program with them. I shared
the word of God with them under the tent. It was a wonderful experience
for me to share the word of God with them.
Pastor
Subodh sharing a message of comfort from the Lord
After
the message of comfort, I asked the believers how many were
suffering physically and how many were willing to receive the
touch
of God in their lives. I was amazed to see hundreds of believers
respond to the call.
We prayed over the believers [through healing-at-a-distance as
Jesus did in Luke 7] and we experienced the mighty power of Jesus
Christ.
Above
& below: "The healing ministry is going on after the message. So
many believers stood to receive the healing touch in their body.
I was amazed to see the believers so eagerly awaiting
to get the healing touch from above. I praise God."
![](Pics%20Ramagiri%20Relief%20Camp/20_2_1_2_1_r1.JPG)
There were so many believers who stood for testimonies [of physical
healing] but as we were advised not to take any more time, one believer
stood on behalf of all of them and testified how the Lord had
blessed and touched him [in his physical body].
See
the photo
below.
S.N.
Mali (above) testifies of his miraculous healing: "Thank
you, Pastor, for coming and praying for us. As we have been
suffering mentally, socially, financially and spiritually
but I thank
Him the Almighty God has sent you and your team for us to help with
finances and prayer for people like me. It is a sad thing
that four people
passed away a few days ago, those who were in our
midst. Afterwards I was tortured mentally,
even physically. Even in the relief camp there are so many brothers
and sisters were suffering from various sickness. I believe today
they were touched from above just as I was healed from a fever. It
is true that I was in bed and not able to do any
work.
Hallelujah."
________________________________
Of course we had to obey some rules and regulations that the
government authorities had established.
There
were 201 families in the relief camp. We gave each family Rs 400
(400 Indian rupees). I had also requested Pastor John Thomas [of
Houston] to extend some help from his side to those people who
are in the Ramagiri
relief camp. I thank God for making it possible to help them in such
a needy time. We distributed the cash to all the families except
for thirty widows.
For me this is the first time to speak to thirty widows who are
in desperate need to get a meal twice a day. We met with the thirty
widows separately and encouraged them to keep their faith in Jesus
very strong and to not lose it till the end of life. I was very touched
to see some young widows---how they survive day by day with their
young children. So many problems and the terrible life they pass
through in their whole life. Please pray that God may open the door
for them so that they may feel a little comfort in their lives.
We
gave one sharee with Rs 200 to each widow. I hope this will give
a little help for their Christmas.
![](Pics%20Ramagiri%20Relief%20Camp/26_2_1_2_1.JPG)
Above
& below: believing widows receiving financial help and gifts
![](Pics%20Ramagiri%20Relief%20Camp/widow_3_1_3_1.JPG)
One
of the saddest things I saw is that there are one hundred and five
children and not able to go to school. They are in a relief
camp with their parents. I asked one of our brothers to distribute
some chocolate to them. I discussed with their parents
regarding their schooling, because if they don’t go to school
it is very clear that their future is dark. The parents very clearly
said that they were not sure where
they will live or stay so where can we will send them for schooling?
The
children of the persecuted believers
I do not know if any of the mission organizations are willing to
take a step for them maybe because of transportation problems or
other hindrance. But we know clearly that Jesus loves the innocent
children as we see in the Bible. If any mission or organization will
not take a step for those children I think most of them may be used
for child labor just as we see in many parts of Orissa where such
children are found.
I request that you please pray for these children so that their
futures may be bright.
I asked them about returning to their own villages
but I got the answer in this way. “The Orissa government are asking us to
move back to our villages and they will provide Rs 50,000 to each
family. But the believers are having two major problem. One is they
cannot rebuild their homes with this amount since their homes were
totally destroyed. Another main problem is that the believers will
not feel safe living there again.” I did not have any answer
for them but how long can they remain in the relief camp?
There is nothing more we can do for them apart from prayer. We are
praying for each and every person in Orissa who is in such a condition.
May God bless them abundantly and comfort them with much grace.
Once
again we thank you very much for your help and prayer for us and
also for the believers here."
In His Service,
Subodh
How can you help? Please read on....
December 30, 2008
"Pastor,
here is an urgent request for the persecuted believers which I
am compelled to share with you.
As I informed you earlier, on December 31st the government of Orissa
is going to close many of the relief camps. From Ramagiri camp the
persecuted believers called me and pleaded with me, informing me
that the government is going to close the camp. Therefore where can
we go and stay with our families?
The persecuted believers are saying that they want to purchase one
acre of land (for believers from five destroyed villages) near the
district headquarters which costs four and half lakhs (between US$9,300
and US$9,400). They are saying that if we can purchase the land then
our lives will be safe and we can develop our Christian life.
So they need financial help and the day when they must leave the
camp is almost here. They have already asked a few missions for some
help. We are praying that God will open the door for the people who
are in desperate need.
Please pray for us for our ministries too. We are praying for you.
Thank
you very much for your kind cooperation for the persecuted believers."
In His vineyard,
Subodh
If you would like to help, please click here.
![](Pics%20Ramagiri%20Relief%20Camp/harvest_2_1_2_1.JPG)
The
beauty of God's creation contrasts starkly with the suffering
of His people in the nearby relief camp
Luke
10:9 "Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The
kingdom of God is near you.’"