Ministering JESUS to Tribal Villages of Orissa

In 2007 and 2008 there was massive persecution in the state of Orissa, India, killing many Christians, destroying thousands of homes, churches & schools, and causing an estimated 50,000 people to flee their villages for safety. Now the government, especially the national government of India, is providing some protection for these people and some different means to help them survive financially, such as reduced prices on rice, and creating road projects so that they can work. Most of the places attacked during this persecution were poor villages, many of the people tribal people living in mountain and forest areas.

We are thankful that the Lord has led RHM to be involved with a ministry in Orissa that is making a difference in many lives. For their safety we will refrain from giving names. The brother who started this ministry was born again in the 1970's and later began to evangelize in the surrounding villages. This forest area consists of mostly poor tribal people with about an 80% illiteracy rate. He, and now his 3 sons, have faithfully been ministering to these people for many years, now having believers in at least 15 of the surrounding villages. In 2010 the Lord enabled us to help many of the children in these villages with medical treatment for malaria. At least 100 were treated and recovered, assisting some Hindu villagers also. In 2011 the Lord led us to start a small tuition center in a centrally located village within the forest, hoping to make a difference in the next generation of young people. During the mass persecutions a few children were killed while staying in hostels for education. As a result, the parents of the village children will not send their children to schools outside of their village area. The government has sanctioned for a school to be built in one of these villages, but they've never started the work, and there is doubt whether or not any teacher would come to work among these tribal people. These tribals also speak a different language (Kui) than the state language of Oriya, which also makes it difficult to find a teacher. So we started a small school to teach the village children some basic reading, writing and math skills. It started on April 1, and about 25 children of all ages have been regularly coming. PLEASE PRAY for us, that we will have the leadership of the Holy Spirit in regard to the future of these children, and how far to try and help them with studies. We're so thankful that at least they will be able to read their Bibles.

PRAY also for this ministry in general. They, as well as all the Christians of this Kandhamal District in Orissa, need the Lord's continued favor and protection. All the "pastors" of these 15 different villages are simple people without formal Bible training of any kind. Because of tribal traditions and a life of poverty and oppression from the enemy, it is not easy to minister hope and vision to these people who know little of anything outside their own villages. But the Father loves them and is doing a precious work among them. GIVE as the Lord leads you, and we will use the funds to further His work in Orissa. "Though the Lord is exalted, yet He has regard for the lowly" Psalms 138:6