Bishop D.B. H. was traveling by car on July 2nd to
an urgent meeting. Church construction, a pastor’s health problems, serious
drought conditions affecting the people… all were pressing problems. But a
phone call from a sobbing pastor caused him to set aside lesser issues as
horrifying news stunned him.
Market day, July 1, in the village of B---, was just like any
other. People had come from surrounding villages, done their shopping and
returned home. D--- and S---, a young couple had done the same. They were
new Christians, attending a church led by an ER School of Evangelism graduate.
The couple prepared dinner over an open fire, as was their custom, and ate by
firelight since there is no electricity in their village.
S---, the wife, received Christ after hearing the gospel
presented by a woman from the church. The woman evangelist was not literate,
but her determination to learn the Bible had led her to complete Portable Bible
School training as an oral learner. S--- was moved by the presentation, became
a Christian, and witnessed to her husband D---. He also received Christ as
his Savior. They were new Christians, and the only ones in their remote
village. There was mild opposition at first from their Hindu neighbors, but it
was not worrisome. Little did they know
there were plots being made in secret.
That night the couple lay sleeping. S--- is ready to give birth
nearly any day, and she has an 18-month-old as well. In the thick darkness, a group of hostile men
entered the house, and with a friendly greeting tried to wake D---. S--- woke first, and challenged the men,
alarmed by their presence in her home. One man pushed her aside quickly and
waved a bright torch in her eyes so she could not recognize any faces.
The men ordered her to leave the house immediately, while one of
them kicked D--- until he wakened. Torn between love for her husband and a
desire to protect her children S--- fled, while begging the men not to hurt
her husband. As she left she could hear the groans of her husband, who was
crying out in pain.
S--- began screaming for others to come to help her husband, but
no one responded. Eventually, deathly silence fell upon the house. It was over.
D--- was dead, hanged from the rafters of their home, martyred for his faith
in Christ. Only when light began to dawn did anyone dare to come to S---’s
aid.
The murderers protected themselves well. They have not been
identified, and to this date no one has been arrested. The crime has been
reported to police, but there is little hope that any justice will come in
earthly terms. Great fear has come upon
all the Christians in the region – we must pray for them and for their pastors
and leaders. We must also pray for salvation even for those who have killed
this precious believer, widowed his wife, and made his children fatherless.
ER has already responded with financial assistance for S---. She
was forced by custom to abandon the home she shared with D---. She will
relocate to a nearby city where she will receive the ministry she needs to get
through this crisis. Pray for her now as she brings a second child into the
world, and as she faces a bleak future in a culture that makes life difficult
for widows. And continue to pray for
thousands of Christians in India and around the world whose decision to follow
Christ may cost them their lives.
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