This is an email I just received from our friends who stayed in this region of India last year and started an orphanage there.  -Jewel

Dear Jeff & Kelli Christoferson,
 
In Orissa, there is a terrible persecution and killing of the Christians. Many have lost their houses and belongings. Tens of thousands of Christians have left their belongings and gone into the forest. They are suffering without food, clothes and belongings. We appeal to you for your kind help to help these people. 40 Christians have been so far reported to be killed according to the press. There could be many more. Everyday the violence increases. Herewith I have enclosed a report on the Orissa persecution.
 
Pastor. Santhosh Desabattula, India Here is a brief report on the persecution of Christians in Orissa. A Hindu leader along with four of his disciples was killed on August 22nd. What followed the killing has been utterly disturbing, unbelievable and unbearable. The Hindu militants have tried to frame Christians for the murder and to avenge his murder have gone on a rampage killing Christians, burning Churches, homes and orphanages. This has been happening for the past 10 days. This has been the worst antichristian violence in India in years.
 
The government has not been able to do anything to stop this madness. Every day churches are burned and Christians are attacked. What started in a concentrated area is now spreading to different parts of Orissa. The Hindu militants are growing bolder each day and the pastors and Christians live in fear. Many of them have gone into the jungles and forests leaving their possession and houses. More than 40 Christian leaders have been killed, and more than 2000 Christian houses have been burnt up and more than two hundred thousand Christians have fled their houses into forests losing all their belongings and have run for their safety. One orphanage was set on fire and a nun was burnt alive and a handicap man who was not able to run was also burnt alive. The local government continues to support the Hindu militants and they are not giving protection to the Christian community.
 
Thousands are without food and shelter. In our city we held a protest march in the center of the city and voice our oppositions and asked the govt to intervene. We are also raising financial supports to help the Christians in Orissa to help them to restore them to normalcy with food, clothes and other utensils. We request all our friends to pray for this situation that peace and safety will be there for Christians and if you are able to assist us in helping them, please earmark your funds as Orissa relief fund and send to us. We will see that it reaches them immediately. We have some churches in Orissa and below are the words on quote by a pastor who we were able to get in touch with. Pastor.  Santhosh Desabattula, Gospel to the Ends of the Earth, Visakhapatnam, India. Report by some Pastors  from Orissa.
 
The Christian community is living in fear and danger. Looting, killing and setting on fire are taking place everywhere. There is no sense of security for any person. The angry mob moves from place to place and destroys the possessions of Christians. The fear gripped villagers have already abandoned their houses and hidden in remote jungles. The questions is how long can they survive without food. They are scattered and do not have any connections with their families. Though the Army has been posted its not able to do much. If one area is protected the mob moves their looting and killing to another place. The police have become just spectators. For almost one week our Christian community is struggling for their lives without any food or shelter. etc. The Maoists who claim responsibility for the killing of the Hindu leader have declared revenge on the Hindu militants for their actions. They will definitely perform it but that would bring more threats and
losses to the innocent brothers and sisters in Orissa.
 
The damage in Orissa is not fully known as the media has not given proper coverage of the same. This is the time for Christians to unite together in prayer and in action. As members of the body of Christ we must step forward to help those in need. Please pass the news to everyone and ask people to pray for the persecution of Christians in Orissa. The situation in getting worse by the day and there has to be a divine intervention by God. We would also like to help the affected families as they have no one to help them. The Christians have lost everything now and they really need our help. If you feel led you can be a part of giving relief to the affected families in Orissa. Thank you for praying!



Bishop. Santhosh & Nagamani Desabattula
Senior Pastor, India
www.indiaucm.org