We really want to thank God for His grace and mercy. Thank you so much for praying for this wonderful trip to Orissa, North India. I could write so much but it will take many pages and I am just giving some of the key things that have happened during my time in Orissa. PASTORS CONFERENCE The Lord anointed and used me in the Pastors Conference at Orissa. The Conference was held at Gopalpur for the persecuted Pastors from Khandamal District. There were 81 Pastors. All of these Pastors were from KUI tribe and were affected so much. On the second day, I was privileged to speak on “Nameless Heroes of Faith” from Heb 11:35-40. We all of us dedicated to love and serve God in the midst of persecution. It was a wonderful time to see Pastors’ faces shining. Most of them said that they were touched by the message from the Lord. Again I got the privilege to speak at closing of the conference. I spoke on” Where is God when it hurts” from Mathew 2. I really felt the presence of God Almighty. All the Pastors were comforted, when they understood that God was with them during the persecution. We finished the meeting with dancing! I also got the privilege to share my testimony with 43 Discipleship Training School students from the persecuted area of Orissa. Once I was a Hindu fanatic, and persecuted some believers in my place. The Lord somehow chosen me to follow and serve Him. This encouraged the students so much.
Muthu speaking to the Pastors	Pastors at the Conference
One of the speakers for the conference was crying as I was speaking. Another speaker said that the messages were very powerful. Many Pastors have said that they were ministered by the Holy Spirit. Few Pastors have said that this the first time in their lives that they are hearing powerful and comforting messages. All of these Pastors went with comfort and Hope. We believe that the Pastors would take all the comfort and Hope to their families and Churches. Praise God!
T-shirts for the Pastors.	Pastors with T-shirts
When the persecution was happening, we prayed a lot and were wondering how our family could help the persecuted believers. The Lord gave us some money to buy T-Shirts to 80 Pastors. We were also able to help with little finances to some of them.
Pastors in discussion	Discipleship Training School

TRIP TO KHANDAMAL

CHURCH After the Conference my self and my fellow co worker, Simeon went to the persecuted district of Khandamal. It took about 16 hrs to go and come back by bus. Previously Khandamal was called” Phulbani” means “smell of Flower”. But now it smells death. We visited 8 villages in this area. It was a scary trip to the villages. The Lord protected us. It was hard to believe what had happened. It is horrible to see houses, churches, properties and fields damaged. More than 472 churches were destroyed during the persecution. Most of them were fully destroyed and some of the strong buildings were partially damaged. One denomination says that more than 150 churches were damaged in that denomination.
Damaged Church in a Village	Baptist church in Sukanda Village	Baptist church in Sukanda Village	Catholic Church Damaged.
HOUSE Most of the houses of Christians in the district were damaged. Some of them were completely destroyed. At least 47,000 families were affected. In some houses the fanatics even uprooted the foundation of houses. Every house that we have seen was damaged and was burnt inside. You could see precious things, clothes, Bibles, furniture and other articles were burnt. You can see the blackness of walls everywhere. There are many homeless Christians in Orissa now. All the damaged houses need a lot of repair and are not suitable to live.
Damaged houses in Rakia Village	Muthu’s friend , Pastor Jisiya Nayak’s damaged house	Damaged Christian property	A Burnt Believer’s house
RELIEF CAMPS These Relief Camps were set up by the Govt. There are about 11 Camps in the state of Orissa and another 8 of them Outside Orissa. Approximately 15,000 families (Approx 45,000 people) live in the State of Orissa. We visited 2 Camps. Some tents have 13-15 families live. Each family is divided by long clothes or sarees. At least 21 ladies gave birth in a camp. When they gave birth, it was rainy season. There was heavy flood in the camp. Few people have died due to flood and diarrhea. Their three meals are just rice and dhal. The rice has stones and at times worms. Many people in the camp are sick. The Govt is forcing the people to go back to their villages though they are in danger. The villagers want the Christians to convert to Hinduism or they don’t allow them to come back. If they still come, their lives are in danger. We went to many tents and have heard many stories. We spent time with them and prayed for them.
Relief Camps	Christian refuges in a Camp	Relief Camps	Govt forces people to leave the Relief Camps
MARTYRS More than 264 Christians were Martyred during the persecution. About 36 Pastors were murdered. Pastors and leaders are the main target. It was painful to hear so many stories of Martyrdom. Santhi Latha husband left the Relief Camp to his village to bring some vessels for cooking. On his return, the fanatics have got him and murdered him. Then they tied a stone on his body and threw him in to the village pond. After three days they found the body and buried. Three Pastors who were running for 30 kms for their lives met a group in the jungles. The group said they would help them but later slaughtered them one by one. Few women were raped and seriously wounded. They are undergoing medical treatment. WONDERS I was so much challenged by the real Heroes of Faith in Orissa. These Christians who suffered so much, yet they rejoice in God. They are stronger in faith and are ready to follow God no matter what happens to them. Many of the Pastors and Christians have strong unity and looking to God for a great revival in Khandamal. Most of the Youth want to serve God now! On the tents I have read statements like Jesus Loves me and God cares about me!
Govt forces people to leave the Relief Camps	With an affected fellow Christian	Old and young in the Relief camp	With an affected fellow Christian
With a Martyrs’ widow-Santhi Latha	Oldest woman in the Camp	Burnt Bibles on the street	Inside a Camp
URGENT PRAYER NEED FOR SRILANKA For the last 30+ years the small country of Sri Lanka is going thru pain and innumerable sufferings. Right now there are 2 to 300,000 people are caught in the cross fire between Tamil Tigers and Army. Hundreds of people have died in the last few weeks. Thousands are wounded, hungry and homeless. Please pray for a permanent solution to this pain of people.
PRAYER NEEDS FOR ORISSA 1. Please pray for the healing of Christians. 2. Please pray for the protection of Christians. There is fear in the Camps. 3. Please pray for the Govt to rule with justice. 4. Please pray for the restoration of churches and houses. 5. Many youngsters and children are traumatized, please pray for them. If you like to help the Christians of Orissa and people of Sri Lanka, please let me know. Thank you so much again for your love and prayers. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Love Muthu