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September 2009
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YOUR INVESTMENT NOT IN VAIN
On the 24th of August 2009, crowds of people thronged one of the Cathedrals in New Delhi to pray for the thousands of families of Kandhamal in Orissa who were tortured, hacked to death and many wererendered homeless last year. Houses, churches and land were torched razing it to the ground. There was wide spread confusion, terror and fear written on the faces of many of the villagers.
The death of a Hindu High Priest was blamed upon the Christians and this ignited the anger and fury of the Hindu fanatics. They went on a rampage. Thousands of families were separated from their loved ones as they fled the persecution, leaving behind them a trail of burning homes, dead bodies and scattered belongings. The old and the infirm that were unable to move as fast as the younger ones, were left to be burnt alive or butchered in pieces, destroying all their possessions. Villages were razed to the ground, churches were destroyed, schools ruined, children were lost in the melee, parents and family members were divided. They could not be traced. Many of them lost everything! Thousands of them escaped to the jungles nearby where they subsisted on leaves and berries. The Christians in other states in India protested against this bestial behaviour, and the Government stepped in to restore peace and order by building relief camps without proper sanitation or water/ food arrangements.
Dr. P.P. Job and others went to Kandhamal to review the situation, he found it pitiful and in a short while 209 children came here within a span of a few months. Out of these, the parents of 94 children who found them safe here were joyfully reunited with them and they returned to their respective villages. Today we have a total of 501 children including the 115 kids from
Kandhamal.
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Ruby - the youngest interpretor
In the midst of this unhappy situation I have good news to share with you: “Ruby who appears on the front page is one of the 209 children who came here last December. She is 5 years old and is studying in LKG. She was just a village kid – untrained to use the toilet, as she was used to open air sanitation. She never spoke English, only her native Oriya”.
Today, after eight months, she is speaking good English and in fact can translate very well. When a Pastor came here with 12 children from Kandhamal, Dr. Job could not understand him as the Pastor did not know English. The Physical Training Director then pointed out this child Ruby and called her. She fluently translated to Dr. Job, both from Oriya to English and English to Oriya. She successfully did a good job of translation! Moreover, when she was asked what she would like to be when she grew up, she promptly answered “I want to be a doctor”.
I can truly say your INVESTMENT IS NOT IN VAIN.
A PAKISTANI SPEAKS
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Pastor Zacharia
Pastor Zacharia from Pakistan gave a stirring testimony about the multiplication of Christians in Pakistan and also of the many active underground churches. He said the people there are hungry for God. He said that their love for JESUS is so great that they are willing to suffer and die for Him.
Many think Pakistan is a totally Islamic country and Christianity would hardly be known. Pastor Zacharia said that this is not so at all.
It is true that Pakistani Muslims are not permitted to convert to Christianity – or any other religion even if it is a personal desire. They cannot pray like Christians do or read the Bible. The sentence for these offences is sixteen years in prison. For evangelizing it is death. Only a few years ago 25 Christians in Shanti Nagar were hanged for preaching God’s Word. Working with FEBA Radio Pastor Zacharia has seen many come to JESUS. In one year 3000 Pakistanis accepted JESUS. The languages used are Urdu and Hindi. Pastor Zacharia and other pastors and evangelists – Pakistani converts themselves – are evangelizing through FEBA and in many other ways.
As a result of his evangelization Pastor Zacharia has suffered much. In 1994 he was arrested and put on a block of ice at below freezing temperature for one day. The police doing the torture expected him to die or to become severely ill. At one point he thought he was sinking and called on God. When they took him out he could hear comments from the Police. “He must be very strong - or he has some higher power.” He said, “Yes! I have the power of My Lord Jesus Christ.” Pastor Zacharia said that like the three men in the furnace were saved when JESUS walked with them so he too was saved by JESUS when put on ice.
The Chief of Police was called in on the case because, against all odds, the victim was still alive and well. He looked at the victim in amazement. He wanted to know what had happened. In answer Pastor Zacharia read 1 John from the Bible to him. The Chief of Police began to weep. Pastor Zacharia said, “Today he and his entire family have accepted JESUS. Of course, I was freed.”
He disclosed that though they are alive, he and his family are being persecuted in other ways. Enemies have attacked the house. Once a bomb was thrown on the house. Sixty Christians died and eighteen vehicles on the road were burned up. More recently they just took away his house. For two years he had no home. He boldly approached the President of the Nation but the President did not take up the matter. He said that he would do so only if there was a re-conversion to Islam.
Once some enemies administered an electric shock to his two year old son. The child died. “But,” said Pastor Zacharia, “We prayed and cried to God. The boy arose from death!”
Sharing more intimately Pastor Zacharia said, “Jesus is my song! Jesus is my Saviour!” He added, “Sometimes we don’t have food. Then Jesus tells me, ‘This world is Mine. I am with you. What more do you want?’ He urged, “I request you to pray for me, my family, my ministry, my Church and the Christians of Pakistan.”
Today I am here with you. Those who are perceptive will understand what I and other Pakistani Christians go through. I want to continue to work for JESUS in Pakistan. I am ready to be crucified. If you are ready to come to Pakistan you are welcome. Without crucifixion there is no crown.
I say: Praise the Lord! It is such an opportunity to be with you – Children of God. I did not think I would even have the opportunity. God has chosen you and brought you here to praise Him. Praise God!!
A BHUTANESE SPEAKS
(A message from 9th Conference of Friends of Martyrs)
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Karen Job
KAREN JOB, a young student from the Michael Job College of Arts and Science, now studying for the 3rd year of B.B.M. degree, has lived for a number of years at the Michael Job Centre.
She herself comes from Bhutan but she mentioned that similar conditions in Pakistan prevail in Bhutan, Tibet and Burma. These are totally Buddhist countries. According to Law only Buddha is to be worshipped. If any family or individual turns to JESUS, jobs are taken away, then possessions and even homes. You are left with nothing. Children cannot attend school or college.
Churches have been completely burned down, often bombed. Now people are forced to worship in underground churches. You have to be a hidden believer to continue to live. “Worship,” said Karen, is not loud and joyful like here. Prayer has to be soft.”
She went on to say that not only in villages but also in towns Christians are persecuted. The neighbours may not kill you but they hate you. They have nothing to do with you. They will not help you even if you are in great need. They ensure that your children are stopped from going to school.
As an aside she said that Nepal – which is now opening up – used to have similar conditions due to Hindu militancy. In Kathmandu, the capital, a few years ago there was a bomb blast that killed six worshippers and injured twenty seven. Imprisonment with torture for Christians was the norm.
When Karen was very small her parents disappeared. She was brought up by her grandparents who were not Christian. Hence Karen herself was brought up as a Buddhist and she herself learned to despise Christians.
When her grandparents started finding it difficult to look after her an ‘auntie’ (Christian social worker) suggested the Michael Job Centre where all would be taken care of. The grandparents agreed and Karen was brought to the Centre. Surely God’s intervention!
She liked everything here but Christian Worship. When time for Prayer Sessions came, she would run off into the garden. A teacher very dear to her would try to coax her to join the other children but being strong willed she refused. She used to say, “I don’t believe in Christianity. That was why my parents were taken away.”
In spite of all the activity in the Centre she used to feel lonely. Then one night she heard a voice saying, “Come to me I will give you love. I will give you all the desires of your heart.’’ A bright light drew nearer and nearer to her. Now she wanted to pray but could not. She started attending the Prayer Services.
In 2006 Pastor Lee Miley from U.S.A. gave the girls an invitation to come up for the Anointing of the Holy Spirit. She joined the queue. When Brother told her to pray she could not. She cried out, “Jesus help me!’’ Brother Lee said, “Close your eyes and pray to God.’’ She prayed: “Jesus come into my heart!’’ Then he prayed over her and told her that God had gifted her to bring many to Him. He also warned her that there were two ways now before her – the right way and the wrong way. It was up to her to choose the right way.
“Today,’’ said Karen, “I boldly stand before you and say that I am a child of God.’’ She thanked Dr. Job and everyone who had helped her to come closer to JESUS.
Karen preached quoting Isaiah 55:8 “My thoughts are not your thoughts…’’ She said, “Give your thoughts, your life to God. He will give you His thoughts, His life and use you in a mighty way.’’
My Classroom
by Barbara Mckee, Canada
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UKG class of Michael Job Matriculation Higher Secondary School
I came from Canada, with a background of working with young children and I have to say I was very overwhelmed when I walked into this classroom of 65 children for the first time in June. I found myself in a classroom with girls from many different states in India, (some of them have a good understanding of English, many do not). Many of these children come out of persecution and poverty and the overriding prejudice that makes it particularly difficult for girl children.
Teaching methods are also different. These children have been taught mostly by memory and written practice. I am used to teaching with a variety of materials at my disposal and the children have rich opportunities to learn experientially as they work with the different materials. There are only limited opportunities to write and never as formally in notebooks.
I was amazed by the maturity of these girls who already understand the importance of learning and were willing to work hard to do so. I wanted to provide some basic materials but I did not want to change their system too drastically. I did not want to frustrate them. My main objective has been to try to find as many concrete ways as possible to demonstrate the curriculum to produce more than just learning by heart, I want the children to understand the material. I want them to learn to reason and think their way through things for the sake of developing their minds. I want them to get excited about really discovering new things for themselves and then to learn more just for the sake of learning not because they have to.
That is the luxury we have in Canada, children are able to engage in activities just for the sake of enjoying the activities, here children learn very early that they must strive to learn and work hard to acquire understanding in order to survive. While it is very important for all children to be exposed to educational opportunities and to do well academically, children in Canada do not understand what they have to lose or gain, the children here are more aware of their responsibilities at a much younger age. The children in the class have done very well in responding to my methods and the materials I have provided. Several of them answer questions consistently and remember what I have taught. The children with a better grasp of the language are the ones who have been most successful but even those with very little English are improving. Books and flash cards have increased their vocabulary and practicing rhymes and singing songs has improved their spoken English.
I am learning to appreciate the culture and some of their humour, which I did not understand in the beginning. I hope that these girls gain abilities that will help them reach out to the world for Jesus in the future, and that they will be able to change a culture that does not appreciate women to one that honours them.
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CALENDAR 2010
The cost of one calendar is Rs. 50/- including postage.
Please, intimate when you send money for Calendars.
The income from the calendars will be used for our
adopted orphan girls and to bring awareness
of the discrimination of the girl child in India.
A NOVEL WAY TO CELEBRATE
BIRTHDAY! WEDDING! WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!
BIRTH OF A CHILD!
With 501 orphaned girls of Martyred and Persecuted Christians
Breakfast Rs. 5000/- Lunch/Dinner - Rs. 10,000/-
This will provide one meal to 501 girls plus 107 staff members. Send in your photograph (hard or soft copy) and cheque one week before the occasion. The photograph will be shown on the large screen in the Dining Hall where all the children gather. The children will sing “Happy Birthday” or “Count your Blessings” with your name and pray for you. You can witness this through a CD of the day’s celebrations which will be sent to you later.
All crossed Cheques/DD’s/MO’s for the Orphan Children
at Coimbatore may be sent in favour of :
Michael Job Orphanage,
Near Sulur Boat Lake, Ravathur P.O.,
Coimbatore - 641103, Tamil Nadu
E-mail: jjob@pobox.com
web: www.drjobsmission.com
Please visit our web: www.drjobsmission.com for live programme