People often ask if I have ever felt threatened while oversees on a mission trip. And my answer is, only once, while in India. In 2000, I traveled to India with Dr. Gene Williams. I stayed in the city of Jaypur, in the state of Orissa which is situated on the Bay of Bengal. Orissa is only 2% Christian and 2% Muslin. In 1999, a few months before we arrived in Jaypur, missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were martyred in the state of Orissa. The church planter that I worked with rode in an automobile with dark film on the windows so no one could see him on the inside. He always got into the seat behind the drive. He was very careful. Needless to say, I was a little tense as we rode through the villages.
The state of persecution against Christians in Orissa is no better today. In fact it is worse. I want to ask you to pray for our bothers in sisters in Christ in Orissa who are undergoing a sever testing of their faith. These are very godly people who love the Lord deeply. They gave me their best while I was with them, and together we worshiped the Lord. My heart goes out to them.
If you want to read more on the persecutions of these believers, check out the Gospel for Asia website. You can find the article here
