Received this evening via email:
[Bishop M.A. Thomas Update -- I'm sure you are aware of the persecution that has been going on in Rajasthan, India. The imprisonment of native missionaries, the freezing of bank accounts of Emmanuel Mission / Hopegivers, the siege against their orphanages so that supplies couldn't get in or out, removing children from the orphanage to be taken to poorly-run state facilities, etc. There are still major breakthroughs that need to happen but Bishop M.A. Thomas who heads up Hopegivers has been released from prison and most of the others have too. Below is a letter from Bishop Thomas that will cause you to be in awe over how the Indian church has responded to such persecution. RJ.V.]
August 22, 2006
Dearly beloved,
I praise God for the deliverance the Lord granted August 8 from the Rajasthan High Court. Here are the main points of the judgment as handed down in the language of the court:
“Hence, we deem it appropriate to stay the effect and operation of the order dated 28 February 2006 by which the functioning of the society had been stopped by a stroke of five orders as a consequence of which the functioning of the society, which had been functioning ever since 1969 has been put to a stand still. This order will remain effective till further order is passed by this court. We, further clarify in view of the order of stay, the appellant-society shall be at full liberty to run all its registered institutions.
Consequently, the Bank account of the society henceforth shall not remain under seizure and it will be allowed to be operated by the appellant society”.
This is a direct answer to our prayers. I praise God together with you for this marvelous answer from heaven and thank you very much for your support, prayers, fasting and cries unto the Lord.
May God bless and reward you!
It is true the damage which was brought to the ministries is irreparable by us, only God can heal it. Whatever we may be able to do, it would be only patchwork but when God does it, it will be totally new. He can double it or triple it by a simple word from His mouth. His one word created everything and He can remove every trial from Emmanuel Ministries/Hopegivers International. He can renew all that has been lost and double it in a very short period of time.
When I was in Delhi during my time of exile, I read Song of Solomon 8: 5 and 6 in my daily study. These verses became a great blessing for me. The question was “Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?”
Wilderness experiences are a privilege for God’s people. Jesus was in the wilderness for over 40 days and nights. Paul was in the wilderness for 3-1/2 years. Elijah was in the wilderness and angels fed him. Moses was in the wilderness for 80 years—he spent the first 40 years taking care of Jethro’s sheep and next 40 years leading God’s people. Thus he became the meekest person in the whole world. God used his example to comfort his son Jesus Christ before going to the cross.
I praise God for our wilderness experience these last six months. We started our journey on February 14 and came back to Kota on August 9. In between we traveled thousands of miles through rough roads and modern highways—through valleys and mountains. We stayed in houses small and big, some times changing houses and locations every day to escape our pursuers. We stayed in nine different states.
Dr. Sam suffered in the Central Jail for over 47 days. We have been through wilderness and the valley of the shadow of death. Death was sometimes only inches away.
Enemies repeatedly threatened that Dr. Sam and I would never be allowed to come back to Kota. They celebrated their “victory” several times. Every time they won a perceived victory, they would even have a fireworks show and distribute candy and awards in celebration of our “defeat”.
They challenged and mocked us saying, “Where is your God?”
Every time discouragement, fatigue and problems came, we leaned on our Beloved. I was so happy to find that even in the wilderness, God kept us “under the apple tree” where there was good shade and sweet apples to eat. I can say that during the six months of my wilderness journey, my blood pressure was always normal, my blood sugar was normal, even the swelling in my feet were normal. I praise God for those miracles and good health.
In houses great and small, we always received royal treatment as the servants of the King. His love toward us was strong every step of the way. I praise God for His faithfulness.
Despite the severe persecutions, not one orphanage or Bible Institute was closed. I am also proud to say that not one of our pastors left God’s work and went to another job. It is true we could not send the regular support for the orphanages but we borrowed money and helped pay their emergency bills. Some of the leaders even had to go to jail because they could not pay the money to the shopkeepers on time. But still they remain, steadfast in their commitment to the children and to the Gospel.
I have never seen this much unity, prayer and fasting among the pastors, orphans and Bible students. Even in the midst of this severe persecution and opposition, the Lord is expanding His work. One place in Madhya Pradesh recorded 51 new baptisms and in Orissa, 20 people have accepted baptism for the first time.
In Rajasthan, two ladies who suffered with evil spirits for 13 years were set free and healed. In the same place, one man who had eight evil spirits in him for the last eight years was set free as well. As a result of these healings, 125 people accepted Jesus as their Savior.
We just had a reunion leadership meeting and excitement is high. During the last week, we had board meetings for all five of our non-profit corporations and a Rajasthan Pastors Conference. I encouraged the leaders, board members and Rajasthani pastors with why I feel we have seen this persecution for the last six months.
FIRST, to give us a double portion of blessing and double the success of Emmanuel/Hopegivers. We learn in the scriptures from the example of Job that trial comes before blessing. Job was the richest person in Asia and the most spiritual person in the entire world, but to double both his material and spiritual blessings, he needed to endure tribulation and prove his faith. This is the same reason God has allowed all these trials to come to us.
SECOND, to purify and correct us all—pastors, leaders, board members and every person involved in our ministry. We all accepted the chastisement and every one of us humbled ourselves. We turned to God, repented for our sins and asked for His mercy. I am sure God is going to bless Emmanuel Ministries and Hopegivers International in a great and mighty way!
But it will take several months to get operations back to normal. Dr. Samuel Thomas, who was planning to leave for the U.S. on August 23, has been delayed. His presence is still required for court appearances in some of the still unresolved cases. God willing, he will be able to travel after August 30. I may be going to the U.S. as well, but only after two or three months. Pray that God will make a way for us to travel abroad on the King’s business.
We need your prayers and support now more than ever before. We did get bail and legal stays, but we still have to fight the cases. This is costly. For one appearance for the Supreme Court, we had to pay about $8,000 plus travel expenses. We are continuing to count on our strong Lord to provide.
In the midst of all this tribulation, we learned in the newspapers here that over one million girls are being killed by selective-sex abortions in our country with many being murdered at birth. Oh how this breaks by heart. Now I have a desire to take care of as many as we can. This is why we cannot give up the “Million Orphan Vision” of Hopegivers International. The numbers of street children are increasing as well as the number of brothel babies and HIV orphans, but our Lord is powerful. He can enable us to care for more. We will never give up our calling from God.
Today, I challenge you to take care of one child with an offering of $1 a day. Encourage your friends, family members and church members to do the same. One of the High Court Advocates, after meeting with some of our orphans, promised to support three children! He also said he would encourage his sisters and other friends to support at least one child. No child should be without food or a home; that is why we do this work.
Please give my special love and regards to your dear family, church members and friends. Dr. Samuel Thomas is sending greetings to you all as well. Our prayers are with you.
Lovingly Yours in His Grace,
Bishop M.A. Thomas
Kota Junction, Rajasthan