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Extremists Try to Murder Missionary; Attack Well-Drilling Team

Jesus Wells are tangible evidence of God's love for the people of Asia.

(6 April 2009)

A mob of anti-Christian extremists tried to murder a Gospel for Asia-supported missionary working at a Jesus Well drilling site last week. The pastor escaped unharmed, but they badly beat a ministry intern and one of the men drilling the well.

The incident occurred when the well-drilling team arrived in the village where missionary Bala Nunwate serves. Bala, along with ministry intern Vincey Rao and the men who work for the well-drilling contractor, started working. About 20 minutes later, a mob of people who belong to a well-known, violent anti-Christian group showed up and tried to attack Bala. He managed to escape from their grasp, but the mob grabbed Vincey and the drilling crew chief.

The attackers badly beat Vincey and forced him to sign a statement saying he was an outsider who came to the village to convert people to Christianity. They threatened to take his life unless he signed the paper. After he signed it, they sent him away. It is illegal in many Indian states to convert people to Christianity by using force or allurement. These anti-conversion laws are ironically called "freedom of religion" laws.

After he was released, Vincey found himself in a dilemma. He was unfamiliar with the village, so he hid out in a rice paddy overnight. At daylight Vincey found his way back to the church. The other GFA workers took him to the hospital to treat his wounds and then to the police station.

The extremists also badly beat the drilling crew chief. He was also able to escape and go the local police, who took him to the hospital for treatment.

GFA officials had to go to the police station and file reports about the crime and the fact that the mob had taken the drilling equipment and the missionary's bicycles. Later in the day, the officials were able to meet with the superintendent of police, and he helped them get their belongings back from the mob.

The local leader where this incident occurred asked for prayer for the mob that attacked the workers. Pray that God would speak to their hearts and that they would come to know Christ.

Also pray for Bala and the other GFA workers in that area, that God would lead and guide them to deal with the anti-Christian extremists. Pray especially for wisdom for Bala as he deals with the situation, and that God would protect him from any further danger.

 

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