We greatly rely on your prayers! Laura and I are at peace, knowing you pray for us even when we do not give "specifics."
I just learned of the tragic death of our brother, Poul Raj, a preacher in India. Persecution played a part in his death and also involved shaming his family after he died.
Poul Raj is a part of the Indian gypsy tribe. Nomads. He came to Christ about 40 years ago and has been a faithful evangelist. He also trained 20 young men to preach.
He received one of our self-help grants.
His health has been deteriorating. He was on dialysis, twice weekly. Hindus in his village determined to keep him from building a house on his land. Last week they sent six women to beat Poul and his wife with broom sticks. The beating caused great pain and forced them to flee, hiding at a relatives house.
Keep his precarious health in mind. Poul and his wife returned to their house plot on his motorbike. It was there that he experience severe chest pains. As they began to go to the hospital, he had a heart attack and died on the spot (wrecking the motorbike).
The Hindus of the village refused to move his body. The aim was to shame his widow and family. Two of his fellow preachers learned of this, traveled to the village and took his body – and, in an honorable way, took care of preparations and burial.
- Pray, please, for the widow and children (4) of this faithful man of God.
- Pray that his death will not be in vain, but that many will come to Christ because of his witness.
- Pray for our brothers and sisters in India who face great persecution. Some preachers have been taken to court & fined for evangelizing.
- Thank God for the two brave brothers who went and honored Poul’s body.
Thank you, I know we can depend on you.
for Jesus’ sake,
Tom & Laura