From Gospel for Asia: Attack by Night
Hearts pounded. Bodies hit the ground. First one round of shots was fired, then another. Then another ... In all, 40 bullets were fired at the site of the partially constructed GFA Believers Church in Manipur (India) that night.
God tenderly watched over His children, and none of the missionaries staying on the site were injured by the bullets. One believer did hurt his arm while trying to fall flat on the ground during the shooting.
"Even after this incident, we kept on constructing the church," Pastor Prim states.
This pastor does not make this statement lightly-this is not the first time his church was attacked and likely won't be the last. Angry mobs had dismantled the construction four times in the previous six months. Once, they set ablaze the missionaries' temporary living quarters and burned their belongings to ashes.
The most recent attack, May 29, had been forewarned: Around noon that day, sympathetic villagers warned the believers of a possible attack that evening and told them to be watching. When Pastor Prim heard the news, he called and requested police protection. The police chief said he would send some officers, but none came.
They did come by the next day-to pick up empty shells from the bullets fired the night before. Local Christian organizations have appealed to the governor for protection from such attacks.
When completed, this church building will be a haven-a place where people who have been set free from spiritual bondage through Pastor Prim's ministry can come and joyfully sing praise to God. With every stroke of the hammer, these workers who labor at such peril to their lives are building His Church in Asia. In view of these recent attacks, they have battled some discouragement and would be grateful for your prayers as they continue their labor of love.
"As for me," Pastor Prim writes, "I am happy that God has counted me worthy to face such hardships and shameful incidents in His name."
Posted by Valerie at June 20, 2005 05:08 PM