The Suara and the Oriya

Saura Children Praying at the Muriel Bent 

Youth Hostel in Orissa, India

Along with spending time in India with the Kui tribal community and churches, Aaron, Terry, C.P. and Suraj had opportunity to meet with the church leadership of both the Suara and Oriya communities, and visit their communities. Similar to the Kui people, both the Suara and Oriya struggle with lack of access to education for their children. Again and again the church leaders asked for prayer for their children and youth. It was exciting to see how many churches are working together to improve their facilities and offer evening literacy classes to their community. “All of our churches are multifunctional,” shared one Suara pastor. “God has given us this house to serve one another!"

Oriya Children

CP. Raju, Terry Smith and Aaron

Meeting with Oriya church leaders

Chapel set in the heart of the Serango Hospital

Please continue to pray peace in Orissa and for the security of these churches, especially the Oriya communities that have suffered persecution from Hindu fundamentalism. Since the riots that erupted after the August 23, 2008, murder of Swami Lakshmanananda, Oriya churches have been destroyed and lives have been lost. The pastors we met continue to feel that the atmosphere is tense and covet your prayers.

One of the many Hindu Shrines in Orissa