Pastor Ramesh, his wife, daughter and his parents are pictured in photo. The family lives in great fear, but at the same time remains steadfast in their Christian faith.
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Pastor Ramesh, his wife, daughter and his parents |
By Reto Baliarda
Christian Solidarity International
Christian Solidarity International
The poverty and hardship of Pastor Ramesh's * family is obvious: they have to share a single room with the pastor's parents. But what hurts much more is the sight of Pastor Ramesh's serious injury. His left arm is heavily bound from the forearm to the shoulder. He reports calmly and kindly how the bad injury came about.
Outlawed as a Christian
Pastor Ramesh was once a high Hindu caste. He turned to Christianity when he learned that pastors had prayed for his full recovery after his serious motorcycle accident.
This step has drastic consequences: the previously respected man is now despised and driven from his village. Pastor Ramesh fled to his parents' village with his wife and little daughter. But here, too, he does not come to rest. His neighbors scorn him. Again and again he has to be badly insulted. He even receives death threats.
Outlawed as a Christian
Pastor Ramesh was once a high Hindu caste. He turned to Christianity when he learned that pastors had prayed for his full recovery after his serious motorcycle accident.
This step has drastic consequences: the previously respected man is now despised and driven from his village. Pastor Ramesh fled to his parents' village with his wife and little daughter. But here, too, he does not come to rest. His neighbors scorn him. Again and again he has to be badly insulted. He even receives death threats.
Brutal raid
Despite the hostility, Ramesh founds a church in the new home. Over time, more and more visitors venture into church services. This displeases some Hindu extremists very much. One day an angry extremist visits Pastor Ramesh in his church and loudly insults him. "I tried in vain to calm him down, and I finally moved away from him."
The man pulls the pastor from behind to the ground so that he hits his head violently. The attacker twists his left arm until the pastor suffers a double break. «I was lying on the floor defenseless. But the attacker continued to kick me. » The alarmed police can arrest the perpetrator, but releases him two days later. Ramesh's broken arm is so badly injured that he has to be immobilized for months.
Family gets help
The spiritual wounds of the pastor family are even worse. Their fear of further attacks is great. Still, Ramesh notes: "I forgave my tormentor."
CSI covers part of the treatment costs for Pastor Ramesh's serious injury. We also support the family so that they can make a living.
Persecution Unveiled has been called to prick the consciences of our nation and all free people to pray for, speak up and act on behalf of those who are persecuted for their faith. Follow us on Pinterest.
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