Bold Believers in India - Kids of Courage

8/14/2019 Bold Believers in India - Kids of Courage

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Kids of CourageKids of Courage is a division of The Voice of the Martyrs, Inc. (VOM), a Christian

mission organization dedicated to serving todays persecuted church.

Bold Believersin India

TM


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Kids of Courage / The Voice of the Martyrs, Inc.P.O. Box 443

Bartlesville, OK 74005Tel: (918) 337-8015

Fax: (918) 338-8832E-mail: [email protected]

Websites: www.kidsofcourage.comwww.kidsofcouragemag.com

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture taken from the New King James Version.Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

In the following material, some of the quotes, testimonies, and storieshave been edited and paraphrased from the original sources for clarity.

To protect their identities, the names of some of the people in thestories and some identifying details have been changed.

Reproduction of the materials in this book is permissible forhome or classroom use. For any other use, please contact

The Voice of the Martyrs.

2007, The Voice of the Martyrs


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3Bold Believers

in India

The Voice ofthe Mart yrs

India Facts 4

Comparing Hinduism and Christianity 7

States of India Bold Believers Stories and Activities

Andhra Pradesh 10

Feature Story: Why Should We Worry?Feature Story: Slave Boy Finds Freedom

Arunachal Pradesh 14

Assam 16

Bihar & Jharkand 17

Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh 18

Feature Story: Persecution Stories from Madhya Pradesh

Delhi 20

Goa 22

Gujarat 23Haryana 24

Feature Story: Stone Temples & Mud Huts

Himachal Pradesh 27

Jammu & Kashmir 29

Karnataka 30

Kerala 32

Feature Story: Two Kinds of Poison

Maharashtra 34

Manipur 35

Meghalaya 37

Mizoram 39

Nagaland 40

Orissa 42

Feature Story: Tolerance Problems

Feature Story: Forgiveness Changes Minds

Punjab 46

Feature Story: Teenage Sikh Finds Peace

Rajasthan 49

Sikkim 50

Tamil Nadu 52

Tripura 53

Uttar Pradesh & Uttaranchal 54

West Bengal 56

Union Territories of India 58

Answer Key 60

Table of Contents


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Capital: New Delhi

Population: Over one billion!

Area: More than one million square miles. Indiais one of the largest countries in the world. It isone-third the size of the U.S.

Religions: Indias population is about 80percent Hindu.

You can remember the five largest religions of India by usingthe letters in the word CHASM.

C - ChristianH - Hindu

A - AnimistS - SikhM - Muslim

Look up chasm in a dictionary. Everyone has sinned(Romans 3:23). Because of sin, there is a great CHASMbetween people and God. Only one faithoffers a way to bridge that chasm. ReadRomans 5:8-11 to see how Jesus made away for us to be close to God.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us,in that while we were still sinners, Christ died

for us. Much more then, having now been

justified by His blood, we shall be saved fromwrath through Him. For if when we were

enemies we were reconciled to God throughthe death of His Son, much more, having beenreconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And

not only that, but we also rejoice in God throughour Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have

now received the reconciliation. (Romans 5:8-11)

4The Voice of

the Marty rsBold Believers

in India

A busy street in India

Indus River

Hindi is a language.Hindu is a religion. Thewords India, Hindi, andHindu came from Indus,

the name of a river.Historians say that Indias

civilization first beganabout 5,000 years agonear the Indus River.

India Facts


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Recent History: India became an independent country in 1947. Britain ruled India befothat time.

Indias constitution promised freedom of religion. Most Indians believe everyone in India

should be free to practice their religious beliefs.

However, some Hindus would like India to be even more influenced by Hinduism than it istoday. In recent years, these radical (extreme) Hindus have become more powerful.

Christians in many places in India are mistreated because of their faith in Christ. The persecutknow they are less likely to get punished in areas where radical Hindus are in power.

Hindus accuse Christians who help the poor and needy of trying to bribe or force peoplebecome Christian. They also attack pastors who have led Hindus to faith in Christ. In some

states of India, Hindus are trying to get the government to pass laws that will make it hardefor Christians to help people.

Main Languages: Most countries have one or two official languages. India has many,including: Hindi, English, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, KannadOriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit. Hindustani, a mixture of Hindi andUrdu, is also popular. (Source: The World Almanac and Book of Facts)

Hundreds of other languages are spoken in India. Some groups of Indians have heard verylittle, if anything, about the Good News of Jesus. Many of them do not have Bibles becauseno one has translated the Bible into their language.

Two of the languages that do have Bibles are Hindi and Urdu. Psalm 9:9 is shown below inthose languages. Look up the verse in an English Bible and write or memorize it.

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India Facts

(Hindi)

(Urdu)


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God has made us with a longing in our hearts to be close to Him. (See Acts 17:26, 27 andEcclesiastes 3:11.) Hindus feel that longing, too. But they do not believe, or have not beentold, that the way to be close to God is through His Son Jesus. So they try to fill that longingwith other gods, rituals, and works.

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Comparing Hinduism and Christianity

Hindu Teachings Christian

God Hindus believe in one main god,called Brahman. Some Hindus pickone god to be their own specialgod. But Hindu teachings tell ofmany gods.

There is one God. The Lordour God, the Lord is one!(See Deuteronomy 6:4.)

Relationship Hindus do not believe their godsare like fathers to those who

worship them.

Our Father, God, loves us as Hchildren. I will be a Father to

you, and you shall be My sonsand daughters, says the Lord

Almighty (2 Corinthians 6:18)

Holy book Hindus respect many Hindu writings.The Vedas are a collection of sacredwritings. The Bhagavad-Gita is arespected book of stories.

The Bible is the Word ofGod. All Scripture is givenby inspiration of God(2 Timothy 3:16).

Life after death Hindus believe in reincarnationthebelief that after people die, they cancome back to life again as otherpeople or animals. Karma is thebelief that the way someone behavedin a former life determines what theywill be in the next life.

After a persons life on earthends, there is a judgment. It appointed for men to die oncebut after this the judgment(Hebrews 9:27). Believers enjounbroken fellowship with Godfor eternity. (See Psalm 16:11.

Salvation Salvation for Hindus means freedomfrom being reborn again and again.

They believe they become part oftheir main god when their cycle ofbirth and death ends. Some of theways Hindus try to get closer to this

salvation include rituals, goodworks, meditation, yoga, and theworship of gods.

The only way to eternal life isby Gods grace through faith in

Jesus Christ. Jesus said, Noone comes to the Father excepthrough Me (John 14:6).


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9Bold Believers

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States of IndiaBold Believer Stories

and ActivitiesIndia is made up of the 28 states and seven union territories shown on the map below.You may want to photocopy and color the map, then hang it up as a prayer reminder.

Jammu& Kashmir

Himachal

Pradesh

Uttaranchal

Punjab

Haryana

Rajasthan

Delhi

UttarPradesh Bihar

Sikkim

Meghalaya

Arunachul

Pradesh

Nagaland

Manipur

Tripura

Mizoram

WestBengal

Jharka

nd

Chh

attis

agrh

MadhyaPradesh

AndhraPradesh

OrissaMaharashtra

Gujarat

TamilNadu

GoaKa

rnatak

a

Kerala

Puducherry

PuducherryPuducherry

Andaman &Nicobar Islands

LakshadweepIslands

Daman& Diu

Dadra &Nagar Haveli

Chandigarh

Assam


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Capital: HyderabadMain language: TeluguReligion: Mostly Hindu

FactsAndhra Pradesh is larger than England, Scotland,Wales, and Northern Ireland combined. Morepeople live in Andhra Pradesh than live inFrance or Spain.

Every year, millions of Hindus visit a huge Hindutemple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Many gettheir heads shaved at the temple and donate their

hair to a Hindu god. The temple was listed in theGuinness Book of World Recordsfor receiving thelargest donations of human hair. Hair dealers buythe hair, bringing millions of dollars into the templetreasury. Some of the hair is made into hair extensionsused by Hollywood actresses. (Sources include: The Wall Street Journal)

Bold BelieversWe fear that even those who carry Bibles in town will be [arrested] for preaching.

a Christian in Tirupati

Hindus travel to the Andhra Pradesh city of Tirupati to visit sites that they believe to beholy. Some Hindu groups complained that Christians were passing out Christian pamphletsnear one of the sites. Perhaps the Christians wanted to let the Hindus know that Jesusprovides eternal hope, and that it is not necessary to donate their hair to a false god.

State officials said they would try to pass a new law against non-Hindus. The law wouldmake it illegal for anyone to preach any religion other than Hinduism. A Christian inTirupati said he did not know how the law would work. He said some of the churches inTirupati have been preaching Christianity since the 17th century.

ActivityA town in Andhra Pradesh is famous for its Kondapalli toys. The toys are made of woodwith each part carved separately before they are glued together. Make an animal or otherfigure out of modeling clay. Form the body and each part separately, then mold all theparts together. Use several figures to create a scene from a Bible story.

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AndhraPradesh

Andhra Pradesh


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Feature StoryAndhra Pradesh

Why Should We Worry?Healed by GodSwarna is a teenage Christian girl in India. She lives with her father Jacob, her motherMary, and her younger sister Jhansi. God has turned hardships into opportunities for her

family to grow stronger in their faith.

When Swarna was only 3 years old, she fell out of a second story window into a ditch andbroke her leg. She was sad and miserable. Mary asked God to heal her.

Like many people in India, Jacob was not a Christian. In fact, he didnt even like Christiansexcept for Mary. Jacob mocked Marys prayers for Swarna.

But God healed Swarna! Two weeks after the accident, the doctor said there was noevidence her leg had been injured. Jacobs heart began to soften, and after talking to a

pastor, he gave his life to Jesus.

New Life, New StrugglesJacob felt God was calling him to be a pastor and topreach the truth to Hindus. Hindus believe in many godsinstead of only the one true God. Jacob had been aHindu before he was a Christian.

Jacob held a big meeting and invited Hindus to comehear the gospel of Jesus. More than 200 came. But other

Hindus grew angry with Jacob. They didnt want peopleleaving their religion to follow Christ.

One day, Swarnas friend Anusha had a party for her 13th

birthday. She invited Swarna and her family. As Pastor Jacob waspraying for Anusha, a group of angry Hindus raided the party.They hit Pastor Jacob with a stick.

Mary shielded Jacob from more of the

attackers blows. Then Swarna andJhansi placed themselves between theirparents and the attackers to protectMary and Jacob. The attackers left, butthey shut Anushas hand in the door onthe way out. (Five of the attackerswere later arrested.)

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Pastor Jacob,his wife, and histwo daughters


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12The Voice of


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Continuing the WorkChristians around the world have prayed for Pastor Jacob and his family. This experiencehas made our faith stronger, the pastor told Christians from America who visited his homein India.

Swarna hopes God will continue to use her to help her parents reach more Hindus. Wewant to follow Christ, she told the visiting Christians. Why should we worry about people

who hurt the flesh? I want to join my parents to help strengthen the ministry. (SeeMatthew 10:28.) Pray God will watch over Pastor Jacobs family as they share the truthabout Jesus.

Feature StoryAndhra Pradesh

Slave Boy Finds FreedomNarashimalu was born into a poor Dalit Hindu family. Hisfamily was forced to give him to a rich Hindu to be used as

a slave.

Dalits are the lowest class of people in the Hindu castesystem. (See more about castes and Dalits on the Delhi andHaryana pages.) Many higher-caste Hindus have little or norespect for Dalits. They are treated worse than animals,said an Indian Christian talking about Dalits.

Dalits are often poor because they have a hard timegetting good jobs or a good education. Narashimalus

parents were so poor they could not afford to feed him.

As a slave boy, Narashimalu sometimes saw Christians going to church to worship God.They seemed so full of joy! Narashimalu wanted to worship God, too. Hindus worshippedtheir gods in temples, but Dalits were not allowed to go to temples.

FreedomNarashimalu began listening outside the church window to the Christians church services.As he heard the prayers and sermons, his faith in the one true God began to grow. Helistened outside the window more and more, until his slave master grew angry at hisabsence from work.

Narashimalu tried to go to night school for a while. But he was not allowed to continuewhen they realized he was a Dalit.

Pastor David


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Sometimes Christian pastors visited his village. Narashimalu offered to serve them inwhatever ways they needed his help. The pastors taught him more about God.Narashimalu found out that everyone is a slave to sin until they repent and followJesuseven rich Hindus! He gave his life to Jesus and changed his name to David.

David became a pastor, no longer a slave to sin or to the Hindu master. He would like hiswhole village to come to Christ and to find the freedom he has found in Jesus.

Persecution and ForgivenessHinduism has nothing to offer Dalits. They are not even allowed to join other Hindus toworship the false gods that enslave them.

But many higher class Hindus do not want Dalits to leave Hinduism. They persecute Davidand others who tell Dalits the truth about Jesus. Radical Hindus burned down the small huDavid used as a church. He rebuilt the church, and now 30 Dalit families worship there.About 25 children attend his Sunday school.

The Bible says, Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to berich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised to those who love Him? (SeeJames 2:5, NIV.) The Dalits in Davids church are still poor in the eyes of the world. AChristian from the U.S. who visited Davids village and other villages in India said, Thiswas the poorest village we visited. As far as we couldtell, there is no bathroom in the wholevillage. About 500 people live in the village.

David lives in a small hut with his wifeSaramma, their four children, and his elderly

father. His eldest son Kumar is a student at aBible college. Their younger daughters Ruth,Krupa, and Premalatha also go to school.David is thankful that his children are able toget an education, because he was forbiddento do so.

Radical Hindus continue to threaten andpersecute David. Once they beat him up infront of his family. They stopped beating himonly because 20 Hindu women from thevillage came and told them to stop causing trouble in the village.

Although the attackers threatened to continue bothering him if he does not quit witnessingfor the Lord, David said he will not stop preaching in his village or in other nearbyvillages. As for his persecutors, David said, For Jesus sake I forgive them.

A village home in India


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Capital: ItanagarMain languages: Many languages are spoken.Some are Monpa, Miji, Aka, and Sherdukpen.

Religions: Hindu, animist, Buddhist,and Christian

FactsScientists discovered a new kind of monkey in amountainous region of Arunachal Pradesh in2003. The region is one of Indias last wildplaces, one of the scientists said.

Parts of Arunachal Pradesh are hard to reach for

missionaries as well as scientists. Some jungle tribeshave survived for thousands of years without theslightest knowledge of the gospel, said a missionary.Few are even aware that Jesus Christ exists or that Hedied for their sins 2,000 years ago. (Source:Asia Harvest)

Bold BelieversChristians who have come to Arunachal Pradesh have oftenbeen unwelcome. Many Hindus, Buddhists, and animists do notwant people in their state to become Christians.

The state government passed a law in 1978 that said it is illegalto convert someone to another religion by force, inducement,or fraud. Inducement means causing or leading someone todo something.

Many Christians live in Nagaland, a state next to ArunachalPradesh. Some of them love their neighbors enough to takethe gospel message to them, in spite of the risks. One Nagapastor started 200 churches in Arunachal Pradesh! Many new

Christians are kicked out of their families, tribes, and villagesif they decide to follow Christ. (Sources include: Christianity Todayonline)

14The Voice of


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Arunachul Pradesh

Animists arepeople who fear

and worshipspirits that they

belie ve are inthings l ike rocks,

trees, and plants.

ArunachulPradesh


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16The Voice of


in India

Capital: DispurMain language:AssameseReligions: Mostly Hindu and Muslim

FactsAssam and six other northeastern states areconnected to the rest of India by a strip of landcalled the chickens neck. Find the chickensneck on a map.

Assam and the six other states are often calledthe Seven Sisters. Violence is common in theSeven Sisters. Tribes fight over land, some groups

fight for their own separate homeland, and citizensfight against immigrants from other countries.

Pray for the peace of Christ to rule in the heartsof the people living in the Seven Sisters states.

Bold BelieversA Christian from the United States visited friends in India. She took medicine to share withsick people who had no way to go to the doctor. One day, she saw a little girl with a largeopen sore on her leg. That girl could use some of my medicine, she said to a Christian

worker with her. No! said the worker. If you give her the medicine and she laterbecomes a Christian, you will be blamed for bribing her to become a Christian.

Non-Christians in India often accuse helpful Christians of forcing or bribing people tobecome Christians. In Assam, Christians built a new school for children. Parents in thevillage helped build the school for their children. But a mob burned the school down shortlyafter it opened. They accused the school staff of trying to make Hindus become Christians.

ActivityAssam is known for growing black tea. To make a black tea drink, stir together 2 cups of

water and 2 cups of apple juice with 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Bring it to a boil, then reduce theheat and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add 4 black tea bags and2 bay leaves. Steep for about 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and bay leaves. Add sugarto taste and serve.

Assam

Assam


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BiharCapital: PatnaMain language: Hindi

Religion: Hindu

JharkandCapital: RanchiMain language: HindiReligion: Hindu

FactsBihar and Jharkand both used to be part of one

state in India. In 2000, part of Bihar split off tobecome Jharkand. Bihar is known as a place wherepeople are very poor and many do not obey the law.

Bold BelieversAmar, Vikram, and Preetam are three boys from a Christian family in Jharkand. Their fatheSantosh, used to be an animist. Santosh, his wife Shiva Devi, and the boys becameChristians, so animist villagers said the family polluted the atmosphere of the village. Theanimists shaved Shiva Devis head to embarrass her, and then they chased the family out othe village and told them to never come back. Santoshs animist mother and father were

among the people who chased them away. (In Matthew 10:36, Jesus warned those whofollowed Him that sometimes, a mans enemieswill be those of his own household.) Pray for theanimists to open their hearts to Jesus.

ActivityHere are some Hindi words you can learn to say.

Yes: hah

No: nuh-HEE

Thank you: DAHN-yuh-bahd

Bihar & Jharkand

Indian boys

Bihar

Jharkand


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ChhattisgarhCapital: RaipurMain language: Hindi

Religion: Hindu

Madhya PradeshCapital: BhopalMain language: HindiReligion: Hindu

FactsChhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh used to be

one state. In 2000, Chhattisgarh became a stateseparate from Madhya Pradesh.

News reports told about Saurabh, a 5-year-old policeman inChhattisgarh. Saurabhs father was a policeman who died. An Indian custom allows childrento take the place of parents who die while working for the government. Saurabhs motherneeded him to go to work to help support their family of five.

Bold Believers Hindu militants dragged a Chhattisgarh pastor and four other Christians to a Hindu

temple. The Hindus tried to force the Christians to bow to a Hindu idol and say, Victoryto the god Ram. One of the Christians said, You can kill me, but I will not bow to theidol. The militants beat up the Christians.

About 20 radical Hindus raided a church service in Chhattisgarh one summer day. Theygrabbed the pastors Bible and put a tire around his neck. They tried to light the tire onfire, but it would not light. So they dragged the pastor to the police station where thepolice arrested him for outraging religious feelings!(Source: Compass Direct)

ActivityKabaddi is a popular sport in India. The rules are somewhat similar to langdi. (See theGoa page.) But in kabaddi, the raider who enters the opposing teams territory mustrepeat the word kabaddi [kah-buh-dee] over and over as he tags players. His goal is totag as many players as possibleall in one breath. If he takes a second breath, he is outof the game.

Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh

MadhyaPradesh

Chhattisgarh


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Feature StoryMadhya Pradesh

Persecution Stories from Madhya PradeshGirl Refuses to Pray to Hindu GodsA group of radical Hindus attacked a Christian training center in Madhya Pradesh. Students

at the training center were learning more about the Bible. The Hindus destroyed furnitureand office equipment.

Then the intruders discovered the 8-year-old daughter of the centers director. Theyordered her to recite a prayer to a Hindu god. According to a newspaper article, the girlrefused. The attackers threw her to the floor. God protected her from further harm.

Arrested for Good DeedsSunny John is a pastor in Madhya Pradesh. He opened aschool and childrens home for poor Hindu children in his

community.

One day police came to the school and took five of thechildren, ages 5 to 10, to the police station. The childrenwere frightened when newspaper reporters suddenly cameto the station asking a lot of questions.

The police tried to find out if Sunny John had converted anyof the children to Christianity. Although none of the childrenseemed to be Christians, Sunny John was arrested anyway.

Prakesh and the BullPrakesh is a Hindu farmer from a village in Madhya Pradesh.He was not always well-behaved. Sometimes he drank a lotof liquor and got drunk. From time to time, he visited aChristian church. Perhaps he was looking for the truth andfor answers to his problems.

One day a stray bull wandered into Prakeshs field. Prakesh threw a rock at the bull to

scare it away. But Prakesh was drunk and he missed the bull. Instead he hit a Hindu idolstanding at the edge of the field.

After the incident, about 150 radical Hindus and Indian policemen came to the village.They threatened the village Christians because of Prakeshs bad aim. Even though Prakeshhad only occasionally attended the Christian church, the Hindus still blamed the Christiansfor the damage to the idol. They beat up Prakesh and some of the Christians.

An Indian school boy


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20The Voice of


in India

Capital: DelhiMain language: HindiReligion: Hindu

Facts Delhi is one of Indias seven union territories.

New Delhi, which is part of Delhi, is thecapital of India.

New Delhi has a monkey problem.Thousands of monkeys roam the capital,snatching food from children, taking freebus rides, and disturbing government

offices. The government has tried hiringlarge, fierce monkeys to scare away the smallerones. The police monkeys are paid $25 worth ofbananas a month.

Bold BelieversRadical Hindus want to change school textbooks in India. TheHindus want the textbooks to say only good things aboutHindus. Christians and others want the books to tell the truth.Government officials in India have taken action to remove

schoolbooks written by radical Hindus from schools.

Hindu groups also tried to change textbooks in California inthe United States. The Hindus did not want the books to saythat Hindus worship many gods, or that women have not

been treated well in India. They objected to parts of thebooks that talked about untouchables (also called

Dalits), the people in the lowest class of Indiascaste system.

The Hindus said that the true textbooks wereinsulting to their religion and would embarrassHindu schoolchildren. Many experts and someChristian groups spoke out against the Hindusideas for change. A committee approved a few ofthe Hindus changes, but left the main true ideas

about Hindus in the books.

Delhi

Delhi


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Activity

Draw 35 small squares on pieces of paper. Write the name of one Indian state or territoryon each square. Beside the name, write something to pray for about that state or territoryCut out the squares. Glue or tape each one on a calendar. Pray for people in each state orterritory on the date where you attached the square for that location.

What is a Caste System?What is a Caste System?

A caste is a social class.A caste is a social class.

It is based on what fIt is based on what famiamilylysomeone is born intosomeone is born into..The people in higherThe people in higher

castes arcastes are thought to bee thought to bebetbetter than those inter than those in

lower castes. The castelower castes. The castesystem is no longersystem is no longer

legal in Ilegal in India. Bndia. But peopleut peoplein lower castes arin lower castes aree

st ist i ll l lookl looked down on bed down on byy

manmany in higher castes.y in higher castes.

Indian mother and child


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22The Voice of


in India

Capital: PanajiMain languages: Marathi and Konkani

Religion: Hindu, Christian

Facts: Kids in Goa like to swim. A news story in

India reported that three 4-year-oldsswam across the Mandovi River in Goa.The story did not say how wide the riveris, but it took the children 25 minutes to

swim across it. Two 5-year-olds alsoswam across the river. One of them, agirl, had also swum across the river whenshe was 2 1/2!

The country of Portugal used to rule Goa.Portuguese churches are still there.

Bold BelieversThe week before Christmas, 80 people gatheredat the New Life Fellowship in Goa to worship thePrince of Peace. Suddenly 20 Hindu militantsbarged into the church carrying chains, sticks, andiron rods. They smashed equipment and scaredthe congregation away. Then they dragged thepastor to the police station and demanded that hebe charged with disturbing the peace!

Activity

Langdi is a traditional game from Goa. Twoteams play on a square field. Players from oneteam stand in the square. The other team sendsone player at a time into the square. That player

must hop on one foot. Whoever is touched by the hopping player is out of the game. If thehopper puts his raised foot down, he is out and the teams change positions. The game isover when all the players on one team are out.

Goa

Jesus is called Jezu

[JAY-zoo] in Konkani.

Goa

Christians are sometimes charged withdisturbing the peace for worshipping Jesus.


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Capital: GandhinagarMain language: GujaratiReligion: Hindu

FactsCows are respected and protected in India becausethey are honored in the Hindu religion and becausethey are useful to rural families. A law in Gujaratforbids killing cows. McDonalds restaurants inIndia do not serve beef, which comes from cows.(Beef is the main ingredient in hamburgers.)

Bold Believers

Pastors and churches in Gujarat have been attackedby radical Hindus who do not want other Hindus tofollow Christ. A film crew made an infomercial todiscourage Hindus from leaving their religion. The film wasshown at movie theaters before the main movie began.

The film starts with a scene of two dogs fighting. A voice in the background says, Dogswill fight. You cannot change their nature. Then the film shows a cow eating grass. Thevoice says, You cannot change this cow into a meat-eater. Then the screen goes blackand the voice says, So why attempt to change someones religion?

To DiscussThe two topics in the film were animals changing their nature and people changing theirreligion. How are those two topics not really alike?

ActivityGujarati words to learn:

Gujarat

Indian children

Gujarat

English Gujarati How to Say It

Yes Haa hah

No Naa nah

good morning shubh prabhaat shoob prah-BAHT


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24The Voice of


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Capital: ChandigarhMain language: HindiReligion: Mostly Hindu

FactsTwo states, Haryana and Punjab, share the city ofChandigarh as their capital. Chandigarh is alsoone of Indias seven territories.

Bold BelieversI do not want to be treated like less thanan animal anymore. I am sick of the caste system.I have read about Jesus Christ and know that He

offers equality, dignity, and salvation. I want tofollow Him as my Lord.a Dalit in India

Traditional Hinduism teaches that people are born into castes.(See more about castes on the Delhi page.) Priests belong to the highest caste, soldiers tothe next, businessmen and farmers to the next, and servants and workers to the next.Each caste has many divisions and sub-castes. Lowest of all are the untouchables, nowcalled Dalits.

Dalits have often been treated worse than animals. Today the government of India haslaws against the caste system. Dalits receive special rightsand privileges in school and on jobs to help them improvetheir lives. But Dalits are still treated badly in many areasof India.

A group of Dalits in Haryana decided to become Christians.As Christians, the Dalits lose their special privileges offeredby the government. Hindus in India try to stop Dalits frombecoming Christians.

The Dalit quoted at the top of this story understood the

reasons to follow Jesus. But some Dalits want to beChristians so they can escape the caste system. The bestreason to follow Jesus is because we know we are sinnersand cannot be saved or be close to God except throughJesus. Pray that Gods love will lead Dalits to the rightreasons to follow Jesus. Pray higher-caste Hindus willfollow Him, too.

Haryana

Haryana

A Dalit said even animals aretreated better than Dalits.


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ActivityThe sculptures at a famous garden in Chandigarh are made of discarded building materialsCollect some of the clean items you would normally throw away. Make a sculpture out ofthe materials. Use it as a reminder to pray for the state of Haryana.

Feature Story

HaryanaStone Temples & Mud Huts

News ItemDalits in flooded areas of India are facing new challenges. They are often the last peopleto receive emergency aid. When camps were set up for people whose homes weredestroyed by the floods, members of higher castes chased the Dalits away. Our workersare taking the message of Gods love where it has not been known before, said a Christiamissionary after the flood. This includes communities where Dalits live. (Source: Gospel for Asi

Story*Pastor Vishal and his wife moved to a place in India where many poor people lived. Theywanted to show the love of Jesus to low-caste people who had little hope in their lives.

Many people in low castes believe they are doomed to asad life. They hope they will be reborn into a higher castein their next life. (Christians know that people have onlyone life before they are judged. See Hebrews 9:27.)

One day, four low-caste youth rode their bicycles 30 milesto visit the pastor. The flood has washed away our homes,cattle, and crops, they told him. Can you please come toour village and help?

The youth returned home. Sometime later, the pastordecided to see what he could do to help them.

The trip to the village was difficult. The flood had washed away the mud road, and thepastor had to walk the final four miles. The youth were surprised to see him. They had no

expected that he would really help them.

The villagers were not Christians. They worshipped many false gods, and they did notknow that faith in Jesus is the way to the one true God. Proudly they showed the pastor amagnificent stone temple built in the middle of the river to honor the god of the river.The temple, which was more than 1,000 years old, was quite different from the low-castevillagers simple mud homes.

A mud home


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Why do you think you are so poor? the pastor asked the villagers.

We work very hard for 10 years, said one villager. We save money, buy oxen, buildhouses, and then the floods come. Everything is lost. This happens over and over again.So we are poor.

Was the stone temple in the river built to worship the river?the pastor asked.

Yes, one youth replied. The river is our mother. She gives uslife. But she can also take life when she is angry.

Thats the problem, the pastor said. Your ancestors fearedand worshipped the river. That is why they built homes thatdid not last instead of stone homes that are strong like thetemple. They believed that the way to stop floods was toworship the river, so they did not try to control the river orprevent it from ruining their homes. Your forefathers did not

know what the river was, because they did not know God.

They were very religious, argued one of the youth.

Yes, they were. But I am not talking about religion, saidPastor Vishal. Im talking about truth.

Then the pastor talked with the villagers about the caste system. The temple and thevillage chiefs house were made of stone. The other upper-caste people lived in better mudhouses in safer parts of the village. The lower castes lived in mud huts in unsafe parts ofthe village.

False gods will make you slaves, but the true God will make you free, the pastortaught them.

Pastor Vishal spent many hours teaching the villagers about God, the Bible, and salvationfrom sin through Jesus Christ. A few months later, some of the youth decided to followJesus and were baptized!

Not long after that, the new Christians got electricity in their village, built a water tank tobring water to their fields, and installed an electric pump. However, later some upper-caste

men and non-Christian officials took away their land. The upper-caste people in the villagewere still slaves of the caste system. Pray that the upper-caste people in India will find thefreedom in Jesus that will make them brothers and sisters to their low-caste Christianneighbors.

*Paraphrased, edited, and adapted from a story in the book The Quest for Freedom and Dignity: Caste, Conversion, and Cultural RevolutionbyVishal Mangalwadi, South Asian Resources.

A temple located near water


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Capital: ShimlaMain languages: Hindi and PahariReligion: Hindu

FactsChina took over the Buddhist country of Tibet inthe mid-1900s. Chinas government persecutedpeople of all faiths. Thousands of Buddhists fledto next-door Himachal Pradesh. Their leader iscalled the Dalai Lama. Even though the DalaiLama and many Buddhists live in HimachalPradesh, most of the people are Hindu.

Bold BelieversPastor Ramesh was the leader of a house church inHimachal Pradesh. Radical Hindus were angry because someof the members of the church left Hinduism to follow Christ. TheHindus took over the church, set up a Hindu idol in the doorway, and forced PastorRamesh and his family to go live somewhere else. The pastors house church is now aHindu temple.

Himachal Pradesh

Pastor Rameshand his formerhouse church

2007 photoscourtesy of

Gospel for Asia

HimachalPradesh


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ActivityDelhi has too many monkeys. (See the Delhi page.) Officials hope to send some of themonkeys to Himachal Pradesh, which has a temple dedicated to Hanuman, the Hindumonkey god.

But Himachal Pradesh does not want the monkeys either. Farmers there recently held aprotest march against the monkeys that are already living in their state. Himachal Pradesh

already has over three lakh monkeys and can hardly afford to get more, said one officialupset about the monkeys that are destroying crops.

Lakh is a number in the Indian numbering system. One lakh equals 100,000. Commasare placed differently in the Indian system.

If Himachal Pradesh has three lakh monkeys, how many monkeys live there? How wouldthe number be written in the Indian system? Answers are in the Answer Key.

U.S. system Indian system

One-hundred thousand 100,000 1,00,000

Three million 3,000,000 30,00,000

Monkeys looking down from a building


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Capital: The summertime capital is Srinagar;the winter capital is Jammu.

Main language: UrduReligion: Mostly Muslim with many Hindus

FactsMost states in India have more Hindus thanMuslims. Jammu and Kashmir have moreMuslims than Hindus. Many Muslims wouldlike the state to be part of the Muslim countryof Pakistan instead of India. Indian soldiers inJammu and Kashmir have fought to stopPakistan from taking over the state.

Bold BelieversHopegivers International had Web site problems.(Hopegivers is a Christian ministry that helps poor peoplein India and other countries of Asia.)

They hired a Web designer to make them a new Web site. While the designer was workingon the site, only people with a special password could look at it.

Radical Hindus somehow figured out how to access the site. They said the unfinished site

had a map on it that did not show Jammu and Kashmir (sometimes just called Kashmir)as part of India. The Hindus accused Hopegivers of being anti-Indian.

Hopegivers officials were charged in court with stirring up bad feelings toward India. Butthe Hindus really just wanted to stir up bad feelings against Christians who help poorpeople in India.

ActivityLearn Some Urdu Words:

Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu &Kashmir

English Urdu How to Say It

Praise the Lord. Khudawand ki Tarif ho. hoo-DAH-wahnd kee tah-REEF hoh

hello Salam suh-LAHM

please miharbani may-hehr-bah-nee


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Capital: Bangalore (Bengaluru)Main language: KannadaReligion: Hindu

FactsIn recent years, several large cities in India havegotten new names. For example, Bombay waschanged to Mumbai, and Calcutta was changed toKolkata. In 2006, officials in Bangalore decided tochange their citys name to Bengalaru.

Bold BelieversDaniel, age 13, lives in Karnataka with his family.

He has a 12-year-old brother named Thomas, and a10-year-old sister named Nirmala. They live with theirparents, Pushparaj and Laxmmam.

Pushparaj sells ice cream from an ice cream cart. When he gives ice cream to customers,he also gives them Christian pamphlets. The pamphlets explain how Jesus saves peoplefrom sin. Pushparaj is also the pastor of a small church. He has witnessed to hundreds ofpeople who have decided to follow Jesus. Radical Hindus beat him up several timesbecause of his witnessing. Jesus was beaten, too, said Pastor Pushparaj. My beatingswere just little ones.

The familys Hindu landlord made plans to kick Daniel and his family out of their smallhome. When the family first moved to the village, people were unfriendly to them. Nowsome are willing to be friends. Ask God to continue to provide places for Daniel and hisfamily to livemaybe with the help of their new friends.

ActivityIndia has many different groups of people and cultures, and there is not just one kind ofIndian food. The climate in northern India is good for growing wheat. A kind of Indian flatbread called chapattis is a common food made of wheat. Indians in parts of the north eat

some of the same foods as people in Middle Eastern countries, like lamb and yogurt.

In southern India (where Karnataka is located), seafood is popular along the coasts.Tropical fruit like bananas and coconut are also common, as are strong spices. Althoughrice is a main food in southern India, it is also common in the north. On the following pageis a rice recipe from the north you can try with the help of an adult.

Karnataka

Karnataka


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Indian Rice Dish

In a large saucepan, saut 1/2 an onion in 2 to 3 tbsp. of oil.

Reduce heat and stir in 1 tsp. ground cloves,1 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 tsp. cilantro,

and 1 cup long grain rice.

Cook over medium low heat for about 1 minute,stirring constantly.

Add 1/2 tsp. salt and 2 cups boiling water and bring to a boil.

Cover the pan, and simmer until the water is absorbed.

Heat 1 tbsp. of butter in a skillet at medium high heat.

Stir in 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 cup almonds and heat for1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Stir the mixture into the rice and serve.

Rice paddies in India


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Capital: ThiruvanathapuramMain language: MalayalamReligions: Hindu, Muslim, and Christian

FactsMany Christians in India believe that Thomas, thedisciple of Jesus, visited India and taught peopleabout Jesus. Some Christians in Kerala callthemselves St. Thomas Christians. St. ThomasChristian kids and other groups enter a giant Biblequiz every October. In a recent year, 3.5 lahkpeople took the written quiz. (See the HimachalPradesh page to find out how many people that is.)

Winners receive shields, medals, and trophies.

Bold BelieversDenis Nathaniel is a translator. He is also a Christian. Hetranslated a book about Hinduism and Christianity into the Hindilanguage. The book was written by M.G. Matthew, a Christian from Kerala.

Radical Hindus did not like the book. They said it reported bad things about Hinduism.Officials listened to the Hindus complaints and arrested Mr. Nathaniel. They also arrestedthe manager of a book stall that sold the book.

Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of The Voice of the Martyrs, once talked aboutofficials who arrest people for telling the truth. If you arrest all the mathematicians,Pastor Wurmbrand said, 2 + 2 will still be 4. What do you think Pastor Wurmbrandmeant by that?

ActivityAlmost every recipe in Kerala has coconut added toit. Try adding shredded coconut to everything youeat for one meal. What does it taste good on?

What does it not taste good on?

Kerala

Kerala


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Feature StoryKerala

Two Kinds of PoisonBesly, Lesly, and Hepzy are Christian children in Kerala, India. One day when Besly was 13his brother Lesly was 8, and their sister Hepzy was 12, the children rode the city bus homefrom school. Unlike a school bus, a city bus has adult riders as well as schoolchildren.

A lady on the bus called the children by name and spokekindly to them. The children didnt remember ever seeingher before. As they got off the bus, the lady gave themsome chocolate candy. They ate the candy, but began tovomit while they walked home from the bus. The childrenhad been poisoned.

Forgiving EnemiesThe childrens father, Pastor Ciniraj, preached the GoodNews of Jesus among Hindus and Muslims. He had receiveda threatening letter a few days earlier. The letter told him tobe careful because he was destroying the true religion.

The writer of the letter believed in Islam, the religion of Muslims. Pastor Ciniraj had been aMuslim when he was young. Later he discovered the truth about Jesus and began to serveHim. He knew Islam was not the true religion as the letter writer believed.

Besly, Lesly, and Hepzy had to go to the hospital. The pastor, his wife Mary, and manyChristian friends prayed for the children and they got well! The family praised God for theirhealth. The Christians realized that the candy lady must have been sent by enemies to

harm the children.

Pastor Ciniraj continued to witness to non-Christians about the love of Jesus, who teachesus to forgive our enemies. Holding on to bad feelings about others is spiritual poison.

Surprise VisitorsLater a mob of Hindus and Muslims attacked Pastor Ciniraj. While the attackers were beatinghim, the pastor knelt down and asked God to rescue him and to forgive his attackers.

Pastor Ciniraj went to a hospital to get treatment for his injuries. After he returned home,

five of the men who attacked him came to his house. The pastor and his family wonderedwhat the men wanted. But they did not let the poison of unforgiveness stop them fromlistening to the men.

The attackers surprised the pastor by asking for his forgiveness! Pastor Ciniraj talkedwith them for five hours and led them all to the Lord! Christians are praying that God willprotect Pastor Ciniraj and his family, and also the new believers.

Three Indian children


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Capital: Mumbai (used to be called Bombay)Main language: MarathiReligion: Hindu

FactsMovies are popular in India. The film industry inMumbai is called Bollywood. The name comesfrom Bombay (the old name of Mumbai) andHollywood, the film industry in the U.S. The stateof Tamil Nadu has its own film industry, calledKollywood, which produces movies in the Tamillanguage. Mollywood in Kerala makes Mayalayamlanguage movies. The film industry in Andhra

Pradesh and the one in Kolkata are bothcalled Tollywood.

Bold BelieversSome movies are not popular in Maharashtraat least not amongradical Hindus. A Christian film team visited the state and showedthe JESUSfilm to a crowd of about 250 people. (The film is thestory of the life of Jesus.) While waiting for a city bus to drivethem home, the four-member team was surrounded by a mob of

violent Hindus. The Hindus hit the Christians, damaged theirequipment, and dragged them to a police station. The police falselycharged the Christians with using a loudspeaker in a public placewithout permission.

ActivityMaharashtra, like many other Indian states, produces spices for use in recipes around theworld. With the help of an adult, try this spicy chicken recipe from northern India.

Mix 11/2 tsp. salt, 8 oz. yogurt (plain), 1/4 cup dried cilantro, 4 oz. chopped green chilis,1 tsp. ground ginger, and 2 tsp. minced garlic. Pour over 4 lbs. skinned chicken piecesand place in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put 2 tbsp.melted butter in a baking dish, then add the chicken. Pour any remaining spice mixtureover the chicken. Bake for about 1 hour until the chicken is done, then serve.

Maharashtra

JESUS film

Maharashtra

JESUS


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Capital: ImphalMain language: ManipuriReligion: Hindu, Christian

FactsFirst Pitch: the U.S.-Manipur Baseball Project is aprogram started to encourage baseball players inManipur. More than 25 sports clubs have baseballteams in Manipur, but baseball is not as popular inIndia as cricket.

Cricket is a game somewhat likebaseball. The bat looks a little

like a boat oar. The professionalplayers usually wear all-whiteclothing and the fielders do not

wear gloves. Unlike in baseball, after thebowler (pitcher) throws the ball, it may

hit the ground and bounce up to thebatsman (batter) before it is hit.

Manipur

Boys playingcricket

Manipur

A cricket ball


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Bold Believers

PERSEVERE: TO CONTINUE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING IN SPITE OF DIFFICULTIES

Manipur has a history of being a violent state. Tribal groups have fought each other, andsome groups would like their state to break away from India and form a new country.Sometimes Christians are also the target of violence.

But some Christians at a church in Manipur have persevered! They began building theirchurch, called the Believers Church, in 2004. A mob of Hindus destroyed the church beforethe building was finished.

The believers persevered and started building again. Then 20 people came and tore downthe wall around the church. The rebuilding continued until a mob of 200 Hindus burneddown the church and attacked four church members. About a month later, a jeep full ofgunmen drove by and fired guns into the unfinished church. Thankfully, no one was injuredby the gunshots.

In the Book of Acts, Paul and Barnabas noted, We must go through many hardships toenter the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22, NIV). Jesus said, He who endures to the end willbe saved (Matthew 24:13). Believers in Manipur are enduringand persevering.

ActivityManipur claims to be the place where a sport that is played on horseback was invented.Write down the first letter of the following Bible books to spell the name of the sport:

__________ __________ __________ __________the 19th book the 31st book the 3rd book the 31st book

The answer is in the Answer Key.


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Capital: ShillongMain language: Khasi, Garo, EnglishReligion: many Christians live in Meghalaya

FactsIn many parts of India, families are happywhen boy babies are born, but not as happy towelcome girl babies into the family. Meghalayais different. Women have a great deal ofresponsibility there, and parents are thankfulwhen they have daughters.

Bold BelieversWales is known as a land of revivals. Many people cameto the Lord in Wales during Christian meetings more than100 years ago. During that time, a Welsh missionary started achurch in Meghalaya. (A Welsh person is someone from Wales.)

Today, sadly, most people in Wales are not interested inseeking the Lord. But in Meghalaya, churches are growing! Twpastors from Meghalaya recently went to Wales to spread thegospel. We owe a lot to the church in Wales, said a Christia

in Meghalaya. We have to do our part when our parentchurch is in crisis.

The government of Meghalaya is not quite sure what to thinof the growing churches in the state. We are keeping a closwatch on the situation, said an official. (Source: BBC News)

ActivityA butterfly museum in Meghalaya attracts tourists. To make a paper butterfly, fold apiece of paper in half. Draw half a butterfly against the fold. Cut out the sides that arenot touching the fold. Open the paper to make a butterfly. Use your butterfly as a prayerreminder for the people of Meghalaya and Wales.

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Meghalaya

Wales


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Capital:AizawlMain languages: Mizo and EnglishReligion: Christian

FactsThe state of Mizoram is having a race with thestate of Kerala. The literacy rate in all of India(the percent of adults who can read) is about 60percent. In Kerala, it is much higher. About 90percent of adults in Kerala can read. Mizoramwants to take over Keralas Number One literacyranking for Indias states. Churches in Mizoramare helping people learn to read.

Bold BelieversMost of the people in Mizoram are Christians. Many of themhave great zeal for the Lord.

But some youth are not following the example of godly adults around them. They areinvolved with witchcraft and other evil practices. The police believe scary movies and TV

shows have led them astray.

The rebelling youth have attacked churches and burned Bibles.

Sometimes the congregations of the churches choose to prayfor the youth instead of reporting them to the police. They askother Christians to pray with them for the teens who havesinned. (Sources: Washington Times, Times of India)

ActivitySome Christian women in Mizoram set aside a little rice ina special container when they prepare meals. Everyonewho has set aside food brings it to the church once amonth. The food is sold and the money is given to the

work of spreading the gospel.

Can you set aside part of your allowance or earnings tosupport the work of the Lord? Talk with your familyabout making a plan to do this.

Mizoram

Mizoram


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Capital: KohimaMain languages: Nagamese, English,and others

Religion: Christian

FactsSome groups in Nagaland have been fighting formany years. The groups do not want Nagalandto be part of India. Sometimes the groups fightagainst each other as well. Church leaders aretrying to help the groups make peace.

The story below happened in the 1960s when

India sent soldiers to Nagaland to try to stop Nagasfrom breaking away from India.

Bold BelieversLong ago, the Naga people of Nagaland used to be headhunters.They chopped off the heads of their enemies and kept them as trophies. After missionariesshared the Good News of Jesus with the Naga people, they stopped headhunting.

One day, two Naga Christians were arrested by theIndian army. The soldiers planned to shoot the

Christians outside a military tent. An executionercame and raised his rifle to shoot them. But therifle wouldnt work!

An Indian officer standing nearby went into a rage.He checked the rifle, then started toward the

Christians, planning to beat them with it. As he raisedthe rifle over his head, it got stuck in the rope that washolding up the tent, and the officer hit himself in thehead with it. He threw the rifle away from him and

began to weep. He realized God was helping theChristians. (Source:Asia Harvestnewsletter)

Nagaland

Nagaland


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ActivityA word square is a group of words that reads the same up and down and from right to lefHere is part of a word square:

To finish the word square, add the name of a group that used to be headhunters on the torow. On the bottom row, add a word that ends a prayer. Answers are in the Answer Key.

A D A M

G A M E

Pray for: Encouragement for those in Nagaland who

are in training to preach the gospel inother places

Pray for peace among the groups fightingin Nagaland

The people in the countries near Indiato hear and respond to the Good Newsof Jesus


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Capital: BhubaneswarMain language: OriyaReligion: Hindu

FactsSome superstitious people in India believeelephants bring good luck. Others think theanimals bring too many problems. As the numberof people in India grows, elephants are driven outof the forests. They often raid farmers fields inOrissa to get food. Elephants in some parts of Indiahave run into trains and wandered onto airportrunways. Sometimes they even attack humans.

Bold BelieversIn some Indian villages, even the police wont help Christianswho are persecuted. Christians in Umarkote village in Orissa worshipped together at asmall house church. Hindu radicals set up a temple near the church, then complained topolice that the Christians worship was disturbing their rituals!

The Hindus attacked three women who came to the house for a prayer meeting. Theywarned the women not to come to the house church again. The Christians complained

about the attacks to the police, but the police would not listen. The police banned theChristians from worshipping at the house church anymore.

ActivityMany people in India dress like people in America orEurope. Others dress in traditional clothing of India.Women and girls may wear wide loose pants and along tunic, together called a salwar kameez. A sariis another traditional garment for women. It is a

cloth about six yards long wrapped around the bodyto make a dress.

Men often wear long white shirts and loose pants.Some wear lungis or dhotis which are cloths wrappedaround the waist to form a skirt-like garment.

Orissa

Man in traditional clothing

Orissa


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Look in magazines or reference books to find pictures of people from India in traditionalclothing. Photocopy them or cut them out and attach them to a large piece of paper tomake a mural. Write prayer points for the people of India on the mural.

Feature StoryOrissa

Tolerance ProblemsA group of Christians and Hindus in Orissa were talking together about their beliefs. Someof the Hindus became angry and set fire to a Christians home. The houses in the villagewere close together, so the fire spread quickly to other homes. Thirty-one homes weredestroyed.

What is Tolerance?Tolerance is showing kindness and respect to someone who has different customs orbeliefs. A tolerant Christian is someone who is always prepared

to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that youhave. [Jesus is the reason for our hope.] But do this with gentleness and respect(1 Peter 3:15, NIV).

Tolerant Hindus?Today many people believe tolerance means agreeing that other beliefs are just as trueas your own beliefs. Hindus have been called tolerant because they say they believeother religions are just as true asHinduism. In reality, many Hindus

seem tolerant of others beliefs aslong as the beliefs do not say thatHinduism is false. (See the story atthe top of the page.)

All religions cant be true becausethey teach different things.Christians believe Jesus is theway, the truth, and the life(John 14:6) and, There is noother name under heaven given tomen by which we must be saved(Acts 4:12, NIV).

A home in India destroyed by militants


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Tolerance CheckRead each pair of statements below. Put a check in the box before the statement in eachpair that best shows true Christian tolerance. Answers are in the Answer Key.

1. a. Christian tolerance is understanding that God wants us to share the gospel

with all types of people.

b. We should believe that all religions teach the truth.

2. a. It is right to treat those who believe differently with kindness and respect.

b. It is fine to get angry with people because they have different beliefs.

3. a. Keep the truth to yourself so others wont be offended.

b. Love your enemies and pray for those who mistreat you.

4. a. Agree with others who have different beliefs to make friends with them.

b. Love others who have different beliefs enough to share the truth about

Jesus with them.

A Tamil picture Bible shows Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.Tamil is one of Indias official languages.


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Feature StoryOrissa

Forgiveness Changes MindsPhilip Staines was the 9-year-old son ofmissionaries to Orissa. He and his 7-year-oldbrother Timothy and 13-year-old sister Estherhelped their parents in their ministry forthe Lord.

During one Christmas season, Philip began tosing, When the Roll is Called up Yonder IllBe There over and over. Gladys, Philipsmother noticed that the hymn was on his mindall the time.

A few weeks later, Philip, Timothy, and their

father Graham were in their car. Radical Hindusset fire to the car. The Staines died in the fire.

Gladys and Esther were very sad. They foundout that the Hindus were angry because Christianmissionaries led some Hindus to Jesus. Gladysand Esther knew they needed to obey Jesusteachings about loving and forgiving theirenemies. Only then would the Hindus know thatChristianity is truly different from other beliefs.

At the funeral, Esther said, I am proud that my father was consideredworthy do die for God. Gladys said she was not angry or bitter. Instead,

she said she hoped all the people in India would come to know Jesus.

Christians and non-Christians all over India heard about what Gladysand Esther said. Many Christians were encouraged by the Staines

strong stand for the Lord. Hindus noticed that Gladys did not seekrevenge. A newspaper in India said Mrs. Staines forgiving spirit hadwon more converts to Christ than decades of missionaries.

(Sources include: Burnt Alive: The Staines and the God They Lovedby Gladys Staines, GLS Publishing)

Gladys Staines

Rev. Graham Staines,Philip, and Timothy


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Capital: Chandigarh (See information aboutChandigarh on the Haryana page.)

Main language: PunjabiReligion: Sikh

FactsReligious leaders in Punjab are upset because toomany boys are getting haircuts! Some Hindus livein Punjab, but most people follow the Sikh religion(pronounced seek). Sikh men and boys are notsupposed to cut their hair. But many youth arerebelling against this tradition. They are alsorefusing to wrap their head in a turban, which isanother Sikh symbol.

Sikhs believe in a god that is more like a force than aperson. They do not believe they can have a close personalrelationship with their god. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation.

Bold BelieversAngry Hindus interrupted a Christian prayer meeting at a home in Punjab. The Christianscalled the police, who then took four Christians to the police station for their protection.But instead of protecting the Christians, the police beat them up!

Christians in Punjab continue to tell others aboutJesus even when it is risky. You cant do Godswork if you are afraid, said a pastor in Punjab.The Lord saves and the Lord protects.

We will not stop preaching the gospel, saidanother pastor.

One church in Punjab has 2,800 members, with awaiting list of people who want to be baptized.

People find peace here, so they come, said thechurchs pastor. The Lord does it.

To non-Christians, it might seem strange thatChristians find peace while they risk danger. Christians know about a kind of peace thatdoes not come only in comfortable circumstances.

Punjab

Punjab

Golden Temple of Amritsar,a Sikh temple


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Philippians 4:6,7 says: Be anxious for nothinglet your requests be known to God; andthe peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and mindsthrough Christ Jesus.

Pray that Christians in Punjab will continue to find that peace.

ActivitySikhs celebrate special occasions by reading their holy book, called Guru Granth. Each

member of a reading team takes a turn reading for two or three hours until the book isfinished. A complete reading takes about 48 hours. Try reading a book or books from theNew Testament for thirty minutes, taking turns with four or five other people.

Feature StoryPunjab

Teenage Sikh Finds PeaceSundar Singh was born a Sikh. After a baptism ceremony, all male Sikhs add Singh totheir names, and all females take Kaur as their last names.

Sundar was the youngest of four children in a very close family. When he was 14, his kindand loving mother died.

Sundar was so sad, he didnt know what to do. In his search for peace, he studied the holybooks of different religions.

But he didnt look for peace in the Bible. Even though he went to a Christian school, hehated Christians. He began hating them even more after his mother died.

Sundar became the leader of a gang that made fun of Christians and played mean prankson them. One day, he decided to set fire to a New Testament in public. His father, who wanot a Christian but respected the Bible, commanded him to stop. Sundar and his friendsburned Gods Word anyway.

Burning the Bible did not give Sundar peace. In fact, it made him feel worse. He went tohis room and wouldnt come out for three days and three nights.

Finally at 3 a.m. one day, Sundar prayed, If there is a God, show Yourself to me, showme the way of salvation, and grant peace to my soul. Shortly before 5 a.m., his heart wasfilled with joy and peace, and he knew that God is real and His Son Jesus is the way ofsalvation. He was changed forever.

Sundars family begged him not to be a Christian. They were ashamed to have a Christianin their family. He left his home and village, but his troubles did not end. During his life, hewas jailed, persecuted, and tortured for his faith by people who did not like Christians. Itsa joy to suffer for my Savior, he said.


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48The Voice of


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Coloring PageSikh boy in traditional clothes with traditional ornaments

KanghaWooden comb

There are morethan 20 mill ion Sikhs

in the world today.Most of them live in

Punjab, India.

Pray they will find truepeace in Jesus Christ.

KirpanDagger or Sword

2007coloringpagebyNao

miS.


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50The Voice of


in India

Capital: GangtokMain languages: Lepcha, Bhutia, NepaliReligions: Hindu, Buddhist

FactsA visitor to Sikkim said it would be hard to finda square meter of level ground anywhere in thestate. (A meter is about 39 inches.) Sikkim has noairports. The rough, mountainous land wouldmake it difficult for planes to land.

Sikkim has the lowest population (less than500,000) of any Indian state.

Bold BelieversTall prayer flags flutter in the breeze all over Sikkim.Buddhists believe that the wind blows the prayers written on theflags to their gods. Most of the people in Sikkim are Hindu, but manyBuddhists also live there. Like Hindu writings, Buddhist writings tell ofmany gods.

Buddhist leaders in Sikkim areconcerned that people seem to be

losing interest in Buddhism. Hinduscontrol the state government. Inaddition, 30,000 people becameChristians in 25 years in Sikkim!Christian missionaries have startedschools where many children arelearning about Jesus.

Sikkim

Buddhist prayer flags

Sikkim

A Buddhistmonk

Pray for the Buddhists andHindus in Sikkim. Ask God tohelp them understand thatChristianity is not a threat,

but a way to find eternalpeace with God.


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51Bold Believers

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ActivityTo make an accordion book about India, fold three 8 1/2- by 11-inch pieces of paper in halflengthwise. Lay them end to end with the folds at the top. Overlap each end of the middlepiece with an end of the side pieces about 1 inch, and tape or glue down the overlappedparts. Fold the strip accordion-style making each page at least 3 inches wide. Cut off anyleftover paper after the entire strip has been folded.

Write and illustrate the book with information about India. Here are some suggestions:

(1) Make an Indian-language dictionary using words found in this book

(2) Write a Hindi number book using the numbers on the Rajasthan page and illustrateeach number with reminders of India. For example, you might include one Bible, twomonkeys, three elephants, four cricket bats, five saris, etc.

(3) Write a thank-you book about people and places to thank God for.

Accordian book


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Capital: Chennai (used to be called Madras)Main language: TamilReligion: Hindu

FactsTamil, the main language of Tamil Nadu, is writtenin a different script than English. See what Tamilwriting looks like in a Tamil New Testamentbooklet on Page 44.

Some Tamil names for boys are: Guna, Virko,Nesan, Andi, Amar, and Kani. Some girls namesare: Amutna, Pon, Panbu, Bani, Kili, and Kanru.

Bold BelieversAngry Hindus have tried to stop people in Tamil Nadu frombecoming Christians. They have tried passing laws and writingcomplaints in newspapers and on Web sites. On one anti-Christian Web site,Hindus called the dedication of a new Tamil Nadu church building a disturbing sign.

The church started with seven believers meeting together at the house of a pastor. TheChristians kept praying for more people to come to Christ, and the church grew little bylittle. The anti-Christian site reported, Before they even had 200 members, when they still

had a dirt floor and a thatched roof, they were taking missionary offerings.

Today the church has more than 30,000 members. The anti-Christian site says the churchhas sent out 100 missionaries.

ActivityAmy Carmichael took care of children almost all her life. Shewas the oldest of seven children in her family. After she grewup, she rescued hundreds of children from miserable lives inTamil Nadu, India. Do some research to find out more facts

about Amy. Where was she born? What experiences didGod use to help her decide to follow His call to become amissionary? How did she spend the last few years of her life?

52Bold Believers

in India

The Voice ofthe Martyrs

Tamil Nadu

TamilNadu

Amy Carmichael

Photo used by permission of CLCPublications, Fort Washington, PA.

All rights reserved.


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53Bold Believers

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Capital:AgartalaMain languages: Bengali, Kakbarak,and Manipuri

Religion: Hindu

FactsTripura has been called the kidnapping capitalof India. Different ethnic groups there arefighting each other. Sometimes they kidnapmembers of other groups. Crops, homes, andfamilies have been destroyed by their violence.Sadly, some Christians have fallen into temptationand have participated in the fighting.

Bold BelieversBamboo is very important to the people of Tripura. Bamboohas been used to make houses, furniture, handcrafts, decorations,fishing rods, mats, lampshades, and baskets. At a Bamfest event in India, visitors evensaw bamboo clothing, a bamboo musical instrument, and bamboo pickles to eat!

For some people in Tripura, bamboo is too important. They worship a bamboo pole as asymbol of a false god.

Christians have found a better way to use bamboo! In the 1990s they started a Bibleschool in a bamboo hut in Tripura. Sixty students attended classes to learn how to becomepastors and evangelists during the first year the school opened. Many have graduated, andthey now spread the word of God throughout Tripura.

ActivityHeres how to sing the words Jesus loves the little children; all the children of the worldin Bengali:

Cheh-lay-may-kay bah-loh-bah-shen(Actual meaning: Boys and girls He loves.)

Jee-shoo joh-goh-ter shaw-kohl(Actual meaning: Jesusof the worldall.)

Tripura

Tripura


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54The Voice of


in India

Uttar PradeshCapital: LucknowMain language: Hindi

Religion: Hindu

UttaranchalCapital: Dehra DunMain language: HindiReligion: Hindu

FactsRadical Hindus in Uttar Pradesh do not like jeans,

Valentines Day, birthday cakes, or other customsfrom the U.S. A group of Hindus tried to stop girls fromwearing jeans to school in one city.

Even other Hindus did not like the rule. Two Hindu girls showed up at school wearing jeans.When radicals tried to block their way, the girls used their martial arts skills to force theirway inside. The girls were expelled for seven days and the radicals considered turning theminto the police for attempted murder.

Radicals also tried to stop people from celebrating

Valentines Day, which they consider to be a Christianholiday. In recent years, they have raided greetingcard shops that sold Valentines, and they havethreatened couples who were together in public onValentines Day.

Bold BelieversPart of Uttar Pradesh split off to become the state ofUttaranchal in the year 2000. An Indian Christiangroup decided to build a school and orphanage in avillage in Uttaranchal.

One winter day, 40 Hindus came to the buildingsite and threatened all the construction workers. The workers fled for their lives. TheHindus also threatened the Christian group that was paying the workers. They were afraidthat the Christians would lead Hindus in the village to Christ. Christians asked peoplearound the world to pray for the believers in Uttaranchal.

Uttar Pradesh & Uttaranchal

UttarPradesh

Uttaranchal

A church under construction


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55Bold Believers

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ActivityUttar Pradesh is the home of the Taj Mahal. Do some research and find out who builtthis famous landmark and why. Write what you find out in the space provided below.Photocopy the picture below or draw your own to use as a prayer reminder for the peopleof Uttar Pradesh.


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Capital: Kolkata (used to be called Calcutta)Main language: BengaliReligion: Hindu

FactsKolkata is the largest city in India. It was namedafter Kali, the Hindu goddess of destruction. MotherTeresa, a well-known worker among the poor, helpedKolkatas millions of suffering people until her deathin 1997. Widows, orphans, lepers, and homelesspeople are common in West Bengals capital city.

Bold Believers

A boy was born into a poor family. His allergies kepthim from following some of his dreams. He got marriedwhile still a teenager and took a job as a shoemaker.The marriage was not a happy one. The couple experienced a great deal of sufferingand poverty, and they disagreed on many things. After one of their young children died,the wife became mentally ill. She died at the age of 51. He experienced as manystruggles and setbacks on his job as he did in his personal life.

This boy gave his life to Jesus as a teenager and laterbecame a pastor. He believed that the Bible says

churches are supposed to send out missionaries tospread the gospel in other lands. In obedience tothe Bible, he and his family traveled to India. Theysettled in West Bengal where he set up schools andtranslated the Bible and other books into Bengali. His40 years of missionary work changed the wayChristians think about missions.

Both accounts above describe the life of William Carey,known as the father of modern missions. Careys

famous saying was, Expect great things from God;attempt great things for God. Carey did not let his manystruggles keep him from doing just that.

ActivityFind out more about William Carey and Mother Teresa.

West Bengal

WestBengal

William CareyPhoto courtesy of Promotora Espaola de Lingstica.

Used with permission


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57Bold Believers

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Coloring Page


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58The Voice of


in India

Andaman & Nicobar IslandsCapital: Port BlairMain languages: Hindi, Nicobarese, and others

Religion: Mostly Hindu

FactsHundreds of islands are part of the territory, butfewer than 40 have people living on them. Officialsare concerned that terrorists who donot like India might settle on theuninhabited islands.

The people of Andaman and Nicobar

suffered greatly from the tsunamithat hit South Asia in 2004.Christians helped feed and care forthose who lost their homes.

Chandigarh(See the information on the Haryana andPunjab pages.)

Dadra & Nagar HaveliCapital: SilvassaMain languages: Gujarati and HindiReligion: Hindu

FactsDadra and Nagar Haveli is a territory of about 70 villages located partly between the

states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, and partly within Gujarat. Radical Hindus havethreatened Christians in this area of India saying, Would you like to live as Hindus or dieas Christians?

Union Territories of India

A 2004 tsunamidamaged muchof South Asia.


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59Bold Believers

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Daman & DiuCapital: DamanMain languages: Gujarati and MarathiReligion: Hindu

Fact

Daman is on the west coast of the state of Gujarat. Diu is an island. Conditions forChristians in Daman and Diu are similar to conditions in the rest of Gujarat.

LakshadweepCapital: KavarattiMain Languages: Malayalam and MahlReligion: Mostly Muslim

FactLakshadweep is made up of coral islands in the Arabian Sea. The people make their livingby fishing or working in the coconut industry. More than 90 percent of the people areMuslim. Probably less than onepercent are Christian.

Puducherry(used to be called Pondicherry)

Capital: PuducherryMain languages: Tamil, Telugu,Malayalam, English, and French

Religion: Hindu

FactPuducherry is an unusual territorybecause parts of it are scattered inthree different states. Two of theparts are in Tamil Nadu. Conditionsfor Christians are similar toconditions in the areas aroundPuducherry.

Map of Indias Terr itorie s


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Answer Key

Himachal Pradesh Activity:3 lakh = 300,000 written 3,00,000 in the Indian system.

Manipur Activ ity:polo

Nagaland Activi ty:

N A G A

A D A M

G A M E

A M E N

Orissa:Tolerance Problems:

1. a

2. a3. b4 b

Documents

Bold Believers in India - Kids of Courage