Publisher: Mission Coordination Committee Issue 6 June 4 2020

Jesus the Migrant

By Anand Peacock, Pastor, Circular Road Baptist Chapel, Kolkata Re-published with the permission from the writer, and Our Daily Bread Ministries

Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. (Luke 9:58)

Migration is not an unusual biblical theme. In the Old Testament, Abraham and Sarah are commanded to migrate from the land of Ur to the land of Canaan in Gen 12:1–2. The Israelites had their own migrant experience for over 40 years, and God wanted them to recall this always. He said “You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt” (Lev 19:33–34).

Jesus was perhaps one of the first migrants born on the move. Prior to his birth, Mary his mother was running from pillar to post to find a safe place to deliver the child. Every door of civilization had been shut on them in order for them to be led to the stable. And so, Jesus the Christ entered our world amidst strife and terror. He spent his infancy hidden in Egypt as a refugee and a migrant. The Gospels narrate the hard journey to Bethlehem, the lack of welcome, the birth among the animals of the stable, not to mention the persecution of Herod, the massacre of the innocents and the flight to Egypt. This made Jesus the first “Christian” migrant to be displaced during tumultuous times. John writes, “He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him”(John 1: 11). Jesus understood what it was to be a migrant.

Pause here for a moment and walk back on the experience of closed doors. God closes doors sometimes to protect us from danger. He may not always open another door but He always does it for our own good. But when we shut doors on our fellow beings, we begin to play God, and in doing so we choose whom to keep in and whom to keep out. We take justice into our own hands and measure how much justice someone deserves, and how less we ought to mete it out to someone else.

When Jesus looks at the displaced migrant today, walking home hundreds of kilometers in the blazing heat, barefoot, without food and water, He genuinely understands their predicament, for He too was born under such circumstances. From Bethlehem to Egypt to Galilee, these weren’t small distances especially when you consider

Page 1 it was made on the back of a gentle donkey or by walk. He never knew when or where his next meal would come from, and that is why when He would speak to scores of people later as an adult, He encourages them saying, “Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6). He was speaking from His own experience, with the assurance and faith that God would feed Him.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus was depicted as an itinerant mover, a teacher, and healer in transit through Judea and Samaria to share the message of love, and salvation for all. He owned no place of his own and leaned on the generosity of others for his own needs and that of His disciples.

Today any discussion on migrants tends to refer to them with derogatory references. But make no mistake; they are the ones who make our city and lives –they wash our dishes, press our clothes, fix our cars, wait on us at eat-outs, fix our water filters at home and work, drive us to work and even ferry our favorite meals to our homes. They do things we don’t want to, and because of them our life is better.

In 1 Peter 2:11, the Apostle terms all Christians as “foreigners and exiles.” Just as God reminded the Israelites that they were once migrants and pilgrims, God reminds us, too, that we also are passing through this world –we are migrants too. The situation in our land today does not reflect God’s true justice. However, Jesus made it explicitly clear that we – as His followers – cannot claim to love God and be indifferent to the needs of our neighbors. We cannot shut the door on the plight of those in need. When we open our doors to a stranger, we open it to the work of God through us, as we read in Hebrews 13:2: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” So, what do we do? Reach out your hands to them in aid, uphold them in prayer and, if the situation arises, welcome them with open arms. For in the face of each migrant we find the “image” of God. Let us recognize that little bit of Jesus in every migrant, just as there was the migrant in Jesus.

REPORT FROM EAST INDIA

By Soma Chakraborty, Associate Director of IMCC Commission on Anti-Human Trafficking BENGAL • West Bengal faced the highest ever single-day spike of 344 COVID-positive cases (28 May 2020). The total positive cases stand at 4,813 and death toll at 302. • Cyclone Amphan on 27 May has left a devastating impact on several districts of West Bengal. It has claimed 86 lives in the state so far. Adding to this, it was struck by another heavy downpour and winds up to 96 km/h. Inhabitants in some of the areas are facing scarcity of drinking water and electricity. • Displacement of people due to heavy storms, floods and other climatic disasters makes them more vulnerable to COVID-19. • The Lord’s Supper was given at family prayer meetings, and now it has been a great news for believers that worship services can be conducted in churches from next week with some restrictions. • Family prayer on every Friday has been continuing. • Seven people were injured when a bus with 38 migrants, on their way from Kerala to Kolkata, overturned in the Balasore district of Odisha on Saturday (May 30). The bus skidded off National Highway 16 and upended.

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JHARKHAND • The Lord’s Supper was given at family gatherings. Most await the good news of the lifting of restrictions when the entire congregation will be able to fellowship at the table. • The situation in Jharkhand, particularly in East Singbhum district, is returning to normalcy. • On May31, the Pentecost day of prayer was observed everywhere, and all our BCCEI churches observed the same on Sunday at 12 noon. • The total number of COVID-19 cases in Jharkhand rose to 521 with five deaths. In all, 5,343 travellers are under surveillance and asymptomatic, while 3,901 people have completed observations. CHHATTISGARH • Out of 447 cases, 102 have recovered and one person died. • According to the Indian Express, on May 29, three girls, including two infants, died in three separate quarantine centres across Chhattisgarh. Two of the deaths were caused by asphyxiation while the children were being fed, and the third child, a four-month-old, had been ill for the past few days, and her COVID-19 test results are awaited. All the three were children of migrant workers who had returned to the state.

ODISHA

Ration provided to the Ho tribal people in Mayurbhanj district in Orissa • 96 new cases in the state, with the total touching 1,819. • Ganjam district continues to be the epicentre of COVID-19 with 414 patients, followed by Jajpur with 269 and Balasore with 152 cases. • Followed by the relief distribution at Balasore last week, food packets were distributed this week to migrant laborers who returned from other states. • Relief distribution to Ho churches has started. Sixteen families of Batigutu in the district of Mayurbhanj, Orissa, received relief items. The poor and needy Ho people were happy to receive the distribution though it reached a bit late. BIHAR • 208 new cases were reported as on Saturday, reaching a total of 3,565and 15 deaths. • Thunderstorms with gusty winds of 60 km/h lashed Patna and a few other districts of Bihar on Saturday evening (31 May 2020) leading to property destruction and water logging. • The roof of a building in Munnachak of Kankarbagh fell down due to heavy winds. A six-story building with 80 occupants was evacuated. Trees were uprooted near the High Court bend on Bailey Road.

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PRAYER REQUEST • Pray for people infected with COVID-19 or facing quarantine. • Pray for the protection of people who are vulnerable to COVID-19. • Pray for medical professionals, caretakers and researchers responsible for fighting the new coronavirus. • Pray for leaders to take right decisions. • Pray for families adjusting to new ways of life. • Pray for business owners and families who are under financial stress. • Pray for migrant laborers who are returning home and facing unemployment. • Pray for children and women who are open to different forms of slavery and abuse.

REPORT FROM NORTH-EAST INDIA By Monison Teron, Associate Director, IMCC Youth Forum

TRIPURA The state has reported 316 confirmed cases, with 143 on medical care and 173 recovered. There are no deaths so far. The arrival of migrant workers and students from Chennai will gradually increase the spread unless proper measures will be taken by the state government. Local churches under different associations of the ‘Tripura Baptist Christian Union’ (TBCU) are vibrant in relief work for the needy. This is praiseworthy. Some notable contributions are as follows: • Rev. Ranjit Debbarma, Executive Secretary, and Rev. Kisore Kumar Debbarma of SNBA (Sadar North Baptist Association) informed that about 1,636 families were given daily provisions along with other requirements. About 34 Christian families, including one pastor and one deacon, are under home quarantine due to the return home of their family members. Two local buildings of Bardhamanthakur Baptist Church and Gangaram Baptist Church under SNBA have collapsed due to Amphan Cyclone. • Rev. Jyotirmoy Debbarma reported that the Capital Christian Welfare Society, Agartala, has distributed rice, dal, salt, oil, soya bean, soap, etc. to 66 needy families in the Atharamura area of Khowai District on 30 May. • Rev. Chandra Kumar Debbarma of the Hachwk Haphar Baptist Association reported that the relief team distributed provisions to 40 needy families of Chichingcerra and Budikumarpara, and also in the interior villages of Dhalai District, the red zone of the state. • Mr. Hiralal Debbarma of the Aguli Baptist Church, Agartala, under Kailashar Baptist Association of TBCU, reported that 270 needy families were given dry ration each of 5 kg rice, 150 gm dry fish, 1 kg salt and Dettol soaps. • SNBA had organized a one-day chain prayer on April 20, and the Agartala City Baptist Church prayed for 12/24 hours on April 20 and May 20 without interruption.

Pictures of relief distribution

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PRAYER REQUEST • Pray for the families who are under home quarantine. • Pray for the members of Bardhamanthakur and Gangaram Baptist Churches–God may enable them to reconstruct their church building. • Local churches may continue to witness Jesus Christ through relief work more at this moment of crisis. • God may provide wisdom and knowledge to the chief and his cabinet colleagues to tackle COVID-19 in the state. • God may control community spread of the virus in the state.

MEGHALAYA The Relief Dept., in close coordination with Krima No.14 (GBC Association No.14) leaders, distributed relief materials and financial aid to flood-affected families in Raksamgre of West Garo Hills District.

GBC Churches’ response to COVID-19 As thousands of citizens from other parts of the country are being brought back to the state, the quarantine centers are inadequate. Many Baptist churches under the GBC have come forward to open quarantine centers and are coordinating with the civil administration in managing these centers. Our pastors and church leaders are visiting these quarantine centers to counsel and pray for the inmates in order to show our solidarity and concern.

ARUNACHAL PRADESH A woman in ITBP, Lohit, has turned positive for COVID-19. She is reportedly asymptomatic. Earlier, it was reported that a jawan was tested positive, which turned out to be fake. Total positive cases: 23 Active cases: 22 Recovered: 1

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MANIPUR MBC’s response to COVID-19 pandemic As of 1 June, the total number of positive cases is 83, with 72 active cases and 11 recoveries. All of these cases were people who had returned from outside of North East India. The Government of Manipur has done a great job by taking all necessary precautions such as quarantining the returnees, maintaining containment, and contact tracing of positive cases. So far, there has been no case of community transmission.

Since the reporting of the first positive case, the Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) had appealed to associations and churches under it to extend relief in whatever capacity they can. The following associations have contributed toward relief work: 1. Mission workers of the Mao Baptist Churches Association (MBCA) have donated one month of their salary toward the COVID-19 Relief Fund to the Chief Minister of Manipur. 2. Mission workers of the (KBC) have donated one day of their wages to the COVID-19 Relief Fund to the Chief Minister of Manipur. 3. Tangkhul Baptist Churches Association (TBCA) has donated Rs.3,00,000/- to the COVID-19 Relief Fund to the Chief Minister of Manipur. 4. Maram Naga Baptist Association (MRNBA) has contributed Rs.3,00,000/- to stranded migrant workers in metropolitan cities. 5. MBC has donated Rs.2,36,000/- to the COVID-19 Relief Fund to the Chief Minister of Manipur. MBC General Secretary, Rev. Dr. W. Konghar, was accompanied by other Cabinet Secretaries of MBC at the time of handing over the relief fund. In partnership with CASA, MBC had reached out to 400 poor and needy households of Senapati District, and with a grant of US $1000 received from BWA, MBC is working to provide mask sand hand sanitizers to the poor and vulnerable people of Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Senapati and Churachandpur districts of Manipur. and other Christian literatures are being provided at various quarantine centres, and pastors and preachers regularly speak to the inmates at many quarantine centres. By God’s grace, MBC is doing whatever it can to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pastor sharing the gospel at one of the quarantine centres

ASSAM The CBCNEI, in collaboration with Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action, and Christian Forum, is distributing the following items per family (target 700 families): 1. Rice 10kg 2. Dal 1kg 3. M. Oil 1 litre 4. Sanitary pads/napkins 1 packet 5. Mask 1 piece 6. Hygiene kit (bathing bar, detergent powder, phenyl) 1 packet each 7. Salt 1/2 kg

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Monday ~ 5 villages (202 families), which is done Tuesday ~ 5 villages (238 families), yet to distribute Wednesday ~ 5 villages (251 families), yet to distribute These 15 villages fall under five different government blocks,which are Matia, Balijana, Krishnai, Rangjuli, Kuchdhowa of Goalpara district of Assam.

KABC The Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development Project under Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention (KABC), in collaboration with CASA, is all set to distribute rice, pulses, salt, oil and sanitary pads to 310 most needy families in West Karbi Anglong district falling under Rongkhang Block. The distribution was planned on 4 June 2020.

NAGALAND

NBCC on COVID-19

The Nagaland government as well as the churches and its members are on war footing to fight this pandemic. The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and its constituent member churches and associations have been actively engaged in delivering relief to the stranded people in Nagaland for the last two months. Now, since positive cases have been rising each day, our fight is going to be tougher and more challenging. NBCC has opened the facilities of the NBCC Convention Centre Hall, Kohima, to the Government of Nagaland for catering for all quarantine centres in Kohima. NBCC further openedtwo institutions, the Oriental Theological Seminary (OTS), Bade, Dimapur; and the Christian Higher Secondary School(CHSS), Dimapur, for quarantine services. NBCC also extended relief and other basic needs to quarantine centres in Kohima, OTS and CHSS Dimapur. In Kohima, NBCC, along with the Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship and its churches, extended relief to stranded people, laborers, daily wage earners and needy people. On the spiritual side, we organized prayer and fasting, chain prayer and biblical sermons through social media, YouTube videos, prayer helpline etc.

Some of the associations like Chakhesang Baptist Church Council, Western Sumi Baptist Association, Phom Baptist Christian Association, Konyak Baptist Association (there may be more)are directly running quarantine centres. Associations and local churches under NBCC are constantly praying for God’s healing, comfort and protection for those bereaved families, positive patients, frontline workers, etc. May Almighty God heal India and the world in His own time!

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REPORT FROM NORTH INDIA By Umed Bangerwal, Dehradun

A good number of churches and Christian believers participated enthusiastically in All India Prayer on Sunday, 31 May. Some of us from Dehradun Baptist Church could participate in the online United India Baptist Worship Service and in the Worship Service by Baptist World Alliance and are blessed. Church members are gladly participating in morning prayers on every Thursday and are praying devotedly for various issues.

Cases continue to increase in the states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

PRAYER REQUEST

• Pray for Dehradun Baptist Church and its ministries. • Pray for the needs of migrant laborers as they return to their homes. • Pray for the Lord’s hand of healing upon positive cases. • Pray for farmers and farm laborers. • Pray for pastors and worship leaders conducting worship services online. • Pray that God will enable the churches to continue to serve the people. • Pray to God almighty for the eradication of corona virus. REPORT FROM SOUTH INDIA By D. Robert Surya Prakash, Hyderabad

In commemoration of Pentecost Sunday, 31 May, the churches in South India have joined the nation in ONE SOUND ONE HOPE by ringing the church bells, singing and praying at 12 noon. Every church and organization has fervently joined the prayers for the present situation and control of the pandemic. As the lockdown is being slowly lifted, the virus has spiked rapidly in the southern states except Andaman and Nicobar.

The entire south has recorded 9029 fresh cases during last week itself and 376 total deaths. As on 31 May there are 14200 active patients in South India. The government authorities are just advising the public to take self- control measures.

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TAMIL NADU

The worst hit state in the south, Tamil Nadu, has registered more than 6100 fresh cases in the last one week. As on 31 May, the total positive cases is 22,330 and 176 deaths. There is a steep rise every hour and the government authorities are spending sleepless nights. As , we need to especially intercede for the Vellore Christian Hospital, Vellore Medical College, the doctors, professors, paramedical and administrative staff.

Kindly uphold the American Baptist Churches, both Telugu and Tamil Ministry in the state.

Uphold the ministry of Back to the Madurai, India Youth for Christ Chennai, Friends Prayer Band, and many such mission-oriented NGOs based in the state. Due to lockdown, almost all the are going without any salaries or support. Let us uphold them in our prayers so that our Lord will open a door for them.

ANDHRA PRADESH

From 25 to 31 May there has been a rapid spike in cases. As many as 774 fresh cases were registered. At present there are 1168 active cases and 62 have perished.

Update from Dr. G. Mathew Peter, Vishakapatnam l am happy to state that people residing in the vicinity of LG Polymers are slowly getting back to their homes with help from social organizations after the gas leakage. While the positive cases are on the rise, by God’s Grace, recoveries also have been good, and there has been no death so far. The churches and other Christian outfits have been taking care of the poor and needy. Migrant laborers are being fed and provided resting facilities. We join you and the Baptist families in our prayers to God to have mercy on humankind.

Update from Bro. R.S. John, Working President SIBGA,Vizianagaram

Twenty active cases are reported in the entire district and two fresh cases were identified during this week. Distribution of groceries took place at SMB Church Vizianagaram to the pastors, orphans and church workers the pandemic on 28 May. The church is playing an active role in helping the needy, and regular prayers are offered to contain

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KAKINADA

Update from Dr. P. John VK Gandhi

By the grace of God, no one from the Christian community has been infected so far in East Godavari Dist, even though there has been a steep rise in cases this week in Kakinada. Online church services and daily devotions are going on in every church. We are look forward to June 8 to open our churches. Remembering the men of

God in their hour of need, the RPUC team has done a commendable job. Please pray for a medical technician who is working at Raghava Nursing Home. He is infected with the virus, which has spread to his parents. Kindly pray for them all.

TENALI, GUNTUR DIST.

Update from Rev. P. Sunil Kumar and Yellamati Kishore Babu

There are two cases in Ponnuru and five in Tenali city. Consequently, the entire district is under Red Zone containment, causing a financial crisis for many pastors and evangelists. Mission field officers Rev. Pedaparthi Sunil Kumar, Rev. Chunduru Ravi and Bro. Kanapala Noble have helped the poor pastors with cash assistance of Rs.2000 each along with vegetables and other daily needs. Evangelism Director Rev. Yellamati Kishore Babu has extended help by giving groceries and daily necessities to 500 poor people in Tenali city. Youth Director Bro. Tenali Raviteja has been providing cooked food to 100 homeless people for the last one week. Mission field officers request the prayer of Baptist fraternity for a speedy recovery from the pandemic.

KARNATAKA

The situation in Karnataka has grown worse with the lifting of lockdown. During this week, 1,132 fresh cases have been reported. As on date, there are 1,950 active cases and 51 deaths. The government of Karnataka has sought to cut down flights from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and have implemented strict rules for travel to Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

We need to uphold the Christian ministry in Karnataka who are vulnerable to radical religious elements. Many small church pastors in villages and remote areas are being threatened and they look for our solidarity.

Update from Dr. Rathnamma Sarathy, President of Bangalore Baptist Women’s Union

The Bangalore Baptist Women’s Union conducted Zoom Prayers on 31 May from 7.00–9.00 pm. We prayed for the world, for different countries suffering from COVID-19. We prayed for India, for different states suffering from COVID-19, for the state of Karnataka and Bangalore city.

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KERALA

During this week there has been 422 fresh COVID cases, and to date 670 active cases and 10 deaths in the state. The Malankara Mar Thomas Syrian Church has donated 35 lakhs to the CM relief fund. The government has been very appreciative of the Church efforts to help the needy, poor and migrants. The Fellowship of Baptist Churches is extending its prayer support to migrants who are returning from abroad. The biggest challenge for Kerala is to accommodate the Expats returning home. As Indian Baptists, let us join our hands in prayer to intercede for these friends in Kerala.

TELANGANA

Hyderabad has been a hot spot of cases. Last week 645 fresh cases were registered in the state and there are 1010 active cases. More than 75 people lost their lives. Every hour we see the cases increasing, and just on Sunday, 31 May, 199 fresh cases were recorded and five deaths. Lockdown measures have been relaxed, yet the threat of the virus is prevalent. The state of Telangana has a vast presence of Baptist ministry started by the ABFMS, and many churches are working independently.

Update from Bro. Selvaraj Kodamala, IMCC Youth Forum Member

Baptist Church, Takkumattla, Suryapet District

Recently the church has distributed 100 bags of rice and items including oil, Dal, salt, soap and vegetables to the poor and daily wage families. Rev. C. Moses Isaiah, the pastor, is taking keen interest to evangelize the villages surrounding this place, and spreading the love of Jesus Christ to non-believers. The Youth Fellowship is very active here in helping the church administration in street preaching, Gospel outreach and social activity.

Miryalaguda

Nazareth Prayer Hall, an independent Baptist church established by Rev. Dr. S. Kiran Kumar a graduate from ACTC, has been rendering religious services to the people working in rice mills. Many of them are facing hardship.

1) The church helped 32 poor pastors and evangelists by giving them 12 kg rice, groceries and vegetables apart from financial assistance. 2) 18 widows were provided with two months ration and financial support.

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3) 156 daily wage earners living in Sunder Nagar and Ranganna colonies were provided with 10 kg rice and other daily needs.

The church authorities here in Telangana are waiting for a clear direction from the government to open up churches and conduct regular worship services. The spike in cases is a matter of concern, and much intercessory prayer is required.

REPORT FROM WEST INDIA By Mohan Adinarayan, Mumbai MAHARASHTRA

We thank God for some Mumbai local churches along with trusts doing some relief work by distributing water bottles, biscuits and groceries to migrants and residents. Pray for Mumbai and Pune city as people are living with fear in their minds. The IMD issued “Red Alert” for Mumbai. Pray for Mumbai in view of predicted heavy rains from the cyclone.

RAJASTHAN

Massive swarms of desert locusts have been reported destroying crops in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. On May 30, swarms of locusts entered Rajasthan’s Bikaner following Pokhran district. Cotton crops in Khajuwala area were damaged.

Editorial Team: Rev. Samaresh NayakEmail:[email protected]/WA:094370 60553 Rev. P.A.Stephen KumarEmail:[email protected]/WA: 09042810089 Rev. Catherine LongkumerEmail: [email protected] Mobile:081328 06973

Designing Team : Mr. Joseph Noel Voola, Mr. M. Srinivas

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