Greetings to you in the matchless name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I hope you remember me. We met in the All India Baptist Convention at Kottayam, Kerala, in February.
I was born in an orthodox Hindu family and was brought with strong Hindu convictions. I was serving as priest in the Puri Jaganath Temple in Orissa. I was lacking peace of mind and joy in my heart. One day, I heard a voice which filled my heart with a peace that I've never experienced before and I came to a realization that Jesus Christ is the true God. Now I am still working in Orissa and carrying out the Lord's work.
From last December, I was hunted down by Hindu fundamentalists. After the recent attacks in Kandhamal, I ran for my life from my own house with only a pair of clothes and nothing else. The Hindu fundamentalists have now declared a price money of 50,000 rupees for any man who would burn me alive. So, now I cannot return back to my own village. I am staying in the refugee camps along with other people. There's so much of pain and agony which I am unable to even bear.
Please do remember to pray for my own brothers and sisters who are being persecuted in Orissa and for me. May the Lord Almighty bless you.
Rajendra Kumar Panda, Orissa, India