Missionary Severely Beaten; Life Threatened
May 18, 2009
This photo of Koldmindstone was taken before the attacks. |
A Gospel for Asia-supported missionary has been beaten and had his life threatened by a man who once worked with him.
Kolmindstone Goshe was attacked by Mawlong Sahare, a man who was once a member of his church. The attack happened on March 28 as Kolmindstone was on his way to the market. Mawlong beat his former pastor and demanded that the missionary either give him some money or leave the village. Mawlong said he was also planning to attack two other GFA-supported missionaries who work in that area, but he could not find them that day.
Koldmindstone first met Mawlong in 2005, a few months after he started reaching out to the people in a village where Mawlong lives. Even though Mawlong was a hard-core follower of his village's traditional religion, he had been listening to a Christian radio broadcast and was curious to know more about Jesus. Mawlong was a local elected official and was, therefore, well-known in his community. Then suddenly, he became ill and one of his hands became paralyzed. Koldmindstone, who serves as pastor of a local church, offered to pray for healing for the injured hand. God answered Koldmindstone's prayer by healing Mawlong's hand.
Mawlong opened his heart to Jesus that day and later committed his life to serve him. For two years he worked alongside Koldmindstone, sharing God's love with the people in the community. But the leaders of his old religion dogged him, pressuring him to return. Finally they threatened to kill him if he did not rejoin them. These kinds of threats are very common in Asian culture. Faced with this pressure, he relented and went back to practicing his old faith, which is an uncommon response. Most new Christians hold tight to their faith in Jesus, enduring the ridicule, shame and threats of their family and friends who want them to return to their old faith.
Soon he was among the most vocal opponents to Koldmindstone and his ministry. He asked Koldmindstone and two other GFA-supported missionaries, Jagire Ekka and Chunike Mahli, to leave the area. When they refused, Mawlong used his government authority to demand payment of 30,000 Rupees ($605 US) to stay. When the pastors refused to pay, they were beaten up three separate times by extremists from Mawlong's religious group. Then, Mawlong came after them himself.
Mawlong was arrested and the pastors were forced to file a case against their brother. The police are investigating.
Koldmindstone, Jagire and Chunike have been temporarily moved to another location for their safety. GFA leaders in that area are trying to determine the best long-term course of action in this case. They do not want to abandon the Christian fellowships that have already started in that area, nor do they want to send the pastors back into a dangerous situation.
The pastors ask for prayer that the Lord would take control of the situation and bring peace and an amicable resolution to the problem. They also ask for prayer for the pastors that they will be able to continue being mightily used in the kingdom of God.
Also pray for Mawlong, that his affections will return to Christ.