Published: 15:00 GMT Daylight Time - Monday 18 June 2012
Barnabas builds houses for thousands of homeless Christians in South Asia
Project(s): 00-977
“Today I am not weeping for the sorrowful life that we have been through, but I rejoice in God’s grace and mercy. Thank you Barnabas Fund who provided us with this house.”
A Christian in Orissa state
Over 600 Christian families in South Asia who became homeless as a result of persecution or war are now living in new or repaired houses provided by Barnabas Fund.
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This Sri Lankan family
are praising God for their new home |
Just over a year ago, we launched a major appeal to build homes and churches for Christians in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, who have been living in squalid huts and tents for years.
We are now pleased to report that, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have so far been able to build 522 new homes in Orissa State, India, as well as repairing 65 damaged houses there. In Sri Lanka, we have built 25 new homes and 17 new churches, reuniting shattered congregations. Hundreds more houses are in the process of being constructed in the three countries.
“We are praising God for this house”
A family of seven in Sri Lanka were delighted to receive their new brightly-coloured home from Barnabas Fund. Along with hundreds of other Christian families in Sri Lanka, their house was destroyed in the decades-long civil war, which ended in 2009. The violence drove many from their homes in search of safety, and when they returned months later, they found the buildings in ruins and all their possessions gone.
“Rani’s” family was severely affected by the conflict. Her husband and one of their sons were left permanently disabled after they were caught in an explosion. And three of their children were so traumatised by the war that they now no longer speak.
The new home has brought welcome relief from their suffering. Rani (43) said:
Now we have a shelter to be protected from heavy rain and sun. We are praising God for this house. Thank you for providing this house.
“We are grateful to God and to you”
In Orissa, around 60,000 Christians became homeless as a result of an outbreak of brutal anti-Christian violence by Hindu extremists at Christmas 2007 and in August 2008. They were ordered to either convert to Hinduism or leave, forcing entire villages of Christians to flee. When they returned, they found their homes and churches burned down. They have been living in temporary huts or tin-sheeted sheds for years.
One of the Christian men who received a new home from Barnabas Fund said:
During the violence we heard that people were coming to our village to attack our houses. Seeing people from the distance we fled to the nearby forest in order to save our lives.
In the past three years we spent a very miserable life without a house. But after three years God has given us this beautiful house through you. We are grateful to God and to you… So nice a house you have provided. We will maintain it carefully.
Give Today
If you would like to help homeless Christians in South Asia, please send a donation to our Houses for Homeless Christians in South Asia fund (project 00-977). using our secure server
If you prefer to telephone, dial: 0800 587 4006 from within the UK or +44 1672 565031 from outside the UK. Please quote project reference Houses for Homeless Christians in South Asia fund (project 00-977).
If you prefer to send a cheque by post: Click this link for the address of our regional office. Please quote project reference Houses for Homeless Christians in South Asia fund (project 00-977).
For a quick donation of £3.00 by SMS (see terms and conditions here) text Barnabas/977 to 70007 (Please note: This facility is presently only available to UK supporters).
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