Extract from Michael's Book “From Political Ruins to Heavenly Mansions”

We continued in His service. A small church was constructed on top of our house and we have a small church congregation who pray for us and the ministry. Serving the Lord in these hard places in India has been difficult but a great blessing. I sure understand that doing God's work is difficult and challenging, but we are not defeated.

I did go to preach in the most difficult state of Orissa in north India. The state is known for many Christians being persecuted by the Hindu fanatics. Orissa state saw many Christians killed and their houses being burnt. This has been going on for many years now. The famous servant of God. Staines was martyred. It was in January 1999 that Staines and his two sons were sleeping in their jeep that the fanatics attacked him. He was a missionary from Australia and he along with his wife served the poor people and the lepers in Orissa state. On that fateful night while they were fast asleep outside their village church that they came. The previous night they had a church meeting and many attended the prayer and those who came from far off villages were asleep inside the church. Staines was outside the church. They came after midnight and all were tired and fast asleep. They came and first locked the church doors from outside so that nobody would come out and they opened the door of the jeep and found Stains and his little boys fast asleep. The attackers poured petrol into the jeep and set it ablaze. It was the most ghastly act that ever took place. The jeep was in flames and Staines and his children were burnt alive. The screams of the little ones woke up the church members. While they tried to come out the doors were locked. When they saw from the windows that the vehicle was in flames and that Staines and his sons were burning to death, they broke open the doors and came out. By that time all was over. The three of them were charred to death. In a helpless condition the people looked at this ghastly scene. As they looked on helplessly one of the brother's spiritual eyes were suddenly opened by the Lord and what he saw was most fascinating. Right from out of the fire this Christian brother saw three persons coming out of the flames and going straight up to heaven. The news of the death sent to the Christians of India and it became world news. The burial service was by hundreds of thousands of people. The news papers were full of this news. 'I am forgiving the people who killed my husband 'was the words that came out of the wife of Staines. These words sent into the hearts of the people of India . Staines was buried in . Many thousands of people attended this burial. On the coffin box of Staines were written these words 'father forgive them for they know not what they do'. The death of Bro. Staines brought the Christians in India on to their feet. India is country full of the evil forces of darkness and there is much prayer being made for this dark country of India. The famous Hindi song ' Pray for India , Pray for India, Pray for India' is the song of the decade for Indian Christians burdened for their country.

Burden for India:

The Lord has given a burden to Michael to travel the length and breadth of this country to preach the word of God and to share his Testimony. Michael is preparing in prayer and also the documentary film is being translated to other languages. An effort is being made to translate the book, the booklet and the DVD’s in to all the Indian languages. We need your prayers for the country of India.