Ministry distributes 100,000 New Testament copies in Orissa

Before Christmas, thousands of Christians in Orissa might be fortunate to receive a copy of the New Testament Bible.

An evangelical Bible distribution agency, Bibles for the World, has been constantly working to restore Bibles to those suffering.

The good news is that 100,000 New Testaments in the Oriya language have already been distributed in the state.

"We feel that as Bibles for the World, our task is to provide the Bible," MNN quoted Mawii Padaite saying.

"Many of the Christians, when their houses were burned, they lost everything. So we have been supplying Bibles and New Testaments for them. But we really would like to increase what we are doing by printing more Bibles."

With more funding, the ministry plans to print 500,000 copies of the Gospel of John in Oriya. However, "We have to be careful," says Padaite. Due to the extreme scrutiny and persecution of Hindu radicals, she feels, Bible distribution might be a difficult and risky task.

"We believe that God is highlighting the need of the good news of the Gospel in that state. And, as many Christians around the world are praying for the people in Orissa, we believe that God is going to do a mighty thing there," says Padaite.

In the mayhem since August 23, 2008, over 300 churches have been burnt and at least a hundred been killed. Over 15,000 people are still in relief camps and makeshift centers.