Christian Groups Help in Aftermath of India Bombings

By Jennifer Riley, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, July 13, 2006

Memories of the series of train bombings still haunt millions of Bombay residents and those who heard news of the well-coordinated explosions killing at least 200 people. While those affected are still recovering from the initial shock and horror of the incident, Christian groups have quickly mobilized to reach out and help the train terror victims.

Wounded blast victims were ushered to a nearby Hopegivers orphanage soon after the attacks took place Tuesday evening, reported the international mission group on Wednesday. Apostles of Hope and other local staff are said to be currently providing medical care, food and water to the injured victims.

"Emmanuel Mission International and Hopegivers International express our deepest condolences to all the friends and families of the victims of yesterday's brutal attacks," wrote Hopegivers International founder, Bishop M.A. Thomas, in an email statement released by the group Wednesday.

"Our sincere prayers and thoughts are with them during these difficult times. We thank God for the courage, faith, care and love the citizens of Mumbai have shown to people in need. All the children in Emmanuel Hopegivers Hope Homes all over India are praying," he continued. "We express confidence that the government authorities will do everything in their power to maintain law and order and defeat the force of terrorism. We urge all to maintain peace, love and harmony at all times."

The Bombay (now called Mumbai) orphanage is overseen by Hopegivers' Head of Bombay Operations, Pastor A.M. Mathew, who cares for more than 40 orphaned or abandoned children in the Hope Home.

The mission group reported that Pastor Mathew called his volunteer team to offer their services to the bomb victims as soon as he heard about news of the explosions.

Gospel for Asia (GFA) volunteers are also helping to tend to the victims with the hope that they may later share about the Lord and faith.

"I run into lots of people that say, 'I don't understand it - where is our god.' And, of course this is the opportunity we have to point out to them the God of the Bible," said KP Yohannan, the founder and president of GFA. "It's sad for us to think that things like this should happen for people to stop in their tracks and think, 'there is a living God. I need to think about that.'"