In an area of central India where tribal animists enlist Maoist militants to kill Christians who refuse to recant, Sodi Joga took it seriously when relatives threatened to kill him, his wife and 5-year-old daughter.
Joga and his family had been attending Christian worship services for more than a year. They wouldn’t take part in a cleansing ritual and bow to tribal deities. As a result, villagers expelled the family from their home. Violence against Christians from tribal villages reached a level of at least one incident every other week. Shunned by their tribal kinsmen, new Christians must be supported by strong churches.
Fellowship and care
‘Once a family puts their faith in Christ and starts attending church, they are in fellowship with the members who care for each other. They are no longer in darkness in an isolated tribal hamlet. Their network grows, and they are in companionship with fellow believers and become aware of civilities, education and opportunities ahead that can lead to having a better life, far away from the blind practices and superstitions imposed by the Adivasi community,’ said an advocacy network spokesman.
