22/01/2014
Dear Friends,
23 January is celebrated as Martyrs Day which is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Graham Staines, an Australian missionary was attending the 14th annual jungle Bible camp in the village of Monoharpur. Just after midnight, January 23, 1999, Staines was sleeping in his jeep with his two sons, Phillip, 10, and Timothy, 6. The windows were broken out of the jeep, gasoline was poured on and ignited, and the jeep was enveloped in flames. The charred bodies were found embracing each other. In 2006, Mrs. Gladys and her surviving daughter, Esther, went back to live in Orissa. She forgave Dara Singh, the man responsible for the murders, "because there is no bitterness in forgiving, only hope". The death of Dr. Graham Staines, 58, director of the Leprosy Mission in Baripada, Orissa, India, and translator of the New Testament into the Ho tribe language, brought about profound effects in India. Staines had spent 35 years of his life to help the poor and illiterate in India. In addition, Graham Staines, a humble man, and his wife Gladys, have been exalted in India as examples of true Christian spirituality. Let us remember this Martyr and his family on this special day and to pray for all the charitable and mission works happening all around India…..for the charitable and mission organizations, missionaries and for their families……..let us also forgive one another by taking Mrs. Gladys as an very best example of our life…….
SHEPHERD’S MISSION INDIA (SMI) Salutes Rev. Graham Staines and his family on this MARTYRS DAY……..