Leader Released on Bail, But Hopegivers' Troubles in India Continue
by Allie Martin
May 3, 2006
(AgapePress) - - The president of a global Christian child care ministry who was jailed in Rajasthan, India, was recently granted bail. Dr. Samuel Thomas of Hopegivers International has spent more than a month and a half in the Kota Central Jail in the state of Rajasthan after being accused of distributing a book that militant Hindus found offensive. Although Thomas contends he had nothing to do with the book's printing and circulation, he was nevertheless arrested and charged with creating communal disharmony by distributing a book that cast Hinduism in a negative light. Meanwhile, Hindu government authorities have stripped Hopegivers' schools, orphanages, and hospitals of their operating licenses and frozen their financial assets.
Although Dr. Thomas was released on bail after an extensive letter writing campaign on his behalf, the already high expenses for his legal defense continue to mount, and the ministry's day-to-day operations are in financial jeopardy as well.
Bill Bray, director of communications for Hopegivers International, says the false accusations, arrest, and imprisonment of Dr. Thomas have, along with the local authorities' persecution of the ministry, caused great financial hardship. "We're not able to pay our bills," he points out, "and we're having to operate strictly on cash donations from Christians and friends."
However, Bray notes, the ministry's ongoing ordeal has also "stirred up the Christian community in India in a wonderful way and brought revival to them and prayer." As a result, he explains, "Christians are coming from all over India just bringing money to Rajasthan."
In a gracious outpouring of support for Hopegivers, fellow believers from India and around the world have sent help, the ministry spokesman points out. Some Indian Christians and other local supporters are "coming on the train and the bus and bringing money to the orphanages and to the schools so they can keep operating," he says.
"Even Hindus are coming and bringing food to the children every day," Bray adds. Also, many are bringing other needed items in addition to the food, including "cooking gas and things like that," he says. "So it's like a war, keeping the ministry going."
Hopegivers International is now awaiting decisions from courts in India -- decisions that will hopefully restore the ministry's operating licenses and unfreeze its bank accounts. Meanwhile, the ministry is urging its supporters to continue in prayer for the organization.
Those wishing to make an emergency donation to the ministry for care of the orphans are urged to call 1-866-373-4673, or to mail their tax-deductible gift to Hopegivers International, P.O. Box 8808, Columbus, GA 31908.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
