Church Planted in Keelakudi

The Quiet Hour sent Mr. and Mrs. Russell Das to plant a church in Keelakudi village. This was a village in which there were no Christians. The Dases planned to follow the methods of Jesus so the way could be opened to reach the people spiritually.

Mrs. Das gathered women together and taught them how to sew garments. Village ladies were thrilled to attend classes free of charge. Mr. Das gathered interested students and did some private tutoring. In a few months a group of villagers were baptized, and they needed a place to worship.

When the news of the purchase of a lot for a church spread through the village, opposition started. The Dases were asked to leave. Late one night gang members threatened them with death if they did not leave. The women and students begged them to stay. The party that opposed them began to make threats. Still the Dases remained at their posts. Finally a gang of rough characters approached the Das home with knives intending the worst.

As the gang pounded on the front door, close village friends led the Dases out of the back door and managed to help them safely leave the village. They were not able to take any of their personal belongings. A couple of days later the newly baptized persons gathered their personal belongings and took then to the Dases.

Seven months later a delegation of villagers requested the Dases to return. There were two groups in the village, one supported the Dases while the other opposed. Long discussions where held in the village. "Look at how much the couple helped us." Women praised Mrs. Das for the skills they were taught in sewing. Everyone had to admit that the character building Bible stories had helped their children. Stealing had stopped. The language of the children had improved. The majority carried the day, and the Dases returned to Keelakudi.

Nearby villages became interested in the Bible studies because of the changes they witnessed. Before the year had ended the Dases had helped more than 700 persons accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.