[Today's Prayer] Wife of Missionary Murdered in India Urges Forgiveness for Early Release of Murderer

One of the 13 murderers convicted of burning the bodies of missionary Graham Staines and his two sons to death in India in 1999 was released early last month after serving 25 years in prison for exemplary conduct.

Mahendra Hembram (51) was released from Keonjhar Jail in Odisha state on April 16 after posing for photos with officials, and then led a celebratory procession cheered by members of a Hindu nationalist group. The celebration drew criticism from Christian and human rights groups in India and around the world, but Gladys Staines (74), the missionary's wife, is urging the public to forgive.

“Mahendra is now a converted man. He has already repented of his sins. There is no use in bringing up the past. Sins should be hated, but sinners should be loved. Sinners have changed and God has forgiven them,” Subhankar Ghosh, Odisha’s spokesperson, told the Telegraph of India. “What Gladys said this time, urging forgiveness, is very similar to what she said when the killers were sentenced in 2003,” said Hyun Sook Foley, president of Voice of the Martyrs Korea. “At that time, Gladys issued a statement saying, ‘I have forgiven the killers and I hold no grudge against them.’ She spoke highly of the Indian people and praised their inclusiveness. Gladys and her daughter stayed in India until 2004, continuing the ministry to leprosy patients that she had been doing with her husband because she did not want to leave her husband and the people who trusted her. Since then, Gladys has continued to travel back and forth between her home country of Australia and India.” (Omitted)

Gladys Samo, who currently resides in Australia, said in September 2003 when Mahendra Hembram and his accomplices were sentenced, “I have forgiven the killers and do not hold any grudge. Forgiveness brings healing, and our land of India needs to heal from hatred and violence. We must not confuse punishment for a crime with forgiveness. God has forgiven me in Christ and expects His followers to do the same.”

Again, “He said, ‘If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven’ (John 20:23). Therefore, from an eternal perspective, we all need to be forgiven of our sins in order to enter heaven. No individual can be above the laws of this earth. I have no objection to dealing with crime and punishment according to law. We are called to submit to the governing authorities. There is no other power but God, and all the authorities on this earth are those who have been established by God. We must glorify God and respect man.” (Omitted)

Hyun Sook Foley said, “Of course, when Hindu nationalists cheer Mahendra Hembram or Hindu nationalist political leaders speak in support of Hembram and other murderers, Christians become seriously concerned. It is easy to see why Christian human rights organizations around the world have issued statements condemning these incidents. Christian human rights organizations believe that their role is to advocate and support other Christians. However, Gladys Samo has always focused on spreading the gospel and living it. Even when her husband and two young sons were burned to death, she focused on spreading the gospel and faithfully fulfilling the ministry that Christ had given her and her husband. Even in her most difficult moments, Gladys Samo decided not to talk about politics or legal procedures, but to preach the message that only Christians know: the message of forgiveness of sins that can be found in Jesus Christ.”

She continued, “The solution to Hindu nationalist politics is not Christian politics or even international human rights activism. The solution is the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Source: Christian Today

Whoever keeps his word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in him. He who says he abides in him ought himself also to walk just as he walked. (1 John 2:5-6)

We heard the news that missionary Gladys, who lost her husband and son to a murderer who was a Hindu nationalist while serving in India, urged forgiveness from Christian and human rights groups around the world who condemned the murderer who was released early.

We believe that the Lord knew all the things that happened to Gladys and guided her with comfort and encouragement while she continued her ministry with her husband for the gospel of Jesus Christ, overcoming the sorrow of losing her husband and son.

Let this be a powerful challenge to all those who live in times when it is difficult to keep the faith that everyone can be forgiven in Christ, and let this be the starting point for experiencing that God’s love is truly perfected in them when they keep the Word.

May the joyful news of Brother Mahend’s repentance and return through the devotion of Missionary Gladys be shared first with the world church, and through this, may the Indian church once again engrave the message of forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ.

Whenever we encounter Hindu extremists, let us remember Missionary Gladys’ service and pour out the courage and love to serve again with the gospel of Jesus Christ into the Indian church, and let the Indian church also endure to serve with the gospel until the end, just as Jesus gave life first.

So may the Indian church shake off its weakness, believe in its strength in the Lord, and willingly run toward the Indian people and the nations. May 1 million young missionaries rise up and become the Indian people who take over the nations along the Asian Highway!