Salvation of the Santali Tribe.

AO Japan – Rev Takahasi Yoshida

The Santali tribe is the one of largest tribal communities in India; they live mainly in the West Bengal Area and some parts of Bangladesh. They speak their own language and are mostly farmers.

A conference was held in Siliguri for the Santali Tribe in January 19th and 20th. I was invited to speak at the conference and arrived at their village with Ps Lucky of AO India.Upon my arrival, I was surprised to see that Santali women have come out to welcome us by washing our feet. Ps Lucky explain  ed that this was their custom even before they were saved, and since there was the biblical example of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples, they have readily adopted this custom.

More than 200 people, including children gathered that Saturday, under a makeshift tent made from plastic sheets. The church building was too small to house everyone. I was amazed to see the children sit there to listen from 10am to 5pm. The Santali love dancing and different kinds of song and dances by the choir and young people were dedicated to God.

Salvation of this group was started from Pastor Tudu’s family more than 20 years ago. Before his salvation, Ps Tudu had a former wife and six children. However one by one the children had died and finally his wife too had died. Ps Tudu remarried, but again his first child from this marriage also died at birth. Though his wife was afraid to try having a child again, she conceived but was fearful for her unborn child. One day she met Ps Lucky’s wife, who is a nurse, and she shared her fears with her. Ps Lucky’s wife encouraged her to believe in Jesus and prayed with her. When it came time to deliver her baby, she sent someone to call Ps Lucky’s wife, who came and safely delivered a healthy baby boy called Samuel. On seeing the mercy and love of God over their son, Tudu and his wife accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

 However, as they were the first Christians in the tribe they were severely persecuted. Ps Tudu and his wife persevered and kept on sharing the gospel and the love of Jesus.  Today, there are 38 Christian families and Ps Tudu and his team have planted 10 house churches and they go out to other Santali villages to evangelize. Their desire is to see every Santali tribe saved.

 

The last day of the conference was packed and it was such a blessing to see many come forward to repent before God at the close of the conference.

Asian Outreach Malaysia.