“Initially, I would feel sad because I felt my family’s reputation was tarnished because of me,” Gornath continued. “However, later on, whenever my wife and children visited me, it was me who began to encourage them from behind the bars.”
Just over two months after Gornath was released, Bijaykumar was also released on bail on July 27.
Speaking about himself, Bijaykumar said that he would remember the beatitudes of Jesus while imprisoned. Specifically, the beatitudes that spoke about how those who suffer innocently and are persecuted will be blessed.
“I really think that I am more blessed than others because I was innocent of any crime, but was still imprisoned,” Bijaykumar told ICC. “Now that I am free, I want to spend the rest of my life in service to God.”
When he was taken into police custody in 2008, Bijaykumar could hardly imagine that a 10-year jail term awaited him. However, the police’s intent was clear from the moment he was arrested.
“Police told me that this is what you get for being a Christian,” Bijaykumar said, recalling the night of the arrest.
Like Gornath, Bijaykumar also wants to get back to his family and livestock. While in prison, Bijaykumar’s family, comprised of his wife, four daughters, and two sons, received a herd of goats from ICC.
While in prison, both Bijaykumar and Gornath openly maintained their Christian faith. Their integrity prompted jail authorities to select them for guard duties inside the prison cells. This trust allowed the two to be instrumental in leading prayer and worship sessions for other prisoners.
Due to their courageous ministry, a number of convicts heard the Gospel for the first time.
“During my 10 years and seven months in prison, I was shuffled between four different jails,” Bijaykumar said. “I preached the Gospel while in jail in Berhampur and in Bhawanipatna. I also requested the jailers to allow Christian prisoners to hold evening prayers to which they conceded.”
“With that approval, I began leading worship services on Sunday,” Bijaykumar told ICC. “Then, when I was moved to Baliguda sub-jail, I preached the Gospel to a non-Christian convict and he immediately accepted Jesus. Then in Phulbani jail, during my cell duty, I used to hold prayers in each of the nine cells.”
While many will mark today’s anniversary as a day of sorrow, Gornath and Bijaykumar will remember the long journey of faith that began 11 years ago. May their example of faith under pressure shine like a light in the darkness on the anniversary of the Kandhamal riots.
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected]