[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”123072″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]03/08/2021 India (International Christian Concern) – In February 2019, Podiya Madakami, a woman from India’s Odisha state, became a Christian and developed a fierce tenacity for Jesus. Over an entire year, Podiya had her faith tested and strengthened due to the persecution she faced at her family’s hands.
Podiya’s life shifted from comfort and ease to hardship and persecution once her husband discovered her new faith in Christ. He became so angry he tried to beat her into submission and force her to leave Christianity. However, Podiya endured this harsh treatment and worked tirelessly to share the gospel with her family, even as her husband beat her. Her daughter witnessed her mother’s devotion to Jesus and became a Christian as well.
Soon after, Podiya’s husband kicked them both out, completely blind with rage. Brutally beaten and abandoned by her husband, Podiya and her daughter initially found shelter with her brother. “I was kicked out of the house and forced to leave my young sons because of my faith. For some days, my brother took care of me, but after a month, my brother said, ‘How long shall we take care of you?’ and told me to leave Christ and return to my husband. I answered that I will neither leave Christ nor go back to that house. Shortly after that, they asked me to leave. My brother broke my heart. I put all my burdens on the Lord and left the house.”
Podiya found shelter with a Christian family in a nearby village, moving into a small one-room mud shed attached to the house’s side. “My kitchen was outside the house because our mud house did not have enough room for cooking. Sometimes we had to go hungry in the rainy season,” she recalls.
Podiya and her daughter relied on the Christian family’s provision, hospitality, and love for their livelihood.
1 Peter 3:14-15, “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.”
Discover how Podiya survived her situation and how God provided in Immeasurably More Part 2 on Thursday.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1615236671182{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
For interviews please contact Alison Garcia: press@persecution.org
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