We drove further into the forests to the village of Samadhi to visit one of the Diocese of Durgapur's smaller projects.
The church here is the biggest building in a pretty village of blue and ochre thatched mud houses. I spoke to one of the residents Subrato Soren about the origins of Christianity in the area.
Methodist Missionary Revd Pocklington is still a legendary name hereabouts. Around 1914 he set off from Serenga (see previous post) on horseback and headed into the jungle There were no roads and he was armed with a rifle to keep the tigers (as there were then) and bears at bay. Having learned the local Santali language he stopped at every settlement he came across and preached.
So it was that Subrato’s grandfather became the first Christian in Samadhi.
Subrato’s father helped build the church here with a later Methodist Missionary Revd Hastings. There have been a few incarnations of the church, the latest built after it had been demolished by an elephant. Elephants are a local garden pest here. Apparently you keep them out by stringing a wire horizontally about 7 feet up.
Other Methodists who are remembered here are Miss Bird and Miss Hewell who preached and helped the village. Many souls were saved, says Subrato.
These characters are remembered so well, and moved people to become Christians because they came not just to talk about the gospel, but to help people, to serve without care for themselves.
The Diocese now runs a health centre, with a team of female health workers in easily identifiable blue saris. They provide health education, look out for signs of developing illness, identify treatable eye cataracts, and do pre-operative preparation for patients about to go to Serenga hospital.
There are other community development projects going on here under the leadership of Rajmohan Murmu. Training is given in skills that can make money, like bicycle repair. Education is given for younger children , there is micro funding and a cooperative is run for growing buhia grass, which is then plaited into rope and sold.
So the work the missionaries started continues, sharing love in word and action.
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