India, Orissa state:
During 2008, persecutors murdered more than 500 Christians, injured thousands more, burned down homes of thousands more.

In recent months, herds of wild elephants started storming villages home to some of the worst persecutors. In one village where in 2008 August rioters looted and then destroyed Christians’ homes, while Christians fled for their lives, now, exactly one year later, at the same time of day, a herd of wild elephants emerged from surrounding jungle, and the persecutors now ran for their lives.

The elephants kicked off festivities by first smashing up a rock-crushing machine owned by a persecution leader. Then, in a kind of progressive dinner, then destroyed his house and farms. This felt so good that, not wanting to stop while they were ahead, they demolished other non-Christian homes and gardens, leaving Christian homes untouched.

People ran to the police station to report. Policemen in a jeep trying to drive the herd away were attacked and the police barely escaped.

The elephants have, as of 2009 September, destroyed more than 700 houses in 30 villages, killed five people. Nobody in this area ever saw or imagined a wild elephant herd doing this. These elephants behave unusually: smaller elephants enter a village first, scout the community, rejoin the larger herd, then larger elephants follow and do the heavy work.

Restoration India Mission says, ‘We think that it might have something to do with avenging the blood of martyrs. In fact, the fear of God has fallen on the local people, who have labeled these elephants, “Christian elephants”.’

Morale: ‘Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).