HISTORY

Restoration Ministries was founded by Br.Michael who committed his life to serve Christ as a missionary in North India, who was brought up by deep south Indian parents in Chennai and had been working with a missionary organization called GEMS from 1997 to 2011 for 15 years in the state of Bihar. In 2007 God burdened him to help the poor and to work for tribes in Odisha, which he got by the inspiration of their persecution. Felt the God’s call persistently through many happenings in his life and family he resigned GEMS in 2011 and started his mission in Odisha.

At present, we based in Bhawanipatna of Kalahandi Dt. with the family and working in three districts namely Kalahandi, Khandamal and Rayagada among tribes.

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HISTORY OF ODISHA TRIBES

Odisha has a large variety of tribal communities dispersed at various locations of the state, which lead a relatively secluded and ancient mode of life, keeping their core culture unharmed, while at the other extreme there are communities which are indistinguishable from the general agricultural communities. The tribal people

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COMMUNITIES

express their distinct cultural identity in their social status, languages, rituals and festivals and also in their dress, ornaments, art and craft.
In India there is an mixture of 437 tribes, and in Odisha the number is 62. According to 2001 Census, in Odisha the total strength of tribal population is approximately eight million which constitutes 22.13% of the total population of the State.

 The tribes of India are broadly classified into four categories, namely (1) Indo-Aryan speakers, (2) Dravidian speakers, (3) Tibeto-Burmese speakers, and (4) Austric speakers. ln Odisha the speakers of the Tibeto-Burmese language family are absent, and therefore Orissan tribes belong to other three language families Which  includes Dhelki-Oriya, Matia, Haleba, Jharia, Saunti, Laria, Birija, Parenga, Kisan, Bhumiji, Koda, Mahili Bhumiji, Mirdha-Kharia, Ollar Gadaba, Juang, Bondo, Didayee, Karmali, Kharia, Munda, Ho, Mundari and Savara, Pengo, Gondi, Kisan, Konda, Koya. Parji, Kui, Kuvi and Kurukh or Oraon.

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HABITAT AND ECONOMY

A major portion of the tribes’ habitat is hilly and forested. Their economy is mainly based on hunting, collecting and gathering, cattle breeding, hill cultivation, basket making. They live in tiny temporary huts made out of the materials found in the forest, dung and clay. They live in isolated groups with their limited skill, traditional and ritual practices, with their entire life style revolves round forest. These communities suffer with the social problems like want of right for land which is under occupation, lack of power irrigation, absence of adequate road and transport, lack of education.’

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OUR VISION

Our vision is to realize the dreams of the poor and the underprivileged tribes in the state of Odisha and carrying Christ’s compassion to them irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

Our focus is on those who are unable to access quality healthcare, education or basic amenities, which will give them an improved quality of life. Livelihood, women empowerment are some other key areas of concern.

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 OUR MISSION

Jesus said: “‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed You, or thirty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of th­­ese My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 

“……to proclaim the Good News in places where Christ has not been heard of, so as not to build on a foundation laid by someone else.”         Rom.15:20

Inspired and motivated by above God’s word, we acknowledged that the poor tribal people of Odisha are in need to be ministered socially, economically and spiritually.

So, we work in following ways to uplift this community to be accepted by all and be prepared for the Kingdom of God.

•  Free tuition centers in interior tribal villages, encouraging for learning and give Christ to tender hearts
• Planning to establish schools to give a quality education
• Medical camps to have a hygienic healthy life
•  Home based bible studies to equip them spiritually to be witness for Christ
• Planning to offer God’s knowledge through bible school
•  Establishing churches to give spiritual needs

“We walk by Faith, not by Sight”