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Vietnam

• Authorities crack down on Christmas events

  Authorities have put a halt to Christmas celebrations in several areas of Vietnam in what appears to be a central government crackdown on Christianity. On December 19, hundreds of Christians arrived at the National Convention Center in the Tu Kiem district of Hanoi for a planned Christmas event. However, they found the doors of the building locked and police on scene who tried to send them away. In a bold move, some of the Christians began to sing and pray in the square in front of the center. Police then struck some Christians with their fists and nightsticks. Christian leaders worked to calm the crowd, which eventually left, but not before at least six people -- including Rev. Nguyen Huu Bao, the event's scheduled speaker -- were arrested. At last report, the six individuals were still detained.

  Similar incidents occurred on the same day in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Quang Nam provinces, and in the city of Danang in central Vietnam. Officials injured believers and, in some cases, also confiscated or destroyed property belonging to the believers.

  Pray the victims of these crackdowns will be encouraged and emboldened by God, their Immanuel, who loves them and leads them at all times. Pray for peace to reign in the hearts of God's followers in Vietnam this Christmas. Pray that authorities will receive the saving grace of Jesus.

  You can learn more about believers suffering for their faith in Christ in Vietnam at theVietnam Country Report.

• Evangelists given prison sentences for ''undermining national unity''

  Two Vietnamese evangelists -- Ksor Y Du, 47, and Kpa Y Co , 30 -- were recently given harsh prison sentences for "undermining national unity." On November 15, a court sentenced Ksor Y Du to six years in prison followed by four years of house arrest. Kpa Y Co was sentenced to four years in prison and two under house arrest.

  The men -- members of the Vietnam Good News Mission (VGNM), a fast-growing group of house churches -- were arrested on January 27, 2010. Both evangelists, who are of the Ede minority, live in Song Hinh district of Phu Yen Province, where there are some 20 VGNM congregations.

  Up until the recent trial, Y Du and Y Co have been held without charge. Officials have repeatedly interrogated them and ordered them to accuse VGNM leaders of starting the organization illegally, as well as accuse their pastor of opening an illegal Bible school. Both refused to comply, angering the authorities. Authorities have also pressured Y Du's wife to recant during her visits to her husband by offering to give her family rice and a new house. They also told her that Y Du would be released if she denied Christ, but she stood firm in her faith.

  Y Du was previously imprisoned for standing up for the rights of Christians and ethnic minority people in Vietnam's Central Highlands. In 2004, he was caught trying to flee to Cambodia along with hundreds of others. This followed demonstration against illegal confiscation of land and religious oppression in the area. He spent four years in prison and one under house arrest. In September 2009, five months after he joined VGNM, he was interrogated by officials in relation to accusations of taking orders from abroad to incite people to join his church.

  During the November 15 trial, the judges asked Y Du questions, including: "Do you still insist on following the religion?" and "After serving in prison already, do you still insist on staying with the Vietnam Good News Mission?" Y Du answered that he would not give up his faith in God, even if it meant death.

  Thank the Lord for equipping these believers to stand courageous in their faith amid great opposition. Pray that Ksor Y Du and Kpa Y Co will continue to be empowered by God's grace and comforted by His love. Ask God to work in the hearts of the officials, moving them to repent of their injustice toward Christians and act with true integrity.

  For more on the trials facing Christians in Vietnam, go to theVietnam Country Report.

• House church attacked

  Photo from Compass Direct

  A house church building in Xi Thoai village, Phu Yen Province, Vietnam was attacked and damaged by a gang of youths on July 18. The building, which was also intended to be the home of Christian evangelist Mang Vuong, was in the process of being constructed in order to serve the ethnic Hroi community as the nearby church had reached full capacity. Vuong belongs to the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (South), the country's largest government-registered denomination.

  The same youths, spurred on by local authorities, earlier broke into Vuong's home on June 10 and stole 60 million dong (approximately $3,250 CAD) -- money borrowed to pay the contractor of his new house. Household items including furnishings and books were also destroyed.

  Since the attack in June, police from local and provincial levels came to the area several times to "investigate." However, local Christians believe authorities were only attempting to identify the Christians in the village. In the following weeks, authorities did nothing to address the crime and failed to stop the daytime raid in July. "There was no other reason for this -- it is religious persecution, pure and simple, incited and allowed by local government officials," a prominent church leader said. "The inaction of higher officials casts into doubt our country's claim to uphold religious freedom." (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray that believers in Xi Thoai village will not lose heart but will trust the Lord in all things. Pray for wisdom for area church leaders during this time. Pray that authorities in Vietnam will respect religious freedom.

  Visit theVietnam Country Report to learn more about the plight of Vietnamese Christians.

• Update: Family flees village

  Sung Cua Po Photo from Compass Direct

  Hmong Christian Sung Cua Po fled into the forest with his family on March 19 after being given an expulsion order (click here for more information). The family has suffered severe abuse from villagers and local Vietnamese officials in recent months. For example, in mid-February, Sung Cua's father pressured him to make offerings to family ancestors. Sung Cua held fast to his allegiance to Christ and refused to give in. Later that month, community members backed by police confiscated 40 sacks of paddy rice, which was the family's one-year supply. Police were also authorized to demolish the family's home if deemed necessary. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray that God will protect and provide for Sung Cua and his family at this time. Pray that their example of steadfast faith will draw others to Jesus Christ. Pray that authorities will no longer harass Christians in Vietnam.

  To find out more about the suffering of Vietnamese believers, go to theVietnam Country Report.

• Update: Christian lawyer released

  Image from YouTube video taken shortly after Cong Nhan's release

  Le Thi Cong Nhan, a Christian prisoner of conscience who had called for democratic freedoms in Vietnam, was released earlier this month after serving a three-year sentence for "propagandizing to destroy the Socialist Republic of Vietnam" (click here for more information). Attorney Cong Nhan's sentence had been reduced by one year after an international outcry over her sentencing. She was released on March 6. Now serving an additional three-year house arrest sentence, Cong Nhan has stated that she has no intention of giving up her struggle for a just and free Vietnam and accepts that there may be a further price to pay. While in prison, she went on a hunger strike two times when authorities took her Bible away from her. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Thank the Lord that Cong Nhan has been released from prison. Pray that she will look to Christ for strength and grace as she faces three years of house arrest. Pray that other Christians in Vietnam will raise a voice for justice and freedom in the country.

  For more information on the plight of Vietnamese believers, go to theVietnam Country Report.

• Update: Priest temporarily released from prison

  Fr. Nguyen Van Ly Photo from AsiaNews

  Father Nguyen Van Ly (63), a Vietnamese priest who has spent more than 15 years in prison, has been temporarily released from detention on medical grounds. Father Van Ly, who suffered his third stroke in November 2009 (click here for more information), has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour. His right leg and arm are partially paralyzed, making it difficult for him to eat or write. Father Van Ly was sent to a church-run home on March 15 for one year of medical treatment, after which he is expected to be returned to prison. (Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Union of Catholic Asian News, AsiaNews)

  Thank the Lord that Father Van Ly has been temporarily released. Pray for his renewed health and strength. Pray that he will not have to return to prison and that the false charges placed against him will be dropped. Pray for other Vietnamese Christians languishing in prison.

  Click here for more information about persecution in Vietnam.

• Christian forced to recant faith

  Sung Cua Po Photo from Compass Direct

  A Christian couple from Ho Co village, Vietnam -- Sung Cua Po and Hang thi Va -- has endured physical abuse and threats since Sung converted to Christianity in November 2009. On December 1, the couple was arrested and beaten by officials after police earlier incited locals to abuse and stone them and other Christian families. Officials reportedly struck Sung 70 times on his head and back. Afterwards, the believers were fined 8 million dong (approximately $450 CAD) and a pig weighing at least 16 kilos. Sung's cell phone and motorbike were also confiscated.

  On December 15, police took the couple to members of their extended family who severely pressured them to deny their Christian faith. When police threatened to beat Sung to death and seize his property, which would leave his family destitute, he signed recantation documents. He has since been subjected to further pressure from authorities, his family and clan members. Sung is scheduled to prove his reconversion on February 13 by offering sacrifices to ancestors. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Ask God to equip Sung by His Holy Spirit to remain strong in his faith despite severe pressure and threats. Pray for protection for Sung, Hang and their children, as well as the other Christian families in their community. Pray that Vietnam will respect religious freedom for all its citizens.

  To find out more about the persecution Christians endure in Vietnam, check out theVietnam Country Report.

• Update: Priest sent back to prison

  Father Nguyen Van Ly (63), who suffered a severe stroke on November 14 (click here for more), was sent back to a Vietnamese prison on December 12 after several weeks of treatment in a hospital. According to Father Van Ly's sister, "His situation is a bit better now, but his life is not normal yet. We don't know why they decided to transfer him back to prison, as he still needs help." At last report, he was half-paralyzed on the right side of his body and was only able to walk a few steps with a walking stick. (Source: AFP)

  Pray for continued healing for Father Van Ly in prison. Pray that he will be released from detention. Ask God to give him the strength in his weakened condition to continue showing Christ's love to others.

  Learn more about the plight of Vietnamese Christians at theVietnam Country Report.

• Update: Imprisoned priest suffers severe stroke

  Father Nguyen Van Ly (63), who was sentenced to eight years in prison in March 2007 (click here for more information), recently suffered a severe stroke. He was admitted to the military hospital in Hanoi. At last report, he was semi-paralyzed but was conscious and able to speak. Family members report that he is being treated well. (Source: AsiaNews)

  Pray that Father Van Ly will have a full recovery. Pray for strength for his loved ones at this time.

  Learn more about the persecution of Veitnamese Christians; visit the Vietnam Country Report.

• Update: Christians released

  Members of the Tam Toa parish in Dong Hoi, Vietnam who were attacked for building a tent to use for worship services on July 20, 2009 and subsequently detained (click here for more information) have been released, according to a September 8 report from AsiaNews. Several of the believers remain traumatized as a result of the attack and in need of medical treatment. The church belongings confiscated by authorities during the violence have not been returned in full.

  To learn more about the persecution of Christians in Vietnam,click here.