A group of 48 Christians were forced from their homes in Katin village, Saravan province, Laos in January by approximately 100 officials and villagers. The believers, who had gathered for Sunday worship, were expelled from their church at gunpoint and brought to an open field. Officials then confiscated personal belongings from 11 Christians' homes. Six of the homes were later destroyed. A pig, worth the equivalent of six weeks' salary, was also seized from one of the believers. When the Christians refused to renounce their faith, they were forced to walk six kilometres outside the village and were left at the side of the road. Officials have posted police at the entrance to the village to prevent the Christians from returning home or retrieving their valuables. At last report, the believers were sleeping on the ground in the woods with barely any food or survival supplies.
The Christian community of Katin village has endured persecution in recent years. In July 2008, 17 Christian families were detained and ordered to deny their faith (click here for more information). Ten families signed the documents and were able to return to the village, while the other families were evicted. Eventually the seven evicted families also gave in and signed the recantation forms and moved back into the village. At last report, some of these Christians had begun gathering again for prayer and worship. (Source: Compass Direct)
Ask God to protect and provide for the 48 Christians who were expelled. Pray that they will grow stronger in their faith. Pray that the Christians who renounced their faith will turn to Jesus for strength and boldness. Pray that officials and villagers will stop persecuting Christians in Katin village and respect freedom of religion.
To find out more about the persecution Christians face in Laos, check out the Laos Country Report.
Population
