The Christians were arrested for distributing Bible literature to children.
Eight Christians, including two school principals, have been released from custody after being held for several days on accusations of distributing Bible literature to children. Police made the arrests on June 9th based on a 2015 amendment to the Nepalese constitution which states in part that no one shall "convert a person of one religion to another religion."
Among those arrested were Prakash Pradhan, the principal of Mount Valley boarding school, and Bimal Shahi, the principal of Modern Nepal School. Others were members of Teach Nepal, a Christian organization. At the time of the arrests, the educators had completed an earthquake awareness program in various schools.
After an appeal was presented to Shakti Bahadur Basnet, the Minister for Home Affairs, by the Federation of National Christian Nepal, those who had been arrested were thankfully released. Additional reports can be found here.
While we can offer praise to the Lord for the release of these educators from custody, please pray that the Nepalese authorities will allow Christians freedom of expression. Also lift up in prayer the other believers of this country who are suffering persecution and imprisonment for their faith, asking the Lord to reassure them of His unfailing presence and to help them in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). May the unsaved members of their families and communities be greatly impacted by the unwavering witness of these dedicated lives -- compelling many more to seek the truth of Christ's reality for themselves.
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