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Laos

• Homes Demolished for the Second Time

  

  For the second time within the past five months, the homes belonging to a group of believers in Laos were demolished by angry villagers. The village is located in an area of the country considered a "hot spot" for persecution because of the increasing number of Christians.

• Converts Driven from Their Homes

  

  More than a dozen Christian families from the village of Mai in northwestern Laos were driven from their homes by other members of the majority-Buddhist community. This recent incident is the latest in a string of similar attacks against Laotian followers of Jesus, despite the fact that laws have been instituted in this country to protect the free exercise of religion.

• Pastor Tortured and Killed

  

  On October 23rd, an evangelical pastor in Laos was found murdered after he had been kidnapped and badly beaten. His body was discovered near his motorbike in a forested area outside Donkeo village in Khammouane province.
  
  According to an eyewitness, three men in a black truck had seized Sy Seng Manee a few days earlier. At the time, the bystander thought the men were capturing a criminal, and so he did not intervene – only to realize later that he had instead witnessed the pastor's kidnapping.

• Detained Pastor Confirmed Alive and Released

  

  On March 15th, 2020, Pastor Sithong Theppavong was approached by authorities who demanded that he agree to no longer hold worship services at a small church in Savannakhet Province, Laos (see this report). When Pastor Sithong refused, he was arrested without charge. Earlier this spring, those familiar with his situation were concerned that he was no longer alive since there had been no news of his whereabouts. (To read this previously posted report, visit this page.)

• Imprisoned Pastor's Family Facing Harassment

  

  Earlier in 2020, it was reported that Sithong Theppavong, the pastor of a small church in a farming area of Savannakhet Province, received repeated warnings to cease his ministry. On March 15th, 2020, he was arrested without any indication of charges. For more details on his arrest, visit VOMC's previously posted report.

• Christians Forced to Flee Their Homes

  

  Local authorities in the Laotian province of Salavan chased seven Christians from their homes, forcing them to live within makeshift huts in the woods, all because these believers refused to renounce their faith. The Christians were members of two families from the village of Pasing-Kang. Since their eviction on October 10th, relatives have attempted to take them food and clothing, but village leaders have forbidden the provision of any assistance. The family members are concerned that they may also be thrown out of their homes if they provide help.

• Girl Facing Charges After Resisting Attack

  

  To date, Nang Tookta Phetsomphone has spent almost six months in a Laotian prison after her former employer was stabbed and killed during his attempt to rape the young woman. In order to be released from custody, her family must pay a fine of $11,000 USD and renounce their faith in Christ. Since our previously posted "Persecution & Prayer Alert" report, VOMC's Greg Musselman has spoken with Patrick Klein from Vision Beyond Borders about Tookta's terrible plight. This interview is available here.

• Girl Facing Charges After Resisting Attack

  

  Nang Tookta Phetsomphone is a Christian girl who worked for a Chinese national but quit when he failed to pay her wages. A month later, he asked her to return to the store, promising to pay her. When she arrived, he forced her into a restroom and pulled out a knife, threatening to kill her unless she submitted to him. Somehow, in the midst of the struggle, her attacker was stabbed and killed.

  Immediately following the incident, Tookta reported what took place and was detained. Eventually she was released from provincial custody without charge, but district authorities refused to drop the case and continued to detain her. These authorities are demanding that her family leave their Christian faith and pay a large monetary restitution to the family of her attacker. They will only "consider" releasing her if the family complies. At last report, Tookta has not been able to talk to any family members nor obtain legal representation.

• Arrested for Leading Worship

  

  Early this year, Sithong Theppavong started a small church in Savannakhet Province by meeting for worship in a farming area. However, he has since encountered opposition and received warnings several times to cease his ministry. Each time he has refused.

  On March 15th, authorities approached him, mandating he sign an agreement to desist. When he refused, Sithong was arrested. At last report, he remains in detention and is not allowed any visitation. No further information about Sithong's case, nor any news of his well-being, has been released. There are concerns that he could become a victim of "enforced disappearance." For more about persecution in Laos, visit our country report.

• Christian Targeted for his Faith

  

  Police in southern Laos have allegedly beaten a detained Christian, trying to force him to renounce his faith. The man, Agoon, was cutting timber along with others in a protected forest. According to one source, they were doing so at the request of the village leader.

  When confronted by police, the others were allowed to leave. However, Agoon, the only Christian in the group, was arrested and charged with illegal logging. Authorities insist that the timber worker's arrest was unrelated to his religion. Yet, while in custody, the police tried to force him to renounce his faith, beating the unwavering believer harder when he refused. A source who requested anonymity believes that Agoon's detainment for the cutting of timber was merely an excuse, as any arrest made for his Christian beliefs would raise the ire of the international community.

• Christian Leader's Home Targeted

  

  It has been a challenging year for a group of Khmu believers in northern Laos. Last April, village leaders demanded that they renounce their Christian faith or leave the village. Eventually, the authorities had a change of heart, allowed them to stay, and issued a proclamation protecting the Christians' right to practise their faith. Over Christmas, eight new families decided to become followers of Christ!

  In the middle of the night on January 23rd, however, someone poured gasoline around the home of one of the church leaders and tried to burn it down. Fortunately, the fire had been noticed in time and was extinguished. Those responsible left a note warning Christians in the community that their lives are in danger unless they leave the village. The church leader who was targeted has considered heeding the warning. "If he leaves, many of the Christians will be discouraged," a VOM contact reports.

• New Laws Restricting Religious Freedom

  

  In the constitution of Laos, all citizens are guaranteed "the right and freedom to believe or not to believe in religion." However, in August of 2017, the Prime Minister signed a new Decree on Associations, aimed at restricting participation in non-profit associations, including religious groups.

• Christian Family Remains in Their Village

  

  A young Christian couple with a toddler son have chosen to stay in their village despite facing persecution, which has caused many other villagers to abandon the Christian faith they once professed. Local authorities destroyed the couple's home in an attempt to drive them out. Instead of leaving, however, these steadfast believers gathered what was left of their home and built a small hut. Church leaders from neighbouring villages came to stay with the couple as a sign of support.

• Six Christians Released from Prison!
  
  Photo: VOM Australia

  Six Christians, who had been arrested on December 15th for celebrating Christmas, were released on January 31st. According to contacts in the Vientiane province, the believers were taken into custody because they failed to obtain a permit for a Christmas party. As part of the celebration, they invited the entire village to come and watch the Jesus film.

• Teens Persevere Despite Persecution
  
  The released sisters recognize the importance of prayer.
  Photo: Open Doors USA

  In spite of the pain inflicted on them by the very ones they love the most, two teenage girls from a small village community in Laos are standing firm in their commitment to worship God. The persecution began during the fall of last year, when Nani, 17, and her sister Nha Phong, 16, received Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. They have since faced strong opposition from members of their own family -- especially their father, whose fierce anger over the girls' decision to forsake the village's animistic religion has resulted in their need for safety.

• Release of Prisoners Detained for Faith
  
  These believers also run the risk of arrest
  for worshipping Jesus in their village.
  Photo Credit: VOM USA

  In September, six Christian couples were arrested and interrogated by police for eight hours. During this prolonged session, the believers were pressured to renounce their faith and stop conducting worship services. Although two newly converted Christian couples had initially renounced their faith out of fear, they renewed their commitment to Christ just days later.

• Young Persecuted Christian Now Trains Teachers

  A young Christian woman who was disowned by her parents because of her faith is now visiting churches in Laos this month to train Sunday school teachers. After becoming a Christian at the age of 14, Sonxi was beaten by her parents, denied food, and locked away in her room -- all in an attempt to prevent her from attending church.

  When the abusive parents realized that none of these punishments was able to weaken Sonxi's faith, they threatened to force the young teen into a life of prostitution. As a result, she ran away from home and was eventually disowned by her parents. The Voice of the Martyrs ministry has since come alongside the abandoned girl, making it possible for her to receive practical skills training in sewing and, later on, with the required assistance to attend Bible school.

  We are thanking God that today Sonxi vibrantly shares her faith and is involved with the training of new Christian teachers. May He wonderfully bless her life and ministry, granting her more opportunities to reach out to others and -- in His perfect timing -- even her unsaved family.

• Youth Disowned by Family for Conversion

  
  Two young Lao girls reading God’s Word.

  A teenage girl from Laos, who recently converted to Christianity, went home to visit her family while on holiday during a high school break. After sharing her newfound Christian faith with them, she was immediately rejected and disowned for becoming a believer. "Dee," who is 16 years old, had once heard many negative things about Christianity. However, after personally inviting Jesus to be the Saviour and Lord of her life, she thought it would be good to tell her parents about the resulting peace and joy she had experienced.

  To her surprise, Dee's parents were not happy over the news of her conversion, and they even tried to force their daughter to renounce her faith. When the teen refused, remaining firm in her resolve to follow Jesus regardless of the outcome, her parents kicked her out of the family home and announced that she is no longer their daughter.

  Church leaders are now assisting Dee who is presently staying at a VOM safehouse. They request prayer for the teen, further explaining that even though she is saddened over her parents' rejection, God's abiding peace and an unexplainable joy remains within her heart. Dee is longing for her parents to personally experience the Lord's wonderful presence in their lives too and, therefore, asks that we please intercede on behalf of their salvation.

  To learn more about the challenges facing believers in Laos, please visit our country report.

  We can join Dee in offering thanksgiving to the Lord for His provision of a safe place in which to live where she will receive further ministry, teaching and counselling within a caring and nurturing environment. May she be further strengthened in her resolve to follow Christ all the days of her life, trusting Him to also work in the lives of her loved ones during this difficult time of estrangement. We echo Dee's prayers for her family, that they may personally come to know the Lord's mercy and plan of salvation as well.

• Pastor Murdered for Evangelizing

  Families in Laos face persecution if they practise the Christian faith.

  Pastor Singkeaw Wongkongpheng, who received warnings from the Laos government to not evangelize locals, was stabbed to death in his home on September 8th. The attacker is identified as "Mr. Wansai," who claimed he was a secret police officer and prison guard for Pha-Oh Prison. Along with four other men, Mr. Wansai had initially planned to kidnap Pastor Singkeaw and his wife, and then dispose of them secretly, as had been done to another Christian leader and his wife in a separate incident several years ago.

  While attempting to rescue his wife, Pastor Singkeaw was suddenly stabbed in the back three times. His wife is now left widowed, and their six children are grieving the loss of their father. VOM's in-country contacts know this village well, and are already reaching out to this hurting family and the members of their church.

  Pastor Singkeaw, the founder of the Na-ang Church in Luang Prabang province, had established the church in 2000, just three years after Luang officials began prohibiting Christians in his district and many others in the province from proselytizing. Despite objections from officials, the dedicated pastor continued sharing his faith in five different villages and ministering to those in need.

  Four decades have passed since the Communists seized power and expelled foreign missionaries. While the Laos constitution now upholds the right for citizens to adopt and practise a religion, it criminalizes those the officials deem "divisive." AsiaNews reports that "Protestant communities have suffered the most from religious persecution; cases include peasants deprived of food for their faith and clergymen arrested by the authorities." Restrictions on Christian worship have increased since the government issued a new set of guidelines in 2003 for acceptable religious belief and worship. Previous reports can be found at the Laos Country Report.

  As Pastor Singkeaw's family now tries to cope with this tragic loss, we pray that God will satisfy their longing souls with His abiding presence and wonderfully provide for all of their needs. May the Lord also encourage the members of the Na-ang Church by blessing them with a new spiritual leader who will serve them and their community with integrity and love. We pray the Laotian believers be granted the grace to wholeheartedly live for Christ and in accordance to His leading, and that the government will recognize the need to heed God's promptings to permit these believers freedom to worship and share their faith. In fact, may the enemy's attempts to stifle the growth of Christianity in Laos backfire, serving instead as a means for many more to hear the Gospel message and respond to the saving grace of Jesus.

• Arrests for ''Spreading the Faith''

  Christians in Laos are a small minority. Photo: Barnabas Fund

  Two Christians in central Laos have been detained on charges of "spreading the faith." Bountheung, 43, and Neuy, 40, both of whom are married and have children, were arrested on September 2nd during a lunch visit at the home of a family in Nong-Hang village. Five police agents raided the home, apparently after receiving a tip-off from local officials. These men are now imprisoned in Khounkham, a village located within Khammouane province.

  Local sources say that police in Khounkham have been monitoring Christian activities closely for several years due to concerns over church growth. Although studies indicate that Christians make up a mere two percent of this communist country's overall population, Bountheung and Neuy are reported to have brought hundreds of people to Christ through their witness. To learn more about the challenges believers face in Laos, review this page.

  While we can praise God for the powerful witness of Bountheung and Neuy, and the way He has worked through them to bring many Lao people to Christ, please join us in praying for their immediate release. May any local officials who oppose Christians in this area of central Laos be touched by the Holy Spirit and dramatically transformed, as was the case for Saul in the account of Acts 9.