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Laos

• Update: Seven imprisoned Christian leaders freed

  Seven Christian leaders arrested during a church service last December in Boukham village in Laos were unconditionally released on January 12. The village chief had ordered authorities to raid the Christmas service on December 16, 2011, even though freedom of religion is guaranteed in the Lao constitution (for more information on the raid, click here).

  The seven leaders were held without being charged until December 30. Since authorities were unable to charge the pastors with violating a religion law, they eventually charged them with violating the village's "hiit," the traditional spirit cult. The Christians were fined the equivalent of 35 times the average monthly wage. International human rights organizations had exerted pressure on authorities to release the imprisoned Christians, and the families of those arrested filed complaints against the village authorities shortly before they were released.

  Praise God for the release of these bold followers and thank Him for their safety while in custody. Please pray that these believers will not be subjected to any further persecution. Pray that their steadfastness would strengthen the faith of other Christians in Laos.

  For more on the trials Christians face in Laos, go to the Laos Country Report.

• Officials force Christians to recant

  Laos Christian families were evicted and forcibly taken to another location in 2010.

  Officials forced Christians in a Lao village to give up their faith in order to bury a family member in the village graveyard. In Huey, Ad-Sapangthong district of Savannakhet Province, the village's eight Christian families quickly began to arrange a funeral for a woman named Wang who died on Christmas Day. On December 26, however, village officials ordered that her body be buried according to Buddhist funeral rites or be taken to a burial ground in Savannakhet city. Lacking the resources for a city burial, the 40 Christians reluctantly agreed. But the village monk then refused to carry out the ceremony because Wang was a Christian. With Wang's body already decomposing and officials demanding that they recant, the Christians verbally agreed to cease practising their faith in order to bury her in the village cemetery. Once the funeral was over, five of the families told church leaders in another city that they regretted their decision and that they would continue to worship God.

  Meanwhile, authorities in Boukham village arrested eight Christian leaders on December 16 for gathering some 200 church members for a Christmas celebration. Officials have since moved seven of the leaders to an animal pen, have blocked visits from family members, and have banned direct delivery of food. The Christians are being held in wooden stocks, causing swollen and infected legs and excruciating pain.

  Please pray the Lord will strengthen the faith of those who recanted and give them courage to stand boldly for Him. Ask Him to comfort them after this difficult trial. Pray that the believers being held will soon be released. Pray the Lord will grow His Church in Laos.

  For more on the trials Christians face in Laos, go to the Laos Country Report.

• Orphans under pressure

  Children in a village in Laos

  Eleven orphans in northern Laos are currently facing pressure from the principal of their orphanage to stop attending church. If they do not obey, the children may have to leave the orphanage.

  After attending a local church and becoming a Christian, one of the orphans shared the gospel with his peers. Soon, 10 other orphans turned to Christ and began regularly attending church. When the principal heard of the conversions, he told the children multiple times to stop attending church. After pressuring the children with no results, the principal called the group to his office on August 19. He told them they must stop attending church or face the consequences. Seven of the orphans promised they would stop attending church, but none of them have renounced their faith. The remaining four orphans continue to attend church and refuse to bend under the pressure.

  Please pray that God will protect these orphans, who depend entirely on government support. Pray that their example of steadfast faith will soften the hearts of those around them. Pray that these orphans will be upheld in prayer by the Christian community in Laos and around the world.

  To learn more about the trials Christians face in Laos, please visit the Laos Country Report.

• Christian kicked out by family for refusing witch doctor

  A Christian in Laos was recently kicked out of his home for taking his daughter to a medical doctor rather than seeking treatment from a witch doctor. Twenty-six-year-old "Noy" lived with his wife and their two children in his in-laws' home. He began facing opposition from his family members when he converted to Christianity because he attended church on Sundays rather than work in the field. When his daughter became ill, the family told Noy to take her to a witch doctor. Instead, Noy said, "I will take my daughter to the hospital. God will rescue her life." His in-laws cursed him and burned his Bible and other Christian books while he was at the hospital. When Noy returned after his daughter's recovery, his in-laws told him he couldn't live there unless he renounced his faith. Noy refused, saying, "How can I forsake the living God?" They then forced him to leave the house. With help from The Voice of the Martyrs workers, Noy and his family have purchased a simple bamboo house, but are without basic necessities such as food, clothing and materials for farming.

  Thank the Lord that Noy and his family stood firm in their faith and that they are continuing to attend church joyfully. Pray that God will provide for their physical needs and guard their hearts against anxiety. Pray that Christians in Laos will be a bold testimony of love to those around them.

  For more on the persecution of Christians in Laos, visit theLaos Country Report.

• Pastors languishing in prison

  A typical Lao village home where Christian congregations would meet. Photo: Compass Direct

  Two Lao pastors arrested six months ago for holding a "secret meeting" are languishing in prison due to the harsh conditions. In early January, officials arrested Pastor Wanna along with 10 other believers and detained them for celebrating Christmas without prior approval. Within days police had released nine of the detainees. Wanna, however, and another local pastor, Yohan, remain imprisoned.

  Prison authorities have repeatedly told the men that they will be freed as soon as they sign documents renouncing their faith. After a recent visit, Wanna's family members observed that he had lost weight, contracted an infection and seemed extremely weak. Both Wanna and Yohan's families are also facing hardship, as the men were the principal providers for their families. Several of Wanna's children have since left school to find work.

  Pray for health and strength for Wanna. Pray that he and Yohan will continue to draw on the Lord, knowing that He can equip them with the faith and hope they need to endure their chains. Ask God to comfort and provide for their families in this time. Pray that the charges against them will be dropped and that they will be released. Pray that the Word of God will continue to be declared with clarity, boldness, love and power by all believers in Laos.

  To learn more about the persecution of Christians in Laos, go to theLaos Country Report.

• Missionary charged with human trafficking

  A missionary to youth in Laos was recently charged with human trafficking, an offense that carries a hefty fine and a prison sentence of five to 50 years. Brother K was arrested and charged with human trafficking in May after he went to a police station to seek the release of 24 young people. The youths had been detained while travelling to a Christian training conference, where Brother K was serving as a leader. Brother K denied involvement in human trafficking and invited the officers to visit the conference centre to see what the students were being taught. Taken aback by his boldness and concerned that the offense would become known as a persecution case, police released the 24 students but detained Brother K. After bail was set, Brother K bargained to reduce the amount and police agreed on a sum equal to three months' wages. The youth later held their training session at a hastily convened new location.

  Thank God for His protection of the students and for the boldness of their leader. Pray that Brother K will continue to persevere in the faith. Pray that Christian youth in Laos will continue to passionately share the gospel with their neighbours. Pray that freedom of religion will truly become a reality in Laos.

  You can learn more about the mistreatment of Christians in Laos at theLaos Country Report.

• Christians killed; alarming religious freedom abuses continue

  Several Christians were recently attacked and killed in Xiengkhouang Province, Laos, underscoring the intense repression and abuse facing followers of Christ in the nation. On April 15, troops from the Lao People's Army caught a group of Christians belonging to the Hmong community, an ethnic minority. All of the believers' Bibles were confiscated. The troops shot and killed four of the women after repeatedly raping two of them. Their husbands and children were beaten, tied up and forced to witness the gruesome killings. At last report, the whereabouts of the surviving believers were unknown.

  The absence of free press and lack of information infrastructure in Laos, a Communist state, often prevents news from reaching the outside world -- including that of religious freedom. This incident and other recent reports, however, indicate a disturbing increase of repression facing Christians in the country. Around last Christmas, authorities in Khammouan Province reportedly unlawfully detained 11 church leaders. Seven Christian families were also reportedly expelled by officials in Katin village, Salvan Province, earlier this year. Protestant Christianity and the Hmong Christian community, in particular, are seen by sections of the Lao society and the authorities as an American or imperialist "import" into the country and a threat to the Communist rule. As a result, believers are routinely expelled, forced to relocate, pressured to renounce their faith and arrested. Religious organizations and institutions have been allowed to function in Laos, but only as long as they remain under government surveillance and control.

  Pray for comfort for all those mourning the loss of the four Christian women. Pray other believers will soon be returned home safely. Pray for the peace and strength of Christ to reign in the hearts and minds of Laotian Christians under pressure for their faith. Pray that the Laotian government will recognize the need for true freedom for all their citizens.

  For a detailed report on the state of religious freedom in Laos, click here. You can learn more about the trials facing followers of Christ in Laos at theLaos Country Report.

• Christians arrested; five still detained

  Thirty-five young Christians were arrested by police in Meung Feung in northern Laos on September 18. All of the believers, who were reportedly in the area for a tree-planting project, were then held in detention. Later on, 30 of them were released, including the mother of a four-month-old child. The group is reportedly very active in sharing the gospel and has helped lead many people to the Lord. Many are deeply concerned for the welfare of the five who remained detained.

  Imprisoned Laotian Christians often face brutal treatment at the hands of authorities, including vigorous interrogation, torture and solitary confinement. In some instances, believers have been given sentences of over one year. The families of imprisoned believers also occasionally face harassment. (Source: VOM-New Zealand)

  Pray for the release of the five believers. Ask God to give them endurance of faith as they suffer for Him. Pray for boldness and wisdom for Laotian Christians as they share the love of Christ amid ongoing threats of harassment and imprisonment.

  Find out more about the trials Christians face in Laos at theLaos Country Report.

• Christians forced from their homes

  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 theLaos Country Report.

• Church leader expelled for refusing to deny Christ

  On September 3, Laotian authorities arrested a church leader in Liansai village in Savannakhet province for embracing Christianity, according to reports from Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom. Authorities arrested Thao Oun, an elder at Boukham Church who came to Christ 10 months ago, in his home and forced him at gunpoint to the Saybounthong sub‐district office. Oun was charged with bringing destruction to the Lao nation and government by embracing Christianity, which the officials consider a "foreign religion to be abhorred." He was interrogated for three hours, during which authorities pressured him to sign a document renouncing his Christian faith. When he refused, he was expelled from the village. At last report Oun had sought refuge in a nearby village. On September 6, local officials surrounded the Boukham Church worship site in Saisomboon village and blocked church members from entering for Sunday morning worship.

  Pray for strength and protection for Thao Oun amidst his trials of faith. Pray that he and the other members of the Boukham Church will continue to be attentive to God's will and faithful in His service.

  For more information on the situation facing Christians in Laos,click here.