A Shot of Encouragement

"So, why did You bring us back to this small town on the Mekong--out of the main stream and far from parts and needed supplies?"  This is a question I have asked God many times as we have faced difficulties and problems these past two years...

Well, the main reason, we felt, was so that we could be here for needy people from across the river--believers and villagers, farmers and friends.  This week that reason was once again borne out as one of our friends showed up with two of his family members in need of medical attention.  We were able to help them get settled into a provincial hospital where tests were done and medicines prescribed.  This morning I took them to the border where they returned home.

Last night we talked and prayed.  And then again this morning.  We laughed and talked and prayed some more.  We talked about our friend's 6 months in prison.  We laughed at his mother-in-law's persistence and stubborn-ness--at how she bothered the prison officials and begged for our friend's release, at how she, a simple villager who hardly speaks Lao went all the way to the vice-governor to get the shackles removed from her son-in-law's ankles..

What a shot in the arm!  I saw pictures of Christmas celebrations in seven villages.  I heard reports of former persecutors coming to those celebrations, of changes of heart.  I gently asked if this or that group of believers was still meeting--afraid that I might be disappointed.  But in every case they were still meeting!  They have grown.  Yes, some have fallen away and there has been discouragement.  But as I read in Psalm 135 this morning, I was able to assure them that "the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants."  Just like that persistent widow in Luke 18 who finally gets justice from a corrupt judge, we can rest assured that God hears and understands our every need--including our need for a shot of encouragement every now and then!  

     

A Prisoner is Set Free

The last time I saw "AD" he was standing by the Mekong River over 13 years ago!  As a Communist Party member and a former district governor, he was a leader in his ethnic minority.  When he came to faith in 1998 he began to actively share his faith in the many villages he visited.  Many found Christ, including his own family.   

Just a few weeks after I met him he was arrested.  Within a short period of time was convicted of "treason" and sentenced to 15 years in prison.  For all of the years we worked in FUF Co. we prayed for this family; when their house burned down we were able to help them re-build.   

Life in prison was harsh and we had reports at various times that his health was failing.  Two of the other Christians arrested with him died in prison.  Many times during the years "AD" was told he would be released from prison if he just signed a statement renouncing his faith--something he refused to do.   

Right around Christmas this past year I received a call from his wife.  "AD" would be released soon, she said, if she bought a goat and some cases of beer and put on a party for the officials.  She bought the goat and waited.  As had happened many times before, this was another cruel trick.  Days and weeks slipped by.  We, and many concerned brothers and sisters around the world, waited.

Finally, at the start of this month we received a call to say he AD was home and free!  We rejoice in this news!  We're thankful for this testimony of patience in long-suffering, of faith and perserverance.                 

Lao Officials Threaten to Burn Shelters of Expelled Christians

Dear Friends,

For the past few weeks we have been closely following the developments in the story below. Please pray for these believers--although they are in a part of Laos where we have not worked, their story is similar to many we have seen. Persecution and oppression varies much from place to place--depending much of the whims and inclinations of local officials who often are trying to make a name for themselves...

Peter

Officials in southern Laos in the next 48 hours plan to burn temporary shelters built by expelled Christians unless they recant their faith, according to advocacy group Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom.

Wed, Mar. 17, 2010 Posted: 12:21 PM EDT

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DUBLIN (Compass Direct News) – Officials in southern Laos in the next 48 hours plan to burn temporary shelters built by expelled Christians unless they recant their faith, according to advocacy group Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF).

Authorities including a religious affairs official, the district head, district police and the chief of Katin village in Ta-Oyl district, Saravan province, expelled the 48 Christians at gunpoint on Jan. 18.

Prior to the expulsion, officials raided a worship service, destroyed homes and belongings and demanded that the Christians renounce their faith.

Left to survive in the open, the Christians began to build temporary shelters, and then more permanent homes, on the edge of the jungle, according to HRWLRF. They continued to do so even after deputy district head Khammun, identified only by his surname, arrived at the site on Feb. 9 and ordered them to cease construction.

More officials arrived on Feb. 18 and ordered the Christians to cease building and either renounce their faith or relocate to another area. When the group insisted on retaining their Christian identity, the officials left in frustration.

On Monday (March 15), district head Bounma, identified only by his surname, summoned seven of the believers to his office, HRWLRF reported.

Bounma declared that although the republic’s law and constitution allowed for freedom of religious belief, he would not allow Christian beliefs and practices in areas under his control. If the Katin believers would not give up their faith, he said, they must relocate to a district where Christianity was tolerated.

When the seven Christians asked Bounma to supply them with a written eviction order, he refused.

The Christians later heard through local sources that the chiefs of Katin and neighboring Ta Loong village planned to burn down their temporary shelters and 11 partially-constructed homes erected on land owned by Ta Loong, according to HRWLRF.

These threats have left the Christians in a dilemma, as permission is required to move into another district.

Both adults and children in the group are also suffering from a lack of adequate food and shelter, according to HRWLRF.

“They are without light, food and clean water, except for a small stream nearby,” a spokesman said. Officials also forced them to leave the village with minimal clothing and other items necessary for basic survival.

Village officials have said they will only allow spirit worship in the area. A communist country, Laos is 1.5 percent Christian and 67 percent Buddhist, with the remainder unspecified. Article 6 and Article 30 of the Lao Constitution guarantee the right of Christians and other religious minorities to practice the religion of their choice without discrimination or penalty.

Decree 92, promulgated in July 2002 by the prime minister to “manage and protect” religious activities in Laos, also declares the central government’s intent to “ensure the exercise of the right of Lao people to believe or not to believe.”

Compass Direct News
Sarah Page

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