23 Aug 2007
LAOS - PASTORS LETTER
The Voice of the Martyrs recently received a letter from Laotian Pastor Khamphuy, who was released from prison in May. Pastor Khamphuy wrote, "As one of 12 prisoners released in May, all of us want to express our appreciation for your prayers and support while we were in prison. Our wives told us that you sent help to our families and bought food and medicines for us. Thank you for sustaining our families while we were in prison." Pastor Khamphuy and 11 other pastors were arrested after attending a Christian meeting on November 21, 2006. After the release of nine in May, three pastors still remain imprisoned. Khamphuy added, "Please continue to pray for Pastors Amkha, Bua and Van Thong and their families." The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to continue praying for the pastors in prison. Pray they will love their persecutors and have opportunities to share the love of Jesus with them. Also, pray for God's protection for the released pastors and their families, as they continue preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:8, 1 Corinthians 15:57
CHINA - Imprisoned Elderly House Church Member's Health Worsens, CAA
UPDATE: On August 17, VOM received information that imprisoned 76-year-old Shuang Shuying is seriously ill, and her family is seeking her immediate release on medical parole. According to China Aid Association (CAA), a letter from Shuying's daughter-in-law, Wei Jumei, reports that on a recent visit the family found Shuying in poor health. Jumei's letter said, "When my family and I visited her, my mother-in-law was extremely sick. Her hands were trembling and she looked pale. Just a few hours of sleep a day has seriously damaged her health. Prior to her imprisonment she weighed 121 pounds, but now weighs 88 pounds. The verbal abuse she gets from fellow inmates and the psychological pressure she is subjected to, have made her miserable. We appeal for her immediate release on medical parole." Pray for the healing and release of Shuang Shuying. Ask God to protect Christians in China. Psalm 118:17, Isaiah 40:31
16 Aug 2007
AFGHANISTAN - Calls for Continued Prayer for
Kidnapped South Korean Christians
On August 13, two of the 23 South Koreans kidnapped by the Taliban in mid-July, were freed in rural Afghanistan. According to media reports, the two women were handed over to international Red Cross officials. The Voice of the Martyrs is calling on believers around the world to continue praying for the protection and release of the 19 remaining Korean aid workers still being held by the Taliban. Please also remember the families of the two men in the group who were killed previously. Ask that the Holy Spirit convict the hearts of the Taliban and the testimony of these believers draws others into fellowship with Christ. Psalm 91, Joshua 1:9
KASHMIR - On July 29, five men from the Molvis Al-Hadis Mosque in Baramulla threatened Pastor Bashir Masih, and other believers preparing for Sunday worship. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in India, "The five men threatened the believers and instructed them to vacate the house, which is also used as a house church, within a month since it is located near a mosque." In the past, Muslim extremists have assaulted Pastor Masih's disabled son and Muslim village authorities have allowed extremists to block drinking water to Pastor Masih's home. Pastor Masih was a Muslim who converted to Christianity in 2005. His house church, Shalom Prayer House, was started in 2005. Pray for Pastor Masih's family and Christians in India who remain steadfast in their faith, despite persecution. Hebrews 13:5-6
11 Aug 2007
LAOS - 13 OR MORE CHRISTIANS KILLED
Soldiers, police and others have killed at least 13 Christians in Laos in the past month in a swarming crackdown on Hmong villagers falsely accused of stirring rebel dissent, reports Compass . In the sweep, encouraged by communist village leaders and others who have falsely accused the believers of joining the separatist forces of Gen. Vang Pao, authorities have arrested and imprisoned about 200 members of a 1,900-strong church in Ban Sai Jarern village, Bokeo province in northwestern Laos.
Among those killed last month was Neng Mua, a Christian who slipped back to his native Fay village after hiding in the mountains from the police round-up. On July 7 he went to a local villager's house to beg for food, but his one-time friend instead shot him dead as a suspected member of the “liberation army,” a Christian source said. Police have searched intensely for Christians in rice fields and mountains and are shooting them on sight, said the source, who requested anonymity. “Many Christians were killed and badly injured,” he said. “Women and children were arrested and sent to prison.”
AFGHANISTAN - KOREAN HOSTAGES IN POOR HEALTH
South Korean aid workers held hostage by Taliban forces in Afghanistan for more
than two weeks are believed to be in poor health, according to a member of their Korean congregation. The 23 volunteers from Sammul Presbyterian Church in Bundang, South Korea were kidnapped by rebel Taliban forces in Afghanistan's Ghazni province on July 19 while traveling by bus from Kabul to Kandahar. After extending an ultimatum to execute the hostages three times, the kidnappers shot the group's leader, 42-year-old Bae Hyung Kyu, on July 25 - his birthday. One of the hostages, who underwent an operation for thyroid cancer over three years ago, is likely in bad health without his medication, a member of the Sammul church told Compass. Korean media as well as some members of the international community in Kabul have criticized the group for being naïve and entering the country ill-prepared. But a friend of Bae's from the Sammul church told Compass, “They were well prepared for the trip. In a country where there is war, when things get hard, everyone leaves. If we leave the country, who will stay to help the people?”
31 July 2007
INDIA - Christians Beaten by Police Inspector; Pastor Beheaded
KARNATAKA - On July 15, while a group of Christians were gathered for worship in Thadesa, a police inspector assaulted two believers and took them to the police station. The police inspector continued to beat them for another three hours there. Pray for healing. Ask God to encourage believers in India and for their love to draw non-believers into the knowledge of Christ.
MANIPUR - On July 5, Pastor Pau Za Khen, a Burmese pastor of the Upper Myanmar Evangelical Lutheran Church, was beheaded by an unidentified group in the town of Churachanpur, Manipur. Pastor Khen was abducted from his daughter's home by four men on July 4. His decapitated body was found in a field outside of town the next morning. His hands were tied behind his back and he was blindfolded. Pray for Pastor Khen's family and ask God to touch the lives of the killers so they can find forgiveness in Christ like Saul did. Acts 9:1-19, Romans 8:11
CAMBODIA - Christian Evangelism Banned
On July 10, Cambodia's Ministry of Cults and Religions, distributed a directive banning Christian groups from door-to-door evangelism on the grounds that it "disrupts society." The directive also said distribution of religious literature should be confined to church buildings, which can only be built with government approval. Government officials said the ruling was aimed at reducing Christian evangelism thought Cambodia. Pray Christians in Cambodia will remain steadfast in their faith despite government opposition. Pray the testimony of believers will draw non-believers to Christ. Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 54:14
TURKEY - Turkish Prosecutor Demands Christians' Acquittal
Turkish Prosecutor Demands Christians' Acquittal - Compass Direct News
On July 18, a Turkish prosecutor demanded the acquittal of two Christians on trial for "insulting Turkishness," under the nation's controversial Article 301. State Prosecutor Ahmet Demirhuyuk told the court there was "not a single concrete credible piece of evidence" to support the accusations filed against Hakan Tastan and Turan Topal, former Muslims who converted to Christianity more than a decade ago. In court Demirhuyuk said, "There is absolutely no system or practice to consider it a crime for Christians to learn or spread their religion or gather for worship. Exactly the contrary, within the scope of freedom of religion and belief, everyone is guaranteed the right under the constitution and laws of Turkey, to live and spread his chosen faith." Pray the charges against these believers are dropped. Ask God to touch the lives of Christians in Turkey and that their lives would be a testimony to their accusers. Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:6,7
18 July 2007
BANGLADESH
Islamic radicals in a Bangladesh village have meted out more beatings and death threats to Christians after a special police force meant to offer protection for three months withdrew after only a week. Compass reports that Islamic extremists in Durbachari village, Nilphamari continued their violence against Christians last week. Moreover, a national newspaper on July 15 printed an article about the Nilphamari Christians, clearly naming - and thus targeting - the Rev. Albert Adhikari as a key advocate for Christians in the area. The article quoted the leaders of three prominent Islamic groups, who called for a ban on the activity of Christian individuals, churches and non-governmental organisations throughout Bangladesh.
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