-The Weekly
Persecution & Prayer Alert-
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
Thursday, April 5, 2012
"Princes, kings, and other rulers of the world have used all their
strength and cunning against the Church, yet it continues to
endure and hold its own."
-- John Foxe
.
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In this week's edition: reports from Afghanistan, Laos, Vietnam
and Kenya
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1. Christianity growing in Afghanistan
(Source: Mohabat News)
Afghanistan, a country long suffering from civil wars, has not
experienced peace for many years. Ongoing bombings by
fundamentalist Muslims have stolen peace from the lives of
Afghanis. However, the country has recently seen signs of change
as people hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
According to Mohabat News, "Informed Afghan authorities
acknowledge that Christianity has obtained a special place not
only among youth, but also among various layers in society. (In
addition), house churches are growing tremendously." Further, an
independent Shi'ite website in Iran reportedly quoted a
knowledgeable Afghan official as saying, "There is evidence of
widespread Christian propaganda in Afghanistan, and the existence
of more than 10 churches that operate secretly in residential
houses have been proven."
New reports indicate that some members of the country's parliament
have embraced Christianity. A Farsi news service also published a
report on these conversions, writing, "Evangelism and Christian
propaganda is taking place in the country at a high level, but
this is the first time that those who call themselves
representatives of the Afghani people not only have become
'apostates' but have joined Christian ministries to evangelize.
This time they want to present their Christian services to Muslim
people through parliament."
Muslims make up the vast majority of Afghanistan's population at
99.85 per cent. Christians account for 0.05 per cent. While there
is limited freedom to practice other religions, there is no
freedom to propagate another faith or to convert from Islam.
Thank the Lord for the way He is working in this nation. Ask Him
to give Afghani Christians a strong and mature faith with a bold
desire to share the gospel. Pray the Lord will continue to work to
bring many more to repentance. Pray for protection of believers in
Afghanistan.
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2. Officials arrest five Christians in southern village in Laos
(Source: Compass Direct News)
On March 25, officials in a village in southern Laos arrested and
detained five Christians during worship and charged them with
leading a religious movement without official approval, according
to advocacy group Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom.
The five Christians from Palansai district were attending a
worship service in nearby Boukham village in Ad-Sapangthong
district. The two men -- Phosee and Viengsai -- and three women --
Alee, Poon, and Narm -- had previously attended services in the
area without interference from authorities.
Boukham church members meet in a private home, as do Christians in
most other provincial villages. Officials strongly oppose small
groups meeting outside the umbrella of the government-approved Lao
Evangelical Church, but many Christians prefer meeting at house
churches, citing strict controls over LEC activities. "This is
typical of Laos now," a pastor from the capital, Vientiane, said.
"In Vientiane we see things opening up a little. But the law is
fluid. Things can change from day to day, and the situation is
still very difficult in the provinces."
Pray for the release of these believers. Ask the Lord to give them
the strength to stand firm in their faith. Pray they will rely on
the Lord to give them the words to say as they stand before
authorities (Matthew 10:19). Pray that God will use them as a
witness for the gospel even at this difficult time.
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3. Pastor sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment in Vietnam
(Source: World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission)
A pastor of a banned Mennonite church was sentenced to 11 years'
imprisonment for undermining national unity. State media reported
that, on March 27, Nguyen Cong Chinh was found guilty of writing
and spreading material that slandered government authorities and
"distorted Vietnam's domestic situation." It also accused him of
having affiliations with anti-government groups. Chinh is reported
to have repeatedly complained to outside organizations about
Vietnam's mistreatment of religious minorities and lack of
religious freedom.
Pray for Nguyen's release, in the Lord's good timing. Ask the Lord
to minister to Chinh, his family and his church and give them the
strength to remain faithful. Pray that God will provide
opportunities for Chinh to clearly share the gospel for which he
suffers (Colossians 4:2-3).
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4. Christian meeting bombed in Kenya
(Source: Compass Direct News)
On March 31, a bomb attack at an outdoor worship service killed
two Christians -- a woman and an eight-year-old boy -- and wounded
more than 30 in the Kenyan city Mtwapa.
Hundreds of Christians were attending the outdoor service when a
hand grenade was thrown towards the pastor's podium. Muslims were
also holding a meeting around 300 metres from the scene of the
attack. The Islamic preachers were vilifying Christianity in their
sermon which could be heard from the location where the Christians
were holding their conference.
Kenyan officials blame members of al-Shabaab, a radical Islamic
group in Somalia, for the bomb attack. Attacks and kidnappings
coordinated by al-Shabaab in last year have prompted the Kenyan
military to strike at al-Shabaab targets in Somalia. The Kenyan
government has issued a warning of possible attack by the
militants during Easter celebrations.
Pray for the wounded and the grieving. Pray these Christians will
rest in the knowledge that the Good Shepherd walks with them
through this difficult time (Psalm 23). Pray the Lord will give
these Christians the grace to continue to meet together and
encourage one another. Pray also for the perpetrators.
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