LAOS: Situation Critical for Expelled Christians

An advocacy group reports that Christians ousted from a village in Ta-Oih Provinceare at a "critical stage" because they do not have enough food or water.

In January 2010, officials forced at gunpoint 48 Christians out of Katin village after they repeatedly refused to give up their faith. The officials left them to find shelter several miles outside the village and confiscated the Christians' homes, livestock, and essential belongings.

Eleven months later, in December 2010, officials forced an additional 15 Christians, from the village. The 11 families welcomed them and built additional shelters for them, though they had limited food and water supplies.

During the expulsion, one man has died and at least two ostracized villagers were hospitalized in April because they lacked clean drinking water, adequate food or housing.

[Sources: Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom and Compass Direct News]

Please Pray!

Pray that God will give these precious believers supernatural strength to endure. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Pray that he will supply all their needs according to his riches in glory by whatever means he sees fit. Ask God to replace the stony hearts of the village officials with hearts of flesh, that they would find salvation in Christ.

"You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:34-36

VOM assists Christians in Laos by providing Bibles, Christian radio broadcasts, skills training and support for pastors.

A Voice of the Martyrs Volunteer

Egypt: More Attacks on Christians

On Feb. 20 and 21 armed forces demolished fences surrounding three ancient Coptic monasteries in different locations around the country. The fences were erected after the Jan. 25 uprising and attacks on the property by escaped prisoners. In one attack six Coptics were injured, one is still hospitalized in critical condition.

In another incident, about 3,000 Christians took to the streets in the southern city of Assuit, to protest the killing of a Coptic priest, Father Daoud Boutros. They believe Father Boutros' death was a result of a divide between Muslims and minority Christians.

The priest was found dead in his home by his daughter on Feb. 23. A fellow clergyman said he had been stabbed several times. "Someone had broken into the safe and we found it was empty, indicating it was a robbery," a police official said.

Neighbors reported seeing masked men leaving the home shouting, "Allahu Akbar," Arabic for "God is great."

[Sources: CBN and Assyrian International News Agency]

Hope reigns in Egypt after the fall of President Mubarak, but pray that Muslim extremists do not gain a foothold during this time of transition thus placing Christians in a more vulnerable position. Pray that God would put righteous men in power who will protect the rights of Christians. Pray for the family of Father Boutros and those injured in recent attacks. Pray for general protection for Christians.

"LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more." Psalm 10:17-18

VOM assists Christians in Egypt through its Family of Prisoners Fund, Christian radio broadcasts and discipleship training for Muslim converts.

A Voice of the Martyrs Volunteer