Last June Vang Pao, a general who fought with U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam War, was arrested in California along with nine others for allegedly plotting to overthrow the communist government in Laos.
In Laos, the government has been cracking down on Hmong Christians by accusing them of fomenting rebellion and joining forces with Vang Pao. Christians have also been falsely charged with drug dealing and breaking religion laws. Such charges are resulting in new, major crackdowns against Hmong Christians.
According to an August 7 report from
Compass Direct News, at least 13 Christians were killed in July and early August. 200 members of one congregation of 1,900 have been arrested. Many of those being hunted down in Laos had already fled persecution in Vietnam.
One man who had fled to the mountains for safety returned to his village—desperate for food. When he went to a friend’s house for food, “one-time friend” shot and killed him. Others who have fled into the mountains send word that there is no food; they are eating banana leaves.
Christians are under close surveillance—forbidden to use mobile phones or to obtain food or leave their villages without permission. The report says that for every 10-15 Christian families in a given village, there is a local leader who monitors their every move.
Pray:
- Father, though we are distant in time and place from our Christian family in Laos and Vietnam, You are there. Let them see You even in the middle of great trouble. Be their refuge, their very present help in time of trouble. Give them their daily bread.
- Encourage those in prison, bringing the light of Your presence to their dark circumstances; use them to draw others to Yourself.
- Comfort those who broken in spirit because their relatives have been killed or are in prison.
- Cause Your Word to spread in spite of Satan’s every effort to stop it.
