Two Trainings - 6 People Arrested
In June 129 people came to a training seminar. 49 of them were not able to cross the border. They were turned back and 2 men, Mr. S and Mr. K were arrested and put in prison for about 2 weeks. there  was a very heavy fine that had to paid before the men were released from prison.

 

At a different training seminar, in a different location, 42 people came from 6 provinces of Laos and another 8 people joined from Thailand. 4 of them were arrested when they returned home. The police found Christian material in their bags so fined them 5,000 baht. 3 of them were also required to go to the police station a month later where they were intimidated and interrogated them from the morning until 4 PM. The police said, “We all know what are you doing and your activities to study about you religion. We don’t mind you doing that, but we will charge each of you 500,000 Kip (worth 2,000 baht) - otherwise you have to serve in prison for 3 years because you brought materials into Laos with out getting permission from the government. These 3 men begged and implored them to not charge them again, because they had already been charged 5,000 baht in June.. But they insisted for them to pay otherwise they will be arrested. They paid. They were then released and were instructed not to do it again.

 

Mr. Y Released
Mr. Y who was arrested on May 14, 2005, was released on August 11, 2205.

 

Mr. SS Disappears
Mr. SS disappeared on July 17, 2005. He got an invitation from the deputy of the district governor of the HS who is working with social service based on retirement department.  They invited SS to talk to him about his retirement fund and about his bamboo church. Before SS left home he told his wife, "If I get arrested and put in prison then I will send you a letter and inform you. If you do not see my letter I will go to MVK to visit my relatives there." Mr. SS has not been seen or heard from since then. There are Christians looking for him.

 

How can we find someone inside Laos to be an adviser and mentor to S, K, Sb and M?  They need this very much. The work is overwhelming and growing but they lack experience and training and examples and advice. They are good in serving, but they need help to carry their responsibilities of leading the new believers.