July 1st - Key Christian Detained By Police
Lao Quick Facts:
-Population of 3.3 Million in Laos and over 17 Million in N.E. Thailand
-Animist with a veneer of syncretistic, folk Buddhism
-Daniel McGillvary was the first missionary to the Lao in the late 1800's
It is 6:30 am. One of our friends has just arrived with the news that yesterday afternoon our co-worker Mr. S was arrested and is being held by the police in Laos. He had been taking a group of friends in a truck and attracted attention.
The authorities are wary of the growing number of Christians here in Laos and Mr. S is recognized as a key man. No-one has yet been able to meet him.
S apparently was using a truck, that is not licensed as a passenger vehicle, to transport some people. Someone noticed this and called the police. When the police investigated they became suspicious that he was helping illegal workers. During questioning someone let slip that they were going to a Christian gathering.
S and another man, K were taken for further questioning. They were both taken to jail and their families called to send in food, clothes and soap. As far as we know the police are still pursuing their investigation so they will not allow anyone to visit.
S's wife asked that we pray that the Lord would speak to him in jail and that if he needs to confess of any wrong doing (using the vehicle to transport people might be the only possible technical mistake) that he will do so. She fears that he will try and protect the ministry and that it will balloon into a political charge. Pray that he will have wisdom in answering truthfully and trust God for the consequences.
•Please pray for S to be wise and strong in captivity as he shares in the suffering of Christ.
•Pray for his release and for protection of others.
•Pray for his wife and children (3 years old and 6 months old) as they wait to see what will happen.
•Pray that God will do what will bring glory to Himself through this situation.
•Ask that we would be wise to know what we should and should not do now, and in the coming days.
July 3
Update on Key Christian Detained by Police
Thanks for your prayers this week. We had no news until yesterday.
The family has still not been able to meet with Mr. S. However they have been told that yesterday all the paperwork on his charges were completed and sent to the judges. They said that his family will be called in Tuesday for a decision.
Indications are that the charges will not be as serious as they could have been, (i.e. are civil rather than political), however we do know that the internal security have the names of a number of other key workers and could still be following these up.
•Please continue to uphold the family as they wait anxiously.
•Pray for Mr. S to answer with gentleness and respect (1 Pet 3:15)
•Pray for the judges decision to be just
•Pray that official eyes would be shut to persons and locations of other key workers
•Pray for the local Christian leadership to be wise in these days of scrutiny.
July 5
Key Christian is Released by Police and Returns to Family
On Tuesday Mr. S was fined and then released from prison and allowed to return to his family! Praise the Lord and thank you for your prayers!
