“This government document stops short of calling for the ‘elimination of Christianity’ and for that we are thankful. However, it doescall on officials to ‘suppress Christians’. This is a great day for us Lao believers. This is our God given opportunity to endure for the sake of Jesus. So, let us not miss what God is calling us as His children to be and do – let us endure and persevere for the glory of Jesus!” - A Lao Christian leader in response to a government document issued in Oct 2006

Lao
In June 1999, 3 Lao Christian leaders were arrested and put in prison for their faith in Jesus, although the charge was “treason”. Mr. L and Mr. Y were both sentenced to 12 years. Mr. BC was sentenced to 15 years. After 4 years (2003), Mr. L died in prison. This October 2006, Mr. Y died in prison after serving 7 years. So, Mr. BC is the only one of the 3 still alive in prison and he has just reached the half way mark of his prison sentence with 7½ years to go. Mr. BC, like the other 2 men, is in his 60’s, which is elderly for a Lao.
           
In spite of the harshness of this persecution, God’s work is growing and multiplying in this area – there used to be 3 groups of believers but now there are 11 groups of believers. Each group is made up of at least 3 to 5 families loving Jesus and reaching out to others around them.

• Pray for Mr. BC in prison for his faith. Pray for his family and the growing groups of believers in the larger area.
• Pray for Lao believers to endure hardness for Jesus sake that leads to the hope of God that does not disappoint (Rom. 5:4)
• Pray for victory over fear for believers who are being threatened and intimidated
• Pray God will call and equip Lao men and women with wisdom and godly boldness to lead and care for many small and scattered groups of believers.

Muong
At a Muong funeral, the oldest son of the family will make three cuts in the window frame of the ancestor altar room. The family then announces their mourning by striking the gong. They place the corpse in the coffin and cover the coffin with a piece of fabric with a dragon skin pattern.

Every day members of the household have to sacrifice rice, meat and vegetables to feed the spirit of the departed family member and burn incense in front of the coffin. As they go to the graveyard, they all walk together, while the sound of drums and gongs are heard. The relatives are dressed in white, raw cotton clothes. Small fires are lit along the side of the path they walk to guide the spirit of the deceased to its future destiny. Near the grave, they leave objects such as food-trays, bowls and knives. The Muong graveyards have white stone columns that can be several meters high.

• Praise God for the many Muong and Tho believers who have received new life in Christ!
• Pray the Muong and Tho believers will be strong in their faith and wise and humble and godly in dealing with rituals contrary to the truth and light of God.
• Pray Muong believers will be taught and obedient to the Word of God. Pray for Bible teachers led and guarded by the Holy Spirit.
• Pray for discernment and protection from false teaching and unbelief.