Christians forced from their homes in Laos

A group of 48 Christians were forced from their homes in Katin village, Saravan province, Laos in January by approximately 100 officials and villagers. The believers, who had gathered for Sunday worship, were expelled from their church at gunpoint and brought to an open field. Officials then confiscated personal belongings from 11 Christians' homes. Six of the homes were later destroyed. A pig, worth the equivalent of six weeks' salary, was also seized from one of the believers. When the Christians refused to renounce their faith, they were forced to walk six kilometres outside the village and were left at the side of the road. Officials have posted police at the entrance to the village to prevent the Christians from returning home or retrieving their valuables. At last report, the believers were sleeping on the ground in the woods with barely any food or survival supplies.

The Christian community of Katin village has endured persecution in recent years. In July 2008, 17 Christian families were detained and ordered to deny their faith (click here for more information). Ten families signed the documents and were able to return to the village, while the other families were evicted. Eventually the seven evicted families also gave in and signed the recantation forms and moved back into the village. At last report, some of these Christians had begun gathering again for prayer and worship. (Source: Compass Direct)

Ask God to protect and provide for the 48 Christians who were expelled. Pray that they will grow stronger in their faith. Pray that the Christians who renounced their faith will turn to Jesus for strength and boldness. Pray that officials and villagers will stop persecuting Christians in Katin village and respect freedom of religion.

To find out more about the persecution Christians face in Laos, check out the Laos Country Report.

Unregistered Christians targeted in Uzbekistan

Uzbek Christians from the Baptist Council of Churches -- a church that refuses to register with the state -- have faced arrests and physical abuse in recent weeks.

On January 18, Tohar Haydarov (28) was arrested in Syrdarya region on charges of producing or storing drugs -- charges local Christians insist are fabricated. At the police station, Tohar was reportedly pressured and threatened to renounce his faith. When he refused, police allegedly planted drugs on him. Officials later reported finding additional drugs at his apartment in a search that was not monitored by any witnesses until after a bag of narcotics was found. Forensic tests on the drugs found on Tohar and in his apartment were conducted the same evening, raising suspicion on how precise forensic results were available so quickly. At a court date three days after his arrest, Tohar told believers that police had beaten him and forced him to sign papers. His face was swollen and he could barely walk. At last report, police were attempting to have Tohar charged under a different article of the Criminal Code which calls for a 10-20 year prison sentence.

On January 24, a group of believers gathered for fellowship at Sergei Brislavski's home in Almalyk City were rounded up by officers and brought to the police station. Sergei's home was then searched and Bibles, songbooks and CDs were confiscated. Three of the 19 believers were roughly treated by officers. The next day, a doctor recorded in the forensic-medical examination certificates that they had bruises on their shoulders and around their necks. However, police deny assaulting the believers. Local Christians believe the police are preparing a criminal case against some of the members for repeated violations of the Religion Law. In April 2009, some of the same Christians, including Sergei's family, were fined 50 times the minimum monthly wage for "attracting believers of one confession to another" (click here for more information). (Source: Forum18)

Pray that the truth surrounding Tohar's case will be revealed. Pray that he will look to Christ during this time. Pray that the Christians in Almalyk will echo Peter's determination to obey God regardless of what man says (Acts 5:29). Pray that they will not face charges or fines. Pray that religious freedom will be respected in Uzbekistan.

You can find out more about the persecution believers face in Uzbekistan at the Uzbekistan Country Report.

Christian fined in Kazakhstan

A Christian in Kazakhstan, Zhanna-Tereza Raudovich, has been fined for hosting a worship service for local women and children in her home. Kazakh police raided Zhanna-Tereza's home in the village of Ayteke Bi on January 17. Three days later, she was fined for "leadership or participation in the activity of an unregistered social or religious organization." Authorities have warned her that she will face criminal charges if she does not pay the fine, which amounts to approximately 100 times the minimum monthly wage in the country. There is concern over how Zhanna-Tereza will pay the fine, as she has six children and is currently unemployed. At last report, she was in the process of making an appeal. (Source: Forum18)

Pray that the fine against Zhanna-Tereza will be dropped. Pray that she and her family will rest in the Lord as their portion and continue to seek His face with all their hearts (Psalm 119:57-58). You can stand in solidarity with this family by posting a prayer online on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

For more information on Christians facing opposition for their faith in Kazakhstan, click here.

Christians detained and interrogated in Morocco

On February 4, approximately 60 Moroccan authorities raided the home of a Christian in the city of Amizmiz where a Bible study was being held for believers from around the country. Authorities seized Bibles, books, two laptops, a digital camera and one cell phone. They also detained 18 of the believers, including five small children, for 14 hours and interrogated them. The visiting Christians were then released and sent back to their homes. One of the detained, a U.S. citizen, was deported immediately after interrogation. A report by the Interior Ministry claimed that the raid took place "following information on the organization of a secret meeting to initiate people into Christianity, which would shake Muslims' faith and undermine the Kingdom's religious values." (Source: Compass Direct)

Pray that authorities will repent of their unjust treatment of these believers. Pray that religious freedom will be truly recognized throughout Morocco. Pray that Christians in Morocco will work in unity and set their minds on Christ as they serve the Lord amid opposition (1 Corinthians 1:10).

For more information on Christians in Morocco, click here.