Remember Ambassadors

Bhutan: Christian Villagers "Expelled"

Bhutan's tiny Christian community has come under increased attack, this time by an angry crowd objecting to the preaching of the gospel. 

China: House Church Raided, Leader Detained

In at least two recent separate incidents, the Chinese government continues to crack down on house churches.

India: Gujarat Enacts Anti-Conversion Law

Gospel for Asia reports that this law could pose serious difficulties in the already dangerous work of spreading the gospel. 

Indonesia: Freedom from Abraham Bentar Rohadi

This man was beaten by an angry mob for sharing his faith–and then detained and thrown into prison, where he has been for two years.  While the mob that beat him almost to death went away free, he was punished after being accused by his own brother-in-law of blasphemy against Islam.

Singapore: Christians Charged for Promoting "Ill Will"

Simply distributing Christian literature that supposedly cast Mohammad in "a negative light" was enough for these Christians to be charged under Singapore's Sedition Act. 

Zimbabwe: Christians Facing Famine and Persecution

As you know, Remember has had significant work among the Christian Karen in eastern Burma.  The Karen State was one of those hit by the recent cyclone catastrophe.  While the cyclone cannot be categorized as "persecution," it has greatly affected the lives of these brothers and sisters that live in constant fear of very real persecution by their own government.  They need our prayers.

Tim Bunn is a Remember Board Member who has done extensive work in Burma, and I received this update from him today.  (For more on Tim's work, visit New Foundations International.)

***

Dear Tim,

 

I am emailing you from my house. I was so fortunate that I am able to get my access to internet. Its only my phone line that is good in my area.

 

Yes, today there were no less than ten thousands corpses that were found on the sea side as the sea dried.  There are still many who are not yet found by people. Yes, it is now estimated that there have been no less than 30000 thirty thousands and still there are many who are not yet found. We just pray that the Lord moves the heart of the authority in such a way that they would feel compassionate about their own people and that they would allow other relief organization to help the people.

 

We looking forward to our new beginning and we pray that it will happen soon. Thank you once again for your concern and prayer. Your prayer, word of encouragement meant a lot to us and to the country.

 

Everyday if full of work. Cleaning our houses and helping others as well. It is a great time to best show our love for the people, more importantly to reflect His love for the people.

 

On Friday, 2th of May 2008, Yangon area was struck down by cyclone. It blew so great it destroyed so much of the building, especially zincs. Many good and big trees were all fallen down because of the storm.  It was terrible because it was the first time in our life and history that we saw the storm striking us so great. It destroyed so much for of the trees and those power holders.  Many have lost their life. According to the news, there have been more than 300 (three hundred who lost their life) but according to the witness there have been no less than 500 (five hundred people who lost their life). Personally, I believe there must have been no less than  ten thousands who lost their life. Many were sunk into the deep of the sea and they are not yet found.For those of you who have seen the power grids in Myanmar, you can just imagine how it must have been.

As for my family, we are OK and doing good. But our toilet was completely destroyed and our boy's dorm of Yangon Grace Bible School was full of flood without any good place for cooking. Things are so much expensive and insufficient. For example, one bag of rice was 25 $ last month and now it is 50$ and in some place it is about near 100$ for one bag. Normally, my family eats this one bag for a week but since last month we have been having guest and because of the circumstance, they cannot get out of our house either. At this present time, we eat almost two bags in a week.

We have the privilege to show our love and give the best of our hospitality but there is also a case to worry. We've been thinking how will we survive next month if things are still expensive. And there are thousands who are in the same situation like us. There are thousands who are starving. We do need your prayer.

Sincerely,

Philip

 

I will freely admit that I like a good spy movie.  I am fascinated by international intrigue, secret missions by highly trained agents, and the stories of top secret activities that keeps us safe–even when we don't know about it.  But I live in a country which directs its espionage for exactly that reason, to keep me safe.  I can hardly imagine what it would be like if the government's agents were coming after me.

That imagination has been reality for North Korean Christians.  There, government agents have been sent to "incriminate, arrest, imprison and sometimes execute believers" (Compass Direct News) by infiltrating small churches and prayer groups, posing as Christians, and springing a trap on them.  The North Korean government considers religion–and Christianity in particular–to be the number one danger to the state.

That gives a whole new meaning to the warning of Matthew 7:15, which warns us to beware of "ravening wolves" that come in sheep's clothing.  Can you even imagine that type of persecution?

Read the full story at Compass Direct News.

Algeria: Believers Face Diminished Freedoms

Algeria is facing a crisis point.  Churches are being forced to close, and elections are coming up, causing the potential for increased violence and religious limitation.

China: 8 Christian Leaders Still in Detention in Sichuan Province

These leaders have been accused of being "evil cult members," a charge often leveled by Chinese authorities against house church members. 

North Korea: Students Arrested for Gospel Materials

India: Film Team Released from Jail After Sharing the Gospel

Gospel for Asia evangelistic teams are in constant danger of persecution.  This team has a message of praise, though, after they were released from prison–and had a chance to witness to the very authorities that were persecuting them!

Indonesia: Over 100 Churches Closed in 3 Years

Indonesia is a predominately Muslim nation, and the attacks of extremists have led to the closure of 110 churches in the time period between 2004-2007. 

Iraq: Religious Cleansing in North

Laos: Pastor Beaten Almost to Death for Refusing to Give up Faith

Pastor Khamxay was arrested for "bringing foreign religions to Laos."  The government tried to make him sign a piece of paper in which he said he would not be a Christian.  He refused to sign, and in his ensuing prison term converted five of his cellmates to Christianity!  When the guards found out about his witness, they beat him almost to death.

Just off the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka is a country of amazing beauty, and a rich history.  Christian persecution has been sporadic in this island nation, but it appears to be growing.

While Sri Lankan history can be traced back further than the arrival of Buddhism, in the 3rd century BC, it's modern history revolves around the island's declaration of independence in 1948.  Since that time, the nation has been wracked by civil war, with the government in Columbo facing opposition from the LTTE, more commonly known as the "Tamil Tigers."  Though there have been breaks in this violence, they have never brought a lasting peace.

About 70% of Sri Lanka's 20 million people are Buddhist.  In fact, Sri Lanka has the longest continuous history of Buddhism among all Buddhist nations.  The other 30% is divided among a variety of religions, including Islam and Hinduism, with Christians comprising around 6% of the total population.

It appears that hostilities towards Christians is growing.  In just the past couple of weeks, there have been a number of attacks against Christians and their church buildings.  Though these may be unrelated incidents of persecution, it could be that this marks an escalation of violence against Christians in general!

Sri Lankan Christians Face Massive Attacks, Investigators Say

Let's pray that these attacks are not a foretaste of further violence to come, and let us also pray for the Christians that have been attacked.  And while we pray that their wounds would heal and their pain subside, let us not forget to pray that their light would shine out in the darkness as a witness of the truth that they live for.

For more information—

CIA World Factbook: Sri Lanka 

Wikipedia Article: Sri Lanka 

*** Update ***

Friday's news has this story of fighting in Sri Lanka, illustrating the volatility of the situation. 

Mission Network News is reporting how this violence is affecting Christians. 

China: 70 House Church Leaders Detained in Shangqiu City

70 Christians are being detained under charges of "making use of a cult to violate law enforcement."

Gaza Strip: Murder of Gaza Christians Unresolved as  Threats Continue

We normally think about the turmoil in the Gaza Strip in the terms of the conflict between Israel and the Arab world.  But let us not forget the Christian minority caught in the crossfire!

India: Answers to Prayer Amid Danger

News from India continues to be full of stories of persecution by radical Hindu mobs.  Pastors, especially, have been targeted and persecuted.  But our God answers prayers!

Nigeria: Church Looted and Demolished in Kano State

Nigeria is on the cutting edge of Muslim expansion, and has been the scene for more and more persecution over the last few months.  This is one more example.

Sri Lanka: Pastor Brutally Murdered