Persecuted Watch

In October 2019, 14-year old Huma Younus, a Christian, was kidnapped from her home, forcibly converted to another faith and then married to her kidnapper. Since the abduction, her parents have been seeking to annul the marriage, which by law is forbidden before the age of 18 without parental permission.

According to the lawyer assisting the family, Huma is now pregnant and confined to one room and not permitted to leave.

The brother of Huma’s abductor have threatened the lives of Huma’s family, stating that he would kill anyone who tries to help them. Her abductors have also used every possible way to delay the court proceedings. If the decision is delayed for 3 more years, the case will likely be dismissed when Huma turns 18.

Please pray for Huma’s safety and eventual release. Pray that God will administer emotional, physical and spiritual strength to this teen and her distraught family.

Pray also for the many other young girls in Pakistan who are facing similar situations. Pray that they will reflect the character of Christ in their lives — even while waiting for deliverance from captivity — so their captors will surrender their lives to God and do what is honorable in God’s sight.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

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Thirteen families in Vietnam recently had their land, homes and possessions confiscated. They were also subject to forced labour. Thankfully, a local pastor is currently caring for the families.

Out of compassion, some local Christians from another province willingly opened their home to house these thirteen families temporarily. In so doing, they have fulfilled the law of Christ in Galatians 6:2 to help carry one another’s burdens.

Pray for financial provision for the thirteen displaced families and the Christians hosting them. Pray that these thirteen families will be able to adjust well to their current circumstances and that God will provide them with a home of their own soon.

Pray that the children of these families will also follow Jesus as they observe their parents persevere in times of difficulties and still be able to live out the Christian faith with joy and peace.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOM)

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Miriamu, a Christian since 2014, truly exemplified what it means to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave us (Ephesians 4:32).

She was stoned by a neighbour until she lost consciousness and had to be hospitalised for a week. As a result of the attack, she suffered deep gashes on her face and neck, and internal bleeding. She still has some difficulty speaking but she want to forgive her neighbour and believes that her neighbour will come to know Jesus one day.

Miriamu was attacked because she started a church in her own home. The distance to the nearest church was too great to travel. Miriamu’s church grew steadily and her, non-Christian neighbours became alarmed. One lady claimed that Miriamu’s house & church was on a neighbour’s land even though Miriamu insisted that she has the official paperwork to occupy such land.

We praise God for Miriamu’s faith and obedience to God’s word.

Pray that her neighbours will be touched by her show of love and compassion and they will desire to know Jesus personally. Pray that Miriamu will be empowered to share the gospel effectively and disciple new believers in her hometown and beyond.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOM)

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Seven families from two tribal groups in Laos had their farm land confiscated because of their faith in Christ, and they are not allowed to farm. These seven families, totalling about 50 people from the Khmu and Hmong tribes, have been experiencing severe persecution since they became Christians. However, their faith had been strong and they were active in serving the Lord and one another.

When the village experienced a drought earlier this year, rice was distributed to everyone except Christians. The believers were told that if they wanted help, they must first renounce their faith in Christ. The Christian families are in a dire situation with no food to eat. They have tried to dig up yam and hunt for jungle animals to sell in order to get rice to eat.

Pray that these families will receive sufficient food and basic necessities for survival. Pray that they will be able to continue gathering for worship.

Pray that, through their testimonies, other villagers will be acknowledge believe in the truths of the gospel and receive salvation in Christ.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOM)

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If someone you treasured and loved dearly is shot dead, just because he or she believed in Jesus and has been actively and effectively sharing the gospel and leading others to Christ, would you still follow Jesus?

Pastor Munshi Devu Tado was leading a worship service for a small group on his property on July 10th when armed thugs approached him. The thugs first shook hands with Pastor Munshi, then tied his hands behind his back before leading him away on the pretext of wanting to talk to him.  A few minutes later, a gunshot was heard and Pastor Munshi was found dead on the ground and his attackers gone.

According to reports, opposing villagers had been upset about the growth of the church, as people were being converted from their tribal religion to Christianity. It is believed that the disgruntled villagers incited the thugs to kill the pastor.

The family has faced ongoing persecution since they came to faith in Christ seven years ago.  Pastor Vachami, a close associate of the slain minister, spoke favourably about him, “He was a very simple man and a very faithful servant of God.”

Pray for Pastor Munshi’s wife, Jaini, as well as their four young children during this time of tragic loss. Pray that they will find comfort and support from the Lord and from fellow believers. Pray that they will not succumb to fear or be intimated to renounce their faith in Christ.

Pray also for the villagers who have come to trust in Christ through their pastor’s faithful service to God. Pray that the Lord will spur them onward in their walk of faith.

Pray that many others in this community, who have yet to acknowledge Christ as their Saviour (including the attackers) will be touched by the late pastor’s testimony and, through his ongoing legacy, receive God’s mercy, forgiveness and transformative saving grace.

 

(Source and Photo Credit : VOMC)

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