When 8 families were evicted from their village, your support helped provide them with a new place to live
In October of last year, eight Christian families in Laos experienced the unthinkable: They were expelled from their homes, simply because they follow Jesus.
The 26 people refused to deny their faith. Representatives from the families were summoned by provincial families to discuss the situation. During the meeting, the Christians were told that their faith had sparked controversy in the village, stirring accusations of violating tradition. The village wanted to expel all Christians in the community.
The Christian families, led by one believer named Thonglo*, tried to offer reassurances and pursue reconciliation. But their explanations fell on deaf ears.
“Our faith has brought us peace and hope,” Thonglo told authorities during the meeting. “We mean no harm to the village or its traditions.”
“We have tolerated your disruptions for too long,” declared one of the authorities. “Your Sunday services disrupt the peace of the spirits that protect this village. Your songs trouble them.”
The government authorities then unanimously decided: The Christians had to vacate the village by the end of the month or face the destruction of their homes. Thonglo, on behalf of the believers, was required to sign an agreement forfeiting the rights to their properties in the village. Only portable belongings could be brought with them to their new settlement. The rest of their belongings and properties had to remain in the village and be transferred to the community.
Just before the meeting ended, one of the authorities stood and said: “We will give you another chance. Recant your faith so you can stay. We will even rebuild the houses that were destroyed recently if you agree to leave your faith behind.”
But the believers were resolute. Firmly they said “no”—for they believe that their faith in Jesus Christ is far more important than their possessions.
In the end, the authorities announced what was in the document: “Despite the conditions we offer, you refused to accept them. Now, you are no longer allowed to live in this community anymore. We gave you a time from today until the end of the month to move out. Remove all your belongings and move to a new area. Otherwise, villagers might hurt you and destroy your belongings, and we will not be responsible for that.”
In the days that followed, the believers packed their things. Even with heavy hearts, they moved to a new place where they were permitted to relocate, about 10 kilometers (a little more than six miles) from their village.
Local leaders, pastors and believers in the area came to help the expelled families rebuild their homes. Many came with food, construction equipment and household items while others offered their services in clearing the land and constructing the houses. Open Doors, through local partners, also pitched in funds to buy tin sheets for the roofs and materials for the walls.
It's a powerful reminder of how your gifts and prayers are put to work around the world. But the situation is also a reminder of what the ongoing cost looks like for believers in this part of Laos. Recently, an Open Doors local partner visited the believers at their new settlement.
“The believers feel more freedom now to move around and practice their faith,” our partner says. “But they also mentioned that unknown people randomly visit them from time to time. They believe that they are military who come to observe their activities in the community.
“Their children cannot go to nearby schools as the teachers and public schools do not accept them because of their beliefs,” continues the Open Doors partner. “But we praise the Lord that one of the mothers in the community volunteered to teach the children. They meet once a week to study.”
Our local partners ask us to pray with these believers in southern Laos. Please pray:
- The new location will be a place of peace for these families of believers. Pray that this will also be a refuge for other believers who might need a temporary home.
- For the leaders of these families, to be full of wisdom and love that only comes from God so that they can lead their families in the ways of the Lord.
- For provision for their daily needs and ways to support their families. Since they are new to the area and don’t have land of their own to cultivate and grow crops, finding the means to support their families is difficult.
- For the children of the families as they struggle to gain an education. Pray the new weekly study sessions will bear much fruit.
*representative names and photos used for security reasons
