Four Christian families were evicted from their village in north-western Laos on 5 and 6 May, according to Barnabas contacts.
The believers’ homes were destroyed, and they had to abandon most of their possessions. Village leaders and residents of Huang Khan Village, Long District, Luang Namtha province, targeted the Christians to force their eviction.
Barnabas partners have already responded to pleas from the expelled villagers, who are from the Akha people group in the far north of Laos, close to the border with Thailand. Funds have been sent to cover the believers’ immediate needs for rice, cooking oil, hygiene products and other essentials.
Some of the Christians evicted from their home village in Luang Namtha province
Our partners are currently looking for safe accommodation for the families.
The tearing down of Christian homes and eviction of Christians from villages has happened repeatedly in country districts in Laos. A “Law on the Evangelical Church”, in force since December 2019, gives Christians the right to conduct services, preach throughout Laos and maintain contacts with believers in other countries. However, the law is not well enforced in rural areas.
How you can pray
Give thanks for our partners’ swift response to the emergency. Pray that the families’ essential needs are met, for the assurance of the Lord’s comfort and strength as well as provision of a safe place to live. Pray that they will experience His peace and recovery from the trauma they have had to endure.
