Release International

An entire Christian community in Laos have been thrown out of their village at gunpoint for refusing to deny Christ.

All 48 Christian adults and children from Katin village in Saravan province were forcibly expelled and had their homes and belongings confiscated after about 100 officials, including police, and villagers surrounded their worship service.

After guns were pointed at their heads, the 11 Christian families were forced to walk nearly four miles away from Katin – then were left by the side of a road. Police now stand guard at the entrance to the village, to prevent the Christians from returning.

The Christians have reportedly been sleeping in the woods since their expulsion last month, with no food or equipment and only a small stream for water. Some of their homes have reportedly been destroyed in their absence.

Local officials have since visited the group and tried again to force them to renounce their faith, promising to let them return home if they relent. But the Christians have refused.

This is just the latest in a long string of abuses against Christians in Katin. A Christian called Pew was asphyxiated in July 2008 when villagers poured wine down his throat. Four days later, officials detained 80 Christians, including children, in a school compound and deprived them of food to try to force them to renounce their faith. And in June 2009, livestock was confiscated from all Christian families for ignoring official demands that they deny Christ.

Despite this intense and ongoing persecution, several households in Katin accepted Christ last year, according to Compass Direct news agency.

(Source: Compass Direct)

• Ask God to supply all the needs of these long-suffering Christians now living rough.
• Pray that the powerful witness of these Christians will inspire other villagers.

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