Giulio Paletta/CSW

Spring/Summer 2021 connect& encourage

Write to someone facing injustice for their beliefs. Human rights defenders in South Asia In this issue

[My wife] told me she received Get writing 3 many“ cards from England, Scotland Writing a letter 4-5 and Northern Ireland. She said Africa & the Middle East 6-9 these people were all praying for South Asia 10-13 14-17 me. It made me feel like I was part East Asia Latin America 18-23 of a big family. ” Giulio Paletta/CSW Nguyen Van Dai, Vietnamese human Will my letters actually rights lawyer living in exile in Germany Get writing reach the intended person? Although some letters may be intercepted, Is it ok to include Christian most will reach their destination. Even if the greetings and scripture verses? letter doesn’t reach them, it can still have a powerful effect by reminding governments Most of the people in Connect & Encourage that their case is not going unnoticed by the are Christians, and we encourage you to rest of the world. write appropriate scripture verses and Christian greetings. Writing relevant Bible Is it safe to include my name references is useful for non-English speakers and address on my cards? so they can look up the same scripture verses in their own language. As long as you are happy to receive a reply, including your contact details isn’t a However, some are not Christians – we have problem. In fact, a pen pal relationship with indicated this next to their names. Please someone who is facing injustice for their be sensitive to this when writing to them. faith can be extremely inspiring! However, If the person you are writing to is a Christian, you may receive letters requesting financial it’s okay to send them cards that are help. Always contact CSW regarding these obviously Christian. However, if you want requests before you respond to them. Keep in touch. Today. to be safe, or the person you are writing to Can I send letters to every is from a different faith, cards with colourful country where CSW works? pictures or landscapes on the front are always appreciated. Share how you’ve used it, and We have only included people in Connect & Encourage if we can verify they will receive we’ll let others know so they can try What if I can’t write in the person’s language? your cards safely. In some of the countries using it in the same way! where we work, sending letters and cards Email us at [email protected] Even if the person receiving your card could further endanger the recipients. can’t read English, receiving a card can still Instead, please remember these people Please don’t send any letters to the office bring them hope and encouragement by in your prayers, asking God to grant them as we’re not able to forward these on at reminding them that they are not forgotten. strength, protection and comfort. the moment. We’ll let you know as soon However, if you can write in the language of You can find more tips for as this changes. the person – even if it is just a phrase or two writing your cards at

All images by CSW unless otherwise stated. CSW by All images – please do! They will appreciate your effort. csw.org.uk/connectencourage

2 Sign up for weekly prayer alerts csw.org.uk/prayer To download more copies visit csw.org.uk/connectencourage 3 connect&encourage Writing a letter Letter 1

We’ve included some sample letters Dear [name] here to give you an idea of what to write. A personal letter with details I was deeply moved when I about your everyday life can be a heard about your situation. wonderful encouragement, but I wanted to write to you and it’s also the case that sometimes a let you know that your story is template letter may be a safer option for some of our cases, or a good start being told all over the world for you to write your own message. and that people are joining If you want to write your own message, together to pray for you. here are some general guidelines: • Just write a little bit about yourself – [name] where you live, what the area is like, your family, your hobbies, and so on. Most of the people in Connect & Encourage Letter 2 are Christians, so you could write an encouraging Bible verse in the card, and some Christian greetings such as ‘God Dear [name] bless you’ and ‘May the Lord be with you’. • Even if the person who gets your card I pray that God grants you can’t read English, receiving it will still strength and courage to encourage them by reminding them that persevere in this terrible they’re not forgotten. situation. Please know that • Writing relevant Bible references is useful for non-English speakers so they can look you have not been forgotten up the verses in their own language. by the world. • If you’re happy to receive a reply, it’s safe Send hope. Today. to include your name and address on [name] the cards. Many people have developed rewarding relationships in this way, Writing tip Many people appreciate a by writing to and hearing from people postcard with a bright picture on it: try who suffer because of their faith. to find something colourful and uplifting.

4 Pray for the people you write to Pray for the people you write to 5 connect&encourage Africa and the Middle East Africa Egypt Nigeria Rebecca Sharibu and the In the past we’ve asked you to send cards, The Most Rev Dr Benjamin but at this time it’s difficult to ensure they Argak Kwashi and Middle East will arrive in a timely manner. Please keep Mrs Gloria Kwashi praying for Egypt; while the situation has improved for the Christian community, Dear CSW, religious minorities are still targeted, and Dr Benjamin Argak Kwashi there are a growing number of human rights defenders among the nation’s prisoners Thank you for sending the current of conscience. edition of Connect & Encourage. It is a tremendous resource. Eritrea As for a method: I pick a recipient Many Eritrean Christians have been forced Rebecca (above, right) is the mother of Leah, and prayerfully ask for a relevant to flee their country due to the severe a Nigerian schoolgirl who was one of 110 Scripture, which then comes to mind. oppression they face on account of their girls abducted from their school in Dapchi, Nigeria by Boko Haram in February 2018. And then I write a short message e.g faith. As they waited for acceptance in third countries, they have established their Archbishop Benjamin Argak Kwashi may God bless your work, in the case is the General Secretary of the Global The next month, following negotiations own worshipping communities. These are by the government, the remaining girls of an organisation. essentially refugee churches. Many of these Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon) and a prominent and eloquent advocate for were put into trucks to go home. But Christians still live cautiously because the Leah wasn’t among them. She wasn’t Thanks again and God bless, Eritrean authorities have been known to Christians in northern and central Nigeria. His family experienced two brutal attacks in released because she refused to convert John track down and harass people even outside in exchange for her freedom. of Eritrea. The cards you’ve sent have been the recent past but made a full recovery. In New Malden an amazing encouragement to many. addition to writing to the family, please pray Rebecca has been waiting for Leah to come Please keep writing! for their safety and strength in the midst of home for over three years – CSW has been ongoing tensions in central Nigeria. advocating and campaigning to secure Ebenezer Foundational Leah’s release ever since she went missing. Healing Church The Most Rev Dr Benjamin Argak GPO 16147-00100 Kwashi and Mrs Gloria Kwashi Unfortunately we cannot give you Rebecca’s Nairobi Anglican Diocese of Jos direct address due to security concerns, and Kenya PO Box 6283 we do not currently have the capacity to Jos pass on your messages. Please continue to Plateau State pray for her. Iran 930001 Nigeria Unfortunately it isn’t safe to write to many of the prisoners in Iran. Over the last few years we’ve seen a pattern of religious minorities being arrested on national security charges, and in a number of current cases it could put them at risk if they were to receive cards from other countries.

6 Pray for Egypt using the Prayer Diary Sign up to get our weekly prayer email at csw.org.uk/prayer 7 connect&encourage Africa and the Middle East

Nigeria contd. Sudan The Episcopal Church of Sudan Hey CSW, There have been significant changes in Sudan The Episcopal Church is one of the largest CSW Nigeria since former President Omar al Bashir was Christian denominations in Sudan, and has several We used Connect and Encourage deposed and a Transitional Government took schools and medical centres attending to the Our office in Nigeria works to promote as one of our units of study over in September 2019. The new political needs of the entire community. In the past, the religious freedom in an exceptionally difficult leaders have provided assurances to churches church has faced government harassment over the on global justice issues. We context and with very few resources. However, and Christians in Sudan that they would work ownership of their properties and land disputes. despite the many difficulties they face, their spent some time looking at the to address the violations of the past. While Please pray for the leadership of the church as they work is growing! The head of CSW-Nigeria, persecuted church and Connect the government grapples with these changes, navigate the new political realities in Sudan. Rev Yunusa Nmadu, is currently General churches continue to prepare legal cases to and Encourage was a practical Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning Unfortunately we cannot give you the church’s claim back from the government land and way for us to respond to what All (ECWA) denomination, one of the largest direct address due to security concerns, and we assets confiscated during the last 30 years. denominations in northern Nigeria with a do not currently have the capacity to pass on your we learnt. The students enjoyed membership of over five million worldwide. The Khartoum Bahri Evangelical Church is one messages. Please continue to pray for them. the process – it was a small and At a time when abductions for ransom are rife, of several churches that has had its buildings powerful way to connect with and land confiscated and its leaders arrested. please pray for protection as staff travel the the stories of those who suffer country to assist communities and individuals Unfortunately we cannot give you the church’s experiencing violations. direct address due to security concerns, and we for their faith and on quite a do not currently have the capacity to pass on personal level, to get in touch CSW Nigeria c/o ECWA Gospel Church your messages. Please continue to pray for them. with them and initiate some Lemu Road Tudun Nupawa kind of relationship. It was also a

PO Box 619 Serefio Hervé good way to engage in informed Kaduna prayer too. Nigeria Catholic Cathedral Bangui Take care, Central African Suhail – Canada A protest at Khartoum Bahri vineyardschoolofjustice.org Evangelical Church Republic During 2017 and the start of 2018 thousands of people in the Central African Republic (CAR) were Sudan Church of Christ (SCOC) displaced, and hundreds were killed during clashes between armed groups. In February 2019 a new Leaders of the SCOC are still facing criminal peace treaty was signed by the 14 main armed charges over an attempt to take over the groups and the government. There continue to be administration of the church. A new trial episodes of violence in CAR despite the agreement, started in October 2019, which is taking up that leave the most vulnerable civilians displaced the time and resources of the leadership to and at risk. Churches of all denominations defend. Unfortunately we cannot give you are responding to support their communities. the church’s direct address due to security Unfortunately we cannot give you the churches’ Rev Yunusa Nmadu, CSW Nigeria concerns, and we do not currently have the direct address due to security concerns, and we capacity to pass on your messages. Please do not currently have the capacity to pass on your continue to pray for them. messages. Please continue to pray for them.

8 Pray for Nigeria using the Prayer Diary Get our weekly prayer email csw.org.uk/prayer 9 connect&encourage South Asia

South Asia John Dayal National Commission for Justice and Peace John Dayal is one of India’s most prominent () (NCJP) India voices on human rights, and the situation of religious minorities in particular. He is a NCJP is one of CSW’s key partner Nehemiah Christie member of several governmental bodies, organisations in Pakistan. They are a including the national Integration Council. well-organised institution with offices in Nehemiah is a human rights defender based The former president of the All India all provinces and major cities of Pakistan. in Tamil Nadu. He is the Director of Legislation Catholic Union, he is also co-founder Please pray for the safety and security of and Regulation at the Synod of Indian and secretary general of the All India the staff, especially those who travel to rural Pentecostal churches, which has oversight of Christian Council. areas to conduct workshops and training. 30,000 churches in India. He is a member of the 505, Link Apartments Pray for the leadership that they may guide United Christian Forum for Human Rights, an 18, I.P Extension the organisation and work in the right inter-denominational Christian network that Delhi 11092 direction. Please do write to encourage the campaigns for freedom of religion or belief. India NCJP staff at the head office in . NCJP Peace and Development Nehemiah was a participant at CSW’s South offices , Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Foundation (PDF Pakistan) Asia ‘Defend the Defender’ project where he Multan, Hyderabad and Quetta will receive was trained on international advocacy. He is mail through the Lahore office. Romana Bashir and Arif Gill are experienced also the founder of the Calvary Christian Centre workers in interfaith harmony. Their in Erode. Pakistan E 64/A, Street No. 8 workshops on the subject, aimed at Christian Study Centre (CSC) Officers Colony Walton Rd. challenging the prevailing extremist Lahore Nehemiah Christie mindsets, have been very successful. Pray CSC works to help churches in Pakistan gain Pakistan 18/8 Iraniyan Street-1 for the safety and security of Romana, Arif a better understanding of the relationship [email protected] Lakshmi Garden and their staff. Do write to encourage the between Islam and Christianity, and www.ncjp-pk.org Rangampalayam, Erode staff as their work actually changes mindsets the particular nature of their calling as 638008, Tamil Nadu and effects real change on the ground. churches in a Muslim state. The centre India undertakes academic research into Islam House No. 1959/1 and Christianity in Pakistan and their Indus Rd. No.3, relationship. They also promote dialogue Tariqabad, Rawalpindi Cantt. 46000 between Christians and Muslims to foster Pakistan mutual understanding, peaceful co- [email protected] existence and promote cooperation in nation-building. The CSC would like to thank everyone who sent cards to them with such beautiful thoughts. They mean a lot to them!

Christian Study Centre 126 Murree Road Rawalpindi Cantt, Pakistan

Nehemiah Christie

10 Get our weekly prayer email csw.org.uk/prayer Pray for Pakistan using the Prayer Diary 11 connect&encourage South Asia

Pakistan contd. CSW currently understands that raising the international profile of individual prisoners in Pakistan may worsen their conditions so, on the advice of local partners, we’ve removed them from this edition. At any time there are hundreds of people in detention, without a fair trial. We urge you to pray for them and their families whenever you can.

Farrukh Saif Foundation (FSF) Cecil and Iris Chaudhry Greetings from The Cecil & Foundation (CICF) Iris Chaudhry Foundation! Salvance Jacob is a highly qualified and Michelle Chaudhry able Christian lawyer who is national head Michelle Chaudhry, the daughter of the late I’m writing to express our gratitude to all CSW of the FSF network of Christian lawyers Cecil Chaudhry (Senior), is a key partner of supporters who take out the time to send us in representing minorities – particularly CSW in Pakistan. messages of love and support. We are so touched Christians – who could otherwise find no In response to the growing and neglected and emotionally overwhelmed! legal assistance. Religious minorities are needs of minorities, Michelle set up a severely discriminated against in the Punjab We in Pakistan live under very trying circumstances, foundation in memory of her parents, courts. Salvance Jacob and others have religious persecution and intolerance at every level; who spent their lives working to improve been frequently threatened with violence in there is so much pain and sadness in our world that conditions for minorities in Pakistan. Pray for and out of the courtroom; still they press on frustrations and despair easily find their way into our Michelle to have the necessary resources to and help those most in need. Please pray lives, and it is at that time that we feel so encouraged run her programmes and projects, and for for protection, safety and wisdom in their and strengthened to know that we have wonderful protection for the CICF staff. Please write to work. Please do write to encourage them as people out there who care and are praying for us. Michelle encouraging her. they advocate for those suffering from false I thank each and every one of you for your concern, accusations and the endemic prejudices in Michelle told us, ‘I want to say thank your sentiments, your prayers and your continuous a broken justice system. you to everyone who has sent me cards. support. It is people like you who give us the We’ve received over 200 cards from CSW strength to carry on; it is people like you who give [email protected] supporters. I’m so touched and it was us hope that all is not lost in this bigoted and overwhelming for me.’ intolerant world. I want to say thank you Michelle and her team would be delighted You strengthen our resolve to stand firm in the face to“ everyone who has sent to write back to you in thanks for your of evil as we fearlessly continue our fight for a just me cards. We’ve received encouragement! If you’d like to receive and tolerant Pakistan. over 200 cards from CSW a reply from them, please include your address in the card. May God bless you all abundantly! supporters. I’m so touched Michelle Chaudhry and it was overwhelming President 16C/1-A, Gulberg II, for me. Lahore 54600 The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation Pakistan (CICF) ” [email protected] Michelle Chaudhry, Pakistan www.ci-cf.org

12 Pray for Bangladesh using the Prayer Diary Pray for Pakistan using the Prayer Diary 13 connect&encourage East Asia

East Asia Another leader at the church, Pastor Su China Tianfu, was sentenced to one year in prison Information courtesy of China Aid suspended for two years, with a further six Association and other sources. months’ residential surveillance, following Hello, his trial on 26 April 2018. Both pastors were Gao Zhisheng also fined over US$1 million for collecting Over the last 18 months I have ‘illegal’ donations from members of the Gao Zhisheng, a Christian human rights congregation. Pastor Su Tianfu and Pastor written to all the Cuban church lawyer, was given a three-year prison Yang Hua have filed several appeals on sentence for ‘violating the terms of his leaders who are listed in the Pastor Yang Hua the basis that the money was voluntarily current edition of Connect probation’. The sentence related to his donated by church members and was only 2006 probationary sentence (three years’ Living Stone Church used to fund church activities. All appeals & Encourage. When I write, I imprisonment and five years’ probation) for were rejected. commit myself to praying for ‘subversion of state power’. He was released Living Stone Church is an unregistered Pastor Yang and Pastor Su would love each person I write to every day in August 2014, but was put under round- Protestant church in China. Several church the-clock surveillance. As a result of his time members have been targeted and the to receive cards and messages of support for the next month. in prison, Gao has suffered from physical government has tried to force Living Stone from you. David and psychological health problems. church members to stop meeting: they Both of them would greatly appreciate your would welcome your messages of solidarity Gao disappeared again in August 2017. prayers and letters! Ripon and support. Pastor Yang Hua led Living Although there are conflicting accounts of Stone Church until he was detained in #5-5-8 Dongshan Yi Jing Yuan his whereabouts, it is likely he is being held 2015 for ‘obstructing justice’ and ‘gathering Da Xing Garden in some form of detention. He has not been a crowd to disturb social order’ and later Yun Yang District seen since his disappearance. ‘illegally holding state secrets’. He was Guiyang, Guizhou, 550000 It is not possible to write to him at this formally arrested in early 2016, and his People’s Republic of China time, but thank you for praying faithfully for lawyers told us that he had severe health Gao. Sadly there is no update, but please conditions as a result of his ill treatment pray especially for his family over the in detention. anniversary of his disappearance. At the time, I was completely Almost two weeks after his trial on 26 isolated“ because I had this December 2016, Pastor Yang Hua was You can read more about Gao stigma of having been a Be an encourager. Today. at csw.org.uk/gao sentenced to two and a half years in prison. In March 2017 he was reported to be ‘on prisoner, but these letters the verge of paralysis’ as a result of severe really kept me going because Writing tip inflammation in his legs. they showed me that even Please don’t mention CSW Pastor Yang Hua was released from prison on though people around me or China Aid in your cards to 19 June 2018 after completing a two and didn’t understand what I was Chinese or Vietnamese people, a half year sentence. According to friends and supporters, he is suffering from several doing, other people from across and do not make any comment Gao’s daughter health problems. the world were encouraging me about the government or the Grace Geng and writing to me. political system. This could ” endanger the person you are Vietnamese pastor writing to. under house arrest

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Alimujiang Yimiti Pastor Zhang Shaojie Vietnam “[My wife] told me she received A Uyghur Christian from Xinjiang province, In November 2013 over 20 members of Nanle many cards from England, Scotland Alim is being detained ‘solely because of his County Christian Church, Henan, which Nguyen Trung Ton and Northern Ireland. She said these faith’ according to the UN Working Group on belongs to the state-sanctioned Three Self Nguyen Trung Ton is an outspoken human people were all praying for me. It Arbitrary Detention. Patriotic Movement, were detained after rights defender and Protestant pastor. In made me feel like I was part of a big members attempted to petition a higher Alimujiang was working as a project manager February 2017 Pastor Ton was kidnapped authority about a land dispute involving family. for a British company, when it was targeted by state agents and was stripped naked, the church. Lawyers representing the ” in a series of closures of foreign businesses tied, beaten and abandoned in a remote detainees were repeatedly prevented from mountainous location in the middle of the Nguyen Van Dai, Vietnam belonging to Christians in Xinjiang in meeting their clients and foreign journalists night. Both his knees were seriously injured September 2007. Alim was detained in covering the case were also intimidated and and his lungs were damaged. He was Nguyen Bac Truyen February 2008 and sentenced to 15 years in harassed. At the time of writing, most of the arrested on 30 July 2017 on a charge of prison in April 2009, in a court case that did Nguyễn Bắc Truyển is a legal expert and detainees have been released, but Pastor attempting to overthrow the state. In April not follow due process under Chinese or human rights activist who was abducted by Zhang Shaojie is in prison serving a 12-year 2018 Nguyen Trung Ton was sentenced international law. the Vietnamese police in July 2017. He was sentence for fraud and ‘gathering a crowd to to 12 years’ imprisonment and two years’ held in incommunicado detention until his Following a failed appeal, Alim was moved disturb public order’. Pastor Zhang Shaojie’s house arrest. trial in April 2018. During this time he didn’t to a prison in Xinjiang’s provincial capital, daughter has said that he is suffering both Following an appeal hearing in June see his wife for six months and was unable to Urumqi. In February 2011 it was announced mentally and physically as a result of meagre 2018, Truyen’s sentence was upheld. meet with his lawyers until two weeks before that an appeal at the Higher People’s Court food rations and sleep deprivation in prison: his trial. of Xinjiang had failed and his sentence please pray urgently for his physical and Pastor Ton has been transferred to a prison very far away from his home, was upheld. mental health. In April 2018 Truyển was convicted of in a province in a different part of the ‘carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing In January 2013 Alim’s wife was informed country. This makes it very difficult and Zhang Shaojie the government’ and sentenced to 11 years that her monthly visits to her husband would expensive for his wife to visit him. His Mailbox #841 sub-box for education, in prison followed by three years’ house be cut to one every three months. wife has been able to send him some Xinmi City arrest. In reality, his only crime is defending books including the Bible. There has been #2 East Main St., Xinmi City the oppressed. Alimujiang Yimiti Henan Province some improvement in his health, but he still has pain in his leg and trouble with Prison No. 3 of Xinjiang 452370 A Hoa Hao Buddhist, Truyển speaks up his kidneys. His wife is very grateful for No. 1339 People’s Republic of China for those of all faiths. In 2019 he went on Dongzhan Road messages she has received from hunger strike (along with other prisoners Urumqi city people overseas. of conscience) to protest the treatment of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Unfortunately we cannot give you her fellow prisoner Nguyen Van Hoa, a young 830013 direct address due to security concerns, Catholic activist. People’s Republic of China and we do not currently have the capacity Unfortunately we cannot give you his direct to pass on your messages. Please continue address due to security concerns, and we to pray for her. Be an encourager. Today. do not currently have the capacity to pass on your messages. Please continue to pray for him. Writing tip Please don’t mention CSW or China Aid in your cards to Chinese or Vietnamese people, and do not make any comment about Be an encourager. Today. Alimujiang Yimiti the government or the political system. This could endanger the person you are writing to. Find more writing guidance at www.chinaaid.org/p/write-letters.html

16 Pray for the people you write to Get our weekly prayer email csw.org.uk/prayer 17 connect&encourage Latin America

Latin ‘other acts against the normal development of Colombia Cuba a minor’. For many months during their parents’ America Despite the signing of the peace agreement, Bernardo and Damaris imprisonment, Ruth and Joel weren’t able to live many church leaders in Colombia are regular de Quesada in the same house. targets of threats, forced displacement and Ramón was released in June 2020 after serving assassination. The illegal armed groups that are On 8 January 2016, government officials 14 months of a two-year sentence. For much of present in large parts of the country continue Dear CSW, initiated the destruction of Reverend his imprisonment, Ramón was in a maximum to severely restrict religious activities, and Bernardo de Quesada Salomon’s church security unit where he was denied conditional churches are frequently extorted by them. without warning. Numerous other Apostolic freedom, and was allowed to receive only one Hope you will be pleased to Indigenous communities also suffer conflict- Movement church leaders in Camagüey visit per month. know that having prayed through related violations, and have seen their freedom and Las Tunas, as well as other parts of of religion severely curbed by courts ruling in La Familia Rigal Connect & Encourage for many the country, were arbitrarily detained or favour of traditional authorities seeking to impose 1075 Luz Caballero entre Donato years, I have used lockdown to confined to their homes by state security religious uniformity in their communities. Mármol y Varona agents at that time – presumably to stop write to one person in each of the Ciudad de Guantánamo them from going to support the churches countries mentioned. Members of indigenous Guantánamo which were being demolished. communities Cuba Carolyn Nonetheless, the de Quesada family and Blandford Forum Members of indigenous communities who their church continue to congregate and Dr Oscar Elías Biscet have converted to other faiths or no faith, and worship, and have since rebuilt their church. away from the religious beliefs and practices Dr Biscet was released in early 2011 after serving promoted by their leaders, face suffering and Revs Bernardo and Damaris de eight years of a 25-year sentence, following a Send hope. Today. severe discrimination within their communities. Quesada deal brokered by the Catholic Church. He was This includes threats of forced displacement or Calle 4ta No 27 imprisoned because of his human rights work. being excluded from receiving certain benefits Versalles, Camagüey He is now at home with his wife, Elsa, but they

Tip Please don’t mention by indigenous authorities, generally known as CP 70600 feel very unsafe so rarely go out except to attend CSW or make any political ‘cabildos’. Despite strong protections for freedom Cuba church on Sundays, and Dr Biscet remains comment in your cards to of religion or belief in the constitution and in under constant state surveillance. He is a devout international treaties that Colombia has signed up The Rigal family Cuban people – this could Christian and pacifist, and was nominated for to, Colombian courts have ruled that these rights a Nobel Peace Prize in 2011. CSW has been endanger them. do not extend to those living on indigenous lands Ruth and Joel are the children of Reverend supporting Dr Biscet for over ten years. where collective cultural rights take precedence. Ramón Rigal and Pastor Adya Expósito Leyva. They attended school online as their Dr Oscar Elías Biscet and Elsa Morejón In some indigenous reserves religious minority parents didn’t want to send their children to a Hernández Acosta children suffer daily discrimination because the 464 e/ 8va y 9va school curriculum is designed to comply with state-run school where they would be bullied Lawton traditional beliefs. because of their beliefs. However, parents are legally required to Ciudad de la Habana Please write to them care of the following address. send their children to state-run schools and Cuba Since there are so many, and new cases occur protecting Ruth and Joel in this manner is on a regular basis, it’s best to address your cards Reverend Juan Carlos Núñez illegal in Cuba. As a result, in April 2019, both generally and let our contacts distribute them. Ramón and Adya were imprisoned for their Rev Juan Carlos Núñez’s church belongs to the RELIEC decision to home-school their children. Apostolic Movement, an unregistered network of Calle 24A # 75-83 piso 2 Adya was released from detention in March Protestant churches. In October 2017, he was found Barrio Modelia 2020 after serving over 11 months of an guilty of violating the environmental protection Bogotá D.C 18-month sentence for the alleged crime of law following noise complaints from neighbours Colombia Dr Biscet

18 Pray for Latin America using the Prayer Diary Get our weekly prayer email csw.org.uk/prayer 19 connect&encourage Latin America

about his church’s sound system. Following the Maranatha First Baptist Rev Roberto Rodríguez complaints, Juan Carlos was given a one-year Church of Holguín sentence of house arrest. This is not unusual in In an answer to prayer Reverend Rodríguez was Cuba, where government agents sometimes try The Maranatha First Baptist Church cleared of the charges against him. He and his to instigate community hostility towards a local continues to report difficulties with family continue to live in difficult circumstances church by encouraging complaints. the government. It took them years to and have been unable to return to their home. Rev Juan Carlos Núñez obtain permission to go ahead with their Rvdo Roberto Rodríguez y Familia Maceo 19 new building, and religious freedom Princesa No. 52 e/ Laborde y Gene Las Tunas, Las Tunas violations against other members of their Cardenas, 42110 Cuba denomination continue to occur. Matanzas Father José Conrado Primera Iglesia Bautista Maranatha Cuba Fomento 298 e/ Martí y Luz Yaguajay Baptist Church Omar Gude Pérez Father Conrado is a Roman Catholic priest Caballero who has suffered harassment and threats for Ciudad de Holguín, Holguín 80100 As part of a dispute over the ownership of this speaking out against human rights violations Cuba church’s property, the local authorities claimed Omar Gude Pérez was a and allowing the families of political prisoners that the church’s land had been nationalised in prominent church leader who to attend Mass at his church. Dagoberto Valdez October 1980. Subsequently, the church property served three years in prison in Padre José Conrado Dagoberto Valdez is a Catholic lay leader was confiscated and handed over to government Cuba enduring the most brutal Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco who has been the target of threats and businesses. The historic church building belonged de Paula harassment because of his activities in to the Western Baptist Convention prior to physical and mental torture. Calle Fernando Hernández esq. a Piro independent civil society, including working the Revolution. He was tempted to abandon Guinart on independent Christian publications. Pastor Yuri Castellanos Pérez his faith and adopt the vicious Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus Dagoberto Valdez Yaguajay Baptist Church lifestyle of the prisoners around Cuba Polvorín #8 e/ San Juan y Raverio Calle Quintín Banderas #15 him, but at his very lowest Pinar del Rio CP 20100 Yaguajay Pastor Reutilio Columbié Cuba Sancti Spíritus CP 65100 point his wife, Kenia, brought Cuba him a card from a little girl. It In February 2012 Pastor Reutilio Columbié Pastor Onel Pardillo Garcia was beaten so violently that he suffered brain Pastors Rolando and read, ‘God still has faith in you, damage. It’s believed that this attack was a Pastor Onel Pardillo Garcia and his church Elizabet Ortiz Bode and I trust you.’ This simple direct result of his challenge to the authorities have been under pressure, including message renewed Omar’s faith over their arbitrary confiscation of his church’s government surveillance. Please pray that Over the last decade, Rolando and Elizabet have truck. He was found unconscious in the street and helped him to continue to they would find the economic resources been involved in leading a steadily-growing after the severe beating, and now struggles they need as they seek to undertake new house church affiliated with the Eastern Baptist endure his captivity. Shortly with his speech and with memory loss. constructions to their church buildings; Convention. Since July 2014 they have been afterwards, Omar was released. and for protection from surveillance for under pressure from the government. Reutilio Columbié Leiva Onel and his family. Iglesia Evangélica Centro Pastors Rolando and Omar Gude Pérez, Cuba Cristiano Shalom Calle 97a No. 3802A e/38 y 38a, Elizabet Ortiz Bode Calle Cabaña, Reparto Monterrey Loteria, Cotorro Cespedes 53 e/ Villuendas y Juan Moa, Holguín CP14000, Ciudad de la Habana M. Feijó Cuba Cuba Jatibonico Sancti Spíritus Cuba

20 Pray for Latin America using the Prayer Diary Get our weekly prayer email csw.org.uk/prayer 21 connect&encourage Latin America

Alain Toledano Valiente Reverend Arcadis Solano Daniel Josué Pérez Naranjo, Iglesia Bautista Misión Bereana (Berean Mexico Reverend Alain Toledano Valiente and his Reverend Arcadis has been experiencing Baptist Mission Church) Please send cards of encouragement family have been experiencing severe severe harassment from government and Arroyon Chaparra to religious minority families in Mexico, harassment from the government and Communist party officials for many years. Las Tunas including those who have been forcibly Communist party officials for many years. During the pandemic the government 77300 displaced, care of the following two In 2007 and 2016, Rev Toledano Valiente’s harassment has continued, with phone calls, Cuba addresses. Since there are so many, and Emanuel Church was demolished by the official summons and interrogations from the new cases occur on a regular basis it’s authorities. Harassment of Alain has since government. Reverend Yordanys Díaz best to address them generally and let our intensified, with increased police summons contacts distribute them. Arcadis Rafael Solano Reverend Yordanys Díaz is a pastor and and interrogations. Carretera Country Club, leader of his denomination. He and his family Attn Luis Herrera Nro 106 Km 1 Alain Toledano Valiente have been targeted by the government. Calle Gonzalez Bocanegra No. 16-C El Caney Edificio: 36, Escalera B, The government attempted to get his Barrio de San Antonio, CP 29250 Santiago de Cuba Apartamento: 2, Micro: 3, denomination to expel him, but instead they San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas Cuba El Salao elected him president of the denomination. Mexico Santiago de Cuba Cuba Apóstol Marcos Antonio Pastor Yordanys and his church continue Perdomo Silva to face harassment from the government, Dr Jorge Lee Galindo Pastor Tomasa especially since his denomination withdrew Ave Mirador de Queretaro #21 Victoria Ayala Zellero Apóstol Marcos is a pastor from the Apostolic from the government-controlled Cuban Interior 51, Fraccionamiento Movement whose church was destroyed in Council of Churches in late 2020. El Mirador, El Marques, Queretaro Pastor Tomasa Victoria Ayala Zellero and her July 2014. Since then he has had his house CP 76246, Mexico family were evicted from their home on 22 taken from him, turning him into a tenant, he Reverend Yordanys Diaz May 2009. They were originally told that the has been imprisoned, his family have been Calzada 10 de Octubre #1816 Juana house, which also served as the church, would abused, and his children have been persecuted E/Santa Amalia y Arnao Juana and her family converted to Protestant be confiscated in July 2008, despite the fact in school for being pastor’s children. Reparto Santa Amalia Christianity in 2009. Because of their faith, that Tomaza and her husband Jorge had lived Municipio Arroyo Naranjo Apóstol Marcos Antonio Perdomo they decided that they would no longer take there for almost 30 years and were the legal La Habana Silva, Ministerio Apostólico y Profético part in local festivals or join in the activities of owners. When they were finally evicted, the Cuba ‘Estableciendo el Reino de Dios’, Calle the majority religion. Just four months later, authorities gave them documents prohibiting C número 147 Juana, her family, and several other groups of Tomaza from holding any religious services Reverend Hernández Armas reparto Acerradero Protestant Christians were driven out of their and the police chief threatened to imprison Guamá home village. her for ‘dangerousness’. Reverend Hernández Armas, a pastor and Santiago de Cuba leader in the Western Baptist Convention, Juana now lives in a home she had to build Tomasa Victoria Ayala Zellero Cuba has been labelled a ‘counter-revolutionary’ herself with financial help from her family. Ministerio Apostólico Internacional Daniel Josué Pérez Naranjo and prohibited from travelling outside As her husband died a few years ago, Juana Fuego y Dinámica, Elia Calle 23, of Cuba. is the sole breadwinner. Her children have número 33, entre calle 8 y calle Baptist pastor Reverend Daniel Josué Pérez to take care of themselves while she goes to 10, reparto Santa Lucía, Municipio Naranjo has been waiting for over two Reverend Carlos Sebastián work. Her oldest daughter, Adriana, has had Colombia, Elia, Las Tunas decades, since 1997, for his denomination Hernández Armas to leave school so she can cook and care Cuba to be re-registered and legalised. Without Calle 69 #1605 e/16 y 18 for her siblings. Unfortunately we cannot registration, Reverend Naranjo cannot carry Cotorro, Ciudad de la Habana give you her direct address due to security out vital repairs on his church (which is also his 14000 concerns, and we do not currently have the home) or start new churches in his local area. Cuba capacity to pass on your messages. Please continue to pray for her.

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