LAOS Laos [Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic] has been one of the world’s poorest countries, but it is now experiencing significant economic growth as it enters the 21st century. Many people are spiritually hungry and the gospel is spreading as God’s people, many who have endured the fires of persecution, share the gospel with friends and neighbors.

Population language. presence felt. A French military expedition • Population: 6.4 million in 1893 occupied the most important • Density: 27.2 per square km towns, and by 1904 they controlled the Although there are more than 100 ethno- Geography whole country. linguistic groups, the people of Laos fall Laos is completely landlocked, bounded During World War II the Japanese into these main groups. by China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand occupied Indochina. After a brief period of • 59.2% Lao or Lao Loum [Lowland and Myanmar. Although 90 percent of the independence, the French reoccupied the Lao]. They live mainly in the country is mountainous, most life centers region in 1946. lowlands along the Mekong. around the fertile Mekong River and its In 1949 Laos became an independent state • 28.1% Lao Theung, Mon-Khmer tributaries. The river irrigates rice paddies within the French Union, but dissidents [Upland Lao] and provides some fish. Laos has been very allied themselves with the pro-Communist • Hmong-Mien 4.0% dependent on foreign aid and imported Vietminh forces fighting the French in • Tibetan-Himalayan 2.7% foodstuff for decades, but this dependence Vietnam. They invaded Laos in 1953 and • The remaining 6% include many is diminishing. quickly gained control of large areas. ethnic Vietnamese and Chinese. The Geneva armistice ended this war in Only 15% of the people live in towns. Climate 1954. A coalition government was formed Subsistence agricultural economy still and in 1955 Laos joined the UN. accounts for 80% of employment, but The climate of Laos is tropical with April The U.S. and USSR supported different there is significant migration from the rural temperatures averaging 84°F [29°C] and factions in the inherently unstable areas to the towns, which will change the January temperatures averaging 72°F government. Civil wars alternated face of Laos in the years to come. [22°C]. with tentative governments and splits alternated with coalitions. History In the mid-1960s Laos was drawn into Religions The early history of Laos is sketchy. The the Vietnam War. North Vietnamese • Animistic Buddhism 60% original inhabitants of the area were the troops used jungle trails in eastern and • Spirit Worship 38% Mon-Khmer. The Lao and other Tai peoples southern Laos as routes to supply their • Christians 1% gradually moved south from present-day forces fighting in South Vietnam, and U.S. • Other (Muslim, Bahai, Non- Yunnan Province, China. religious) 1% warplanes carried out increasingly heavy (Sources: Operation World 2010, OMF The “Kingdom of a Million Elephants” bombing attacks on the so-called Ho Chi th International) was founded in the mid-14 century Minh Trail, dropping two million tons of when the Khmer king at Angkor married bombs. The principal religion of Laos is Theravada his daughter to a Lao prince, Fa Ngum. Following Communist victories in Buddhism, though it is little more than a After him, the kingdom had a long period Cambodia and Vietnam in 1975, the veneer over deep-seated animism. Laotian of peace. It expanded to control parts of Laotian monarchy was abolished and the life and culture is heavily influenced by this North Thailand, was beaten back by the Lao People’s animistic-Buddhist mix. There are temples Burmese, ruled by the Vietnamese and in many ethnic Lao villages, but most eventually split into three states in 1713. non-Lao (tribal) villages have no Buddhist presence. Hostilities between Thailand and Vientiane led to the conquering of the latter in 1778, and the other two states Language were forced into line. When Vientiane tried to reassert its independence in Laos lacks a common language. The 1827, Thai forces completely destroyed country’s official language is Lao, but it. ethnic groups use their own languages th and dialects. English is the second official During the second half of the 19 century the French began to make their

OMF INTERNATIONAL • 10 W. Dry Creek Circle • Littleton, CO 80120-4413 303.730.4160 • 800.422.5330 • (f) 303.730.4165 • [email protected] rate [5.9 percent], and many urban areas schools were closed. lack modern sewage and water facilities. Persecution and restrictions continued Malaria, dysentery, parasitic diseases and throughout the 1980s, with many believers respiratory infections are a major problem, imprisoned and fellowships quashed. and there is only one doctor for every Restrictions were eased in the 1990s, but 2,200 people. churches are suspected as potentially subversive and are still watched. Christianity The Bible was translated into Lao in 1927, Democratic but this is now archaic. A new translation Republic was The birth of the church in Laos was slow was completed in the late 1990s. Some proclaimed. The and difficult. The ethnic Lao initially had no ethnic groups (Hmong, Mien) have the [Communist] interest in the gospel, which was brought Bible in their languages. Lao People’s by a Presbyterian missionary in 1885. Some restrictions remain on public Revolutionary Party However, the Khmu, slaves of the Lao, evangelism, the building of church buildings is still the only legal responded vigorously and the Khmu church and formal links with foreign organizations. political party in Laos. Most opposition now numbers more than 40,000 (6.2 It is said that the years following 1997 were leaders fled the country in the 1970s. percent of all Khmu people). In 1901 Swiss the most oppressive for Christians since the Vietnamese troops remain in Laos to missionaries worked among Lao outcasts beginning of the Communist government. bolster the regime. called Phi-Pop, men who are believed to Christians have been imprisoned and The country has struggled economically. communicate with evil spirits. They also forced to sign statements rejecting their Subsistence agriculture accounts for responded and Christians in southern Laos faith. However, the persecution seems to half of the GDP and provides 80 percent now number around 15,000. However, be declining some in recent years. of total employment. Recently the since the early Christians were non-Lao Buddhism has regained its old influence in government has moved towards an open- and social outcasts, churches gained a the major Lao cities. The Lao government, market economy, with significant success. stigma that has proved a barrier to those supported by the Thai government and Large investments have been made by wanting to become Christians. UNESCO, is heavily engaged in promoting international businesses and countries. The Communists sought to eradicate Buddhism throughout the country. The result is that Laos is experiencing its all religion. Persecution of Christians first-ever economic boom. Inflation is low was exceptionally harsh between 1975 Update July 2012 and return on investments are beginning and 1978. Suspected because of their to pay dividends. association with Western missionaries, At the same time, there are still many at least 90 percent of the trained church problems. Corruption is rife. Laos has leaders fled the country, and all Bible very poorly organized social services. The country still has has a high infant mortality

HOW TO PRAY • The church still faces restrictions professional roles and serve God as »» The Vietnamese and Chinese, and Christians still face persecution. bi-vocational Christian workers. among whom there has been Pray for freedom for evangelism, • Unreached peoples in which there little evangelism. church planting, for the effective are no known churches: • There are at least 13 languages use of present freedoms and for »» Tai peoples, speaking 15 for which there is a definite need changes that will open Laos up for languages. for Bible translation teams and a the preaching of the gospel. Pray »» The northern peoples, many of possible total of 66 languages. Pray that Christians would reach out, whom have responded to the for discernment in prioritizing, and especially to the ethnic minorities. gospel in neighboring China and for men and women to invest their • Pray for unity, integrity and godly Thailand. lives in translating God’s word. leadership in the church. »» The small southern ethnic groups • Christian radio: FEBC broadcasts 16 • Pray for leadership and Bible that were being evangelized for hours weekly in Lao, Hmong, Khmu, training. Pray for the effectiveness the first time between 1957 and Akha and Lahu. Pray for a good of church-based study programs. 1963. War prevented the planting reception and spiritual response. • Missionary work is not permitted. of churches among most of these However, Christians can enter peoples and they remain deeply the country in business and enmeshed in the fear of spirits.