Issue No. 264 April 2019

RAYER OCUS PA Prayer Guide on Access-Restricted Nations in AsiaF produced by Ethnos Asia Ministries — BRU TRIBE

A SHEEP NATION

Highway 9, one of Laos’ most important national highways, runs for 324 kms across Quang Tri (Central ) and Savannakhet Provinces to the Thai border. Highway 9 passes through the homelands of Bru Christians in Laos, where believers have grown in number over the years, from 4500 two years ago, to over 8000 in 2019. Bru believers gather for worship. number, faster than ever, despite They arrested me and I was in prison Artu (who died in 2007) and his wife harsh persecution. for a year and a half. In 1999, I was were the only Christians in their re-arrested, together with other Bru village. They devotedly shared their The Bru leaders have set a great believers, for the same reason – faith and then, in 1984, they had their example to their followers. Bro. JESUS. They locked me up for two first convert. From then, the Bru Kham*, a 60 year old pastor, who was years. They have relocated my family tribe started embracing the Christian arrested in 1999 shared, “While in jail, many times. This is my third faith and the number of Bru believers my wife, my mother, and my buffalo relocation.” increased but not without a struggle. (main source of living) died. I cannot In 1993, one of Artu’s converts was describe my grief at that time. My As Bru believers were driven from poisoned and five Bru Christian thoughts were with my children – their villages, new churches sprung up houses were burned down, including how were they coping?” He was wherever they were relocated. Bro. their barns. Nine Bru Christian released two years later, but the Phong now has five daughter leaders were arrested and imprisoned authorities kept a watchful eye on churches with over 500 members. for one year. However, the Gospel him. “Even if they try to put me spread and by 1998, there were 200 back in jail and torture me for the Bru believers relentlessly share the Bru believers. sake of the Gospel, I am willing to Gospel, knowing that many still need suffer for His sake because I don’t to hear the Good News. Of the 88 During the first quarter of 1999, regret that I followed Christ, the Bru villages, 86 have been reached by persecution worsened. Churches were Rock of my Salvation.” Bro. Kham is the Gospel: 90% of these villages closed and eleven Bru leaders were presently pastoring a 119-member have been evangelized. Praise God; arrested. A further eleven Bru congregation. the Bru community have become a Christian families were relocated to sheep nation! different areas. Despite these Bro. Phong*, a convert of Artu was challenges many Bru people accepted imprisoned twice. He explains, “I was Pray for boldness and strength as our Jesus as their Lord and Savior. No on fire to share my new faith in Jesus; Bru brethren face persecution. amount of pressure from the Lao I couldn’t be stopped. In 1993, I was government stopped them from poisoned and the authorities burned believing. From 1999 onwards, the down my house and barn, to force *not their real names Bru Church has been increasing in me to deny Jesus; but I would not.

“The Lord preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.” Ps. 145:20

Printed on 28 March 2019 Prayer Calendar (THU) SRI LANKA Reports say Bhutan. Eight of them were baptized 11 that police and local officials early this year, including a Tibetan monk. April 2019 ignore persecution of Christians by Buddhist radicals; they encourage attacks (TUE) Pray for our (MON) LAOS Pray for the safety of on churches. Pray against this evil 23 school in Siem Reap. It is 1 Christians in Khammuan, Saravan plan. gaining good reports and respect in the Luagnamtha and Huaphan provinces, neighborhood and has produced children where persecution seems worse. (FRI) SRI LANKA Christian with good values and a powerful prayer 12 converts, regarded as traitors, life. Many family members were also (TUE) LAOS Pray, as many are harassed and marginalized by family healed. 2 children are malnourished, and community. Pray that they will be especially in poor rural areas, despite strong in their faith. (WED) NORTH KOREA - About efforts by the UN and other NGOs to 24 30,000 Christians are believed provide better food. (SAT/SUN) MALDIVES to be in concentration camps. Pray that 13/14 Pray for those who they will be protected and remain strong (WED) CHINA The Communist continue to receive SOWH training. May in their faith. 3 Party is translating a Communism- the leaders be strong in the Lord and friendly version of the Bible. Pray that wise and bold in sharing their faith. Pray (THU) NE INDIA Pray for the this work be disrupted so that only the for their protection. 25 success of the SOWH training true Bible will be read. next month, for church leaders in Assam (MON) VIETNAM There are and Nagaland in relation to their plan to (THU) CHINA By 2020, the 15 estimated 300,000 Hmong plant 1000 churches. 4 Communist Party will attempt to Christians. According to reports, the rapid monitor its citizens through a massive church growth in remote areas cause (FRI) NE INDIA Hindu converts surveillance system called China Skynet. intense persecution. Pray for God’s 26 are constantly under pressure Pray that the government’s plans will not protection and their safety. from the state, their communities and prevail against the church in China. family. Pray that they will be strong in (TUE) VIETNAM Pray for their new faith in Jesus despite (FRI) MYANMAR Another 50,000 16 protection as church leaders persecution. 5 copies of Myanmar English New visit churches in remote areas. They Testament are being printed for delivery often visit on motorbikes which are not (SAT/SUN) BHUTAN and distribution. Pray that each copy will always safe for travel. 27/28 Pray for wisdom for the strengthen its recipient in faith and bring leaders of Bhutan Evangelical Alliance as others to Christ. (WED) PAKISTAN Pray for our they come together and meet next month 17 work in 21 villages in Mirpurkhas; for the protection and growth of His (SAT/SUN) MYANMAR Pray for we provide three primary schools, clean Kingdom in their country. 6/7 our Ministerial Bible School water and goats for livelihood. students from seven tribes. May they (MON) KAREN BORDER apply their learning, grow in faith and (THU) PAKISTAN Police do 29 COMMUNITIES Pray for Noh bring more souls to the Kingdom. 18 little to protect Christians from Poe Camp; over 100 houses burned harassment by the Muslim majority. Pray down in March, leaving more than 100 (MON) .MYANMAR Pray for 64 that they will be free from threats. families homeless. Pray as summer 8 young people who attended the begins. May they be safe from fires. Camp for Drug Protection & Spiritual (FRI) NEPAL Pray for the Retreat in Myitkyina last month. Pray their 19 growing number of Christians (TUE) KAREN BORDER minds be renewed as they say no to even as Hindu fanatics constantly harass 30 COMMUNITIES 105 students drugs and trust Jesus. and physically attack them. have graduated from the Mae La Bible School. Pray that many souls be saved (TUE) BANGLADESH Converts (SAT/SUN) ETHNIC as thy share the gospel in six other Karen 9 from Muslim, Hindu and tribal 20/21 TIBETAN Pray for the camps. backgrounds suffer persecution. Pray for meeting of the Ethnic Tibetan leaders safety as they gather in small house during the Tibetan Evangelical Alliance churches or secret cell groups. Meeting this month. May they continue to unite in winning their people to Ethnos Asia Ministries G.P.O. Box 2821 (WED) BANGLADESH Pray Christ. Bangkok, 10501 10 that church leaders continue to Phone (66 2) 258 5808 / Fax (66 2) 661 2917 grow and lead their people as God moves (MON) ETHNIC TIBETAN Pray Email: [email protected] strongly among the churches. 22 for the 67 new converts in