Houses in Laos demolished…again
For the second time in five months, houses belonging to a group of believers in Laos were demolished by angry villagers.
After five Christian families went to a different village for fellowship, they returned home only to discover that their house, along with all the other houses in the rice field, had been destroyed.
The “house” that was destroyed was a really a tent that was put up as a temporary shelter while they searched for a new way to live after their original home was destroyed in November 2022. Almost five months after the first incident, these Christian families continue to face difficulty with former friends and family members. This new community had been established by this group of believers because their co-villagers and authorities had expelled them here: they were instructed to live as far from their old community as much as possible. Even though they have mostly left the village, villagers continued to plot harm against them. The authorities, village chiefs, and villagers gathered and came to demolish the shelters as further retribution. There was no warning. Even the barns where the believers were storing their rice were destroyed.
Dey*, an Open Doors partner shares: “The villagers were forcing all of them to relocate to a different area. They had no choice but to move to live in the rice field. They built new houses or small buildings that they can stay in for a brief period of time, but eventually, they must discuss and fight with the chiefs and villagers to ensure they can move back to their place and rebuild the house.”
This area is one of the hot spots for persecution in Laos because new believers are increasing in numbers and people are becoming more interested in accepting Jesus Christ. “People in these communities are dissatisfied with how things have changed from what is customary and traditional in villages,” Dey continues. “Newly converted believers are being harassed by house-knocking, which is being led by the village chiefs in each area. The community tried to do everything to kick all new believers out of the villages… They told them that changing their faith in Jesus Christ will upset the spirits. And if the spirits are upset, they are going to destroy us. They will cause more harm to all villagers.”
Resulting chaos after a temporary shelter was destroyed by villagers.
Local Open Doors partners are attempting to assist the displaced believers as much as they can. “We talked about working together with our local church partners and setting up support for whatever need they might have,” shares Dey. “Additionally, we’re searching for a future where families are prepared to accept things as given and ensure that their way of life is sustainable.”
*Name changed for security reasons.
Prayer
- Pray for all those who have lost their homes in these acts of destruction. Pray that new homes would be provided, and that these would be kept safe.
- Pray that the Christians’ response would be one of grace and love, which will be a testimony for Christ
- Pray that Open Doors’ partners will be able to help and be protected while doing so.
