Don´t worry, Jesus will com very soon

LAOS — Christians Arrested

On Sept. 18, police arrested 35 Christians in Meung Feung in northern Laos, according to VOM New Zealand.

The believers, who were detained while in the area for a tree-planting project, are very active in sharing the gospel and have helped lead many people to the Lord. Thirty of the Christians were released, including the mother of a four-month-old child, but at last report five were still being held.

Believers in the area are deeply concerned for the welfare of the five still in detention. Pray for the release of the five believers. Imprisoned Laotian Christians often face brutal treatment from authorities, including interrogation, torture and solitary confinement. In some instances, believers have been given sentences of more than a year. The families of imprisoned believers also sometimes face harassment.

The Voice of the Martyrs stands with believers in Laos and encourages you to pray that God will help them persevere in faith. Pray that God will grant Laotian Christians boldness and faith as they share the love of Christ amid ongoing threats of harassment and imprisonment.

INDIA — Hindu Extremists Disrupt Church Service

On Sept. 26, Hindu extremists disrupted a worship service and dragged Christians out of a building in West Bengal, India, according to Compass Direct News.

The attackers said they did not want Christian prayer or worship to occur in the village. Compass Direct reported that extremists threatened to kill Christians if they did not convert to Hinduism. "The Christians reported the matter to the Kenda Police Station," Compass Direct reported. "Officers summoned both parties to the police station, but the extremists threatened to kill the Christians if they went."

Pray for believers in this church as they continue to serve Christ despite these threats. Ask God to use their testimonies to draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ.

CHINA — Prayer Rooms Destroyed, Believers Detained

On Sept. 21, nearly 200 police officers demolished a prayer room at Taishan Christian Church in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, citing a "building code violation," according to China Aid Association.

After the demolition, dozens of church members held a church service and police officers tried to disperse them. A member of the church said a line of police prevented them from removing their belongings from the prayer room. This is the second such incident in less than a month. Authorities had previously raided the church on Aug. 30. "The last time they came here, they tore down six of the eight rooms," the church's pastor said. "About 200 people came again and surrounded the entire place. Then, they totally leveled the buildings, stating that the structures violated the building code."

On Sept. 22, following the most recent demolition, police raided the Chen Pengyi Church in Wancheng district, Henan province, where several believers were gathered for a Bible study and training session. Police detained an American pastor and a Russian pastor as well as more than 30 attendees. One believer's car was also confiscated.

Pray that God will continue to give these believers a steadfast spirit of courage and faithfulness amid these challenges. Pray that their witness will help awaken their oppressors to the saving knowledge of Christ, and pray that those detained will be released.

IRAN — Nine Believers Arrested

Nine Christians were arrested recently in Hamedan, Iran, on charges of engaging in journalistic activities, according to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN). Iranian state television reported that two of those arrested were supported by organizations from the United States and Great Britain, but their nationalities are unknown. The other seven were reportedly accused of cooperating with "Christian-Zionist organizations." The Iranian government uses this terminology to describe Christians who have access to a number of evangelistic networks and TV satellite programs.

FCNN concluded that this is the first time in three decades that state TV has broadcast news about the arrest of Christians. Pray that God will equip these believers to share the gospel while in prison, and pray for their release. Pray that the increased persecution in Iran will result in increased boldness among Christians.

PAKISTAN — Bibles, Hymnals and Church Property Burned

On Sept. 19, Islamic extremists broke into the Philadelphia Pentecostal Church in Sharif Town, Karachi City, Pakistan, and set fire to Bibles, hymnals, a musical instrument and a table, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts.

The church, which is led by Pastors George Rakha and Peter Shahzad, was established six years ago and is actively involved in Muslim evangelism. "At 4 a.m., some fanatics broke the lock of the church door and entered the church," VOM contacts reported. "They burned three crosses, nine Bibles, five books of worship songs, a table and a musical instrument Tabla [local drum]."

On Sept. 20, the Christian community displayed a banner protesting the burning of their Bibles. Christians believe this incident was a reaction to an American pastor's widely publicized threat to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11. Christian leaders in the U.S. spoke out against the pastor's plan to burn the Quran, and he ultimately decided against it. But it seems that no Muslim leaders spoke out against the actual burning of Bibles in Pakistan.

VOM encourages you to pray for believers in Pakistan who courageously live for Christ in the midst of opposition. Pray that believers' testimonies and love for Christ will draw their Muslim neighbors into fellowship with Christ.

 Thankyou very much for your support to you very devoted friend. I love you so much, may God bless you all over the way.