Voice of the Martyrs reports that after attending a local church and becoming a Christian, one of the orphans at a government-run orphanage shared the gospel with his peers. Soon, 10 other orphans turned to Christ and began regularly attending church. When the principal heard of the conversions, he told the children multiple times to stop attending church, according to VOM contacts. In mid-August, he called the orphans into his office, forbidding them to go back to church. If they do not obey, the children may have to leave the orphanage, according to VOM contacts. Seven of the orphans promised they would stop attending church, but none of them have renounced their faith. The remaining four orphans continue to attend church and refuse to bend under the pressure. So far they have not been kicked out of the orphanage. Full Article

Somchi holding her bible that was burned by her villagers

“Somchi” is an outcast in her village in Laos. Even family members have turned against her. And when villagers found a Bible in her home, they proclaimed, “We need to destroy it!” They believed the Bible was causing her mother’s illness. “My villagers still hate me and mock me, like they mocked Jesus on the cross,” Somchi told VOM. “It is the world’s right to hate us or to love us. But for me, I will follow Jesus.”

February 9, at 3:00 pm, the deputy government leader of Ta-Oyl district, visited the field where the Laotian Christians are forced to live. The deputy, Mr. Khamnun, ordered them to cease building temporary shelters and directed them to sleep on the ground. They have so far refused to comply with the order. On January 10, 2010, around 10:00 am, a group of approximately 100 officials raided a Sunday morning worship service in the Katin village of Ta-Oyl district, Saravan, Laos. With guns drawn, officials forced the 48 Christians to a nearby open field. Officials seized all personal belongings of the Christians, and later destroyed 6 of their houses. The officials put guns to the Christian’s heads and stated that the Christians cannot return to the village until they admit they no longer believe in lies. Laotian officials have set up police at the entrance of village to keep out the Christians. Unable to return to their homes, all 48, including women and children, have been sleeping on the ground in the woods with no provided food or shelter.