Source: www.persecution.org
Date: September 26, 2021
Laos (International Christian Concern) – Five Lao Christian families evicted from their villages by local authorities last year are still waiting for a place to live in. Although local government officials have promised that they would be living in newly constructed homes to replace their demolished homes, there has been no progress made.
According to Radio Free Asia, the 21 residents of Pasing-Kang village and Pateum village in the Ta-Oey district of Salavan province in southern Laos were evicted last year and early this year for refusing to renounce their faith, with one group then living rough for a time in the forest, but were later allowed to return.
All are still homeless, said one of the 14 Christian villagers evicted from Pateum on Jan. 31, 2021, speaking to RFA’s Lao Service this week.
“My family and I are still living in small huts in our rice field near the forest. We are still homeless,” one of the 14 Christian villagers who were evicted from Pateum in January told RFA.
“According to the agreement allowing us to return, the village authorities are supposed to build us a new home, but they haven’t done anything they’re supposed to do. The village authorities now say they have to wait for the district authorities to take action.”
A member of the Evangelical Church where the 21 dispossessed Christians belong said that officials have refused to cooperate in rebuilding their homes. When they approached the authorities, they were told different things and re-directed several times, only to be turned away.
HOW TO PRAY: Please continue to pray for these Christians as they refuse to renounce their faith in exchange of earthly houses. Pray for provision for these displaced families. Pray for their ability to practice their faith freely. Pray for the Lao authorities to respect the rights of religious minorities.