Voice of the Martyrs Update

MYANMAR VOM Calls for Prayer for Christians in Myanmar - VOM Sources: The Voice of the Martyrs is calling on believers around the world to pray for Christians being affected by the continued unrest in Myanmar (Burma). According to VOM contacts, the government is targeting anyone with influence, and churches have not been spared. VOM contacts report, "Churches cannot meet. We are quietly meeting in small groups of no more than five to pray for our country. China reports five people have been killed, the British Broadcasting Corporation is saying about 10 have been killed, but our people have seen hundreds of bodies and many more filling the hospitals." Pray for the protection and safety of Christians in Myanmar. Pray the Holy Spirit will convict the hearts of the government officials and that the testimony of believers will draw others into fellowship with Christ. Psalm 27:1, Joshua 1:9

INDIA Pastor Attacked and Church Burned in North India - VOM Sources: On September 16, Pastor Virendra and his wife, Bhawana, were attacked by Hindu extremists while on their way to a church meeting. They remain steadfast in their faith and say they will continue holding church services despite the attack. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts, "The attackers intercepted the pastor's motorcycle and threw him and his wife off and began to beat them with fists, sticks and rocks. One believer who was on his way to the meeting came along the road just as one of the persecutors raised a large rock over the pastor's head, intending to smash his skull." VOM contacts added, "The believer was able to push the rock backwards, saving the pastor from death. At another point someone was ready to smash [the pastor's] head with a large stick, but his wife intercepted it and he was again saved from death. Pastor Virendra and his wife were beaten for more than 20 minutes, before they finally escaped.Praise God, Pastor Virendra and his wife were not severely wounded. Pray for God's protection for Christians in India, who continuously risk their lives for the sake of the gospel. Ask for the Holy Spirit to touch the lives of the persecutors and draw them into the knowledge of Christ. Philippians 4:8, Psalm 118:17

ERITREA Evangelist Arrested - VOM Sources: The Voice of the Martyrs recently received information that Mussie Ezaz, an evangelist in the Kale Hiwot Church of Eritrea, was arrested from his home in the capital city of Asmara, and imprisoned this past week. The evangelist has been in full-time ministry for more than a decade. Pray God encourages and provides for Ezaz and his family. Ask God to give him boldness in the midst of his suffering and that his testimony will draw non- believers into fellowship with Christ. Romans 8:31, Psalm 91

CHINA Imprisoned Pastor's Health Failing VOM Sources: On September 24, The Voice of the Martyrs received reports that Pastor Zhang Rongliang's health was failing, and if he is not released, he would die in prison. According to contacts in China, "Pastor Zhang must be carried from place to place by two men supporting him. He does not walk well on his own. He openly questions whether he can finish this sentence. If he is not released, there is a good chance that he will die in prison." Pastor Zhang still has four years remaining of the seven-and-a-half year sentence he received after his arrest in 2004. He already had previously spent 12 years in prison for his faith during five separate detentions. He experienced harsh torture, including electric shock, during his previous prison terms. Pray for Pastor Zhang's healing and for his release from prison. Pray the Holy Spirit will encourage him and that his testimony will draw nonbelievers into the knowledge of Christ. Psalm 118:17; 3 John 2

INDIA Hindu Extremists Plan Assaults in Karnataka VOM Sources: On September 22, Christians in Bangalore, Karnataka's capital, protested the growing number of Hindu extremist attacks in the state and their planned assaults on church meetings in Mysore district. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in India, Hindu extremists belonging to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bajrang Dal groups planned to launch a series of attacks against Christians in areas of Mysore district. Pray the plans of Satan will not succeed. Pray the Holy Spirit will touch the lives of the extremists and lead them into the knowledge of Christ. Psalm 27:1; 2 Timothy 1:7

UZBEKISTAN Crackdown on ChristiansForum 18 News: According to Forum 18 News, several Christians were recently arrested or fined.
On August 27, Sharofat Allamova received a suspended sentence of six months in central Bhukara. This was after police confiscated literature from her in June. Allamova was prosecuted under article 244-3 of the Criminal Code, which punishes "illegal production, storage, import or distribution of religious materials."
On August 28, Pastor Khyn-Mun Kimi and a colleague were fined about one month's salary for "illegal" religious activity in Karakalpakstan.
In an unrelated incident, a group of Protestants in the Southern region of Uzbekistan were detained after they "illegally" met for worship. Police confiscated religious literature and 12 of the believers face impending charges. Pray Christians in Uzbekistan will remain steadfast in their faith despite pressure from the government. Ask God to touch the lives of authorities in Uzbekistan. Isaiah 54:14, Psalm 91