Kanya and Phonesay

Kanya and Phonesay

What does a normal Sunday look like for you?

Perhaps you drive to church, sing, read the Bible with other believers and share a time of fellowship after the service. For Kanya* and Phonesay*, their church in Laos looks much like that – but also very different.

In a forest in rural Laos lies a small hut made of sheets of tarpaulin and planks of woods. Singing comes softly from within, for fear of those who could be listening. This church is an illegal one.

Kanya and Phonesay live here not by choice, but in courageous faith. They were made to flee from their home when their community no longer tolerated their belief in Jesus.

“They forced me to leave the village,” Kanya says. “During that time, I didn’t feel anything. My heart sought the Lord. Every moment I sobbed, I prayed – crying and asking God for help.”

Despite all that they lost, God provided a new community for them when eight other families were also exiled. But their life is still precarious – as the land belongs to the government, they could be found and punished at any time.

Still, they praise the Lord. “Living in the forest with other believers made me happy because we shared the same faith,” Phonesay says. “The Lord gave us time to worship Him every day.”

You can stand with Kanya and Phonesay by writing to them – it serves as a powerful reminder that their global family is praying for them amidst the pressures they face.

Guidelines

Kanya and Phonesay are pseudonyms, but you can use these names; or you may wish to address messages to your ‘sister/brother in Christ’
Write in simple English and keep your sentences short; three to four sentences should be enough
Be encouraging – consider including a Bible verse or a prayer in your message
Show sensitivity; do not dwell on the recipient’s plight or share about the blessings of life in your country.

For Security

Do not mention Open Doors in your messages
You may provide your first name and the country you are from, but do not provide your full name or address
Do not include photos of yourself
Do not criticise their country’s religion or religious extremists, its government, judicial system or political leaders
Do not offer to send money or other forms of help.