Laos is a communist state and one of East Asia's poorest countries. On January 4th police arrested Wanna and Yohan, pastors of two unregistered churches, and nine other Christians. Police released the nine detainees after they paid fines but Wanna and Yohan are still in prison. They were the principal breadwinners for their families, and their wives and families have no means of financial support. Several of Wanna’s children have since left school to find work. Pastor Wanna’s family say 'he has lost weight, is extremely weak and contracted an infection under the harsh prison conditions.’ Prison authorities have repeatedly told them they will ‘walk free’ when they sign documents renouncing their faith. Although there is less persecution of Christians recently, provincial authorities continue to violate freedom of religion or belief - particularly ethnic minority Protestants. The rights abuses include ‘detentions, surveillance, harassment, property confiscation, forced relocations and forced renunciations of faith'.

Pray: for immediate release of the two pastors. (Ps.45:4)

More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/laos/article_114762.html