Morning Star News, February 8, 2023 (excerpts)

A Christian apologist whose comparisons of Christianity with Islam were widely disseminated on his YouTube channel has disappeared since his arrest in December.

The apologist, a Coptic Orthodox Christian known for debates with Muslim converts from Christianity, was subsequently transferred to Surabaya for interrogation. He is known for his widely followed YouTube channel and his books on Islamic and Christian doctrines.  His knowledge of Arabic has enabled him to make significant use of Islamic resources.

Prior to his arrest, 4 police officers visited his house on Dec. 6 to question him about episode 248 of his YouTube channel, which officers said offended Muslims and Islam.

The video, which first appeared on Feb. 23, 2022, described how Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, visited his adopted son Zayd ibn Harithah and his wife Zaynab, who later became one of Muhammad’s wives.

Finding no mistakes and no other elements that violated Islam doctrines, a team of 29 police officers then stormed his house later that same day on Dec. 6.

Gratia Pello and his wife happened to have left the house but he was arrested upon his return at 11 p.m.  He is still presumably waiting for trial.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide, 10 Feb 2023 (excerpts)

Roman Catholic priests and lay leaders, and a Protestant pastor were included in a group of political prisoners sent from Nicaragua to the United States this week. 

The Nicaraguan government announced that 222 prisoners had been removed from prison and put on flights to the United States on the morning of 9 February.  Family members were reportedly not informed in advance of the move.  President Daniel Ortega subsequently declared that all 222 of those released are no longer Nicaraguans and have been stripped of their citizenship.

Bishop Álvarez Lagos was not among those listed and had refused to leave Nicaragua, despite government pressure.  President Ortega later announced that the he has been transferred from house arrest to prison. 

Protestant Pastor Wilber Alberto Pérez was also among the group sent to the US.  He was arbitrarily detained on 15 December 2020 for promoting the ‘Christmas without Political Prisoners’ campaign.  In March 2021, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison and was held in solitary confinement in a ‘punishment cell’ with no natural light.

The choice reportedly offered to these individuals of remaining in prison in inhumane conditions or going into forced exile is one no one should ever be forced to make.

Joshua Project, 10 January 2023 (excerpts)

The Lao Phuan people once had their own kingdom in Laos.  In the 19^th century the Siamese military drove them to central Thailand where they became slaves.   The Lao Phuan people live mainly in Laos and Thailand today, though there are also those who live in Cambodia.

Like most peoples in Cambodia and Laos, the Lao Phuan are rice farmers.  They also raise silk worms which produce thread for the fine garments which they either wear or sell.  On a social level, the Lao Phuan people try hard to maintain their traditions.

The Lao Phuan people consider themselves to be devout Buddhists, but they are actually more devoted to their animistic practices.  Their form of Buddhism is corrupted by their ancient religious practices.  The Lao Phuan people need to be released from fear of wicked spirits.

Pray for spiritual openness among the Lao Phuan people of Cambodia and Laos, for them to have the chance to hear the gospel in a culturally appropriate way, and for a disciple making movement among this people group to transform their communities in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.

Voice of the Martyrs, 5 January 2023

Bimala Thokar came to faith in Christ in 2021 through the witness of her daughter. The Buddhist people of their Nepalese village disapproved of Bimala and her family becoming Christians and sharing the gospel with others. Local Buddhist monks called the police to accuse Bimala of “evil practices” and illegally spreading the Christian religion.

At the police station, Bimala answered the charges by explaining her Christian faith.  The police officer in charge identified himself as Christian and encouraged Bimala in her faith. No charges were filed.  Instead, villagers who had previously shunned Bimala and verbally abused her slowly began to accept her and ask her to pray with them.  Bimala remains strong in her faith and desires that a fellowship of Christians would be started in her village.

The government of Nepal is taking an increasingly strong stand against religious conversion.  Despite the 2015 constitution that guaranteed religious freedom, Parliament passed a bill in 2017 criminalizing conversion to Christianity.  Christian communities are small, but they boldly witness for Christ despite harassment and risk.

Families, communities, Marxist groups and Hindu groups pressure Christians, who also experience some government interference.  Muslims and Buddhists also persecute Christians, especially in response to evangelism and conversions in rural areas.

Morning Star News, 2 January 2023 (excerpts)

One Christian was killed and 53 were kidnapped on Dec. 25 in southern Kaduna state, Nigeria after more than 40 Christians were slain in the week leading up to Christmas.

Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists on Dec. 25 attacked Angwan Aku village in Kajuru County, Kaduna state, at about 10 a.m., area resident James Akawu said.

“Church worship service was about to commence when the attackers arrived at the village riding on motorbikes and shooting sporadically.  They killed one Christian and kidnapped 53 other Christians who are still being held captive.”

In Kaura County, residents said herdsmen and other terrorists killed 40 Christians in Mallagum on Dec. 18 and another three Christians in Kagoro on Dec. 23.

“We’re being attacked again by terrorists.  There are gunshots everywhere again this night,” Kagoro town resident Jay Awan told Morning Star News in a Dec. 23 text message.  “This is worse. Please we need help.”