Written by: Open Doors
Article source: www.opendoors.org.za
In One Of The Most Remote Parts Of Laos, Three Believers From The Akha Tribe Were Imprisoned In August 2020 Because Of Their Boldness In Sharing The Gospel.
For three months, brothers Saengchan* and Sithat* and their uncle Sombaht* endured life inside the walls of a prison. The families they left behind also suffered mockery and isolation from their community, all because they believe in Jesus.
Saengchan, Sithat and Sombaht were released in November 2020 and are now back home. A team of Open Doors local partners set out to visit them and their families earlier this year. This is the story of that visit, captured by Sister V*, a member of the team.
‘This is our first time to be visited by co-believers’
After two hours on our motorbikes, we began to ascend the mountains of northern Laos. As our team traveled further, thick dark smoke replaced the morning mist, and the putrid smell of burnt trees greeted us – the Akha tribe that live here are known for their slash-and-burn practices. The hills, near and far, looked lifeless.
Behind the smoke and the arid mountains, we arrived in the village that is home to Saengchan, one of the three believers who were imprisoned in 2020. The village is tucked away from modern developments and has little connection to other communities.
As we entered Saengchan’s home, which is also a church, we were welcomed by a crowd of men and women and their children— some of the few Christian families living in the village.
To avoid unnecessary attention, our team had organized to only meet with the prisoners’ families. However, as our team settled around the table, more and more people filled the house. We only expected up to ten people, but more than 50 came. Whispers and giggles hinted at the anticipation and excitement of those who were there, and quickly replaced the tension I had been starting to feel.
“For many of us, this is our first time to be visited by co-believers,” explained Saengchan, who also looked thrilled, and not worried by the consequences our gathering may bring.
From Morning Until The Wee Of Hours Of The Evening, Our Team Stayed, Listening To The Believers And Praying For One Another. These Are Their Stories.
Saengchan
Saengchan, 41, is a pastor and a father to ten children. He was the first of the three believers to be arrested in August 2020. The village chief and the villagers accused him of breaking the community’s unity for believing in Jesus.
“On the day I was arrested, I had just come home after a day at the rice field when the police came. They put me in their truck, and we headed for the detention facility. But they didn’t let me sleep inside the building, I had to sleep in the vehicle. They did not give me food nor drinks.
“The following morning, they transferred me to jail where I was interrogated and they told me over and over to deny my faith. When I wouldn’t, they imprisoned me for three months.
“In jail, I was handcuffed for two days and one night. I could not go to the toilet without the help of other prisoners. I had to ask them to undo my trousers, or brush my teeth. I had no choice.”
Saengchan, Sombaht, and Sithat were imprisoned in the same prison facility but were in different cells. “My oldest son, Caija*, brought us food every day, but only a little portion reached us as other prisoners ate some of it.
“We were not told how long we would be there for. The police didn’t tell us.
“Because the authorities did not find us guilty of anything, they released us. With our church’s help who lobbied our case to the higher court, and through your prayers and financial support, we were freed from jail.”
Caija is just 19, a thin young man with the physique of a hard worker. When his father was in jail, he was left to take care of his mother and four siblings. He drew this picture of the facility where his father was imprisoned.
Caija told the team about the day his father was arrested. “Earlier that day, I went hunting in the forest while my father went to the field to check our rice crops.
“When I went home, it was already dark. I learned that my father had been captured by the police.”
Caija immediately tried to visit his father but the officers did not allow him to see his father nor speak to him.
“If I attempted to speak to him, they would yell at me and speak harsh words against me. They kept him locked up in a dark room all day and night. I was so worried about him and concerned for his health.”
Despite the persecution he has seen his father go through, Caija is holding firmly to his faith in Christ.
“I love the new life I have in the hands of God almighty. He is above all things and nothing is impossible for Him. I put all my faith and hope in the hands of God. In every moment, God is my only source of comfort and the One that lifts my spirits.”
Paojer is softly spoken and sweet, her warm smile and excited gestures brightening up the room. She is in her late 20s, and a mother to a 4-year-old daughter.
Sithat is Saengchan’s younger brother. He was arrested two days after Saengchan was arrested, while he was buying food to take to Saengchan.
Paojer remembers, “Suddenly I received a call from him. He was apologizing and saying that he could not return home because the police had arrested him.
“I was so sad and hurt when they did this to him because he did nothing wrong, but I knew that this day would come. I knew that persecution would come because the police have tried to capture him many times before but were unable to until now. The people here do not accept their village having two religions in practice; they want everyone to worship their ancestors and not Christ.
“My neighbors would always say to me, ‘Your husband is not coming back, he’s already dead!’ People seemed happy when my husband was arrested.”
But Paojer knew that God was on their side. “I was confident that one day my husband would be released because God is high and mighty and his power is great; and above all things, in everything He is in control. No matter what happens, I will follow Him for the rest of my life.”
Sombaht, 51, is a pastor and father to four children. He lives in a different village from Saengchan and Sithat, but most of the time the three of them go together to share the gospel. He is Saengchan and Sithat’s uncle.
Two weeks after Saengchan and Sithat were put in jail, Sombaht went to the police station to inquire about his nephews.
“I wanted to know what happened to them and why they were arrested. I went to the police office. I wasn’t afraid. Why should I be? The police said that they had no idea, and they were just following orders from those in a higher position.”
Frustrated, he left – only to be apprehended by the police.
“I instantly called my wife, my children. I told them I knew this was going to happen. I had readied myself for this. I went to the police office knowing that I might also end up like my nephews – imprisoned.
“When we were in prison, our faith became stronger. We always prayed to God and sought Him above all. I felt that I had more faith in Him than when I was outside of prison.
“Every day our families tried to visit us in prison, but they were not allowed to see us. We were only able to see them when we were released. I always pray for them and my church, that they will never be afraid, that they will be strong in the Lord for He is with us.”
While the three believers were still in prison, Open Doors local partners ministered with their families by encouraging them through prayers and practical aid. Their families were provided with food, clothes, and other needs.
“You have been so supportive towards our family during this time. You did not just provide for us financially, but we also felt your love and care,” Paojer says.
Sombaht says, “Even when I was in prison, I felt I was not alone. I felt your prayers. I cannot thank you enough for being with our families and our children when we couldn’t provide for them practically. Thank you for praying with us then and now.”
Now, Saengchan shepherds eight families (52 members) in his village while Sombaht pastors 13 families (67 members) at his house church. We praise God for how He continues to reveal Himself to His people.
Saengchan says, “Our village chief and the community treat us better now. I don’t know for how long this will last but the situation has already changed. It is very different now. Persecution has decreased from before we were imprisoned.”
We ended our time together at the village with our hearts full. But even with the few hours our team spent with these Akha believers, I sensed their great hunger for fellowship with the community of Christ and a thirst to know Him more.
The love of Christ has a strong presence in their lives, and their hearts burn for God, but the opportunities for them to grow in the Lord and be discipled well is limited.
Continue to stand in the gap with them. Continue to lift them up in your prayers.
Footnotes
*Pseudonyms used and photographs edited to protect identities.
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Date published: 27/09/2021
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