Chaicheng Lee, a teacher and treasurer of the Ban Sai Jarern church, is also missing. Christian sources said police arrested the 38-year-old church leader on July 4 after raiding his home and taking documents containing names of church leaders, members and activities. Area Christians said police were forcing detained believers to declare that Pastor Lee was training Christians funded by Vang Pao to overthrow the government.

Police took Pastor Lee out of prison on July 16, Christian sources said, adding that no one knows where they took him. 

Enemies of the Faith

Accusing the Christians of armed rebellion and disclosing their whereabouts are local village heads, communist committee members and others hostile to Christians. Sources said these local opponents urged police to send the Christians to prison.

For every 10 to 15 Christian families in a given village, they said, a local leader monitors their whereabouts and activities, especially when they leave the area. Besides accusing the Christians of joining forces with Vang Pao and being part of an “American religion,” local villagers have charged them with dealing drugs and breaking religion laws.

“We were never engaged in the use or selling of illegal drugs,” said one area Christian. “And even people who want to become Christian after receiving healing, we advise them to first inform the government about their intention to become Christians, and after they receive their permit that’s the only time we accept them.”

Furthermore, he added, the churches secure permits for all large gatherings, and they even invite officials to join their celebrations.

“We appeal to the Lao government to release our imprisoned brothers and sisters, for  they are innocent of the charges against them,” he said. “We appeal to the Lao government to grant Christians the freedom to worship God and give them the rights due to them.”

Local Christians, closely monitored by the government, are not allowed to use mobile phones, obtain food or leave the village without permission, a Christian source said.

“All these restrictions are imposed for suspicion that they will contact Gen. Vang Pao and the other Christian escapees,” he said.

Christians are prohibited from worshipping together and fear that police will besiege the church. Area villages are under tight police control. Authorities are still pursuing Christian leaders who escaped and are following closely Christians who go to other villages, sources said.

The Christians said there are about 50 refugees living near the border with Thailand who need food and water; they are “broken because their wives and children are in prison.”

Copyright 2007 Compass Direct News