Vom Religious Prisoner List

[MORTARDUDE]

VOM PRISONER LIST
October 22, 2002

Click here to download a (pdf) printable version of the VOM Prisoner List
(only available to persecution.com Web site members).

Doing time for God!

?Why be an advocate??

By becoming an ?advocate? you are entering into the vital and important ministry of intercession and solidarity with those who suffer for their faith in Christ.

As Christian prisoners are ?doing time for God?, so you will be spending time praying, writing and entering into a partnership with the Almighty. You will be ?doing time for God? and sharing with His heart and burden for those who suffer because they love Him.

The principles and purposes of this ministry of advocacy means you will be endeavoring to protect the rights of the prisoner, at the same time being the voice of the persecuted Church. Christian prisoners have the right to be heard; the right to be valued; the right to be defended; and the right to be supported.

For this we have a scriptural mandate. Read and pray through the following verses, which will help you understand the role you are undertaking. This is no doubt front line spiritual warfare and you will also need to pray through all your thinking and letter writing.

Hebrews 13:3, Matthew 25: 34-40, Matthew 5:10, 1 Peter 3: 13-17, 1 Peter 4:12-14.

The reward for your endeavor will be what is said by many prisoners ?while doing time for God, we praise Him that we are not forgotten?. Even in the most horrific conditions and suffering, there can be dignity. This is what you will give to a fellow believer in our Lord Jesus Christ.



A letter writing Ministry to Prisoners

You Can Make a Difference

Why write to them?

Your letters can make a difference! Mail sent to Christian prisoners, and to those who are being persecuted is very important for several reasons:

 Mail indicates clearly to the authorities that we are aware of that Christian?s situation ? and we care! It chips away at the theory that the West is apathetic.

 Mail testifies of the love and unity found among followers of Jesus Christ throughout the world. This is especially true when letters are opened and censored. God may also choose to use them in the lives of those in authority ? they too are people for whom Christ died!

 Mail is also evidence to our persecuted family that they are not forgotten. Communist oppressors and other persecutors of Christians constantly tell these prisoners that they are forgotten, that they are not loved, that no one knows about them. Through this isolation and loneliness the devil can prey upon their faith. When a prisoner receives a letter, whether they can read it or not, they know that someone cares.

 Mail can result in better treatment for a prisoner. The authorities are very sensitive about their image abroad. When they realize that outsiders are monitoring a prisoner?s situation, conditions may be improved.

Each card or letter that reaches a prisoner or family is a precious gift.

?Each card that arrives from distant lands seems to say, ?I come from your brothers and sisters who love the Lord as you do. And they love you, pray for you, have compassion for you and want you to remain faithful to your Redeemer and Lifegiver.? I hold each letter with a sense of awe?? ? Neonila Antonova

YOU are ?DOING TIME FOR GOD?

by taking time to write and minister to those who need help and encouragement,

while they are ?DOING TIME FOR GOD?

in prison for their faith in Christ their Lord!



Writing to Prisoners


May I write in English?

Yes, write in English, but please watch your penmanship. Your note must be legible to be translated. Many people study English, so there will often be someone to translate your letter.

What do I write?

Send letters, notes, postcards even bookmarks. Attractive Christian greeting cards are especially cherished. Express your Christian love and mention you are praying (then do!). Include a Bible verse, quote it and please give the reference. Be careful in writing about politics or criticizing their government. If you want to make your letter even more personal and special, you may want to include a snapshot of yourself, your family or your prayer group.

We do not believe it to be dangerous to put your name and address on correspondence.

What if I don?t get an answer?

Don?t expect an answer. Most of your letters reach their destination, but it is difficult to reply. For many families in these restricted lands, the cost of a letter back to you may be equal to a day?s wage.

Letters sent to Christian prisoners are occasionally returned unopened. Sometimes, authorities refuse to give a prisoner their mail in order to make them feel isolated. In other cases, the prisoner may have been moved to a different camp and their mail is not forwarded. Keep writing. Don?t be discouraged! Your letters are significant. They are a quiet and loving gift to your brothers and sisters. You will rejoice together when we meet in Heaven.

Please Note:

Never mention the name of the source of your information or the name of any organization such as Voice of the Martyrs. It is not dangerous for a prisoner to receive letters from individuals, but if an organization is mentioned they may be accused of links with ?foreign organizations? and receive harsher sentences.


China


The following list provides opportunities for you to pray, and write to Christian Prisoners.

It has been estimated that there are more Christians in prison in China than in any other restricted nation. Please write to the Chinese officials on behalf of these church leaders and the many others who are in prison or are being persecuted for their faith in China today.

BAISHUN BAO

At 23 years of age, Baishun Bao was arrested for ?illegal preaching? in the year 2000. He is sentenced with a four -year prison term. His prison address is: The Public Security Department, Xing An Meng Ke Yu Qian Qi, Nei Meng Gu Province. His home address is: Sha La Ge Gao Village, A Er Shan City, Xing An Meng Ke Yu Qian Qi, Nei Meng Gu Province.

SHUXIAN DING

At 42 years of age, Shuxian Ding was arrested for ?illegal evangelistic activities? in the year 2001. She is sentenced to a three-year prison term. Her prison address is: The Public Security Department, Wu Lan Hao Te City, Nei Meng Gu Province. Her home address is: Gong Zhu Ling Village, Wu Lan Hao Te City, Nei Meng Gu Province.

PING LI

At 22 years of age, Ping Li was arrested for ?illegal evangelistic activities? in April, 1996. She is sentenced with a fifteen-year prison term. Her prison address is: The Public Security Department of Guang Xi Province. Her home address is: Qi Li Village, Liu Yang County, Hu Nan Province.

AIQING ZHU

At 40 years of age, Aiqing Zhu was arrested for ?illegal evangelistic activities? on June 9, 1996. She was sentenced with a twenty-year prison term. Her prison address is: The Public Security Department, Xiang Xiang City, Hu Nan Province. Her home address is: Dong Shang Village, Xiang Xiang City, Hu Nan Province.

ZHONG CHEN

At 32 years of age, Zhong Chen was arrested for ?illegal evangelistic activities, and disturbing social safety? in the year 2000.

Prison term unknown. His prison address is: Shu Yang County Prison, Jiang Su Province. His home address is: Gui Ren Village, Gui Ren Town, Si Hong County, Jiang Su Province.

ZHENG YUNSU

Leader of popular ?Jesus Family? religious community in Duoyigou, Shandong province, Christian Zheng was arrested in June 1992 with thirty-six other community members, including his four sons. Their arrests are thought to be the result of the community's May 1992 efforts to prevent security forces from tearing down their church. The elder Zheng was charged with holding ?illegal? religious meetings, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest. Sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment, he is thought to be held at the Shengjian Motorcycle Factory labor camp near Jinan city. Public Security Bureau officials raided the church compound in June 1992, leveled the church and confiscated personal property.

VOM News-Bartlesville. September 20, 2002

China Church Leaders Sentenced, Bishop Arrested

The Voice of the Martyrs has learned 10-leaders of the South China Church have received prison sentences from three to eight years for starting an unregistered children?s Sunday School. The Yun Yang County People?s Court in the city of Chongoing, Sichuan Province, handed the decision down last May 14th. VOM sources in China have only recently learned of the verdict against the SCC leaders.

? As many American churches begin their fall Sunday school programs it?s important that we remember Christians who now sit in prison in China for doing the same thing,? said VOM spokesman Gary Lane.

Unregistered churches and Sunday schools are illegal in China and children under the age of 18 are not allowed to attend.

The names, ages and sentences of those imprisoned are as follows:

Yumei Lu, 27-years, eight-year sentence. She was organizing the school.

Qion Ling Yi, 21-years. She was given a seven-year sentence.

Xitao Zhao, 28-years. He was given a seven-year sentence.

Shuang Yu Xiang, 29-years. She was also sentenced to seven years.

Mengyu Tang, 27-years. She received a six-year sentence.

Daoxing Shen, 61-years. He was given a five-year sentence.

Jiang Mao Chen, 70-years. He awaited sentencing in prison for 10-months. This senior citizen received a four year sentence.

Changlan Pu, 46-years. She was sentenced to three-years with a four-year reprieve.

Mingying He, 41-years. She also received three-years with a four-year reprieve.

Shigui Tan, 41-years. Brother Tan was sentenced to 3-years with a four year reprieve.

?These sentences are outrageous-especially the imprisonment of brother Chen, the elderly man who just wants to teach young Chinese about Jesus before he dies,? said Lane.?Americans need to pray for these imprisoned Christians, but should also let the Chinese government know how they feel about this violation of basic human rights.?

VOM also confirms a report that 44-year old Catholic Bishop Wei Jingyi was arrested earlier this month in Heilongjiang Province. Bishop Wei is one of approximately 50-bishops leading the underground Roman Catholic Church in China. He was previously imprisoned in several labor camps during the 80?s and 90?s.

?The arrest of Bishop Wei, the sentences against the South China Church and the new travel requirements indicate the persecution of Christians and other so-called ?undesirables? may be getting worse,? said Lane.


Egypt

Christians in Egypt face many forms of direct and indirect persecution. For example:

 There are reports that the kidnapping of Christian girls has become a weekly routine in Egypt. It is believed that 300 have been kidnapped in recent years. A recent case was Amal Zakarey Botros in Assuit. Apparently the authorities rarely catch those responsible or bring back the kidnapped girls.

 VOM was informed in March 1998 of worsening conditions under which Christian prisoners are being held in Qanattar Men?s Prison in Cairo. The new prison director is imposing mistreatment and injustices, outside of the law. Many Bibles and Christian literature were confiscated. Visits by churches and the Bible Society have been denied, and parcels are being withheld.

 Violence erupted in El-Kosheh, 440 km south of Cairo on 31 December 1999 and continued until 3 January, 2000. The three-day rampage left 21 Copts and one Muslim dead and more than 50 Copts injured. In addition, 260 Coptic homes and businesses were destroyed in El-Kosheh and neighbouring villages during the carnage.

SHAIBOUB ARSAL

Shaiboub Arsal was given a 38 year hard labor prison sentence in June 2000. He has been falsely charged over a murder that took place during the 1999-2000 New Year?s weekend violence, which targeted El-Kosheh?s Coptic Christian population. Write a letter of encouragement to him, care of his local Coptic bishop.

Contact Information for Shaiboub Arsal:

Shaiboub Arsal

c/o Bishop Wissa

Diocese of Baliana

Baliana

Sohag Province

Egypt


Pakistan


The following list provides opportunities for you to pray, and write to Christian Prisoners. You can also make a difference by writing to the governments officials on their behalf.

Militant Islamic forces in Pakistan have initiated much violence against Christians. Many Pakistani Christians have been falsely accused of breaking Law 295B and 295C (blaspheming the Qur'an, Muhammad, or the Prophets) - a crime punishable by death. Some have even been killed by mobs after being acquitted of such charges. In 1999 a proposal was made to officially adopt Muslim Sharia law as the law of the land, which would bring about even more persecution. Despite hardships, Christians continue in love and perseverance, boldly sharing Christ.

Note: Many Pakistanis adopt the surname MASIH (meaning Messiah) when they become Christians. Unless explicitly stated, the many Masihs listed below are not directly related.

SALEEM AND RASHEED MASIH

Saleem and Rasheed Masih, two brothers from the Pakistani city of Pasrur, were jailed on 30 May 1999 on blasphemy charges arising from a dispute with a Muslim ice cream vendor. The vendor refused to serve the Christians in the same bowls used by Muslims and told local police that they had then made ?bad remarks? against Islam and Muhammad.

The families of the two brothers fled their homes for fear of retaliation by local Muslim extremists. Rasheed, 32, is married with five children. His brother Saleem, 28, has a wife and three children.

The two men had initially been charged with violating PPC 295-C, which carries a mandatory death sentence if found guilty of insulting the prophet Muhammad. On 11 May 2000 they were sentenced to 35 years imprisonment and a 75,000 Rs (over 5 years' wages) fine. An appeal has been launched in the Lahore High Court. Please write to Saleem and Rasheed at the Sialkot Central Jail.

Contact Information for Saleem and Rasheed Masih:

Saleem Masih Rasheed Masih

Sialkot Central Jail Sialkot Central Jail

Sialkot Sialkot

Pakistan Pakistan

PAKISTAN ? JAILED PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN ATTACKED IN HIS CELL (August 2002)

A Christian high school principal jailed 15 months ago by Pakistan authorities for alleged blasphemy against Islam has been attacked while asleep in his cell. On the night of June 17, Pervaiz Masih, 34, was struck twice in the head by another inmate before he awakened enough to wrestle with his attacker and call the jail guards, a Christian human rights advocacy group in Lahore confirmed on July 6. Masih was well-respected in the Daska prison, where the jail superintendent has allowed him some freedom of movement. ?Everyone there knows the allegations against Pervaiz are false,? a visitor to the jail said. Local police finally submitted their prosecution brief on his case at the July 6 hearing. The trial was continued until July 20. Masih has been refused bail since his arrest in April 2001, when he was accused of slandering the prophet Mohammed several months earlier to three teenage Muslim boys he had been tutoring. Pray Pervaiz Masih will stand strong in his faith, knowing he is not guilty of the charges against him. Acts 26:11

You can write the President of Pakistan or write a kind note or Christian card to Parez Masih at:

President of Pakistan?Pervez Musharraf Parvez Masih

President House Prisoner of 295c

Aiwan-E-Saddar District Jail

Islamabad, Pakistan Sialkot,Pakistan


Turkey

SONER ONDER

Soner Onder, now 27, has already marked nine years in Turkish jails since his arrest as a 17-year-old on his way home from Christmas Day church services in 1991. Accused of helping Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) sympathizers firebomb an Istanbul department store in an attack that killed 12 people, he was tortured to extract a false confession, according to the official medical report. The prosecution failed to produce proof that Onder had any links with the PKK, apart from the mere fact that he was born in Diyarbakir, the center of Kurdish separatist protests in the Turkish southeast.

Onder and his family were shocked when he was convicted and given the death penalty, commuted to life in prison.

Contact Information for Soner Onder:

Soner Onder

c/o Hasip Kaplan

Istiklal Cad Ashmahli Mescit sk.

No. 17 Cicek 2H. K. 3 D. 5

80050 Beyoglu

Istanbul

Turkey

Vietnam

The following list provides opportunities for you to pray, and write to Christian Prisoners. You can also make a difference by writing to the governments officials on their behalf.

DINH BE, HO HOANG DUY & TRAN VAN VUI

Dinh Be, Ho Hoang Duy and Tran Van Vui are being held in Qu?ng Ngai prison for illegally preaching the Gospel. Tran Van Vui has already spent two years in Qu?ng Ngai prison for illegally preaching the Gospel. He was released in late 1997 for two months before being re-arrested in December 1997. He has been sentenced to three years for teaching from the Bible in Bato village. Christians at the Qu?ng Ngai prison must endure hours of forced labor every day. You can write a note on a Christian card to encourage the following believers using the prison address below.

Contact Information for Dinh Be, Ho Hoang Duy or Tran Van Vui:

[prisoner name]

Trai Tu Hanh Thien

Huyen Nghia Hanh

Tinh Qu?ng Ngai

Vietnam

LO VAN HOA

Lo Van Hoa is being held in prison for illegally preaching the gospel. Write a note to encourage him.

Contact Information for Lo Van Hoa:

Lo Van Hoa

Trai Tu Yen Ha

Phu Yen

Tinh Son La

Hanoi

Vietnam

HMONG BELIEVERS

The following Hmong people are all being held in Vietnam because of their faith in Christ and their religious activities. Because of recent intervention by the UN many Vietnamese Christians have been released from prison. However, Christians from a tribal group known as the Hmong are still undergoing heavy restrictions by the government.

We encourage you to write to members of parliament to request help in securing the release of these prisoners. Christians can also address letters to the Vietnamese government or the Vietnamese ambassador. In addition, VOM urges Christians to pray for the release of these prisoners and for their captors to come to know Christ.

Prisoner?s Name Home Arrested Being Held At

Ly A Cho Vang Mung Su Hamlet

Sam Mua Sao Village

Bat Xat District

Lao Cai Province August 1998 Lao Cai Prison

Ly A Sinh Vang Mung Su Hamlet

Sam Mua Sao Village

Bat Xat District

Lao Cai Province August 1998 Lao Cai Prison

Ly A Chu Vang Mung Su Hamlet

Sam Mua Sao Village

Bat Xat District

Lao Cai Province August 1998 Lao Cai Prison

Ly A Khoa Vang Mung Su Hamlet

Sam Mua Sao Village

Bat Xat District

Lao Cai Province August 1998 Lao Cai Prison

Vang A Chua Hoi Lat Hamlet

Muong Tong Village

Muong Te District

Lai Chau Province August 2000 Dien Bien Phu Prison

Lai Chau Province


Sung Giong Xang Hoi Luong Hamlet

Muong Nha Village

Dien Bien Phu District

Lai Chau Province August 1999

Dien Bien Phu Prison

Lai Chau Province

Sung A Xinh Hoi Luong Hamlet

Muong Nha Village

Dien Bien Phu District

Lai Chau Province August 1999 Dien Bien Phu Prison

Lai Chau Province

Sung A Chua Khuoi Lung

Nam Phong Village

Xin Man District

Ha Giang Province August 2000 Tam Dao Prison in Vinh Phu

Lau Giung Se Muong Nha

Hoi Hon Village

Dien Bien Dong District

Lai Chau Province June 1999 C-10 Prison in Dien Bien

Ho Va Tung Ang To

Hoi Cho Village

Tuan Giao District

Lai Chau Province March 1998 Phu Yen Prison in Son La


HMONG CHURCH LEADERS ? PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE

VANG SUA GIANG: Chong Chay Hamlet, Tham Mu Village, Yen Minh District, Ha Giang Province. Since 8/2000 he has been in the Thanh Ha Prison, Phuc Yen Province.

LY A HU: Huoi Chan Hamlet, Ang To Village, Tuan Giao District, Lai Chau Province. He was arrested in 9/1998 and was sentenced to 7 years in Thai Nguyen Province Prison.

SUNG SEO SI: Bac Quang District, Ha Giang Province. He has been in the Ha Giang Province Prison since 16/3/2001.

SUNG SEO SANG: Bac Quang District, Ha Giang Province. He has been in the Ha Giang Province Prison since 16/3//2001.

GIANG A CA: Na Ky Hamlet, Muong Lay District, Lai Chau Province. Arrested on 22/9/2001, he is now in Muong Lay Prison, Lai Chau Province.

MUA A HO: Na Ky Hamlet, Muong Lay District, Lai Chau Province. Arrested on 8/10/2001, he is now in Muong Lay Prison, Lai Chau Province.

MUA A TU: Na Ky Hamlet, Muong Lay District, Lai Chau Province. Arrested on 11/4/2000, he is now in Muong Lay Prison, Lai Chau Province.

GIANG A CHIA: Na Ky Hamlet, Muong Lay District, Lai Chau Province. Arrested on 22/9/2001, he is now in Muong Lay Prison, Lai Chau province.

GIANG A SUNG: Na Ky Hamlet, Muong Lay District, Lai Chau Province. Arrested on 8/10/2001, he is now in Muong Lay Prison, Lai Chau Province.

HO A VA: Na Ky Hamlet, Muong Lay District, Lai Chau Province. Arrested on 4/10/2001, he is now in Muong Lay Prison, Lai Chau Province.

GIANG A KHAI: Na Ky Hamlet, Muong Lay District, Lai Chau Province. Arrested on 9/10/2001, he is now in Muong Lay Prison, Lai Chau Province.

GIANG A SENH: Na Ky Hamlet, Muong Lay District, Lai Chau Province. Arrested on 22/9/2001, he is now in Muong Lay Prison, Lai Chau Province.

HO A NENH: Na Ky Hamlet, Muong Lay District, Lai Chau Province. Arrested on 22/9/2001, he is now in Muong Lay Prison, Lai Chau Province.

SUA SUNG VU: Huoi Xua Hamlet, Muong Te Distict, Lai Chau Province. Has been in the Dien Bien Phu Prison, Lai Chau Province, 10/9/2001.

THUA TU THIA: Same as above.

SUNG PHAI DIA: Same as above. He was imprisoned from 25/3/1998 to 24/3/2001 during which he endured 11 months and 20 days in a cruel punishment cell. Now he is back in prison because he continued his Christian activities after his release. He is one of the most outstanding Hmong Christian leaders.

GIANG A LY: Na Ke Hamlet, Sinh Ho District, Lai Chau Province. He and his father were in prison for religious activities from 1/1998 to 1/2001. He was put back in the Dien Bien Phu Prison in Lai Chau Province on 7/9/2001.

GIANG A XEM: Tung Cum Hamlet, Dien Bien Dong District, Lai Chau Province. Has been in prison since 10/2000 in the Dien Bien Phu Prison, Lai Chau Province.

VANG SUA GIANG: Chong Chay Hamlet, Yen Minh District, Ha Giang Province. He has been in prison since 10/8/2000 in the Thanh Ha Prison, Vinh Phuc Province.

THAO NHIA LU: Phu Lung Village, Yen Minh District, Ha Giang Province. Has been in prison since 15/8/2001 in the Thanh Ha Prison, Vinh Phuc Province.

THAO SUA PAO: Same as above.

SUNG SEO SI: Bac Quang District, Ha Giang Province. Since 16/3/2001 he has been in the Thanh Ha Prison, Vinh Phuc Province.

SUNG SEO SANG: Same as above.

SINH MI PO: Ha Lia Hamlet, Yen Minh District, Ha Giang Province. In prison since 16/8/2001 in the Thanh Ha Prison, Vinh Phuc Province.

SUNG SAI SAI: Same as above.

HAU CHONG VU: Same as above.


Note: These Christian leaders, prisoners of conscience, are victims of a long, systematic and cruel campaign to ?stop and reverse? the movement to Christianity among the Hmong minority in Vietnam?s northwest provinces. In spite of persistent denials about religious liberty abuses in Vietnam by the authorities, the anti-Christian campaign continues unabated. The facts are well documented and publicized by releases from the Freedom House Center for Religious Liberty in Washington, DC in November 2000 and July 2001.


Christian Texts & Bible Verses in Other Languages

Hmong

John 14:27

Kuv muab txojkev nyob kajsiab lug tso rau nej. Txoj ntawd yog kuv txoj uas kuv muab pub rau nej. Txojkev nyob kajsiab lug uas kuv muab pub rau nej ntawd tsis zoo li neeg ntiajteb txoj. Nej tsis txhob txhawj.

Vietnamese

Jesus loves you ? Chua yeu thuong chung ta.

Romans 8:31 (La Ma 8)

Truoc chuong trinh ky dieu ay, chung ta con biet noi gi? Mot khi Thuong De dung voi chung ta, con ai dam chong lai chung ta?

1 Cor. 15:51-57

51 Na?y la? s?? ma?u nhie?m to?i to? cho anh em: Chu?ng ta kho?ng ngu? he?t, nh?ng he?t tha?y ?e?u se? bie?n ho?a,

52 trong gia?y phu?t, trong nha?y ma?t, lu?c tie?ng ke?n cho?t; v? ke?n se? tho?i, ke? che?t ?e?u so?ng la?i ????c kho?ng hay h? na?t? va? chu?ng ta ?e?u se? bie?n ho?a.

53 Va?, the? hay h? na?t na?y pha?i ma?c la?y s?? kho?ng hay h? na?t, va? the? hay che?t na?y pha?i ma?c la?y s?? kho?ng hay che?t.

54 Khi na?o the? hay h? na?t na?y ma?c la?y s?? kho?ng hay h? na?t, the? hay che?t na?y ma?c la?y s?? kho?ng hay che?t, th? ????c ??ng nghie?m l??i Kinh Tha?nh ra?ng: S?? che?t ?a? b? nuo?t ma?t trong s?? tha?ng.

55 H??i s?? che?t, s?? tha?ng cu?a ma?y ?? ?a?u? H??i s?? che?t, ca?i no?c cu?a ma?y ?? ?a?u?

56 Ca?i no?c s?? che?t la? to?i lo?i? s??c ma?nh to?i lo?i la? lua?t pha?p.

57 Nh?ng, ta? ?n ???c Chu?a Tr??i ?a? cho chu?ng ta s?? tha?ng, nh?? ???c Chu?a Je?sus Christ chu?ng ta.

Psalm 23

1 ???c Gie??ho??va la? ?a?ng cha?n gi?? to?i: to?i se? cha?ng thie?u tho?n g?.

2 Nga?i khie?n to?i an ngh? n?i ?o?ng co? xanh t??i, Da?n to?i ?e?n me? n???c binh t?nh.

3 Nga?i bo? la?i linh ho?n to?i, Da?n to?i va?o ca?c lo?i co?ng b?nh, v? c?? danh Nga?i.

4 Da?u khi to?i ?i trong tru?ng bo?ng che?t, To?i se? cha?ng s?? tai ho?a na?o; v? Chu?a ?? cu?ng to?i; Ca?y tr???ng va? ca?y ga?y cu?a Chu?a an u?i to?i.

5 Chu?a do?n ba?n cho to?i Tr???c ma?t ke? thu? ngh?ch to?i; Chu?a x??c da?u cho ?a?u to?i, Che?n to?i ?a?y tra?n.

6 Qua? tha?t, tro?n ???i to?i Ph???c ha?nh va? s?? th??ng xo?t se? theo to?i; To?i se? ?? trong nha? ???c Gie??ho??va Cho ?e?n la?u da?i.

John 20: 26-31

26 Ca?ch ta?m nga?y, ca?c mo?n ?o? la?i nho?m nhau trong nha?, co? Tho??ma ?? v??i. Khi c??a ?ang ?o?ng, ???c Chu?a Je?sus ?e?n, ???ng ch?nh gi??a mo?n ?o? ma? pha?n ra?ng: B?nh an cho ca?c ng??i!

27 ?oa?n, Nga?i pha?n cu?ng Tho?-ma ra?ng:Ha?y ?a?t ngo?n tay ng??i va?o ?a?y, va? xem ba?n tay ta; cu?ng ha?y gi? ba?n tay ng??i ra va? ?a?t va?o s???n ta, ch?? c??ng lo?ng, song ha?y tin!

28 Tho??ma th?a ra?ng: La?y Chu?a to?i va? ???c Chu?a Tr??i to?i!

29 ???c Chu?a Je?sus pha?n: V? ng??i ?a? tha?y ta, ne?n ng??i tin. Ph???c cho nh??ng ke? cha?ng t??ng tha?y ma? ?a? tin va?y!

30 ???c Chu?a Je?sus ?a? la?m tr???c ma?t mo?n ?o? Nga?i nhie?u phe?p la? kha?c n??a, ma? kho?ng che?p trong sa?ch na?y.

31 Nh?ng ca?c vie?c na?y ?a? che?p, ?e? cho ca?c ng??i tin ra?ng ???c Chu?a Je?sus la? ?a?ng Christ, t??c la? Con ???c Chu?a Tr??i, va? ?e? khi ca?c ng??i tin, th? nh?? danh Nga?i ma? ????c s?? so?ng.

John 8: 10-12

10 ???c Chu?a Je?sus ba?y gi?? la?i ng???c le?n, kho? tha?y ai he?t, ch? co? ng???i ?a?n ba?, be?n pha?n ra?ng: H??i mu? kia, nh??ng ke? ca?o ng??i ?? ?a?u? Kho?ng ai ??nh to?i ng??i sao?

11 Ng???i th?a ra?ng: La?y Chu?a, kho?ng ai he?t. ???c Chu?a Je?sus pha?n ra?ng: Ta cu?ng kho?ng ??nh to?i ng??i; ha?y ?i, ???ng pha?m to?i n??a.

12 ???c Chu?a Je?sus la?i ca?t tie?ng pha?n cu?ng chu?ng ra?ng: Ta la? s?? sa?ng cu?a the? gian; ng???i na?o theo ta, cha?ng ?i trong n?i to?i ta?m, nh?ng co? a?nh sa?ng cu?a s?? so?ng.

Deuteronomy 31:6 & 8

6 Ha?y v??ng lo?ng be?n ch?; ch?? s?? chi va? ch?? kinh khu?ng tr???c ma?t ca?c da?n ?o?; v? Gie??ho??va ???c Chu?a Tr??i ng??i ?i cu?ng ng??i; Nga?i cha?ng l?a kho?i ng??i, cha?ng t?? bo? ng??i ?a?u.8 Ch?nh ???c Gie??ho??va se? ?i tr???c ng??i, Nga?i se? ?? cu?ng ng??i, cha?ng l?a kho?i ng??i, cha?ng t?? bo? ng??i ?a?u. Ch?? s??, va? ch?? kinh khu?ng.

Letters of Encouragement


Please write to the Christians below to encourage them in their faith.

China

MR. AND MRS. ALLEN YUAN

Mr. and Mrs. Yuan are House Church leaders who have worked tirelessly to spread the gospel in China. He spent over 20 years in labor camps while she raised their six children alone. Mr. Yuan is no longer in prison, but you can send him and his wife letters of encouragement.

Contact Information for Mr. & Mrs. Allen Yuan:

YUAN, XIANG CHEN

No. 7-1-2-2B (Allen Yuan)

Zheng Yang Jia Yuan

Yang Qiao Feng Tai District

Beijing, PR China 100077

LIYING LIU (September 2002 Newsletter)

Liying Liu?s husband, Mingyong Lin, was active in the unregistered house church and had been arrested many times. In 1996 he was arrested and after seven months murdered while in police custody. You can write a letter of encouragement to Liying Liu. Include a Scripture verse or Christian card. We ask that you do not write anything about the government.

Contact Information for Liying Liu

Liying Liu

808 Building Five

New Village of Wu Shan Xiao Qu

Dao Shan Road

Fuzhou City, Fujian province

People?s Republic of China

Laos

SOMVANG XAYASETH

Though not imprisoned, Somvang could use a note of encouragement. Forced to flee into the jungle to stay alive, this farmer and family live in isolation without electricity. They use an oil lamp to read their Bible nightly.

Contact Information for Somvang Xayaseth:

Somvang Xayaseth

Ban Nongphanna Thakhek

Khammouane

Laos

REV. TONG VANG

VOM had the opportunity to publish the first complete Hmong Bible translation last year. The Hmong people live in Northern Laos, Northern Vietnam, and Southern China. They are treated badly by their Communist governments. Some Hmong were brought to the U.S. by sponsors. You can write a letter of encouragement to one of these refugees in care of Rev. Vang. You may want to include the following verse (John 14:27): Kuv muab txojkev nyob kajsiab lug tso rau nej. Txoj ntawd yog kuv txoj uas kuv muab pub rau nej. Txojkev nyob kajsiab lug uas kuv muab pub rau nej ntawd tsis zoo li neeg ntiajteb txoj. Nej tsis txhob txhawj.

Contact Information for Rev. Tong Vang:

Rev. Tong Vang

Hmong Baptist Fellowship

1031 Payne Ave

St. Paul, MN 55101-3840

Pakistan

VILLAGE OF SHANTI NAGAR

Pakistan has been wracked by renewed ethnic and religiously motivated violence. The village of Shanti Nagar has been destroyed. You can encourage the Christians of Shanti Nagar by writing them in care of the social leader at the address in the contact box.

Contact Information for the Christians of Shanti Nagar:

Numberdar Nathanial

Chak No. 72/10-R, Shanti Nagar

District Khanewal

Punjab, Pakistan

Vietnam

DIN LOC, K'MANH & TRAI TU-TA NUNG

These lay-leaders need encouraging. Please write to them. Your letter in English will communicate God's love to them.

Contact Information for Din Loc:

Din Loc

Trai Tu-Quang Ngai

Bin Son

Vietnam

Contact Information for Mr. K'Manh:

Mr. K'Manh

Thom 3 Son Nhat

Thi Tran Dinh Van

Huyen Lam HaTinh Lam Dong

Vietnam

Contact Information for Mr. Trai Tu-Ta Nung:

Mr. Trai Tu-Ta Nung

Da Lat

Lam Dong

Vietnam

PASTOR NGUYEN LAP MA

Pastor Nguyen Lap Ma is a church leader who has been under house arrest in Vietnam for 15 years. Pastor Nguyen has had many opportunities to deny Christ in exchange for freedom and better treatment. He has remained strong for Christ. To receive a copy of a letter written by Pastor Nguyen, phone 1-(918) 337-8015 or write to The Voice of the Martyrs, PO Box 443 Bartlesville, OK, 74005. Please write letters of encouragement to Pastor Lap Ma and his family. The pastor reads and writes English. Your letter will greatly encourage them.

Contact Information for Pastor Nguyen Lap Ma:

Pastor Nguyen Lap Ma

Vu quang Tua n

Hop tho 441

Cantho, VIETNAM

MRS. NGUYEN THI THUY

RELEASED! In the government?s September 2, 2000 general amnesty, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thuy, an Assemblies of God house church leader, was released from prison after serving 11 months of a 12 month sentence for ?interfering with an officer of the law doing his duty?. She had been jailed when she questioned the right of the police to enter and search her home without authorization while she was hosting a small worship service. Authorities avoided any mention of religion during the trial. Before her release, however, the prison warden and a delegation of officials tried to convince her that she must agree to stop talking to others about her faith. Please continue to send letters of encouragement to Mrs. Thuy at her home address below.

Contact Information for Mrs. Thuy:

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thuy

36A - Khu 17, Phuong Gia Cam

Viet Tri

Phu Tho

Vietnam

NGUYEN VAN VUONG

RELEASED! Late in 1998 police guards at Phu Yen Prison in North Vietnam came into the cell of evangelist Nguyen Van Vuong holding great stacks of letters. ?Do you have relatives in the United States,? the guards demanded. Van Vuong couldn?t think of any relatives in the US, and told the guards no. ?Then you don?t have any letters,? the guards said. But on December 20 last year Nguyen was released, almost three months before his scheduled three-year sentence was up. Praise the Lord for Nguyen?s safety while in prison and for his early release! And thank you, VOM readers for writing letters of encouragement and hope to him. Though he only saw them in ?stacks? as the guards held them, they were a blessing!

TO DINH TRUNG & NGUYEN GIA PHAI

RELEASED! To Dinh Trung and Nguyen Gia Phai were both released from Quang Ngai prison on April 30, 1998. When To Dinh Trung was arrested in April 1995, he saw his imprisonment as a divine opportunity to preach to the lost, and through his efforts in prison, many have come to know Christ. In fact, so great was his burden for his fellow inmates that Trung refused an early release. (Offered because of the pressure put on Vietnamese authorities from concerned Christians around the world. It is possible the very prayers and letters on his behalf gave Trung the strength to remain in prison those remaining months to be a witness to his fellow inmates.) During his time in prison, we were able to support his family through the Families of Martyrs Fund. We congratulate you, our readers, for your assistance.

YOU are ?DOING TIME FOR GOD?

by taking time to write and minister to those who need help and encouragement,

while they are ?DOING TIME FOR GOD? in prison for their faith in Christ their Lord!



The Voice of the Martyrs Phone: 918-337-8015

PO Box 443 Fax: 918-338-0189

Bartlesville, OK 74006 Email: thevoice@vom-usa.org

Website: www.persecution.com

Sources: The Voice of the Martyrs, Freedom House, International Christian Concern, World Evangelical Alliance, Christian Solidarity, Open Doors.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented here, VOM is not accountable for errors made in its compilation. The actual number of Christians in prison is higher than we can list. News of arrests and releases can take weeks, if not months, to reach the West and must be verified. There are many prisoners whose names we do not know but of whom we hear about indirectly or in general reports. Remember to pray for them too.

Frequently asked questions:

How do I find the names and contact information for the US Representative and Senators from my home district and state to let them know my feelings about religious persecution?

1. Go to http://www.congress.org

2. Enter your zip code in the box near "Elected Officials."

3. Click "go."

How do I find the addresses of embassies of other nations?

1. Go to http://www.embassyworld.com

2. Enter country in "Whose Embassy."

3. Enter "United States" in "In what location."

4. Click "search."

5. Click on "Url" address of location you wish to write to find address and phone number and other contact information.

How do I find the addresses and titles of the Permanent Representatives to the United Nations?

Go to http://www.un.org/Overview/missions.htm