_____________________Monday, March 12, 2007__________________
Dear ECFers,
thanks so much for the Birthday celebration. it was real cool. first party and first cake into my 21st birthday. thanks so much. love ya guys!!! Thank God for bringing us together.
As we know the Southeast Asian night in NUS is coming up next week, we shall be praying for countries in the SEAsia this 2 weeks.
Laos
Population: 5433036
Literacy rate: 57%
Income per Person: US$400 p.a.
Official Language: Lao
Other Languages: 92 in total
10 Biblical Translations
8 with NT
Major Religions: Buddhist (61%)
Traditional Ethnic (31.2%)
Non- Religious (4.2%)
Christian (1.8%)
**Communists persecution of Christians has been lifted since the 1970's, but churches continue to be watched and evangelism is restricted.
Spiritual Focal Points:
-Wat Phu (Champasak) --> ancient royal location of human sacrifice and continued animal
sacrifice
-Phra That Lung (Vientiane) --> Most important Buddhist monument in Laos
-Pak Ou Caves (Luang Prabang) --> Ancient pilgrimage site
-Buddhist Institute (Vientiane) --> Key regional organization purporting Buddhism
Prayer Points:
-The government of Laos strongly controls all propaganda; Buddhism and socialism have closed ties to nationalism in Laoz. Pray that freedom would be known throughout the nation.
-Foreign missionaries are refused access to the country; pray for open doors and open hearts to receive God's people
-The Hmong people are persecuted for cooperating with the U.S. government during the Vietnam War; Pray for the discrimination to cease
-Christian education of any kind is unlawful in Laos; pray for openness and creativity in the church
Dear brothers and sister, although many times we may not be able to go to these countries on our own, we know that our God has the greatest power. He listens to our deepest prayers...Have a great week ahead! =)