Along with the Middle East, Southeast Asia is one of the most dangerous mission fields for native believers. It is not uncommon for Christians in the countries of Indonesia, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines to be imprisoned, brutally beaten or killed.
The southern Philippines is home to four Muslim rebel groups. In Cambodia, where the business of prostitution is worse than in any other country in the world, one out of every 25 people is infected with AIDS.
Christians in Vietnam and Laos, the eighth and ninth most persecuted nations, face intense, overt persecution. Believers are often arrested and forced to sign an affidavit renouncing Christianity. Those who refuse to sign are tortured or sent to labor camps.
In Burma, citizens are at the mercy of military soldiers who loot villages and force natives to labor without food or compensation on infrastructure projects.
Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, is increasing its persecution of Christians. Islamists seek to eliminate Christianity from their country. Hundreds of churches have been destroyed.
Christian Aid supports brave native missionaries who share the gospel through a holistic ministry. Orphanages shelter abandoned children. Vocational training centers offer prostitutes a new life. The families of imprisoned pastors receive support.
One of the most lethal regimes of the 20th century, the Khmer Rouge intended to establish a classless agrarian society. The urban class was forced into slave labor camps. From 1975 to 1979, between 2 million and 3 million people were exterminated. This is a story of one person’s journey through the years of Khmer Rouge terror.
Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, has been the traditional homeland of Muslim Filipinos since the 15th century. The Muslim population is composed of many ethnic groups spread among the islands of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. These scattered islands can only be reached by pump boats. While the incidence of poverty is high, the lush, natural beauty of the place provides a clear picture of the Creator’s handiwork.
May 8, 2008 - As the death toll keeps increasing and the needs become even more desperate, the rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places hover over Burma like a swarm of locusts.
Mar. 18, 2008 - For many years Christian Aid has been helping ministries in Burma and has witnessed many wonderful reports from missionaries laboring in this troubled land. But this latest startling report tells of 4,700 Buddhist monks who accepted Christ as their Savior.
Min watched as the shadows of the guards retreated around the corner. His eyes darted to the corner of the dirt floor, and then once more through the bars....