Explosive situation
The idyllic appearance is deceptive. Laos is poor and neglected, mismanaged by a military junta that has been in power since 1975. In the Vietnam War, Laos got bombed more than Vietnam itself. Besides the poverty and the political situation, minefields that have not been cleared are an additional, highly explosive factor that continues to claim victims even decades after the end of the war.
Expulsion, kidnappings and murder
Like so many other nations, Laos is far from granting its citizens fundamental human rights. Christians are heavily persecuted and pay a high price for their faith – expulsion, kidnappings and murder are the order of the day. Merely possessing a Bible can mean the death sentence. This is why AVC has been working with the Asian aid organization “Ethnos” in Laos since 1990.
Aid for Christians and the poor rural population
In addition to supporting persecuted Christians, AVC’s goal is to improve the living conditions of the extremely poor and desperate population by means of helping the whole person.
Bible printing
Bibles and additional Christian literature are in short supply; it is officially forbidden to import anything of this kind. AVC supports the printing and distribution of Bibles. These are of immeasurable value to the country’s Christians.
Supporting persecuted Christians
Those who suffer most are Christians from minority tribes. They are driven out of their villages, their property is confiscated and the villages burnt down. AVC has already helped many to establish their livelihood again. In addition, the families of around one hundred missing Christians are supported, along with the families of Christian leaders who have been sentenced to imprisonment or forced labour camps for anything from a few months to 15 years. With food, AVC helps prisoners and their families to survive. Work in this nation is dangerous – several of our contacts have been killed in the past few years.
In Europe, AVC has organized petitions and/or demonstrations in support of imprisoned Christians. This has led to the alleviation of sentences or to people being released – unfortunately only in isolated cases, however.
CEP courses
With the Church Empowerment Programs (CEP), a three-stage training cycle developed in Asia, church workers from all denominations are thoroughly prepared for their manifold tasks. So far, around 100 workers have been trained each year. Since 1990, around 150 Christian fellowships have been established. They are characterized by a strong spiritual and social commitment to the poorest people in the region.
Harvest Center (agricultural projects with training)
In five centres, farmers are taught the basics in cultivating rice, fruit and vegetables, growing mushrooms, farming chickens, pigs and fish, etc . This training is often carried out in cooperation with Christians who have been ostracized by the village population. The dedication of these Christians towards their villages has made a significant impression and brought lasting change: churches have been established, entire village communities have found a way out of their lethargy, and the quality of life has improved considerably. The striking tidiness and cleanliness, along with flowers in front of the houses, make a clear statement against the background of this neglected country.
The aim for the future is to set up more of such centres, thereby significantly improving the living conditions of the poor and dejected population.
