Storehouses

***report***

Nestled deep within the mountains of Laos lays a village in the Luangpraban district. If you can tread the six kilometers of unpaved road to this serene village you will find nearly 100 families living in bamboo houses.

Here in this village the wind carries a fresh scent untainted by the smog and pollution of the city. A gentle stream flowing from the mountain provides sustenance for the people. You watch as village children shoulder gallons of water tied to wooden poles on either ends. Make your way less than one kilometer to the end of the village and you will find a structure, standing over 10 feet tall and filled six feet high with corn stalks. This storehouse is what local Christian workers have come to call a Harvest Center.

Harvest Center in Laos

Beside the Harvest Center is the home of the local pastor. Inside his house, behind closed doors, key Christian leaders sit cross-legged on the floor, encircling a respected pastor. Their eyes remain fixed on their leader as they take in every word of instruction and exhortation.

According to a Laotian missionary named Pastor Paul, Harvest Centers like the one in this village play a crucial role in reaching the Lao nation with the gospel. Harvest Centers provide not only sustenance for the church but also a central location where Christian leaders can meet for training without government harassment.

“We purposely initiated the Harvest Centers to be mission stations where church leaders can be prepared, equipped, trained, coached and mentored,” says Paul.

In Laos’ socialist republic, the constitution allows for freedom of religion. Despite this, government officials incite local authorities to persecute Christians. Because Christian activity is seen as “disruptive”, the government has declared the Christian religion as an enemy of the state. Oftentimes, pastors and leaders traveling on local roads are reported as missing and at later times are never found. Facing the constant threat of imprisonment and even death, pastors and leaders are forced to continue with their work knowing that “there is nothing they can do but trust God.”

“We can not worry about the government. If we worry about the government we cannot work,” says Paul.

Persecution of Christians in Laos occurs in varying degrees, depending mostly on whether or not Christians can maintain good relationships with local authorities. Regional ****** **** missionaries are aiming to equip local pastors with a new mindset.

“[For the] unbeliever their concept is that [everything] belongs to a guardian spirit,” says Paul. “There are guardian spirits in the rice fields, in the plantation, in their house. It is animism or spirit worshiping. That’s why they are in bondage. That is why we want to inform them the reality. We need to give them the right concept. “ According to Paul pastors must be able to show the people a perspective where

“God is the center. Christ is the center and everything belongs to God- even every area of the land.”

In a nation with 49 tribes and 100 languages the task to fulfill the Great Commission is not easy. ****** **** ********** hopes to build two more Harvest Center in the future. Pray that Harvest Centers will continue to empower the Lao people so that the they can find true freedom in Jesus Christ.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. “

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)