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2015-03-12

• Elderly Aid Worker Awaiting Trial

  Peter Hahn

  Peter Hahn, a 73-year old Korean-American aid worker, was arrested December 9th, 2014 on charges of embezzlement and possession of fraudulent receipts. After escaping from North Korea many years ago, he has lived and worked for over a decade in Tumen City, which is located along the border of North Korea and China. There he ran a Christian school and aid agency that provided supplies to the poor in North Korea.

  Chinese authorities began visiting Peter in April of 2014, asking questions about his life and humanitarian work. In July of that year, the police closed his vocational training school and five-storey building. In an effort to satisfy the authorities, Peter wrote a long document detailing his escape from North Korea, his move to the United States, and subsequent return to China to help those in need who were residing within his former homeland. Despite these efforts, Peter and his wife Eunice had their bank accounts frozen by authorities. Their cars and delivery truck were also confiscated.

  Peter, who maintains his innocence, is likely to face trial within months. The maximum sentence for the two crimes is 12 years in prison. In a recent interview, Eunice shared, "I never thought (my husband) would get detained; my heart beats very hard when I imagine how bad his circumstances are." She is particularly concerned for her husband's health, as he suffered two strokes last year and is diabetic. "When I was with him, I would always take care of his food and medicine," she explained. "Now he is in jail, (and) obviously they're not going to take care of his health, even though they say they have a doctor there."

  Peter's arrest came just a few months after authorities detained a Canadian couple, Kevin and Julie Garratt, who had lived in the border town of Dandong since 1984. At the time of the Garratts' arrest, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the couple was "under investigation for suspected theft of state secrets about China's military and national defense research." The Chinese Foreign Ministry has offered no reason for the apparent crackdown on Christians working in border towns between the two countries.

  First, let us thank the Lord for the love and dedicated service demonstrated by Peter, Kevin and Julie for those in need within North Korea. As Peter and his legal team now prepare for his upcoming trial, pray that God will grant them great peace and wisdom. May the authorities involved seek justice for Peter so that the charges will be dropped and he can resume his vital ministry work.

  You can encourage Peter during his time of trial by writing him a letter. Please send your note to VOMC's office (see address in the footer of this email), and it will be forwarded on to Peter. Your notes and prayers will make a difference in this dear brother's life!

• Kidnapped Missionary Released by Gunmen

  Phyllis Sortor FMCUSA via Morning Star News

  Phyllis Sortor, a 71-year-old missionary who was abducted by gunmen on February 23rd, was thankfully released from her captors on March 6th. The Christian woman was kidnapped from Hope Academy in Emi-Oworo village which is located within the central state of Kogi. Her main focus of ministry there was leadership development and the facilitation of a sponsorship program. She was also involved in establishing schools and instituting grazing projects to help alleviate the long-term conflicts between farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

  Phyllis and her husband Jim previously ministered in Rwanda for nearly six years before moving to Nigeria in 2005. After Jim passed away in 2008, Phyllis remained in the African country where she continued to offer her gifts and talents to the Lord.

  A church leader shared that "Phyllis was aware there were risks associated with her ministry, but also knew there are very few places in the world without risks and dangers." In fact, Phyllis herself had recently proclaimed: "Heaven is for real! There is no guarantee in life; no safe place -- other than that place we find ourselves when our full faith and trust is in God!"

  Praise God that Phyllis has been released! May He grant her full healing as she now recovers from this arduous ordeal. Pray, too, that she will be given wisdom while endeavouring to discern His plans for her life going forward. Also ask that He richly bless the ministry efforts of this dear sister in Christ and her colleagues in Kogi State, using them to reach many with the Good News of Jesus.

• Christians Face New Allegations

  On February 2nd, five Christian leaders were sentenced to jail and fined after a Christian woman they had prayed for died from her illness. Mrs. Kaithong, Mr. Puphet, Mr. Muk, Mr. Hasadee and Mr. Tiang were charged with "treating (a person) without an official (medical) license, causing her to die." The leaders were each sentenced to nine months in prison and fined for allegedly claiming to be healers.

  The five Christians were originally accused of murdering Mrs. Chan, a convert to Christianity who was suffering from an unidentified two-year illness. The believers merely prayed for the ailing woman at her request, and maintain that they did not use any drug or other remedy. Mrs. Chan later died while on the way home from the hospital in Savannakhet in June of 2014. (For more information on this case, you can read our previous prayer alert.)

  While thanking God that the murder charges against these brothers and sisters have been dropped, let us now ask Him to be especially near to them as they each face a fine and nine-month prison sentence. Pray that these new charges will also be dismissed so these believers may be freed to return to their concerned loved ones. Yet, even if the authorities refuse to release them, ask the Lord to use the accused Christians mightily for His greater purposes in Laos (Romans 8:28). In addition, please pray that His comforting presence will sustain Mrs. Chan's children who are still grieving over their loss.

  For more information on the persecuted church in Laos, read our Country Report.

• Continued Prayers Requested by Meriam Ibrahim

  Daniel and Meriam Gabriel Wani / Facebook

  Meriam Ibrahim, the Sudanese mother of two who was sentenced to death for apostasy and then later released, has requested further prayer as she and her young family try to settle into their new lives in the United States. While Meriam and her husband are thankfully reunited, they have been forced to leave other loved ones behind in Sudan. Additionally, Meriam continues to feel endangered, knowing the grave situation facing other Christians in her home country. To watch a recent video interview with Meriam, click here. (For more information about Meriam and her amazing testimony of faith, visit our website.)