It’s been two and a half years since teenage girls in Afghanistan were allowed to be educated. A recent report quoted some girls describing themselves as “mentally dead!” Approximately 1.4 million girls have been affected by the ban with Taliban ministers explaining that it is problems with the curriculum that is preventing the resumption of education for girls.
Source: BBC
Widespread flooding and natural disasters are increasingly common in Bangladesh. Many people live in deep poverty, struggling to make ends meet. Most rely on Islam to help them, with no idea that Jesus offers them true peace.
Our partners in Bhutan continue to serve the Lord, leading churches and witnessing to Buddhist neighbours. Much opposition is endured by Christians in Bhutan due to the intensity of the Buddhist culture. Recently, one of our partners was able to begin witnessing regularly to two men.
The Prince of Brunei, Abdul Mateen, married at the beginning of the year in a lavish ceremony with over 5000 guests. Once described as one of Asia’s most eligible bachelors, the prince surprised many with the sudden announcement of his engagement late in 2023.
Source: BBC
A recent report found that forty–four countries have reached beyond their borders over the past decade to forcibly silence exiled political activists, journalists, former regime insiders and members of ethnic or religious minorities. The Cambodian government perpetrated at least such 15 incidents, including the assault of four Cambodian activists in neighbouring Thailand.
Source: Guardian
Having enabled a number of workers to distribute children’s teaching materials and train leaders in using them, we were thrilled to hear that those leaders have spoken highly of the resources. One leader said, “children like it because there are activities, questions and answers, and videos.” The ministry has reached 53 cities in China to date.
April 2024 will see India head to the polls in an election predicted to return Narendra Modi and his party, the BJP, to power. Modi first came to power in 2014 on a wave of increasing Hindu nationalism in India. Since then, persecution against Christians and other religious minorities has steadily increased. Opposition parties are in disarray after the one of the main figures in the opposition alliance was recently arrested on corruption charges.
Source: Economist
77,000 people have been forced from their homes because of flooding and landslides on Sumatra with further rain expected in the coming days. At least 263 people have died. It is thought that 90% of recent disasters have been exacerbated by climate change. Meanwhile, Prabowo Subianto, a government minister, formerly accused of kidnapping and torturing activists, is claiming victory in the national elections.
Sources: Save the Children, Persecution
MORE PRAYER FOR INDONESIA – PRAYERCAST
As Iranians celebrate their New Year, AsiaLink staff and volunteers will join a team seeking to hold out the good news of Jesus. At carefully chosen locations, the team will have unrestricted opportunities to engage with Iranians and discuss their faith. In the past, tracts and digital Scriptures have been distributed and there have been numerous professions of faith.
Our partners continue the work of church planting and discipleship in the north, with a significant ministry among refugees. Miriam fled from Syria with her family and encountered the love of Christ through the practical outreach of a local church. The family received basic support, but Miriam soon saw a living faith among the believers, and she too began to experience new life. Now, her family are believers, and she serves faithfully in the church.
The Japanese church is very small, in a largely unreached country. Most of the few churches are led by older men, or have no pastor at all, with no–one preparing to take over. Our partners train people to read, understand and faithfully teach God’s Word, seeking to help raise up the next generation of Bible–centred gospel workers.
K has a passion for raising up expository preachers, as he is concerned that the small Kazakh church needs strengthening in God’s Word. He is involved in training those in or entering ministry to faithfully teach the Bible. The vision is for multiplication, with those who are taught being encouraged to teach others.
The church in Kyrgyzstan has grown since Communist days. Today, hundreds of Protestant churches meet, in addition to a number of unregistered house fellowships. However, many people are still unreached with the gospel, and cultural ties to Islam are strong.
Source: Prayercast
The church in Laos has grown amazingly in recent years! 25 years ago, when AsiaLink began, only a few of the nation’s 138 ethnic groups had been impacted by the gospel. Today, it is estimated that 190,000 to 280,000 of the nation’s citizens follow Jesus! 51 people groups remain unengaged with the gospel, a far lower number than in 2000. But the church is multiplying by almost 7% each year!
Source: AsiaLink
Many people within Malaysia are Muslim. Particularly as Muslims fast and seek spiritual encounters during Ramadan (10 March to 9 April 2024) and process their experiences in the days afterwards, let’s pray that they will encounter Jesus. Many children will be watching what happens around them, listening to their elders to learn about spiritual things, with no idea that Jesus saves.
Carrying a Bible in the Maldives is considered a crime as dangerous as carrying a bomb. Nevertheless, progress has been made with the translation of 20 books of the Bible at 99%, the full completion of 6 books, and the potential publication of 25 books. Although delivering the Word of God in physically to the Maldivian people poses challenges, it is available in digital formats.
Tse, 13, and Agi, 11, are sisters who sadly lost their mother two years ago. Their father is often absent for long periods due to his work at construction sites leaving Tse to look after her younger siblings. They met a local church leader who invited Tse and Agi along to various events at church. Both Tse and Agi received winter kits and were delighted with their new warm clothing. Both sisters also participated in a discipleship course and are now in the safe and caring hands of the church.
The military regime continues its brutal assault against minority groups across the country, and reports from within the country suggest the internal conflict is reaching a crucial stage. Many in the country have lost their homes and their loved ones as a result of combat, killing sprees and mortar attacks. Thousands continue to hide in the jungle.
A British MP recently unveiled a new package of development funding for Nepal, citing in his speech the country’s constitution, which “enshrines important rights”. Nevertheless, Nepal has been, for the past nine years, a nation in which sharing the gospel can carry a five–year jail term. Thankfully, nobody has been convicted to date. We give thanks for the boldness and courage of those we partner with in this nation and continue to entrust them to God’s care.
North Korea is widely suspected to be the sponsor of a network of cyber–criminals known as the Lazarus Group. Several years ago, this group was heavily suspected of stealing billions of dollars through hacking. Now, the US suspect that the billions stolen by this group are being used by the North Koreans to fund their nuclear weapons programme. The development of such weapons in North Korea is increasing at pace.
Pakistan went to the polls following two years of unrest which saw the Prime Minister, Imran Khan, survive an assassination attempt before being arrested on charges of corruption. In the latest voting, no party won a clear majority but the opposing parties seem likely to form a coalition and oust the current incumbents.
Source: Wikipedia
In much of the Philippines, it is common to have some kind of Christian faith. However, much of this can be nominal and mixed with superstition. Public transport often displays bright Christian slogans. But many people do not understand the true gospel of grace for themselves.
MORE PRAYER FOR PHILIPPINES–PRAYERCAST
Our partners on the island operate a broadcasting ministry on TV and radio in the Tamil and Sinhala languages. Each day, gospel messages and Bible teaching are transmitted to many across the island. Recent months have seen increased listenership and viewership. One lady got in touch with our partners to share that at 70 years old, she was giving her life to Jesus after hearing the gospel through the programmes!
Conflict in the Middle East spilled into Syria in spring 2024. Israeli strikes killed 58 people at the end of March, including members of Hezbollah. Just a few days later, strikes landed on the Iranian embassy in Damascus with the nation promising retribution.
Source: Guardian
Sharing the gospel in Tajikistan is very challenging. Almost all of the country is Muslim, and most people have never heard the gospel. However, a tiny church is growing. Around 1000 people now follow Jesus! With many in the country facing increased poverty, people are searching for spiritual help.
Source: Prayercast
The next season of American TV drama ‘The White Lotus’ is to be filmed on the beautiful island of Koh Samui, potentially turning it into an even more exclusive destination. Over the last 30 years, the island has developed from a backpacker hotspot to being the home of luxury hotels and restaurants, showing just how quickly change can take place. How much more quickly might God bring about transformation in Thailand as we pray!
Sources: Independent
The nation is one of the most closed in the world, controlling its people’s internet usage to prevent them accessing sites such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. All media outlets in the country are state–owned and full of content which promotes and supports the regime, causing it to be placed lower than North Korea in some rankings for freedom, political freedoms and civil liberties.
Source: FreedomHouse
Through new partners in the country, we are supporting the production of a series of podcasts to support leaders in their ministry. With many church leaders lacking theological education and unable to take time out from busy day jobs, it is hoped this will be a great blessing to many in their ministry.
In the remote villages of Vietnam, many people have never heard the good news. Our partners travel long distances to unreached places, sharing God’s Word and the news of Jesus’ love. They often meet individuals who are hungry for the truth, and people are coming into the Kingdom, but the labourers are few.
Many people in Yemen are in desperate need. After nine years of war, millions have been threatened by starvation for a long time. Recently, US and UK airstrikes, in response to Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, have added to the instability. Almost all of Yemen is still unreached, but a tiny church is beginning to grow.