Hmong Christians saw 28 of their own killed and scores go missing last year in the midst of a religious freedom and land reforms protest. Security forces in Vietnam came against the protestors.
The violence escalated as unarmed Viet-Hmong protesters became the targets of helicopter attacks along the northern Vietnam border later that month. By May 24, reports showed 63 peaceful protesters had been killed.
Fast-forward a year and it seems little has changed. In March, the BBC reported that eight Hmong from the 2011 clashes had been given two-and-a-half year sentences for “disturbing social order.” Recently, Hmong believers have also been thrust from their homes.
Voice of the Martyrs Canada reports Hmong believers in Vietnam are facing opposition from village authorities because of their recent adoption of Christianity. Three families were expelled from their village in Cao Bang province in northern Vietnam because of their recent confession of Christ. Each family came to faith after a Hmong Christian worker prayed for an ill family member—and the family member was healed.
The families, which include a total of 13 people, were forced to find a new place to live because officials will not allow Christians in their village.
Likewise, in Thai Nguyen province, also in northern Vietnam, a Hmong family was compelled to leave their village because village leaders opposed their Christian faith. One family member had been very ill, but she recovered after moving to a Christian village and receiving prayer.
Hmong believers continue to face the stigma that they are somehow imperialists with American sympathies. Prejudices against them have lingered since they helped the CIA during the Vietnam conflict.
Pray for the Hmong Christians of Vietnam. Pray that these specific families would continue to be bold witnesses for Christ even after losing everything to follow Him. Ask the Lord to supply all their needs.
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