connect & encourage Spring/Summer 2022 Write to someone facing injustice for their beliefs.
Keep in touch. Today. Share howyou’veusedConnect &Encourage,andwe’llletothersknow sotheycantryusingitinthesameway! Emailusat information@cswusa.org
“[My wife] told me she received many cards from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. She said these people were all praying for me. It made me feel like I was part of a big family.” Van Dai, Vietnamese human rights lawyer living in exile in Germany stated.otherwiseunlessCSWbyimagesAll prayer resources at cswusa.org/pray
Nguyen
Please don’t send any letters to the office as we’re not able to forward these on. Find
2
In this issue
What if I can’t write in the person’s language?
WehaveonlyincludedpeopleinConnect& Encourageifwecanverifytheywillreceive yourcardssafely.Insomeofthecountries wherewework,sendinglettersandcards couldfurtherendangertherecipients. Instead,pleaserememberthesepeoplein yourprayers,askingGodtograntthem strength,protectionandcomfort. Youcanfindmoretipsfor writingyourcardsat cswusa.org/connect-encourage more visit cswusa.org/connect-encourage
Even if the person receiving your card can’t read English, receiving a card can still bring them hope and encouragement by reminding them that they are not forgotten. However, if you can write in the language of the person – even if it is just a phrase or two – please do! They will appreciate your effort.
Althoughsomelettersmaybeintercepted, mostwillreachtheirdestination.Evenifthe letterdoesn’treachthem,itcanstillhavea powerfuleffectbyremindinggovernments thattheircaseisnotgoingunnoticedbythe restoftheworld.
Paletta/CSWGiulio
Get writing Is it ok to include Christian greetings and scripture verses? MostofthepeopleinConnect&Encourage areChristians,andweencourageyouto writeappropriatescriptureversesand Christiangreetings.WritingrelevantBible referencesisusefulfornon-Englishspeakers sotheycanlookupthesamescripture versesintheirownlanguage. However,somearenotChristians–wehave indicatedthisnexttotheirnames.Please besensitivetothiswhenwritingtothem. IfthepersonyouarewritingtoisaChristian, it’sokaytosendthemcardsthatare obviouslyChristian.However,ifyouwant tobesafe,orthepersonyouarewritingto isfromadifferentfaith,cardswithcolorful picturesorlandscapesonthefrontare alwaysappreciated.
Will my letters actually reach the intended person?
Is it safe to include my name and address on my cards?
Aslongasyouarehappytoreceiveareply, includingyourcontactdetailsisn’ta problem.Infact,apenpalrelationshipwith someonewhoisfacinginjusticefortheir faithcanbeextremelyinspiring!However, youmayreceivelettersrequestingfinancial help.AlwayscontactCSWregardingthese requestsbeforeyourespondtothem. Can I send letters to every country where CSW works?
Get writing 3 Writing a letter 4-5 Africa & the Middle East 6-7 South Asia 8-11 East Asia 12-14 Latin America 15-21 Keep them in your prayers 22-23 To download
copies
3 Human rights defenders in South Asia
aWritingletter
We’ve included some sample letters here to give you an idea of what to write. A personal letter with details about your everyday life can be a wonderful encouragement, but it’s also the case that sometimes a template letter may be a safer option for some of our cases, or a good start for you to write your own message. If you want to write your own message, here are some general guidelines: •Justwritealittlebitaboutyourself–whereyoulive,whattheareaislike,your family,yourhobbies,andsoon.Mostof thepeopleinConnect&Encourageare Christians,soyoucouldwritean encouragingBibleverseinthecard,and someChristiangreetingssuchas“God blessyou”and“MaytheLordbewith you” •Even.ifthepersonwhogetsyourcard can’treadEnglish,receivingitwillstill encouragethembyremindingthemthat they’renotforgotten. •WritingrelevantBiblereferencesis usefulfornon-Englishspeakerssothey canlookuptheversesintheirown •Iflanguage.you’rehappytoreceiveareply,it’ssafe toincludeyournameandaddressonthe cards.Manypeoplehavedeveloped rewardingrelationshipsinthisway, bywritingtoandhearingfrompeople whosufferbecauseoftheirfaith.
I was deeply moved when I heard about your situation. I wanted to write to you and let you know that your story is being told all over the world and that people are joining together to pray for you. [name] Letter 2 Dear [name] I pray that God grants you strength and courage to persevere in this terrible situation. Please know that you have not been forgotten by the [name]world. 4 Pray for the people you write to
Letter 1 Dear [name]
connect &encourage Writing tipManypeopleappreciatea postcardwithabrightpictureonit:try tofindsomethingcolorfulanduplifting. Send hope. Today. 5To download more copies visit cswusa.org/connect-encourage
Eritrea ManyEritreanChristianshavebeenforcedto fleetheircountryduetothesevereoppression theyfaceonaccountoftheirfaith.Asthey waitedforacceptanceinthirdcountries, theyhaveestablishedtheirownworshipping communities.Theseareessentiallyrefugee churches.ManyoftheseChristiansstilllive cautiouslybecausetheEritreanauthoritieshave beenknowntotrackdownandharasspeople evenoutsideofEritrea.Thecardsyou’vesent tothechurchinKenyahavebeenanamazing encouragementtomany. HealingChurch 16147-00100 Rev Dr Benjamin Argak Kwashi and Dr Gloria Kwashi ArchbishopBenjaminArgakKwashiisthe GeneralSecretaryoftheGlobalAnglicanFuture Conference(Gafcon)andaprominentand eloquentadvocateforChristiansinnorthernand centralNigeria.Hisfamilyexperiencedtwobrutal attacksbutmadeafullrecovery.Thearchbishop wasrecentlyhealedofcancer.Pleaseprayforthe family’scontinuedhealth,safetyandstrengthin themidstofongoingtensionsincentralNigeria. Rev Dr BenjaminArgak KwashiandDr GloriaKwashi AnglicanDioceseofJos POBox6283 State & resource. Scripture, comes mind. Kwashi
Encourage. It is a tremendous
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And then I write a short message e.g may God bless your work, in the case of an Thanksorganisation.againandGod bless, John New Malden, UK Dear MiddleandAfricaCSW,theEast Dr Benjamin Argak
.
GPO
JosPlateau
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.
which then
N930001igeria Thank you for sending the current edition of Connect
Pray for Nigeria using the Prayer Calendar6
EbenezerFoundational
.
to
As for a method: I pick a recipient and prayerfully ask for a relevant
KenyaNairobi Nigeria The Most
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connect&encourage Africa and the Middle East Dear CSW, Hope you will be pleased to know that having prayed through Connect & Encourage for many years, I have used lockdown to write to one person in each of the countries mentioned. Carolyn Blandford Forum, UK Find prayer resources at cswusa.org/pray 7
NigeriaKadunaPOTudunLemuChurchRoadNupawaBox619 Rev
CSW Nigeria Our office in Nigeria works to promote freedom of religion or belief in an exceptionally difficult context and with very few resources. They are based in Kaduna, consistently one of the three most insecure states in the country. Nevertheless, our staff work diligently to support victims of violations. The head of CSW-Nigeria, Rev Yunusa Nmadu, is currently General Secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) denomination, one of the largest denominations in northern Nigeria with a membership of over five million worldwide. At a time when abductions for ransom are rife, please pray for protection as staff travel the country to assist communities and individuals experiencing violations, and for the safety of their families. CSW Nigeria c/o ECWA Gospel .YunusaNmadu,CSWNigeria
Find prayer resources at cswusa.org/pray8
JohnDayal 505,LinkApartments 18,I.PExtension Delhi11092 India Pakistan Christian Study Centre (CSC)
South Asia
JohnDayalisoneofIndia’smostprominent voicesonhumanrights,andthesituation ofreligiousminoritiesinparticular.Heisa memberofseveralgovernmentalbodies, includingthenationalIntegrationCouncil. TheformerpresidentoftheAllIndia CatholicUnion,heisalsoco-founder andsecretarygeneraloftheAllIndia ChristianCouncil.
John Dayal
Nehemiah Christie
Nehemiah Christie We’resadtoreportthatNehemiahChristie, aChristianreligiousleaderandhumanrights defenderbasedinTamilNadu,India,passed awayonJune6,2021.Heissurvivedbyhis wife,Deepika,andtheirtwodaughtersElena Abigail(12)andNeginahYale(5).Pleasepray forthemastheymournhispassing.
CSCworkstohelpchurchesinPakistangain abetterunderstandingoftherelationship betweenIslamandChristianity,and theparticularnatureoftheircallingas churchesinaMuslimstate.Thecenter undertakesacademicresearchintoIslam andChristianityinPakistanandtheir relationship.Theyalsopromotedialogue betweenChristiansandMuslimstofoster mutualunderstanding,peacefulcoexistenceandpromotecooperationin Thenation-building.CSCwouldliketothankeveryonewho sentcardstothemwithsuchbeautiful thoughts.Theymeanalottothem! ChristianStudyCentre 126MurreeRoad RawalpindiCantt Pakistan
India
Pray for Pakistan using the Prayer Calendar 9
connect&encourage South Asia
National Commission for Justice and Peace (Pakistan) (NCJP)
NCJPisoneofCSW’skeypartner organizationsinPakistan.Theyarea well-organizedCatholicinstitutionwith officesinallprovincesandmajorcitiesof Pakistan.Pleaseprayforthesafetyand securityofthestaff,especiallythosewho traveltoruralareastoconductworkshops andtraining.Prayfortheleadershipthat theymayguidetheorganizationandwork intherightdirection.Pleasedowriteto encouragetheNCJPstaffattheheadoffice inLahore.NCJPofficesinKarachi, Rawalpindi,Gujranwala,Faisalabad,Multan, HyderabadandQuettawillreceivemail throughtheLahoreoffice.
E64/A,StreetNo.8 OfficersColonyWaltonRd. nPakistanLahorecjpihra@gmail.comwww.ncjp-pk.org
Peace and FoundationDevelopment(PDFPakistan)
Romana Bashir and Arif Gill are experienced workers in interfaith harmony. Their workshops on the subject, aimed at challenging the prevailing extremist mindsets, have been very successful. Pray for the safety and security of Romana, Arif and their staff. Do write to encourage the staff as their work actually changes mindsets and effects real change on the ground. House No. 1959/1 Indus Rd. Tariqabad,No.3,Rawalpindi Cantt. 46000 pdf.info.pk@gmail.comPakistan
MichelleChaudhry,thedaughterofthelate CecilChaudhry(Senior),isakeypartnerof CSWinPakistan. Inresponsetothegrowingandneglected needsofminorities,Michellesetupa foundationinmemoryofherparents, whospenttheirlivesworkingtoimprove conditionsforminoritiesinPakistan.Prayfor Michelletohavethenecessaryresourcesto runherprogramsandprojects,andfor protectionfortheCICFstaff.Pleasewriteto Michelleencouragingher. Michelletoldus,“Iwanttosaythank youtoeveryonewhohassentmecards. We’vereceivedover200cardsfromCSW supporters.I’msotouchedanditwas overwhelmingforme.” Michelleandherteamwouldbedelighted towritebacktoyouinthanksforyour encouragement!Ifyou’dliketoreceive areplyfromthem,pleaseincludeyour addressinthecard.
16C/1-A,GulbergII, Lahore wwinfPakistan54600o@ci-cf.orgw.ci-cf.org
Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) CentreforSocialJustice(CSJ)isaleading researchandadvocacyorganization monitoringtheimplementationof internationalandnationalhumanrights, andproducingaccuratedataonforced conversions,blasphemy,freedomofreligion orbelief,educationandjobquotasfor religiousminoritycommunities.CSJhas almost500volunteeractivistsin24districts acrossPakistan
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Cecil and Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF)
To download more copies visit cswusa.org/connect-encourage
Pakistan contd. CSW currently understands that raising the international profile of individual prisoners in Pakistan may worsen their conditions so, on the advice of local partners, we’ve removed them from this edition. At any time there are hundreds of people in detention, without a fair trial. We urge you to pray for them and their families whenever you can.
PastorTankaSubedi ITEENPOBox8975 EPC647 4Kathmandu5600Nepal
Greetings from The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation!
I’m writing to express our gratitude to all CSW supporters who take out the time to send us messages of love and support. We are so touched and emotionally overwhelmed! We in Pakistan live under very trying circumstances, religious persecution and intolerance at every level; there is so much pain and sadness in our world that frustrations and despair easily find their way into our lives, and it is at that time that we feel so encouraged and strengthened to know that we have wonderful people out there who care and are praying for us. I thank each and every one of you for your concern, your sentiments, your prayers and your continuous support. It is people like you who give us the strength to carry on; it is people like you who give us hope that all is not lost in this bigoted and intolerant world. You strengthen our resolve to stand firm in the face of evil as we fearlessly continue our fight for a just and tolerant Pakistan. May God bless you all abundantly!
connect&encourage South Asia Pray for Pakistan using the Prayer Calendar 11
Nepal Pastor Tanka Subedi PastorTankaSubediisachurchleaderand humanrightsdefenderinNepal. HehasworkedwithCSWonseveral religiousfreedomcases,includingeight NepaleseChristianswhowereaccusedin 2016ofattemptingtoconvertchildrento Christianitythroughthedistribution ofacomicbook,andweresubsequently acquitted.Heisalsoafoundingmember andchairofreligiousfreedomorganization DharmikChautariNepal,andtheReligious LibertyForumNepal.
Michelle Chaudhry
Michelle ThePresidentChaudhryCecil&IrisChaudhry Foundation (CICF)
Living Stone Church LivingStoneChurchisanunregistered ProtestantchurchinChina.Severalchurch membershavebeentargetedandthe governmenthastriedtoforceLivingStone churchmemberstostopmeeting:they wouldwelcomeyourmessagesofsolidarity andsupport.PastorYangHualedLiving StoneChurchuntilhewasdetainedin2015 for“obstructingjustice”and“gatheringa crowdtodisturbsocialorder”andlater “illegallyholdingstatesecrets”.Hewas formallyarrestedinearly2016,andhis lawyerssaidthathehadseverehealth conditionsasaresultofhisilltreatment indetention. Almosttwoweeksafterhistrialon December26,2016,PastorYangHuawas sentencedtotwoandahalfyearsinprison. InMarch2017hewasreportedtobe“ onthe vergeofparalysis”asaresultofsevere inflammationinhislegs.
Please don’t mention CSW or China Aid in your cards to Chinese people, and do not make any comment about the government or the political system. This could endanger the person you are writing to. Be an encourager.
Hello, Over the last 18 months I have written to all the Cuban church leaders who are listed in the current edition of Connect & Encourage. When I write, I commit myself to praying for each person I write to every day for the next month.
Anotherleaderatthechurch,PastorSu Tianfu,wassentencedtooneyearinprison suspendedfortwoyears,withafurthersix months’residentialsurveillance,following
Pastor Yang Hua had been planning to visit Christian friends the following day, and it is believed that the official was trying to stop himfrommakingthevisit.
David Ripon, UK East
Today.Pray for the people you write to12 China InformationcourtesyofChinaAid Associationandothersources.
PastorYangHuawasreleasedfromprison onJune19,2018aftercompletingatwoand ahalfyearsentence. Hewasattackedandbeatenbya governmentofficialinapolicestationin GuizhouProvinceonMay23,2021.
WritingAsiatip
Zhang Zhan Zhang,aChristianlawyer,wasarrestedin May2020andlatersentencedtofouryears’ imprisonmentfor“pickingquarrelsand provokingtrouble”,afterreportingontheseverity oftheCOVID-19outbreakinWuhan.Inautumn 2021,shebecamecriticallyillafteraprolonged hungerstrike.InFebruary2022,itwasreported thatherhealthhadimproved.
ZhangShaojie XinmiPrisonofZhengzhou,Henan
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XPProvinceOBox841inmiPost,No.61, SongshanAvenueEast XinmiCity,HenanProvinceChina Pastor Yang Hua
ZhangZhan Area5,ShanghaiWomen’sPrison No.1601,ZhangjingRoad SijingZhen,SongjiangQu Shanghai201601
connect&encourage East Asia
#5-5-8DongshanYiJingYuan DaXingGarden YunYangDistrict Guiyang,Guizhou,550000 People’sRepublicofChina Pastor Zhang Shaojie In2013over20membersofNanleCounty ChristianChurch,Henan,weredetained aftermembersattemptedtopetitiona higherauthorityaboutalanddispute involvingthechurch.Mostwerereleased, butPastorZhangShaojieisinprison servinga12-yearsentenceforfraudand “gatheringacrowdtodisturbpublic order” Towardstheendof2021hisfamily receivedaletterfromhim,revealingthat heisingoodspiritsandfeelspeaceful regarding hisimprisonmentfortheLord.
China Gao Zhisheng GaoZhishengisaChristianhumanrightslawyer whowasfirstdetainedbytheChineseauthorities in2006.Beforethis,hewasknownfordefending religiousminorities. Between2006and2011hewasdisappeared multipletimesandsufferedbeatingsand torture.HedisappearedagaininAugust2017. Gao’swife,GengHe,reportedinApril2021that policeinthenorthernprovinceofShaanxihad admittedtoholdingGao.Gengcalledonthe Chinesegovernmenttoreturnhisremains,as shebelieveshemayhavebeen“persecuted todeath”.Pleaseemailyourmessagesto encourageGeng,andwewillpassthemon. admin@csw.org.uk histrialonApril26,2018.Bothpastors werealsofinedover$1millionfor collecting“illegal”donationsfrom membersofthecongregation.PastorSu TianfuandPastorYangHuahavefiled severalappealsonthebasisthatthe moneywasvoluntarilydonatedbychurch membersandwasonlyusedtofund churchactivities.Allappealswererejected.
Find more writing guidance at www.chinaaid.org/p/write-letters.html
Pastor Raymond Koh was abducted from a street in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia in broad daylight, in February 2017. He has not been seen or heard from since that day four years ago. His wife Susannah and their children are still seeking answers, fighting for justice and continuing to trust that God will help them find the truth.
connect&encourage East Asia
Writing tip
AUyghurChristianfromXinjiangUyghur AutonomousRegion,Alimisbeingdetained
SusannaMalaysiaKoh
Alimujiang Yimiti
Alimujiang Yimiti
“solelybecauseofhisfaith”accordingtothe UNWorkingGrouponArbitraryDetention. Alimujiangwasworkingasaprojectmanager foraBritishcompany,whenitwastargeted inaseriesofclosuresofforeignbusinesses belongingtoChristiansintheRegionin September2007.Alimwasdetainedin February2008andsentencedto15yearsin prisoninApril2009,inacourtcasethatdid notfollowdueprocessunderChineseor internationallaw. Followingafailedappeal,Alimwasmoved toaprisoninXinjiang’sprovincialcapital, Urumqi.InFebruary2011itwasannounced thatanappealattheHigherPeople’sCourt ofXinjianghadfailedandhissentence wasupheld. InJanuary2013Alim’swifewasinformed thathermonthlyvisitstoherhusbandwould becuttooneeverythreemonths.
Please don’t mention CSW or China Aid in your cards to Chinese people, and do not make any comment about the government or the political system. This could endanger the person you are writing to. Be an encourager. Today.
Susanna Koh #107, Lot LG109B, One Utama Shopping Centre, No 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama 47800 Petaling Jaya liewsusanna@yahoo.comWestSelangorMalaysia
Pray for the people you write to14
AlimujiangYimiti PrisonNo.3ofXinjiang No. Dongzhan1339Road Urumqicity XinjiangUyghurAutonomousRegion People’s830013RepublicofChina
Colombia Despite the signing of the peace agreement, many church leaders in Colombia are regular targets of threats, forced displacement and assassination. The illegal armed groups that are present in large parts of the country continue to severely restrict religious activities, and churches are frequently extorted by them. Indigenous communities also suffer conflictrelated violations, and have seen their freedom of religion severely curbed by courts ruling in favour of traditional authorities seeking to impose religious uniformity in their communities. Members of communitiesindigenous Members of indigenous communities who have converted to other faiths or no faith, and away from the religious beliefs and practices promoted by their leaders, face suffering and severe discrimination within their communities. This includes threats of forced displacement or being excluded from receiving certain benefits by indigenous authorities, generally known as cabildos. Despite strong protections for freedom of religion or belief in the constitution and in international treaties that Colombia has signed up to, Colombian courts have ruled that these rights do not extend to those living on indigenous lands where collective cultural rights take precedence. In some indigenous reserves religious minority children suffer daily discrimination because the school curriculum is designed to comply with traditional beliefs. Please write to them care of the following address. Since there are so many, and new cases occur on a regular basis, it’s best to address your cards generally and let our contacts distribute them.
CalleRELIEC24A # 75-83 piso 2 Barrio ColombiaBogotáModeliaD.CDr.Biscet Dear CSW, We are very grateful and moved with so many letters that come to us... You do not know how much encouragement those postcards and letters gave me when I was in Pastorprison!!Ramon Rigal, Cuba Find prayer resources at cswusa.org/pray 15 connect&encourage Latin America
AmericaLatinTip Please don’t mention CSW or make any political comment in your cards to Cuban people – this could endanger them. Send hope. Today.
CuGuantánamoba
CLawtoniudaddelaHabana Cuba Reverend Juan Carlos Núñez Rev JuanCarlosNúñez’schurchbelongstothe ApostolicMovement,anunregisterednetworkof Protestantchurches.InOctober2017,hewas foundguiltyofviolatingtheenvironmental protectionlawfollowingnoisecomplaints
RevsBernardoandDamarisde CQuesadaalle4taNo27 Versalles,Camagüey CP Cuba70600
RuthandJoelarethechildrenofReverend RamónRigalandPastorAdyaExpósito Leyva.Theyattendedschoolonlineastheir parentsdidn’twanttosendtheirchildrentoa state-runschoolwheretheywouldbebullied becauseoftheirbeliefs. However,parentsarelegallyrequiredto sendtheirchildrentostate-runschoolsand protectingRuthandJoelinthismanneris illegalinCuba.Asaresult,inApril2019,both RamónandAdyawereimprisonedfortheir decisiontohome-schooltheirchildren. AdyawasreleasedfromdetentioninMarch 2020afterservingover11monthsofan 18-monthsentencefortheallegedcrimeof “otheractsagainstthenormaldevelopmentofa minor”.Formanymonthsduringtheirparents’ imprisonment,RuthandJoelweren’tabletolive inthesamehouse. RamónwasreleasedinJune2020afterserving 14monthsofatwo-yearsentence.Formuchof hisimprisonment,Ramónwasinamaximum securityunitwherehewasdeniedconditional freedom,andwasallowedtoreceiveonlyone visitpermonth.
OnJanuary8,2016,governmentofficials initiatedthedestructionofReverend BernardodeQuesadaSalomon’schurch withoutwarning.NumerousotherApostolic MovementchurchleadersinCamagüey andLasTunas,aswellasotherpartsof thecountry,werearbitrarilydetainedor confinedtotheirhomesbystatesecurity agentsatthattime–presumablytostop themfromgoingtosupportthechurches whichwerebeingdemolished. Nonetheless,thedeQuesadafamilyand theirchurchcontinuetocongregateand worship,andhavesincerebuilttheirchurch.
Pray for Cuba using the Prayer Calendar16
Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet
Dr Biscetwasreleasedinearly2011afterserving eightyearsofa25-yearsentence,followinga dealbrokeredbytheCatholicChurch.Hewas imprisonedbecauseofhishumanrightswork. Heisnowathomewithhiswife,Elsa,butthey feelveryunsafesorarelygooutexcepttoattend churchonSundays,andDr Biscetremains underconstantstatesurveillance.Heisadevout Christianandpacifist,andwasnominatedfora NobelPeacePrizein2011.CSWhasbeen supportingDr.Biscetforovertenyears. Dr.OscarElíasBiscetandElsaMorejón HernándezAcosta 464e/8vay9va
LaFamiliaRigal 1075LuzCaballeroentreDonato MármolyVarona CiudaddeGuantánamo
Cuba Bernardo and Damaris de Quesada
The Rigal family
Primera Iglesia Bautista Maranatha Fomento 298 e/ Martí y Luz CiudadCaballerode
PadreJoséConrado IglesiayConventodeSanFrancisco de CallePaulaFernandoHernándezesq.aPiro TGuinartrinidad,SanctiSpíritus
Calle 97a No. 3802A e/38 y 38a, Loteria, CP14000,CotorroCiudad de la Habana Cuba
Cuba Pastor Reutilio Columbié
Holguín, Holguín 80100 Cuba Dagoberto Valdez Dagoberto Valdez is a Catholic lay leader who has been the target of threats and harassment because of his activities in independent civil society, including working on independent Christian publications. Dagoberto and his family are under constant surveillance from Cuban State Security. Dagoberto Valdez Polvorín #8 e/ San Juan y Raverio
connect&encourage Latin America
Rev.JuanCarlosNúñez Maceo19 LasTunas,LasTunas Cuba Father José Conrado FatherConradoisaRomanCatholicpriest whohassufferedharassmentandthreatsfor speakingoutagainsthumanrightsviolations andallowingthefamiliesofpoliticalprisoners toattendMassathischurch.
InFebruary2012PastorReutilioColumbié wasbeatensoviolentlythathesufferedbrain damage.It’sbelievedthatthisattackwasa directresultofhischallengetotheauthorities overtheirarbitraryconfiscationofhischurch’s truck.Hewasfoundunconsciousinthestreet aftertheseverebeating,andnowstruggles withhisspeechandwithmemoryloss.
ReutilioColumbiéLeiva IglesiaEvangélicaCentro
Find prayer resources at cswusa.org/pray 17 fromneighborsabouthischurch’ssound system.Followingthecomplaints,JuanCarlos wasgivenaone-yearsentenceofhouse arrest.ThisisnotunusualinCuba,where governmentagentssometimestrytoinstigate communityhostilitytowardsalocalchurchby encouragingcomplaints.
Pinar del Rio CP 20100
CristianoShalom CalleCabaña,RepartoMonterrey Moa, CubaHolguín
Cuba Pastor Onel Pardillo Garcia
Maranatha First Baptist Church of Holguín
The Maranatha First Baptist Church has a history of difficulties with the government. It took them years to obtain permission to go ahead with their new building, and religious freedom violations against other members of their denomination continue to occur.
Pastor Onel Pardillo Garcia and his church have been under pressure, including government surveillance. Please pray that they would find the economic resources they need as they seek to undertake new constructions to their church buildings; and for protection from surveillance for Onel and his family.
RvdoRobertoRodríguezyFamilia PrincesaNo.52e/LabordeyGene Cardenas,42110 CubaMatanzas Yaguajay Baptist Church Aspartofadisputeovertheownershipofthis church’sproperty,thelocalauthoritiesclaimed thatthechurch’slandhadbeennationalizedin October1980.Subsequently,thechurchproperty wasconfiscatedandhandedovertogovernment businesses.Thehistoricchurchbuilding belongedtotheWesternBaptistConventionprior totheRevolution.
Overthelastdecade,RolandoandElizabethave beeninvolvedinleadingasteadily-growing housechurchaffiliatedwiththeEasternBaptist Convention.SinceJuly2014theyhavebeen underpressurefromthegovernment.
Cespedes53e/VilluendasyJuan M. CubaSanctiJatibonicoFeijóSpíritus
PastorAlainToledanoValiente Edificio36,EscaleraB, Apartamento2,Micro3. RepartoAbelSantamariaCP90100 SantiagodeCuba Cuba Pastor VictoriaTomasaAyalaZellero
Pray for Cuba using the Prayer Calendar18 Rev. Roberto Rodríguez
PastorTomasaVictoriaAyalaZelleroandher familywereevictedfromtheirhomeonMay 22,2009.Theywereoriginallytoldthatthe house,whichalsoservedasthechurch,would beconfiscatedinJuly2008,despitethefact thatTomazaandherhusbandJorgehadlived thereforalmost30yearsandwerethelegal owners Whentheywerefinallyevicted,the authoritiesgavethemdocumentsprohibiting Tomazafromholdinganyreligiousservices andthepolicechiefthreatenedtoimprison herfor“dangerousness”
TomasaVictoriaAyalaZellero MinisterioApostólicoInternacional FuegoyDinámica,EliaCalle23, número33,entrecalle8ycalle10, repartoSantaLucía,Municipio Colombia,Elia,LasTunas Cuba
PastorYuriCastellanosPérez YaguajayBaptistChurch CalleQuintínBanderas#15 SYaguajayanctiSpíritusCP65100 Cuba Pastors Rolando and Elizabet Ortiz Bode
InananswertoprayerReverendRodríguezwas clearedofthechargesagainsthim.Heandhis familycontinuetoliveindifficultcircumstances andhavebeenunabletoreturntotheirhome.
PastorAlainToledanoValienteisanApostolic Movementpastorandleader.Heandhis familyhavebeenexperiencingsevere harassmentfromthegovernmentand Communistpartyofficialsformanyyears.In 2007and2016,PastorToledanoValiente’s EmanuelChurchwasdemolishedbythe authorities.HarassmentofAlainhassince intensified,withincreasedpolicesummons andinterrogations.In2020,hewas arrestedforfilmingtheillegaldemolition ofanAssembliesofGodChurch,andheld incommunicadoforninehours.
Alain Toledano Valiente
PastorsRolandoand ElizabetOrtizBode
PastorMarioJorgeTraviesoMedina J.Espinosa152entreGuillermoTejay JorgeRodríguezNapoles LasTunas,75500 Cuba Pastor Ibrahim Figueredo Fonseca IbrahimFigueredoFonsecaisaBaptistpastor fromGüiradeMelenainArtemisaProvince.He wasdetainedonJune10,2021onhiswayto thelocalofficetoprotestthehighelectricity tariffsimposedonchurches Fivedayslater, Ibrahimwassubjectedtoasummarytrial conductedwithoutproperlegalformalities, andsentencedtoninemonthsinprison.Since then,hehasbeenmostlyincommunicadoand hasbeenabletospeakonthephonewithhis wifeforonlyafewminutes. Hewasrecently movedtotheTacoTacoPrisoninPinardelRio.
ApóstolMarcosAntonioPerdomo Silva,MinisterioApostólicoyProfético ‘EstableciendoelReinode Dios’,CalleC número147 repartoAcerradero SaGuamántiagode Cuba Cuba Daniel Josué Pérez Naranjo BaptistpastorReverendDanielJosuéPérez Naranjohasbeenwaitingforovertwodecades, since1997,forhisdenominationtobere registeredandlegalized.Withoutregistration, ReverendNaranjocannotcarryoutvitalrepairs onhischurch(whichisalsohishome)orstart newchurchesinhislocalarea.
connect&encourage Latin America
Pastor Mario Jorge Travieso Medina PastorMarioJorgeleadstheVientoRecio Ministry,anunregistereddenomination. Duetothe“illegal”statusofhischurch,heis constantlyharassedbythepoliceandremains undersurveillance.Atpresent,MarioJorge andhiswifeVelmisare regulado,meaning theyareforbiddentotraveloutsideofCuba.
Reverend Arcadis Solano Silvera
PastorIbrahimFigueredoyfamilia Calle20,#5303,entre53y55 ElGabriel,GüiradeMelena CubArtemisaa
ArcadisRafaelSolanoSilvera CarreteraCountryClub, km1y1/2,Nro.106. ElCaney SantiagodeCuba Cuba Apóstol Marcos Antonio Perdomo Silva ApóstolMarcosisapastorfromtheApostolic Movementwhosechurchwasdestroyed inJuly2014.Sincethenhehashadhis housetakenfromhim,turninghiminto atenant,hehasbeenimprisoned,his familyhavebeenabused,andhischildren havebeenpersecutedinschoolforbeing pastor’schildren.
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ReverendArcadishasbeenexperiencingsevere harassmentfromgovernmentandCommunist partyofficialsformanyyears.Duringthe pandemicthegovernmentharassmenthas continued,withphonecalls,officialsummons andinterrogationsfromthegovernment.
DanielJosuéPérezNaranjo,Iglesia BautistaMisiónBereana(Berean BaptistMissionChurch) ArroyonChaparra LasTunas 77300Cuba
Duringthistime,thewifeandyoungchild ofPastorYarianwereforciblyevicted fromtheirhomeonJuly18,aftertheir landlordwasthreatenedbyCubanState securitythathe’dlosethepropertyifhe didn’tevictthem.Asaresult,Yarian’s familystayedatthelocalchurchduring hisdetentionbutfollowinghisrelease theyarenowlivingwithYeremi.
Reverend Jatniel Pérez
ReverendJatnielPérezispresidentof theWilliamCareyBiblicalSeminaryand pastoroftheIndependentEvangelical Church.FollowingthearrestofPastors YeremiBlancoandYariamRamirez, Jatnielreceivedthreateningphonecalls fromCubanstatesecurityagentsbecause ofthepublicappealshemadeforthe releaseofbothpastors.Heisunder constantsurveillancebystatesecurity.
PastorCuba
Jatniel Pérez Ave. 26 # 119 entre 13 y 15 Vedado CP 10400 La CubaHabana
Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo
MaridilegnisCarballoyFamiliaCalle Lora#203e/ParaisoyAvenida PLibertadalmaSoriano,CP92600
LorenzoRosalesFajardo PrisiondeBoniato CarreteraelPuertodeBoniato Boniato,SantiagodeCuba Cuba Yeremi Blanco and Yarian Sierra PastorsYeremiBlancoRamírezandYarian SierraMadrigalwerearbitrarilydetainedamid unprecedentednationwideprotestsin CubawhichtookplaceonJuly11,2021. BothpastorsaretutorsattheWilliamCarey BiblicalSeminaryinMatanzasandare associatedwiththeBereanBaptist denomination.Throughouttheirtwo-week detention,theywereheldincommunicado inthewomen’sprisoninMatanzasuntil theirreleaseonJuly24
PastorsYeremiBlanco andYarianRamirez Calle280#12515entreCalle125y Calle Barrio127PuebloNuevo,Matanzas MatanzasCuba
SantiagodeCuba
PastorLorenzoRosalesFajardohasonly beenabletospeaktohiswifeMaridilegnis Carballoforthreeminutessincehewas arrestedafterjoiningthehistoricpeaceful July11demonstrationsacrossCuba.Hewas accompaniedbyhissonandmembersofhis church.Althoughthepastorandhisson weredetainedatthesametime,theywere separatedalmostimmediately.Whilehis sonhassincebeenreleased,PastorLorenzo hasbeenheldmostlyincommunicado. InearlyAugust,PastorLorenzowas transferredtothemaximumsecurity Boniatoprison.Boniatoisnotoriousforits terribleconditionsandisalsowhere convictedcriminalsareservingouttheir sentences.However,PastorLorenzohas neitherbeentriednorsentencedinacourt oflawandisthereforebeingheldthere Tunjustly.hisisanongoingsituation.Pleasecheck ourwebsiteandsocialmediaforthelatest newsonthiscase.
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yArnao RepartoSantaAmalia MunicipioArroyoNaranjo La CubaHabana Reverend
Armas Reverend
Armas,
Reverend Yordanys Díaz
YordanysDiaz deOctubre#1816 Amalia Carlos Sebastián Hernández Hernández apastorandleaderin theWesternBaptistConvention,hasbeenlabelled a “counter-revolutionary”andprohibitedfrom travellingoutsideofCuba. Sebastián ofencouragementto familiesinMexico,includingthosewho havebeenforciblydisplaced,careofthefollowing addressesorderedbystate.Sincethereareso many,andnewcasesoccuronaregularbasis,it’s besttoaddressthemgenerallyandletourcontacts distributethem.
Carlos
General Dr.JorgeLeeGalindo AveMiradordeQuerétaro#21 Interior51,Fraccionamiento ElMirador,ElMarques,Querétaro CP México76246 Chiapas State AttnLuisHerrera CalleGonzalezBocanegraNo.16-C BarriodeSanAntonio,CP29250 SanCristobaldelasCasas,Chiapas CP México29250 Guerrero State MoisésGuadalupeGuillén CalleConstitución#18plantaalta, BarriodelaErmita,Ometepec,Guerrero CP México41707 Hidalgo State CasadetraducciónBíblica CallePaseodelasPalmas#7, Colonia MéxicoCPHuejutlaJacarandasdeReyes,Hidalgo43000 Jalisco State Liliana Cardona Calle Juan Álvarez # 218 Col. Emiliano Zapata, Fresnillo, Zacatecas CP México99010 Oaxaca State Mabel Ramos Yescas Francisco I Madero Santa Maria Yaviche R Santa Maria Xaviche, Oaxaca, CP México68826 connect&encourage Latin America
religious minority
Calzada10
HernándezArmas Calle69#1605e/16y18 Cotorro,x CP14000 CiudaddelaHabana Cuba Mexico Pleasesendcards
E/Santa
Pray for Mexico using the Prayer Calendar 21
ReverendYordanysDíazisapastorandleaderofhis denomination.Heandhisfamilyhavebeentargeted bythegovernment.Thegovernmentattemptedto gethisdenominationtoexpelhim,butinsteadthey electedhimpresidentofthedenomination. Heandhischurchcontinuetofaceharassmentfrom thegovernment,especiallysincehisdenomination withdrewfromthegovernment-controlledCuban CouncilofChurchesinlate2020.
InOctober2020acriminalcourtinOmdurman acquittedeightchurchleadersofchargesof criminaltrespassfiledagainstthembyan illegitimategovernment-appointedcommittee. However,thecaseisnowbeforethecourt ofappeal.
TheEpiscopalChurchofSudan
Egypt Inthepastwe’veaskedyoutosendcards,but atthistimeit’sdifficulttoensuretheywillarrive inatimelymanner.Whilethesituationhas improvedfortheChristiancommunity,religious minoritiesarestilltargeted,andtherearea growingnumberofhumanrightsdefenders amongthenation’sprisonersofconscience.
Keep these people in your prayers22 couphavebeenmarkedbyexcessiveuseofforce againstpeacefulprotestorsdemonstrating againstthemilitarytakeover.TheChurch continuestosupportitsmembersandthewider communitythroughthisextendedperiodof uncertainty.Sadly,churchleadersinmany denominationsarestillgrapplingtohold administrativecontrolovertheiraffairs,withsome facingcriminalcharges.
Anillegitimatepro-governmentchurchcommittee appointedbytheformerregimesoldmostofthe church’spropertiesandrentedmanybuildingsfor exceedinglylongterms,includingtheKhartoum BahriEvangelicalChurch,whichhasmostlybeen demolished.RafatObid,wholeadsthechurch’s legitimateelectedcommittee,hasbeenarrested onseveraloccasionsfor“impersonating” achurch official,andisnowfacinganothertrial.
Inthepast,thechurchfacedgovernment harassmentovertheownershipoftheir propertiesandlanddisputes.Manyofits buildingslocatedinexpensiveareaswere confiscated. SudanesePresbyterian EvangelicalChurch(SPEC)
Iran Overthelastfewyearswe’veseenapatternof religiousminoritiesbeingarrestedonnational securitycharges,andinanumberofcurrent casesitcouldputthematriskiftheywereto receivecardsfromothercountries.
Sudan TherehavebeensignificantchangesinSudan sinceformerPresidentOmaralBashirwas deposedandaTransitionalGovernmenttook overinSeptember2019.InOctober2021the countrywasplungedintoanewpoliticalcrisis whenamilitarycoupraisedsignificantconcerns overthenation’sfuture.Themonthssincethe
Nigeria RebeccaSharibu RebeccaisthemotherofLeah,aschoolgirl whowasoneof110girlsabductedfromtheir schoolinDapchi,NigeriabyBokoHaramin February2018. Thenextmonth,followingnegotiationsby thegovernment,theremaininggirlswere putintotruckstogohome.ButLeahwasn’t amongthem.Shewasn’treleasedbecause sherefusedtoconvertinexchangeforher freedom.RebeccahasbeenwaitingforLeah tocomehomeeversince.
SudanChurchofChrist(SCOC)
Please keep them in your prayers
The following people used to be in Connect & Encourage, but it’s no longer possible to write to them (in most cases, this is due to security concerns), and we do not have the capacity to pass on your messages.
TheEpiscopalChurchisoneofthelargest ChristiandenominationsinSudan,andhas severalschoolsandmedicalcentersattending totheneedsoftheentirecommunity.The churchalsosupportsIDPsofeveryreligion, offeringhumanitarianaidinmanyIDPcamps.
Vietnam NguyenTrungTon NguyenTrungTonisanoutspokenhuman rightsdefenderandProtestantpastor.He wasarrestedonJuly30,2017onachargeof attemptingtooverthrowthestate.InApril 2018NguyenTrungTonwassentenced to12years’imprisonmentandtwoyears’ housearrest. Hewaslatertransferredtoaprisonina differentpartofthecountry.Thismakesit verydifficultandexpensiveforhiswifeto visithim.
NguyenBacTruyen NguyenBacTruyenisalegalexpertand humanrightsactivistwhowasabducted bypoliceinJuly2017.InApril2018Truyen wasconvictedof“carryingoutactivities aimedatoverthrowingthegovernment”and sentencedto11yearsinprisonfollowedby threeyears’housearrest.Inreality,hisonly crimeisdefendingtheoppressed. AHoaHaoBuddhist,Truyenspeaksup forthoseofallfaiths.In2019hewenton hungerstrike(alongwithotherprisoners ofconscience)toprotestthetreatmentof fellowprisonerNguyenVanHoa,ayoung Catholicactivist.
Mexico Juana Juana and her family converted to Protestant Christianity in 2009. Because of their faith, they decided that they would no longer take part in local festivals or join in the activities of the majority religion. Just four months later, Juana, her family, and several other groups of Protestant Christians were driven out of their home village. As her husband died a few years ago, Juana is the sole breadwinner. Her children have to take care of themselves while she goes to work. Her oldest daughter, Adriana, has had to leave school so she can cook and care for her siblings.
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23Find prayer resources at cswusa.org/pray
Central African Republic
Over30,000peoplefledthecountryand tensofthousandsweredisplacedinternally duetoviolencesurroundingthe20202021generalelectionsthatpittedarmed groupsagainstgovernmentforcesbacked byaUNpeacekeepingmission,Rwandan troopsandRussianparamilitaries.Episodes ofviolencecontinue,leavingthemost vulnerableciviliansatrisk.Churchesofall denominationsarerespondingtosupport theircommunities,despitetheirown vulnerability.
