Lebanon rests between Israel and Syria, and is the site of ancient Phoenicia, which is related to the ancient Canaanites.  Back to at least 1000 BC, they were considered very religious people in their practice of temple prostitution and child sacrifice. Even with their tumultuous history, they have religious freedom and are the only Arab state that is not officially Muslim.  They are the only land in the Middle East where it is legal to change your religious affiliation, and Christians are more freely able to come to Lebanon for Christian training and education.  About 59% are Muslim and 32% Christian. […]
A pre-Soviet state, Latvia is the central of three Baltic republics.  It has been ruled over the years by Germans, Danes, Poles, Swedes and Russians since the Middle Ages.  Stalin’s conquest in 1940 liquidated a fifth of the population, deported many more and forcibly settled Russians in their place. Latvia has long and deep pagan roots and are among the last European peoples to be Christianized in the 13th century.  They became early supporters of Luther and much of the population converted to Lutheranism.  More recently though, the Nazis harshly persecuted the church. Today, after the fall of Communism, they […]
Laos is a narrow, landlocked land between Thailand and Vietnam.  It is a complex mix of 143 ethnic groups.  Independent from France in 1954, the Vietnamese communist forces were in complete control by 1975.  Religious restrictions have eased somewhat but churches and Christians are still watched and targeted. There is rapid church growth led by the indigenous Laotians, but they need training and leaders.  Missionaries are forbidden, and media is obstructed by the government.  Pray that this will change so that they may have access to the truth and the freedom to choose.
(The silk road, an ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean.) Kyrgyzstan became independent from USSR in 1991.  They have struggled to stabilize since then and are still very poor.  They have had a tragic history over the years from Christians who slaughtered their ancestors to imposed Islam and Communism.  There are still government restrictions and scrutiny on religious groups.  The majority is Muslim with about 5% Christian. Pray for the local churches, the unity of Christians there, and for resources that show them the truth that God’s love has for them.

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About the Author

Sue McCusker is a writer, Bible teacher, and web developer who loves sharing the stories of life, hope, and faith she sees around her every day. She has written for Guideposts and Angels on Earth magazines, and teaches the story of God in women's Bible study.