India: Recent incidents of persecution
A Hindu extremist in Adigar, Phulbani, Kandhamal district on Jan 25 attacked a pastor’s hut and harassed his family, according to the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC). Jaleshwar Pradhan threw stones at the home of Pastor Patiba Mohan Kota while he was away, verbally abused his wife and pushed his daughters, shouting, ‘You Christians must not live here it is not your land.The last time your houses were only damaged, this time all of you will be buried here.’ Though damage to the house was minimal, the pastor and his family were in fear as Hindu extremists have previously tortured him causing partial loss of eyesight and hearing. The pastor was among those whose houses were destroyed during anti-Christian violence in 2008. Pradhan was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Pray: against ethnic hostility in and around Orissa. (Ps.109:28)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/india/article_1377575.html
Guatemala: Suspected drug traffickers kill Pastor
Christians in Guatemala were mourning on Monday, January 30, for a pastor who was shot and killed by suspected drug traffickers on his way to a regional meeting of church leaders in a violent border area near Mexico. 'Church of God' Pastor Neftali Leiva, a father of five daughters, was gunned down last week near the gathering, said his denomination's territorial administrative bishop, Jose Clara Vela. He added that the shooting was witnessed by another pastor. He was quoted as saying that an unknown assailant walked up to the victim without a word and shot him point blank several times. When the shooter saw the witness a short way down the street, he reportedly also fired three times in his direction. The pastor apparently felt the bullets go by and impact the trees behind him, but was unhurt. ‘God’s hand of protection covered me,’ added the unidentified pastor.
Pray: for all those who serve God in challenging places that they will be protected from harm. (Jn.17:12)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/20282-suspected-drug-traffickers-kill-pastor-in-guatemala
Child Slavery in Africa Continues 10 Years After Cocoa Protocol
Children are still being sold by slave traffickers in Africa and forced to work on cocoa farms that help produce chocolate products for many companies over ten years after lawmakers tried to initiate measures to stop the inhumane practice. The chocolate industry initially resisted, but the Cocoa Protocol, or Harkin-Engel Protocol went into effect in 2011. The voluntary protocol, which was signed by the heads of the chocolate industry, was designed to stop the worst forms of child labour and to make sure the cocoa trade was child-labour free. A researcher that spent five years in the Ivory Coast said that he has seen very little implementation of the original commitments to end child slavery. Kraft-Cadbury says they are working with others in the industry to support the Harkin-Engel Protocol to work towards eliminating the worst forms of child-labour. Nestle say that they believe child labour has no place in their supply chain and they have firmly committed to eradicate unacceptable practices.
Pray: for a greater urgency in the implementation of the protocol by all in the cocoa industry. (Isa.49:16-18)
Iranian Christian convert sentenced to two years in prison
A Christian convert whom security authorities arrested in her home was sentenced to two years in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, reports Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News. According to reports sent by reporters of Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News, Ms. Leila Mohammadi, a Christian convert who resided east of Tehran, was sentenced to two years of imprisonment after enduring 5 months of uncertainty in notorious Evin prison. Her trial was held on 18 January in Revolutionary Court in Moalem street where she was charged with "collaboration with foreign-dependent groups, broad anti-Islamic propaganda, deceiving citizens by formation of what is called a house church, Insulting sacred figures and action against national security." However she was acquitted of collaboration with foreign-dependent groups because the judge believed she had done that unintentionally. For the other charges she was sentenced to two years in prison and the ruling was delivered to her.
Pray: for God to give Leila courage and strength and to watch over her during her imprisonment. (Dt.31:6)
