Post by Michael on Mar 19, 2004 9:16:02 GMT -5
Dear friends,
Please pray this week for our brothers and sisters in Chucarasi, a remote village in the Bolivian Andes.
The trouble began in Chucarasi during the annual 'Carnaval' festival in late February. As usual, animist villagers observed the holiday with veneration of Christo-pagan icons, ritual dances and excessive drinking - ancient customs designed to appease the local deities.
Families of the 'Church of God' in Chucarasi declined to take part in the 'Carnaval' and instead spent the day tending their fields. Two days later, a severe hailstorm struck, damaging the village crops and fuelling the animists' fears that evil spirits were punishing the community for the evangelicals' refusal to take part in the festivities.
The following night (28 February), an angry mob attacked church elder Fortunato Bernal, leaving him unconscious. Word of the attack reached the other believers who were meeting to pray in their small chapel. Fearing more violence, the brothers and sisters withdrew to a nearby mountain peak to continue their prayer vigil.
Witnesses say that around midnight, the irate mob - carrying axes and bars - arrived at the church. Finding the building empty, they destroyed Bibles, smashed the pulpit and pews, then dismantled the windows, doors, roof and walls of the building. The believers returned from their vigil to find a pile of rubble where their chapel had stood just hours before.
Let's join in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Chucarasi:
- Lift the believers in prayer, especially brother Fortunato, following this vicious attack.
- Thank the Lord for protecting the other church members from the angry mob.
- Pray that each of the believers will know God's faithfulness, strength and protection in the coming weeks and months.
- Let's pray that many of the persecutors will come to repentance and faith in Jesus.
Thank you for praying.
Kate Lewis
Editor
PS You can read the full report of the Chucarasi attacks on website: www.opendoorsuk.org
Please pray this week for our brothers and sisters in Chucarasi, a remote village in the Bolivian Andes.
The trouble began in Chucarasi during the annual 'Carnaval' festival in late February. As usual, animist villagers observed the holiday with veneration of Christo-pagan icons, ritual dances and excessive drinking - ancient customs designed to appease the local deities.
Families of the 'Church of God' in Chucarasi declined to take part in the 'Carnaval' and instead spent the day tending their fields. Two days later, a severe hailstorm struck, damaging the village crops and fuelling the animists' fears that evil spirits were punishing the community for the evangelicals' refusal to take part in the festivities.
The following night (28 February), an angry mob attacked church elder Fortunato Bernal, leaving him unconscious. Word of the attack reached the other believers who were meeting to pray in their small chapel. Fearing more violence, the brothers and sisters withdrew to a nearby mountain peak to continue their prayer vigil.
Witnesses say that around midnight, the irate mob - carrying axes and bars - arrived at the church. Finding the building empty, they destroyed Bibles, smashed the pulpit and pews, then dismantled the windows, doors, roof and walls of the building. The believers returned from their vigil to find a pile of rubble where their chapel had stood just hours before.
Let's join in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Chucarasi:
- Lift the believers in prayer, especially brother Fortunato, following this vicious attack.
- Thank the Lord for protecting the other church members from the angry mob.
- Pray that each of the believers will know God's faithfulness, strength and protection in the coming weeks and months.
- Let's pray that many of the persecutors will come to repentance and faith in Jesus.
Thank you for praying.
Kate Lewis
Editor
PS You can read the full report of the Chucarasi attacks on website: www.opendoorsuk.org