STORIES AND TESTIMONIES
LAOS PARTNERSHIP
A ministry of the United Bible Societies
In this page, you will find some stories and testimonies from Christians in Laos, who have been touched by Word's God. They are willing to share their journey of faith with us...
He was not born blind. In 1998, a motorbike accident caused his lost of sight but he was not one to lose hope. Souliya, now 35 years old, spoke with great confidence and has demonstrated that he has the tenacity of purpose to see all things to completion. Being the first successful entrepreneur in Laos has not been easy but Souliya makes it all look like a piece of cake. He carries the air of a busy and successful person who has a cell phone constantly calling out to be answered
Bounthai was a Buddhist medium. His father was also a professional medium and Bounthai was the favoured and chosen son, elected to inherit the power from a generational spirit. When asked what he got out of being a medium, Bounthai answered, “The spirit showed me the power”. But he also knew this power to be controlling and destructive.
“When Christians work in the rice paddies or grow fruit, they pray for blessings upon the land, using Bible verses for good results,” says Rev Dr Khamphone Kounthapanya, President of the Lao Evangelical Church – the biggest Church in the country. “Similarly, when people are ill and have no money to seek medical help, they rely on God, using Bible verses to guide their prayers for healing.”
It was an ordinary Sunday in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. But this church was abuzz with activity and noise as the young people gathered for the morning service.
The Lao Evangelical Church is the largest denomination in the country enjoying official recognition. As a visitor that day to Anou church (a member of the LEC), I was an onlooker, yet I found that the energy and vigour of the young people there was infectious. The decibels may go up by a few notches when there are young people around – but so does the creative flair and the sense of fun. And the noise they make is a price well worth paying for their lively conversation, smiles and laughter.
© United Bible Societies 2010
Acharn (Pastor) Aliya is sixty nine year old and a Khmu pastor at Viengkham Church in Vientiane even though he originates from Xieng Khouang. The Khmu are the largest ethnic minority group in Laos with an estimated population of 450,000. The first Khmu Christians can be traced back to 1800s and were the first ethnic minority people group to respond to the Gospel. Aliya is a believer because of his father-in-law. More than receiving the Good News, Aliya has been molded into the person he is today because of the Bible. This is his story.
