Southeast Asia (MNN) — Persecution varies by region within one country in Southeast Asia.
To protect believers there who partner with FARMS International, we won’t name the country. But Caleb* says the oppression can be intense.
“We’ve had reports of houses being burnt down and death threats to certain leaders,” Caleb says.
“Three or four families have been chased out of their villages, and they’re living in the jungles.”
This man is raising poultry to support his family. He looks forward to gradually strengthening his farm and providing for his children.
(Photo, caption courtesy FARMS International)
New believers often face rejection from their families. In tribal contexts, becoming Christian can be seen as abandoning ancestral obligations.
“There’s a lot of demon worshipers, animists; they do not like Christians in the area, so they usually chase those Christians out,” Caleb says.
Persecution also affects daily livelihood. Caleb describes how believers are delayed or denied help with farming, which can lead to late planting and crop loss due to rain or floods.
Being a Christian can be harder than being poor in this country. While poor families may still receive help from relatives, believers are often cut off from family, neighbors, and government support.
“Being poor, you can still ask help from families and from your relatives, but being a believer, you don’t get help from anybody,” Caleb explains.
“You can only get help from other believers.”
Help for today, hope for tomorrow
FARMS International comes alongside local church networks to help believers overcome poverty. Learn more about FARMS’ approach here.
In Southeast Asia, microloans from FARMS help believers in physical, spiritual, and financial ways. Overseen by a committee of local church members, recipients repay loans through tithing.
“The finances help them not to be under any loan sharks or be in major debt, so then they can go out and witness more easily; they can actually focus on their ministry,” Caleb says.
Two women from a village have opened a tailoring shop after receiving sewing machines through the FARMS program. Their training has prepared them well, and they are using their skills to support their families with dignity and confidence.
(Photo, caption courtesy FARMS International)
As believers regain stability, FARMS-supported loans also create bridges between communities that once stayed divided.
“In a traditional way, tribes don’t mingle; they tend to be against each other,” Caleb says.
“When FARMS comes in, and the leaders can bring people from other tribes under their wings and encourage them and support them, that’s a great example of God’s love.”
Gifts from believers like you provide “seed money” for new loans and other support. Contact FARMS International here to learn more. Most importantly, pray.
“There is power in prayer, so pray, pray, pray!” Caleb requests. “Pray for strength, pray for protection.”
*Name withheld for security purposes.
Participants in FARMS loan programs engage in goat, poultry, and beekeeping, as well as small-scale trade. (Photo, caption courtesy FARMS International)
