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Southeast Asia
Along with the Middle East, Southeast Asia is one of the most dangerous mission fields for native believers. It is not uncommon for Christians in the countries of Indonesia, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines to be imprisoned, brutally beaten or killed.
The southern Philippines is home to four Muslim rebel groups. In Cambodia, where the business of prostitution is worse than in any other country in the world, one out of every 25 people is infected with AIDS.
Christians in Vietnam and Laos, the eighth and ninth most persecuted nations, face intense, overt persecution. Believers are often arrested and forced to sign an affidavit renouncing Christianity. Those who refuse to sign are tortured or sent to labor camps.
In Burma, citizens are at the mercy of military soldiers who loot villages and force natives to labor without food or compensation on infrastructure projects.
Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, is increasing its persecution of Christians. Islamists seek to eliminate Christianity from their country. Hundreds of churches have been destroyed.
Christian Aid supports brave native missionaries who share the gospel through a holistic ministry. Orphanages shelter abandoned children. Vocational training centers offer prostitutes a new life. The families of imprisoned pastors receive support. Related Stories
In some countries, like the Philippines, missionaries can freely proclaim the gospel; but in countries where Islam is dominant, there is strong opposition toward Christians.
A repressive communist regime has been seeking to stamp out Christianity in Vietnam for decades. As in China, however, persecution has not succeeded in thwarting the growth of zealous, witnessing churches.
A respected Burmese Christian started a mission to reach people in places where many others will not go. Now this missionary sends trained workers into unreached areas during the dry season (November through May) when people do not need to work the fields. Equipped with gospel songbooks, tracts, Bibles, and food, they go and set up camp.
Supporting work in Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
Greg Tingson sponsored Bob Finley’s visit to the Philippines in 1948. Later Dr. Tingson went on to help write the Philippine national constitution and develop a wide-ranging evangelistic ministry.
One third of Manila's inhabitants live in poverty, the heart of which is the infamous Smoky Mountain. The nauseating stench of methane gas emitted from this 100-foot trash heap resembles a cloud of smoke, thus earning its name. The toxic environment offers these destitute dwellers a spectrum of maladies, including malnutrition, tuberculosis, dysentery, hepatitis, measles and skin rashes.
One of the most lethal regimes of the 20th century, the Khmer Rouge intended to establish a classless agrarian society. The urban class was forced into slave labor camps. From 1975 to 1979, between 2 million and 3 million people were exterminated. This is a story of one person’s journey through the years of Khmer Rouge terror.
Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, has been the traditional homeland of Muslim Filipinos since the 15th century. The Muslim population is composed of many ethnic groups spread among the islands of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. These scattered islands can only be reached by pump boats. While the incidence of poverty is high, the lush, natural beauty of the place provides a clear picture of the Creator’s handiwork.
May 8, 2008 - As the death toll keeps increasing and the needs become even more desperate, the rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places hover over Burma like a swarm of locusts.
Mar. 18, 2008 - For many years Christian Aid has been helping ministries in Burma and has witnessed many wonderful reports from missionaries laboring in this troubled land. But this latest startling report tells of 4,700 Buddhist monks who accepted Christ as their Savior.
Min watched as the shadows of the guards retreated around the corner. His eyes darted to the corner of the dirt floor, and then once more through the bars....
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