Kanya and Phonesay’s church perhaps looks quite unfamiliar. A small group of people gather in a scrapped-together hut of wooden planks and sheets of tarpaulin, hidden from the main roads by dense forests. Despite their surroundings, a radiant joy lights up their faces as they sing and clap their hands. This is an underground church, and their worship is illegal.
The local authorities had given their ultimatum: renounce Jesus or be expelled from the village. Kanya and Phonesay refused and their home was destroyed, their family exiled. But it hasn’t stopped them from meeting together to worship God with other expelled believers. Though life is extremely difficult at times, it cannot extinguish their faith.
VIDEO SCRIPT
Kanya
As they destroyed my house, I stood and watched.
‘We’ll tear the house down now,’ the villagers shouted.
Phonesay
We hadn’t begun the service yet when villagers came to the house with hammers.
They said ‘Anyone not one of us must leave now. We’ll destroy the house now.’
The officers asked if I would renounce my faith. I answered firmly that I would not. I wasn’t angry with them. I just thanked the Lord and prayer. I even sang a hymn.
Kanya and Phonesay* and many other Christians, were exiled to the forest. Their worship continues underground and illegal.
Kanya
In the new location, we had no electricity or toilets. And since officers seized our land, we had little food.
Phonesay
I thought His is plan for me to leave my parents and relatives to live in the forest. Is that true?
Open Doors partners came alongside the believers to help build homes and provide spiritual training. Although they still face pressure from local authorities, they refuse to stop worshipping.
Kanya
During our hardship we received help.
Phonesay
Through the training I came to know God better and I grew stronger in my faith. Living the forest with other believers made me happy. We shared the same faith.
Kanya
We had nowhere to go, but we still worshiped Him. The Lord wants us to worship Him everywhere. He wants our worship to come from the heart.
Phonesay
In the forest the Lord gave us time to worship Him. We worshipped Him every day from Monday to Sunday – ever day – and it still continues today.
Kanya
We first built a place of worship at the new location so we’d have somewhere to gather and worship.
Phonesay
Pray that whatever happens, we will stand firm and never deny Him. Pray that we will follow His word and have strong faith in God
People Interviewed and their Titles
Kanya
Phonesay
Recording Location
Laos
Organization featured in this Story
Open Doors UK – www.opendoorsuk.org
EN 
ES