Sources: VOM Sources, Miscelaneas de Cuba
Pastor Yiorvis Bravo Denis, 28, is currently under house arrest along with other members of the Apostolic Reform Church in Camagüey. The Cuban government is seeking to evict Pastor Yiorvis from his house, which also serves as a house church. He received the house from his uncle, Omar Gude Perez, a national leader of the Apostolic Movement who was sentenced to six and a half years in prison in 2008 and prevented from leaving Cuba until 2013, when he received asylum in the United States. Pastor Yiorvis assumed his uncle’s leadership of the church in Camagüey. Authorities have threatened church members, and since Oct. 5 state security, police and Communist Party members have surrounded the house, shouting slogans and curses at the believers.
Iran—Location of Arrested Iranian Christians ConfirmedSource: VOM Sources
The location of two Christian converts from Islam has finally been confirmed, weeks after the men were arrested in Karaj. Sevada Aghasar and Ebrahim Firouzi were arrested on Aug. 21, 2013, at the office of a friend, but authorities would not release information about the men’s whereabouts. Finally, on Sept. 26, Sevada’s location was confirmed after he was allowed to make a phone call to family and to briefly visit with them from behind a glass wall. Ebrahim, who had been previously arrested for Christian activities, was not allowed to contact his family until two months after his arrest. Both men were confirmed to be in Ward 209 in Tehran’s Evin prison. The men have been accused of being spies for an Israeli agency, but their arrests likely stem from Christian activities on social media sites like Facebook. They have not been officially charged.
North Korea—China Attempts to Block Radio Broadcast into North KoreaSource: VOM Sources
Chinese authorities are targeting a Christian radio broadcast produced by North Korean Christians in partnership with Seoul USA and VOM. Both the Chinese and North Korean governments have unsuccessfully attempted to block the radio broadcast. This is exciting news for Christians involved in the shortwave radio program because it demonstrates that North Korean and Chinese officials are threatened by the small broadcasting program. When asked why this particular broadcast is such a threat, an analyst noted that it is a purely Christian program voiced by North Koreans. Most Christian broadcasts into North Korea are voiced by South Koreans, whose accent is more difficult for North Koreans to understand. Authorities assume that North Koreans can’t understand these broadcasts or are turned off by the voices of “foreigners.”
Nepal—VOM Project
Pray for the printing and distribution of 10,000 copies of the book Hearts of Fire (called Women of Faith in Nepal), which will also be distributed in Nepali-speaking areas of Bhutan and India. This book will encourage Nepali believers, who face increasing persecution.
Nigeria—VOM Project
Pray for the provision and encouragement of Nigerian widows and for VOM’s support of them.
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