Boun: Imprisoned for Christ

A few days ago we posted this news on our main The Voice of the Martyrs website and I wanted to make sure you had the opportunity to read it, in case you missed it.  Full story here.

Khmu Christian “Boun” spent 13 years and eight months in prison in Southeast Asia for his faith. He was released earlier this year. Before he came to faith in Christ, Boun was an assistantdistrict governor for the communists.

In 1965, Boun had been a soldier in Laos. He eventually became the assistant of an important official. He first encountered Christians when he was sent to study politics in Tha Gnong in 1975. At the time, he didn’t pay much attention, but later as assistant district governor, he visited villages where there were Christians. He was intrigued by their worship, but these Christians were afraid of him because of his government position.

Once, while staying with a family in a village, he heard a Christian radio program supported by VOM. He asked questions, but no one gave him details. As a member of the government, Boun had permission to cross in and out of Thailand to conduct business. There, in 1997, he sought out the man he had heard speaking on the radio.

The Christians there were afraid of him, and he was just as afraid they would report him to the Lao government. But the man he sought was willing to meet with him. This man took him to a private room and explained Christ to him. The soldier was baptized that night and began to share the gospel wherever he went.

The authorities warned him over and over to stop preaching. He was let go from his job. He was arrested June 8, 1999, and sentenced to 15 years in prison. On Feb. 2, 2012, he was released, two years early. VOM supported him and his family while he was in prison, and provided medical care after his release.

VOM staff conducted the following interview with Boun shortly after his release. He began by sharing what happened immediately after his baptism.

Read the full story here.  You won't want to miss it!