Feeling some pressure

My Christian friends in Bolivia warned that the passage of the new constitution and the re-election of the socialist president would bring near certain persecution of the church. I am afraid they were right and we are seeing just the beginning. Let me give you three concrete examples:

1. The government is ramping up the official registration requirements for all churches. Our church has complied, but at considerable legal expense. Small national churches don't have the resources or savvy to comply. The estimated cost is upwards of US $1000 from start to finish. Enter the official MAS party which is offering "assistance" to local indigenous churches to "handle" this issue for them at no cost. My Christian friends fear this is the beginning of an officially sanctioned church, similar to the church in China.

2. The official government TV station is running a dramatic piece showing a heavily accented North American preaching the Gospel with a heavy dose of "learn to tithe, or else". The Gringo tells the listeners that failure to give will result in God's wrath. The poor Bolivian, Silverio, just can't give enough and the result is that his house burns down. Enter the friends from the MAS government political party to help. They tell Silverio that they are his friends, they are from his own culture. They will freely give him the help he needs: food, clothing and so forth. You can draw your conclusions about the message they are sending about Christ's church.

3. The socialist government, now officially secular, has scheduled elections for Easter Sunday, April 4. On election day in Bolivia no meetings or assemblies are allowed. No vehicular traffic is allowed. All church services must be cancelled. Is it a coincidence that the holiest day on the Christian calendar is targeted?

Please pray for Bolivia, and treasure the freedom that you have to assemble and worship.

Ron