So, you want to be, or are already, a Missionary to the people in what is usually called the 10-40 Window; most of which is on the map underneath this text. As a soldier in God's Army you've prepared yourself by putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-13) and are going to "war"! Here are some facts you should know.
According to the 2002 report on international religious freedom prepared by the U. S. State Department, quoted in an article by George Gedda of the Associated Press, Myanmar, Laos, North Korea, Vietnam and China continue to consider "...religious worship as a threat to the dominant ideoligy."
China for instance "...continued to restrict religious practice to government-sanctioned organizations and registered places of worship. ... Myanmar: The government continued to view religious freedom in the context of threats to national unity. ... Laos: The government inhibited religious practice by all people, especially those belonging to religions, particularly Christianity, that fall outside of mainstream Buddhism. North Korea: Religious freedom and human rights groups in general outside the country provided numerous reports that members of underground churches have been beaten, arrested or killed. Vietnam: There were credible reports that in past years Hmong Protestant Christians in several northwestern villages were forced to recant their faith." (underline and italics are mine)
Yes, inroads have been made in these countries by Christian organizations, the message of the Gospel has been preached and taught in each country cited above for many decades. Yet, the people running the governments remain hostile towards Christians.
Unlike America and European nations these countries make it "difficult and even dangerous for people to follow the dictates of their conscience and to practice their faith." said Secretary of State Colin Powell.
The report cited the Islamic nations of Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as "countries that are hostile to certain minority religions." (Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press, page 11A, Oct 8, 2002)
