LAKE FOREST, CA (ANS) -- “Advent in Afghanistan” may have been the largest public outreach by Christians to students in the history of Afghanistan. It began when Norm and Cher Nelson, from the radio ministry, Compassion Radio, accepted an invitation to take the experience of Christmas to 30,000 school children in 49 schools in an historic region of Afghanistan during late November and early December 2002.

The isolated communist nation of North Korea remains atop the Open Doors "World Watch List" of countries where Christians are persecuted. The annual list ranks countries according to the intensity of persecution Christians face for actively pursuing their faith.

In Orissa, India, where missionary Staines and his two sons were martyred, Gospel workers continue to face persecution.

A Philippine missionary working among minority groups on Mindanao Island was shot and murdered on January 17.

In a country where Christians are roundly despised and persecuted, Lao officials recently awarded certificates of recognition to two church groups for competing in local athletic events.

The Voice of the Martyrs has learned that Vietnamese police, anxious to stop the spread of Christianity in their nation, have resorted to spraying worshippers with an unidentified chemical agent. Underground church services were raided and believers sprayed in two separate attacks last month. Victims of the attacks report that the chemical gas causes seizures and uncontrollable shaking.