Laos
Geography
91,429 sq miles (236,800 sq km) Southeastern Asia, landlocked by Burma, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Laos has a tropical monsoon climate with the rainy season from May to November, and the dry season from December to April
Most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested and the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand.
Population
5,777,180 (July 2002 est.)
Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Languages
Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Capital
Vientiane
Political Status
In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.
Laos is currently a Communist state
Religion
Buddhist 60%, Animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)
The constitution of Laos provides for freedom of religion. However the Government restricts this right in practice. While this is improving, Christian mission remains difficult in Laos. The Lao Evangelical Church (LEC) is recognized by the government and membership is estimated at 60,000. This is mainly in the larger cities.
Ministry History
In 1999 Martin Bunsy approached Global Teams to become a missionary. Martin had worked for years in Laos in a ministry of evangelism, discipleship, and leader training. In 2000 Martin was granted permission to open a computer and English training center in Laos.
Field Goals
- Open the computer and English training center with both Lao tutors on staff, and also using foreigners in roles to help train the Lao staff.
- Recruit short term tutors to assist in mentoring the staff.
- Establish the discipleship and leadership training processes needed to sustain and expand a growing network of believers.
