A week ago, a Nepali missionary, Besh, of Gospel For Asia (GFA) was forcibly abducted by the radical insurgence group Maoists. GFA received news of the urgent situation of Besh on 19 August 2004, but still are unaware of his whereabouts.

Besh is well known as a Christian pastor and evangelist in the community. He had been asked to leave the area where he ministered one year ago after the authority noticed his activity.

The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), or shortly to be named the CPN-Maoist, started its "people's war" to instigate the downfall of state power, and to establish a new people's republic.

Nepal is under growing threat from Maoist Communists, who are battling for the hearts and minds of ordinary people. In the past, more than 200 people, teachers, students, village officials and commoners have been abducted by the Maoists and killed. Some 9,000 lives have been claimed since the insurgency began in 1996.

Native missionaries taking the gospel to rural ethnic people in the mountains of Nepal are always at risk. The Maoist insurgents constantly attempt to disrupt missionary travel and church planting. Recently members of one congregation were in the middle of a meeting when they were surrounded by gun-wielding Maoists. But after talking to the angry mob, the Christians persuaded the attackers not to harm anyone. In another incident, missionaries trying to reach a remote area to follow up on new believers were almost forced to turn back by Maoists who tried to capture them.

Despite the dangers, native missionaries continue to work in these difficult conditions, bringing the gospel to isolated ethnic groups in Maoist-overrun locations. Most of these people live in poverty without proper healthcare or education.

GFA requests prayers for missionary Besh's safe return and all the believers in Nepali who are facing persecutions. Currently there are 200-plus pastors and 356 native missionaries in Nepal.