Guinea, relatively a peaceful country, is jolted by the coups. Incumbent Mamady Doumbouya is the president since 1 October 2021. Incumbent Bernard Gomou is the prime minister since 17 July 2022. Experiments with socialism and a two-year rule by a junta have taken their toll on prospects for development. The 2010 election ushered in a decade of civilian rule but led to violent ethnic clashes as well. In addition, hundreds of thousands of refugees from Liberia and Sierra Leone have strained Guinea’s struggling economy. The instability has generated suspicion and ethnic tension – as well as accusations between neighbors of attempts at destabilization and border attacks. Muslim converts to Christianity fear family reactions and harassment by the extremists.

Thailand means “Land of the free;” however, many are in bondage. Despite a relatively stable and industrialized economy, slavery, sex tourism and trafficking, drugs, and organized crime are rampant. A constitutional monarchy since 1932, a new king ascended the throne at the end of 2016 and signed a new military-drafted constitution in 2017 designed to pave the way for a return to democracy after numerous coups. However, critics say the new constitution has only strengthened the sweeping, unchecked, and unaccountable military powers. A public protest movement was active during 2020 -2021 but declined in 2022 due to an increasing climate of fear and persecution created by the Thai government. Though Protestant missionaries have been working in Thailand for 200 years, 88 percent of Thailand remains unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.