(Voice of the Persecuted) You are invited to join us on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, in a prayer conference call for the persecuted church hosted by Persecution Watch.

On November 4, 2022, Ryan Koher, serving with Idaho-based Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), a Christian missionary group working in several African countries, was to fly vitamins to help maintain health and bodily function and other supplies to church-run orphanages in the Montepuez district in the Cabo Delgado Province in the north.

However, Ryan was wrongfully detained on an accusation of supporting terrorism, along with two South African volunteers, 77-year-old W. J. du Plessis and 69-year-old Eric Dry, in Inhambane, a coastal city in the south. Authorities prevented the supplies being loaded on Koher’s aircraft and detained the three men. Later, Koher was moved to a maximum security prison in Maputo Province, southern Mozambique.

David Holsten, president and CEO of MAF, said Koher was innocent and called on the Mozambican authorities to release Ryan so that he can be reunited with his wife and two sons before Christmas.

“I urge Christians around the world to pray for Ryan’s safety and swift release, and call on those in power both in Mozambique and here in the US to do everything they can to resolve this wrongful detainment. Ryan is a caring and gentle individual. Over the last couple of years, he and his wife have worked hard to learn the language and culture of Mozambique to better serve those who rely on our service.”

A faith filled video from Anabel, Ryan’s wife can be viewed here.

MAF Update March 14, 2023—provisional release

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) confirmed that pilot Ryan Koher, along with W. J. du Plessis and Eric Dry, had been granted a provisional release from prison in Mozambique. MAF said Koher and the two South African men had been released from detention but were ordered to remain in Mozambique as the case is still ongoing.

MAF Update March 22, 2023

Ryan has been enjoying his newfound freedom this past week and he shared a message with his coworkers that we want to share with you. 

MAF Update March 29, 2023—reunited with family

Annabel, Elias, and Hezekiah were happily reunited with Ryan after nearly five months of separation.

His wife stated, “We were so grateful for all the prayers!”

Once resettled at their home in Nampula, dinner was brought in for the family to enjoy.

Earlier in the day, Ryan had his first check-in under the requirements of the provisional release. He will be required to report at regular intervals to authorities in Nampula. Ryan’s lawyer is continuing to monitor the case and waiting for the prosecutor to conclude the investigation.

April 14, 2023
Ryan, is checking in with officials as required by his provisional release. The legal process is ongoing and it is unknown at this time when it will be completed.

• Please continue to pray that the case will be dropped and Ryan will be free from any prosecution. Also pray that Ryan and Annabel continue to trust in the Lord through this time of uncertainty about the outcome of the case.

MAF Update for April 28, 2023

Mission Network News (MNN) interviews MAF President and CEO, David Holsten, on the status of Ryan Koher, MAF’s pilot on provisional release from prison in Mozambique.

Holsten talks about his conversation with Ryan, when the case might conclude, and asks believers to continue to pray for Ryan and “that he’d be cleared of any charges.”

The full interview can be read at MNN here.

MAF Update May 18, 2023

Ryan and Annabel remain in Nampula and wanted to share this video update.

MAF shared, they are still waiting for the investigation to conclude. As they have asked, please continue to pray for them and a positive outcome in this case.

“We trust in the Lord to remove all obstacles in the path to Ryan’s freedom.“

MAF Update for May 30, 2023

Please pray as the waiting continues for Ryan Koher and his family. As you know, Ryan and two orphanage volunteers were detained November 4 when police officers confiscated the load of supplies that Ryan was to fly to northern Mozambique. The three were detained in prison for four months before a provisional release was granted in early March.

Ryan’s legal counsel in Mozambique continues to press for the investigation to conclude and for Ryan’s full release. Ryan’s current provisional release requires him to check in every 15 days with authorities and he is unable to leave the country. Ryan, Annabel, and their boys are presently at their home in Nampula, Mozambique.

In an answer to prayer, visas were secured for Annabel and the boys to stay in Mozambique until early November.

• Please pray for peace and strength for Ryan and Annabel as the case drags on.
• Pray that the case is resolved soon and that Ryan and the orphanage volunteers are freed from any further legal concerns.

MAF Update for June 30, 2023

Ryan and Annabel continue to wait on the outcome of the case against him and the two South Africans. His attorney is in regular contact with officials overseeing the investigation and continues to work towards a resolution of the case.

Mission Network News (MNN) recently did an interview with Ryan and Annabel that is in two parts. This story is made available to Christian media outlets, including radio stations, around the U.S.

You can read the first part of the interview here. In the 4–5-minute audio broadcast link Ryan and Annabel’s comments are heard in the first minute and thirty seconds of the audio.

The second part is here, and their remarks start at the 1:48 mark in the 4-5-minute audio broadcast link.

MAF Update for July 24, 2023

Please continue to pray for Ryan and Annabel as they wait on the outcome of his case. Although there’s no news yet, they find encouragement in the ongoing activity, as mentioned in their upcoming prayer letter.

“We were hoping that this prayer letter would contain news of Ryan’s ability to travel back to the U.S., but God’s ways are not our ways. We trust in Him and rest in that His plan is good. The investigation is still ongoing, and Mozambican officials have requested information from the U.S. government (about MAF).

“Ryan is still unable to travel outside of Mozambique at this time. We have been blessed with visas for the boys and me to remain in Mozambique through the beginning of November. We pray Ryan will be free by then and be able to travel back to the U.S. with us before then.

“Many have asked about Ryan’s inability to fly at this time. Due to his work visa having expired during his time in prison and his lack of passport on hand to renew the visa, Ryan is unable to do any official work, including flying and maintaining the planes.”

The Mozambican government’s request for information about MAF is viewed as a positive step. However, this process is moving at a slow pace. In the meantime, Ryan’s lawyer is pursuing legal possibilities for him to travel to the U.S.

While the Lord has been meeting the needs of Ryan and Annabel, it is time to lift them to the Lord through community prayer and fasting. We are inviting everyone to participate in a period of prayer and fasting on Thursday, July 27.

Mission Aviation Fellowship’s headquarters will utilize the lunch hour for a time of corporate prayer on behalf of Ryan and Annabel. You are encouraged to find an appropriate time to lift up the Koher family in prayer, as well as fasting if you choose.

MAF Update as of August 11, 2023

Ryan and Annabel continue their wait upon the Lord for movement in the legal process regarding his case. While they wait, a happy family moment occurred when they moved into their new home in Mozambique the week of August 7.

For many years, staff housing consisted of rental homes in the area. Continued increases in rent, limited ability to make improvements, poor security, and the spread out nature of the housing caused MAF to build staff housing on property they owned.

In addition to three new homes, there is a new water system and electrical improvements, along with fencing for security. There is enough space for families to have room, yet able to visit one another with a short walk.

“We are all moved into our house, which we’re calling the Selah House. Our prayer is that this will be a home where we will Rest in the Lord, Reflect Him,  Reflect on His Word, & Remember the testimonies of all He has done.

“We’re so thankful for all of the help from our team & national stuff. They moved all of our belongings, set up beds & mosquito nets, set up all appliances, & hung curtains in an hour and a half! What a blessing! We are very grateful for your prayers and fasting as we continue to walk through this season.”

We praise the Lord for this blessing to the Koher family in a difficult time. Please continue to pray for the Koher family and the orphanage volunteers, Willem and Eric, and that the case would be dismissed and free them from this lengthy investigation.

We thank the Lord for your prayers that have helped sustain Ryan and Annabel during this very long process. If you would like to send them a message of support, you can send it to through prayforpilotryan@maf.org.

Every week, we have been praying for these dear ones since Ryan’s detainment. It’s a blessing to receive updates and see God’s hand on them. Please join us on tonight’s prayer conference call as we lift them up to the Lord and pray for complete vindication.

Again, we want to lift-up these persecuted witnesses to the Lord:   

• Leah Sharibu, a prisoner of Boko Haram since 2018. Pray for her release.

• Alice Loksha Ngaddah, kidnapped February 2019. She is a mother of two, working as a nurse for UNICEF. Pray for her release. 

• Pastor Wang Yi to be released from prison, for his family and for the church.

• Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani from Iran, as he and his family are adjusting from his release from prison, that they may know what God’s will is for them now. Pray for the trauma they had to endure. UPDATE: According to Article 18, once sentenced to death for his “apostasy” has been “pardoned” and released after nearly five years in Tehran’s Evin Prison, but told Nadarkhani that he still faces flogging (30 lashes) and two years’ exile 2,000km from his home. Read the report here

• The Harvest: “ 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38

In the shadow of His Cross, 

Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Conference Call Leader

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What is Persecution Watch?

Persecution Watch is a U.S. national prayer conference call ministry that prays specifically for the global Persecuted Church. For over a decade, Blaine Scogin led this national network of believers who faithfully pray for the persecuted and the global harvest for the Kingdom of God. The group meets via a free call-in service every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night at 9pm Eastern time in the United States (please check your time zone). Blaine also served as Prayer Director for Voice of the Persecuted, and the missions’ became one. Brother Blaine passed into glory on December 26, 2019. It was truly a blessing for all of us to serve alongside this dear man of God and he will be greatly missed. The prayer mission of Persecution Watch remains an important part of our mission. Voice of the Persecuted is committed to continue the prayer conference call for the persecuted along with the dedicated Persecution Watch prayer warrior team.

Prior to the passing of Brother Blaine, he confirmed the passing of the torch as prayer conference call leader to Nadia Dybvik. Nadia has a burdened heart for the persecuted and is a prayer warrior standing in the gap for them. She joined the Persecution Watch prayer team in 2013 and has been part of the core ever since. Before becoming the prayer call leader, she served in the role of prayer moderator since 2015. Blaine chose Nadia for her faithfulness to pray for the persecuted and her strong commitment to the Persecution Watch mission. We are blessed not only with her gift of prayer, but her genuine love for every brother and sister in Christ that comes on the call to pray. May the Lord continue to bless Nadia and the prayer team in the mission and their personal lives.

“Pray for us” is the number one request that we hear from the persecuted. As the members of the first century Church was moved by the Holy Spirit to pray, we too must continue to serve those suffering persecution by lifting them up to the Lord through prayer.

On occasion, persecuted brothers and sisters have been invited to the conference call and share the trials they are facing. The team serves to encourage them by washing their feet in Spirit led prayer. Time is often reserved for those on the call to ask questions. We believe this helps to gain a better understanding of the situation that persecuted Christians endure in their specific nations. Q&A also helps us to focus our prayers based on their current needs.

Persecution Watch also hosts callers who want to pray united from other nations. If your heart is perplexed by the sufferings of our persecuted brothers and sisters, you no longer need to pray alone.

We welcome all who desire to pray for the persecuted church and consider it a joy to pray together with you. If you are new to the call and cannot find your voice, listen in and pray silently or mute. We are grateful and thank the Lord for bringing us all together to pray in agreement for our persecuted family in Christ. We can all be prayer warriors on this call!

God bless and protect you in your faithfulness to serve.

Lois Kanalos, Founder, Voice of the Persecuted, Nadia Dybvik, Persecution Watch Prayer Call Leader, and the Persecution Watch Prayer Team

NOTE: Please fill out the form in the sign up at link below to be included in our distribution list to receive urgent prayer requests, prayer points, notification of special prayer events and special guest speakers.

Note to Voice of the Persecuted (VOP) readers: The Persecution Watch prayer team is also the prayer team of Voice of the Persecuted. SIGN UP today.