We (Bill and Renee) recently visited an orphanage and other indigenous ministries in Vietnam to ascertain if Global Outreach should provide support for these persecuted Christians. It was with this goal in mind that we, arrived in Vietnam on February 20, 2014 with arrangements to meet a "tour guide" for some special sightseeing.
Vietnam is consistently ranked among the worst persecutors of Christians worldwide.
As Vietnam is consistently ranked among the worst persecutors of Christians worldwide it was necessary to visit as tourists and take precautions not to draw undue attention to those we visited. Our "tour guide" was an energetic and precious servant of God we will call Daniel*.
It was necessary to visit as tourists and take precautions not to draw undue attention to those we visited.
Having served in the South Vietnamese military during the war, Daniel was able to escape with a boatload of 89 children in the final days before Saigon fell into the hands of the North Vietcong. After two arduous months at sea, they arrived safely in Guam and the children were airlifted to the Dallas, Texas area where most of them still reside. Daniel spent several years in America where he pastored a church in Florida. About 20 years ago he felt God calling him to return to Vietnam to serve the Christian community in many ways. Today he leads multiple ministries in nine Asian countries. This month we will share about the orphanage in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) and what we experienced as we were privileged to spend the day with the children and staff of Bethel Orphanage*.
Today Daniel* leads multiple ministries in nine Asian countries. This month we will share about the orphanage in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) and what we experienced as we were privileged to spend the day with the children and staff of Bethel Orphanage*.
The precious woman, Li Su*, who directs the orphanage has an amazing story that Daniel shared with us:
Li Su grew up in a Buddhist family. At the age of 17 she was sent to live in the Buddhist temple because her family was too poor to feed her and they desired her to be a nun. She lived in the temple for over four years, but the monks and nuns saw that she was not normal. Responding to voices in her head she attempted suicide several times by drinking pesticides, taking pills, and cutting her wrist. She ended up being kept in a locked room with her leg cuffed to the bed. After breaking up four razor blades and swallowing them she was taken to the hospital. X-rays showed the razor blades were stuck in her esophagus all the way down to her stomach. The doctor told her parents there was nothing that could be done to save her life. Christians who were visiting other patients came over and prayed with her and she gave her heart to Jesus Christ and God miraculously healed her. She promised God she would serve Him the rest of her life and her parents also came to faith in Christ.
Li Su* promised God she would serve Him the rest of her life and her parents also came to faith in Christ.
Later, a Christian woman at her church who was dying of cancer asked her to adopt and raise her seven children. Li Su and her family were so poor they knew they did not have the resources to take in seven children, but they accepted them and cared for the children. Soon the people in the neighborhood saw her great heart for children and started bringing other abandoned babies to her.
Soon the people in the neighborhood saw Li Su's great heart for children and started bringing other abandoned babies to her.
Not wanting to draw attention to the two homes where the children live by having us visit, arrangements were made for us to meet with the 43 children and 5 staff members on the top floor of a restaurant. It just so happened to be Bill’s birthday which gave Daniel a very good excuse for this meeting. He bought a huge birthday cake, and we had gifts for all the children. The kids sang to Bill and it turned into a festive party.
Not wanting to draw attention to the orphans' homes, arrangements were made for us to meet with the 43 orphans and 5 staff member at a restaurant. We learned they have all accepted Christ as Savior.
We were very impressed with the children and it was evident that they have been well trained. They were eager to pray and we learned they have all accepted Christ as Savior. Life is very difficult for Li Su and the children. They live in very crowded conditions in a very impoverished part of town. They eat, sleep, do homework and everything they do on the floor as it is too crowded for any furniture. They usually have two bowls of rice a day with a small piece of fish or a few bites of vegetables. We learned that a large portion of their diet comes from discarded and rotting vegetables that are thrown out at the market when they are no longer good enough to sell.
A large portion of their diet comes from discarded and rotting vegetables that are thrown out at the market.
The needs are many for these precious children and we do not have the resources to supply everything. But, we can do some things to help alleviate their suffering. Ten bicycles at a cost of $35 each would help with transporting the children to and from school each day. The biggest struggle is to provide food for the children. Li Su and her husband who also pastors two house churches, and the staff live by faith. They regularly fast and pray three days each week to ask God to provide for their needs. Any gift we can send to help feed the children would be an answer to their prayers.
Li Su and her husband live by faith. They regularly fast and pray three days each week to ask God to provide for their needs. Any gift we can send to help feed the children would be an answer to their prayers.
It is difficult to describe how precious our time was with these saints in Vietnam. As we hugged, prayed and cried together with Li Su, we truly felt we were in the presence of a hero of the faith. Since our return home we have learned the police are again harassing her and she may have to move again to be able to protect the children. Please pray for Li Su and these precious little ones in Vietnam.
We have learned the police are again harassing Li Su and she may have to move again to be able to protect the children. Please pray for Li Su and these precious little ones in Vietnam.
* Names have been changed for security.
To see more pictures of Global Outreach Inc's trip to vsit orphans in Ho Chi Mihn City please download our April 2014 newsletter:
Blog Post Adapted From Global Outreach Inc April 2014 Newsletter
Volume XXIX Issue IV
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