*Names of individuals and institutions have been changed for their protection It has been several months since we have given an update on Vietnam. You may remember that we were able to visit the children and staff of an orphanage that we refer to as Bethel Orphanage*. As often as possible, we send funds to help purchase food for the children. Currently they care for forty-two orphans in two small rented homes. In addition *Pastor Daniel told us they are also funding two additional orphanages in Vietnam. These homes house more than twenty children each.
Bethel Orphanage* is caring for 42 orphans in 2 small rented homes. Pastor Daniel* is also funding 2 additional orphanage in Vietnam with more than 20 orphans at each.
Pastor Daniel* shared with us how they came to care for all these children:
Most of the children do not have any parents because they have died due to illness, the parents are imprisoned criminals, or they are runaways because they were abused by a step father or mother. Others do not know who their parents are. They were left in the street when they were newborns or when they were very young.
Among these orphans, several of them are from church members who have died or have recently become disabled, and cannot feed their children. The pastors of these churches have to take care of them at their own houses.
The number of children far exceeds their ability to provide for these children. On some days there is not enough food and they have to go to bed hungry. Some days many of the children could not go to school after having had no food to eat the day before.
On some days there is not enough food and the children have to go to bed hungry. Some days many of the children can not go to school after having no food to eat the day before.
The children that we met on our visit were so precious. They deeply touched our hearts and we determined to help in any way possible. Some of you sent funds to purchase ten bicycles for the children to use to get to school. This continues to be a tremendous help to the children.
In addition to the orphanage ministry, Pastor Daniel* oversees many other outreach and evangelistic ministries in Vietnam.
In addition to the orphanage ministry, Pastor Daniel* oversees many other outreach and evangelistic ministries in Vietnam. They all need our help:
Leadership Training: Training classes target local house church leaders. The students also go out and witness in surrounding areas, bringing many to Christ.
Bibles: Providing Bibles in Vietnamese and tribal languages to Christians in need.
Evangelizing and Relief: A dedicated group of Christians reach out to visit and witness to AIDS prisoners, cancer patients, lepers, and homeless children. Most of these people are seriously ill and not expected to live much longer. This group goes from bed to bed to minister to each patient. In 2015 they reported 75 AIDS prisoners, 1073 cancer patients, 78 lepers and 215 homeless children professed faith in Christ.
Sex Slavery Trade: They know hundreds of young girls who were traded as sex slaves, many of them from the ages of seven to thirteen years old. They have been rescued and given support so they can return to school or attend vocational training to prepare them to support themselves.
Lepers: There are many leper colonies in Vietnam hidden in remote jungle areas. They give them food and clothes, but now they are in dire need of a well. They usually drink from streams in the mountains but severe drought has caused most of their water sources to dry up. Pastor Daniel is praying for the funds to provide forty wells for them this year.
The need is great. We cannot provide all that is needed, however, together we can make a difference in the lives of these brothers and sisters in need.
As you can see from this brief description of several ministries, the need is great. We cannot provide all that is needed, however, together we can make a difference in the lives of these brothers and sisters in need. Some examples of how a donation for these Vietnam ministries could make a big difference are:
$20 can provide Bibles for Christians in need
$40 will provide care for one orphan for a month or help a young girl who has been rescued from trafficking to attend vocational school
$500 will provide a well for one leper colony
Every little bit makes a difference. Please pray for these precious ones who also face persecution because they have accepted Christ. Please pray that God will touch many hearts to help as we strive to alleviate the suffering they endure everyday.
Please pray for these precious ones who also face persecution because they have accepted Christ.
To make a donation assisting for these Christians in need please make a donation here.
*Names of individuals and institutions have been changed for their protection
Blog Post Adapted From Global Outreach Inc July 2016 Newsletter
Volume 31 Issue 07