Vietnam is a close country. I have been more aware of the subtle persecutions towards believers. The government will not give any assistance to believers because of their f@ith. They can’t get government jobs if there is a believer within three generation of the family. In those moments it seem like everything is against them. Yet they still hold on to their f@ith and trust in G0d.
I had an opportunity to visit a widow’s home and she shared her story.
During the Vietnam War, she attended church as a nonbeliever. She only attended because everyone went to church. Eventually she started asking questions. We walked for hours into a village in the jungle to look for a pastor. He was able to answer her questions and she became a believer.
One time the police arrested her and others because of their f@ith. That day she explained that “something” told her to wear pants instead of her normal traditional Vietnamese dress. The police truck she was in flipped over. Because she was wearing pants, it was easier for she to get out of the flipped truck and survived. Her f@ith strengthen that day knowing that it was G0d who saved her.
During that time women didn’t have any rights. She explained how nervous and afraid she was when she was interrogated with a with a gun to her face demanding to deny her f@ith. She didn’t deny her f@ith!! Her punishment was to work in the hot fields for one month with no food or water with the hope that she died from the heat. The bible story that motivated her to keep going was when Je$us fasted for 40 days. She said to herself if Je$us can fast for 40 days – she can fast for 30 days without food. As she told her story – she laughed and said the same accusers are now dead but she is still alive. What was meant for her harm G0d used to her advantage.
It was so encouraging to hear of her f@ith, steadfast and relentless of all her years as a believer.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Mathew 5:44
