[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”127479″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]10/09/2021 Vietnam (International Christian Concern) – In 2018, Pastor Minh*, an ethnic H’re pastor who led a house church in central Vietnam, was arrested and prosecuted by the provincial police. He was soon sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment for “activities opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.”
The authorities accused pastor Minh of joining a claimed government in exile, chaired by a controversial U.S.-based Vietnamese politician. He was jailed in a prison in north-central Vietnam.
As reported by the Vietnamese People Evangelical Fellowship, his health condition was concerning since he was often threatened and tortured by the officers as they forced him to admit the charges. Yet, the pastor firmly refused to do so because he believed the government deliberately criminalized a religious matter.
However, after Minh was incarcerated, a very difficult time both emotionally and financially awaited his wife. The responsibility of taking care of their 18-year-old daughter with a mental illness and 14-year-old son in middle school became solely hers.
On Jun 6th, their daughter had a heart attack and was brought to the hospital battling a life and death situation. While she survived that day, she was diagnosed with a heart issue and transferred to another hospital where she could have better treatment for her condition.
After two weeks of waiting, given the COVID-19 situation and her recovery, she was then transferred to another hospital capable of dealing with her illness. The doctor there suggested an operation after a thorough examination.
A pastor close to Minh’s family shared with ICC that the mother was overwhelmed and so worried about the surgery. She felt helpless and alone with this tragedy and had no way to cover the surgery cost.
Knowing her struggle, ICC stepped in to cover the entire cost for the surgery so the burden can be lifted off from her shoulder.
The surgery was successfully performed on July 14. Minh’s daughter stayed in the hospital for another 10 days before she was discharged. She is now slowly recovering and monitored regularly.
Minh’s wife called ICC’s Vietnam representative to share her appreciation to the donor. She said, “God is so good and faithful to our family. I was so fearful and worried for my daughter, yet thank God for using the donor to help us through this difficult time. We are wordless with his mercy on us. Thank you very much!”
Minh’s brother, who is also a pastor, told ICC, “God’s love is revealed. The church here is encouraged to see God’s hand in this situation. We are not alone. God used many people to pray for the family and help them with the fund to do the surgery. Our brother is not here, but in God’s family, we have many other brothers and sisters who stay with us. Praise God!”
Please continue to pray for God’s comfort and strength for Pastor Minh’s family, as well as the health and safety of Pastor Minh while he serves his sentence.
*Name changed for security reasons.
For interviews, please contact Addison Parker: press@persecution.org. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
