Vietnam
Growing Up Communist 
Let’s call her, Ruth--not her real name. Ruth is Vietnamese. She’s a full-time missionary of Every Nation Vietnam. For security reasons, we have to keep her identity secret. Vietnam, as a communist nation, does not allow missionaries to do evangelistic work. Ruth first learned about Jesus through an English Speaking Club. “I just wanted to learn English but I got more,” reveals Ruth. Seven years ago, Ruth signed up for an English Speaking Club run by Christian missionaries. “One of the missionaries gave me a Bible so I could practice reading and speaking English. But God did something miraculous; I just couldn’t stop reading the Bible. I came to know God deeply. My family was going through tough times then. But God gave us miracles and financial breakthroughs,” recalls Ruth. In awe of God’s love, she knew from then on, she would serve the Lord. In 2004, she studied at the Every Nation School of World Missions in Manila. She is now involved in campus ministry and works as an English teacher. “I feel God is about to do something powerful in Vietnam. I am honored to serve Him.” Meeting Jesus Christ David, not his real name, is also a full time, local missionary of Every Nation Vietnam. He once dreamed of becoming a businessman. His plans changed when he got saved--also through the English Speaking Club. “We did not talk about God in the meetings. But we were given Bibles to read. That’s how I knew God. I did not become a Christian right away. But reading the Bible each day gave me a sense of purpose. I used to believe in reincarnation and evolution. Now, I only believe in God,” he explains. David is a full time minister now. He loves reaching out and sharing the Word to the youth of Vietnam. He has no fear doing so even in a restricted nation. After all, that’s what his favorite verse reminds him of: Romans 8:28-30 "...and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." Answered Prayer David and Ruth were both focused on God. Little did they know God was preparing a great surprise for them. Because they are Every Nation Vietnam’s only full time, local missionaries, they inevitably became close. “All those years, we had no clue we would end up engaged.” Ruth says. In 2005, while studying at the School of World Missions in Manila, David started praying for a wife. “I started to like her (Ruth). Day by day my feelings grew. I asked God if I should pursue her; there was just no reason not to,” he says. Unbeknownst to David, Ruth was asking God for a husband too. She recalls, “Since College, I kept a check list of non-negotiable and negotiable qualities for a husband. It was part of my prayer routine until God told me to let go of the list. God revealed to me as I sought Him that my best friend shall be my husband.” In October 2007, David and Ruth got engaged. Their wedding in January 2008 was the first wedding in our church in Vietnam. Individually, they were doing something to impact their nation for God. They believe that, together, they can do more. Growing up in a Communist society, servant leadership, the kind Jesus modeled, was new to David and Ruth. God put it in their hearts to serve the Vietnamese people with great love. “God’s love for us overflows. It is our joy and honor to give back; to share the greatest love story of all, God’s love for his people.” About Vietnam Vietnam is one of the few remaining communist nations in the world today. Buddhism is still predominant among the older generation. David and Ruth say these days, the younger generation is becoming more open to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Every Nation has a church plant in Vietnam. For security reasons, we can not divulge information about our activities there. |
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