Responses from Hmong Listeners

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(Hmong from Vietnam)

I am thankful to God, for it is through your radio broadcast that my family and I have come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. We will never be able to explain just how much his love means to us. Jesus has brought about so much I cannot find the words to express just how grateful I am.

This is my first letter to you. I am writing to let you know that I was currently a church leader in North Vietnam. While I was living in North Vietnam the believers and I grew accustomed to seeing the beating and bleeding of believers who suffered government persecutions.

At the time there were two terrible things that was going on in the village. One dilemma that the believers and I have to face each day, is the fear of being put behind bars. If the local officials hear or find out a person is a believer, they can put that individual behind bars along with their whole family. The other point of conflict is a heavy fine. If you are found guilty as a believer, the officials have the option of charging you with a heavy fine instead of jail time. The local officials monitored us closely every day. Though they did, I didn't care because no one can stop me from the words of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Because there was an sudden outbreak of these terrible persecutions, I decided to take the initiative to leave my village. I was planning to move to Southern Vietnam, but wasn't sure what the other believers would think. As I told the congregation of my plan, I was scared and unsure of their reaction. To my surprise, they agreed that I should leave as well. They decided that it'd be a better idea for my family and I to leave first so the local officials wouldn't get suspicious. They commented that if I found land to farm in South Vietnam then the rest of the believers would leave the village and join my family and I later.

Now that my family and I have arrived here in Southern Vietnam, I still worry about a lot of things. I am very concerned about the congregation back in North Vietnam. I haven't heard any word of their well being. I just hope and pray they are doing well. I am also worried about my family's welfare also. While on our journey to Southern Vietnam, my family and I got robbed of everything. I am so confused and unsure about my situation that I'm having second thoughts about living in South Vietnam. Please include the congregation and my family in your daily prayers.

Finally, I would like to ask you to send me a complete Bible and songbook so I will be able to teach others about God. You are everything the south has to depend on, so please continue doing what you do. God bless!

(Hmong from Vietnam)

Praise the Lord! I hope you and your wife are great. I am so thankful for your daily broadcasts. They have brought me to know so much about the Lord. You are the only pastor that all of us in Vietnam depend on. Your lessons are so strong and powerful that I desire the word of the Lord each and every day-.

I am writing to ask you a few questions. I have noticed that the Vietnamese always recite the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:7) before they start their church services. Can the Hmong Churches do the same as well? Is there a certain way to pray?

Currently at this time, the elders are worried that without sufficient materials we may not be able to teach the children about God. If you could, can you please send us some literature? We want to be able to teach and train our children about the Lord, so as they grow up they'll understand what Christianity is all about. We are currently looking for a book that can teach us about the life of Jesus. We would really appreciate it if you can supply this kind of material to us.

Please pray for all of us out here in Vietnam. Pray that all the families here will have a serving heart to aid in the crusade of Christianity.

(Hmong from Thailand)

This is my first letter to you pastor. I am writing to you because I am so confused. I have so many unanswered questions. It's been about a few weeks since my niece died. She was killed instantly by a bolt of Lightning.

She had been working out in the fields when a few people from the village summoned her away. It was said a family in the village had decided to convert to Christianity and wanted her to lead them in the celebration. Because she was dirty from working all day, she told the believers and I to go on ahead because she wanted to take a shower first. As she was taking her shower, a lightning bolt instantly killed her. Why did this happen pastor? Is it because she did-something bad and was being punished for her wrongdoing?

My other nephew passed away also. We've been praying for his parents for about 10 years now. When they finally decided to become Christians, their son died.

We were on our way to take him to the local hospital when he died. From what I understand he died because of some sort of pain in his stomach. But when we got to the hospital, they examined my nephew and said there was nothing wrong with him. There were no signs of any sort that could determine his cause of death.

There are a lot of people who are confused about the deaths of my nephew and niece. A lot people (Christian and None Christian) asked me why this happened, and it's hard because I cannot tell them why it did. Why did it have to happen pastor? I'm confused myself. I pray that the Holy Spirit will give you wisdom to answer for us.

Finally, I want to let you know that in my village there are a lot of Hmong people but few Christians. Because of the lack of Christians in the southern part of Thailand, we fellowship with a Chinese Christian Church. Though we do not understand the Thai language, we are more dependent upon your broadcasts. I really love your programs, they keep me inspired and motivated. I jut want you to know that your programs have blessed us immensely. Please continue the good work.

In conclusion I would like to requests some scripture teaching tapes regarding New Life in Christ. Thank you for everything you've done and win do in the future.

(Hmong from Vietnam)

This letter is to let you know that I used to live in Northern Vietnam. My family still resides there as well as the congregation I used to lead. The Hmong people are very limited in Christian literature, so sometimes I have to travel to Laos for some supplies or more training.

I was walking back to my village when suddenly I was stopped by the border patrol. Not only did they find out I had left Vietnam illegally but also that I was trying to smuggle 30 bibles back home and some amount of money that my Christian friends gave me. They were so angry they summoned me to serve three years in jail.

I got to the jail facilities and panicked. I knew I did not belong there. I stayed in jail for 4 days then escaped and headed for the jungle. The border patrol came looking for me but could not find me. Instead they told my Family that if they find me, I'm going to be in jail for the rest of my life.

I don't know what God has got in store for me, but I hope things will all work out for themselves.

Now I live in Laos, but I worry constantly about my family and my congregation. Pray that no matter what happens to me, I will not turn away from God. Pray for my family and congregation as well.

Finally, I will be waiting for you to answer me. The government in North Vietnam is still searching for me, in hopes to capture me and force me to pay great amount of fines and if the fines are not met, they will keep in captivity. If you can help me, please send some money advice to me as soon as possible. If you are not able, then I will have to come to the decision of killing myself by drinking some poison. If I die this way, what is my congregation going to think of me? Will I still be able to enter the gates of heaven? Thank you.