December 2001

Note: "Nguon Song" or "Spring of Life" is the name of Vietnamese broadcast on the FEBC Radio.

From Mr. P.N.T., Quang Ngai

I have wanted to write to Nguon Song for a long time, but have been unable to until now. First of all, I want nothing more than for God to bless you in your ministry. I would like to share my testimony with you. I am a soldier that has finished my tour, and has returned home to my family. I have indulged in gambling, drinking and other lusts of the world and the flesh. I have tried many professions to support my family. Then one day, a friend introduced me to a blacksmith so that I could learn from him. This man lives about 100 miles away from my home and happened to be a pastor. On Sundays he would go to church to teach a group of about 20-30 people. The first Sunday, I went with him out of curiosity, but after that, I stopped going because worshipping God was against my religion. My family is Buddhist. This pastor would daily share the Gospel with me, but I disagreed with him vehemently. At night, when he went upstairs to listen to Nguon Song broadcast, I would go downstairs to watch television. When his family had their devotion time, I went over to the neighbor’s house. On Sundays when they went to church, I would go to visit my family or to watch cockfights. I knew nothing of God’s love. This went on for 6 months.

Then, I began to learn about the life of Jesus Christ through the Jesus movie, Gospel tracts, the Bible, and Nguon Song broadcasts. From then on, I started to like Christianity. I wanted to believe, but there were many barriers in my mind, preventing me from coming to Christ. But thank God, almost one year later, through the Pastor’s daily testimony and prayer as well as through the voice of Nguon Song, and because the gambling and drinking left me feeling empty, I was like the prodigal son returning to his father’s house. On that Sunday, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior. Ever since that day, I love God’s Word, and have met Him in a personal way. I have changed my attitude toward sin, and have cried out to the Lord many times for His forgiveness.

I usually listen to Nguon Song from 7 – 8 PM and 8 – 9 PM. The Nguon Song broadcasts are like my daily meals. Some days, the programs are over before I feel full, especially on Wednesdays. Programs such as “Basic Christianity” and “Marriage and Family” I listen to intently. When I cannot find your signal on stormy nights, I would only pray. After a long day of work, when evening comes I long to listen to your broadcasts. I thank God that I have been born again, and have grown in my faith. I like to listen to Nguon Song more and more everyday. I always pray that Nguon Song would have many more good sermons, especially ones that heal broken hearts. God’s Word has penetrated my life.

I returned home two years ago. I Thank God for giving me the opportunity to take classes on Evangelism, Christian worker training, and the Life of Christ. However, I now believe in lifestyle evangelism. I like to go into a store to buy something and give the clerk a Gospel tract. I often have to make a lot of photocopies, but still it is not enough. So could you please send me some more tracts, such as “Three Kinds of Love,” “The Gospel for the Vietnamese People,” “The Four Spiritual Laws,” “Peace with God,” etc.

2nd Letter, Same Listener:

I have some sad news that I cannot keep from you: ever since I stopped living with my pastor friend, I have been unable to listen to Nguon Song, even though I am always craving for it. Every now and then, I go to my father’s house to listen to your programs. He always listens with me, even though he does not believe in Jesus Christ. Because he listens to the program, he understands where I am coming from, and doesn’t give me a hard time about being a Christian. The other day, I met another pastor who told me that listening to Nguon Song everyday is like having a pastor living with you in your home. I know that, and long to listen to Nguon Song as often as I used to. However, my family is so poor that we cannot afford a radio. I would like it if at the end of the day, my wife and I could turn the radio on to listen to God’s Word. My wife is a believer, but does not understand much of God’s Word, and does not yet have a personal relationship with God. If she could listen to the “Marriage and Family” program, I am sure that God would meet her so that she could join me in my walk with Him. Please pray for me in this area. Thank you.

I thank God because I know that a lot of people have come to know Christ through listening to Nguon Song, and whose lives have been changed by God.

From Mr. T.Q.B., Dong Nai

First of all, we thank God for allowing us to receive your gift, an English New Testament. Thank you for sending me that much needed Bible. Although we live so far from you, you always send us the materials we request. Through your teaching in a broadcast on November 2, 2001, we learned a lot about Islam and its doctrine. In our area, sometimes local authorities would question us when we go out witnessing. Where there is no restriction, people seem to have no interest in the Gospel. Still in other areas, people are willing to listen but because they have to work every day of the week to feed their family, they cannot go to church on Sundays. Even though it’s not easy to be witnesses for the Lord, my wife and I, and a number of brothers and sisters in the church are still faithful in our mission. I have received the 2002 Calendar and the program guide. Thank you so very much.

From H., Ho Chi Minh City

Your letter dated Aug. 10, 2001 has brought me great joy because I had not heard from you for four years. Thank you for remembering me and showing great interest in my well-being. This can only comes from people who have the love of God in his heart. In 1997, I received a letter saying that a Bible has been sent my way, and in case I do not receive it, I should let you know and you would hand-deliver another one to me. How kind of you to do that, I was so touched to know that you would go out of your way just to help me obtain a Bible! I feel the complication of the matter however, so when I did not receive the Bible, I chose to remain silent. And now I receive a program guide from you, with new and improved programs, I am really impressed. I admire at the way you do ministry. You really care for the people you are ministering to. I said this with sincerity. It is rarely that someone who is more popular would pay attention to someone who is a nobody like me. By the way, in God’s providence, I have received an English Bible through a friend. However, I still hope that some day I will be able to read the Word of God in our today-language.

From Mr. N.V.X., Can Tho

Thank you for reading my letter in the “Listener’s Mailbag” program on August 12, 2001. I was so excited hearing my name over the airwave. I pray that God will help me to live a life that is pleasing to Him so that through it many will come to know Him. Please pray for my family and me as we walk with God daily, and that we will be faithful and fruitful in serving Him. I would like to say something about Nguon Song’s signals. The 41 meter band signal from 7 – 8 pm is often jammed by other stations or has lots of static. The 25 meter band has the same problem but at a lesser degree. Even though the signals are not clear, I still try to listen every day, to study the Word of God, which is much needed for my soul. I have learned many valuable lessons through listening to your programs. I hope that Nguon Song’s signals will soon be improved so that new believers who want to listen would not be discouraged because of weak signals but will be able to hear the Word of God loud and clear, so that they will grow strong in their faith. May God bless you all in every area of your life so that you will continue to proclaim the Good News in a mighty way.

From L.V.P., Quang Nam (via e-mail)

I am sorry that I could not e-mail you anything until today. I have received many materials from you. Thank you very much. Now I am going to college in Ho Chi Minh City. Please pray that I will do well in school, and that when I graduate, I can serve God through my profession, as a pharmacist. As of present, I am involved with a Christian College Group and have many opportunities to share my faith with my classmates. Thank God, I have lead about ten students to Christ, but the sad thing is that only a few of them are strong in the faith. Since it’s difficult to get Nguon Song’s signal in Saigon (where there are many concrete buildings), I have not been able to listen to your programs. I only listen when I go home to visit my family. But please do not worry about me, I still love God and am in close relationship with Him. I have heard that there are a great number of tribal people who come to know Christ through Nguon Song ministry. Praise God!

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