Sister Churches

Envision hearing, after being harassed for years and even jailed for preaching the gospel, that you now have a "license to preach" the gospel and will even be able to construct over one hundred new preaching houses! This is exactly what ministers in Vietnam are experiencing. If you remember, in a previous newsletter we told you about a shrimping village about an hour from Saigon that Dr. Wright had visited. This church had become the focal point of the community and is providing a focal point for Christian evangelism and discipleship.

It is the vision of REAP International's leadership to see American churches around the country, "adopt" similar churches throughout Vietnam. This partnership between American and Vietnamese churches would provide a stimulus of growth that would bring unprecedented growth to the Kingdom of God in Vietnam. Our vision is to see this partnership flourish through correspondence and the sharing of testimonies and projects alike as each congregation works toward the same goal. Our Executive Director, Dr. Wayne Wright, writes of his recent conversation with Brother Samuel (General Superintendent for the A/G church in Vietnam) as well as the General Superintendent for the CMA church, "Both pastors were very excited about the idea of sister churches. The Communist government has already approved building 45 churches throughout the country of Vietnam--just for the Assembly of God church. They have also approved at least three times that number for the CMA church!" (Pictured above Dr. Ahn and Pastor Nhan stand in front of one of many new churches being built in Vietnam through the giving of REAP's partners.)

The inflation rate in Vietnam is now escalating (approximately 20% a year) but these churches can still be built for under $15,000 each. Brother Samuel talked about a church that was recently completed in the Central Highlands. He stated that the community was so excited about the church that they come to the church daily! Brother Samuel would like to concentrate the first few churches in the Central Highlands where he thinks the greatest need exists.

The good news keeps coming...

Lloyd and Bert Dewitt also just returned from an awesome trip to Vietnam where they visited several churches and gave away bicycles, boat motors, food, houses, and toys!

Lloyd explains how God provided for the need even before they knew what they would face. He writes, "The Sunday we left for our trip to Vietnam our pastor mentioned from the pulpit that we were going to Vietnam that evening. After church a Vietnam vet gave us $500 for our trip. On that (following) Wednesday we were visiting a church in Vietnam that has a "boat ministry." The church is located on the Mekong River and at 3:00 a.m. on each Sunday morning, church workers prepare two boats which they use to bring 30 people, in each boat, to church. I asked the pastor if the church had any needs. He said on Easter morning when he stepped to the pulpit to preach he noticed 30 people were missing from the service. One of the boats never made it to church as the boat had motor troubles. They needed to replace the worn out motor. He said a new motor would cost $500. Of course, God had already given us the $500 to replace this motor so that afternoon, along with the pastor and six deacons, we purchased a new motor. God is so awesome!"

REAP International has unlimited opportunities in Vietnam; however, our funds are very limited. Just like the veteran's gift of $500, every gift you give is important and can provide unexpected miracles. Every seed you sow is being planted in good ground, but it is still your decision to be involved. Join with us today. Commit to a monthly gift to reap the harvest and ask your church to sponsor a "Sister Church" in Vietnam. Share the good news! Everyone there needs Jesus and the doors of opportunity are open!

When you send your gift this month, designate it: "Preaching Houses" and consider asking your church to partner with a "Sister Church" in Vietnam.

Great Report from the Phu Quoc Island "Sister Church"

The church on Phu Quoc Island reached another milestone on February 17th as they celebrated the ground breaking for their new facilities. Pastor Thai Phuoc Truong, Chairman of Christian Association, was in attendance for the event and preached in the morning service. The theme for the service was, "To Lay The Foundation Stone." Dr. Anh reports that it was a wonderful service and that they hope to have the new church completed within four months. As with all building projects, additional funds are needed, but the Christians on Phu Quoc are full of faith and moving forward. Why not partner with us in this great endeavor?

Other churches are waiting for an American "Sister Church"

We cannot forget the great work being done on Phu Quoc Island - the first Christian church EVER on the island. Also, there is the Can Gio Church in the fishing village outside Saigon as well as the additional churches being formed and looking to build in that same area. More than one church can be a "Sister Church" to a church or individuals can contribute to sponsor the needs of a local pastor and his family.

There is land for sale in the Can Gio District where another local church wants to build to accommodate hundreds of new converts. The opportunities are limitless!

The Work in Khe Sanh Continues to Grow!

Rising at 5 a.m. every morning, Pastor Duc's voice can be heard calling out to God in prayer for divine help to enable him to win the people of Khe Sanh who live among the mountains and valleys of the Khe Sanh area. In addition, he is faced with the care and education of the orphaned children in his care. They too are up early and learning to pray themselves.

In this one place, on a hilltop overlooking part of the surrounding A Shau Valley, God has birthed two great ministries - a church and an orphanage. As we have shared with you before, it is a church that serves as a central church and training center for forty-two other house churches dotting the neighboring hills, mountains, and valleys.

This spiritual outpost, so far from any large cities, has become a place of hope for so many. In addition to the flourishing church, there is our orphanage filled with children, forgotten by the world, but remembered by God. Unable to be cared for by elderly grandparents or cast aside by their families or villages, they now live in a home where Christ is Lord and they are loved and accepted.

We continue to bring these two institutions before you because we see unlimited potential for God's work to be accomplished. With the church serving as a local church to the people of its area, as well as a discipleship center for surrounding fledgling churches, the prospect for Christianity to flourish in this area of Vietnam has never been greater! The workers are there. A new bigger church is being built. The community is paying attention and becoming interested. Yet, there remains a great struggle because the people are lacking in funds to finish or expand the work. In an area where $150 per month is a good income, it is easy to see that money to do this type of work is difficult to raise.

Even in the challenging economic times that we face in America, we have the ability to make a great impact in both of these ministries. Through this church we can potentially win thousands to Christ. Through our orphanage we have the opportunity to meet the needs of more children who desperately need our help. The government of Vietnam has granted us this privilege of having our own orphanage with only one requirement - that we take good care of the children. And this we will do. But we must hear from you this month!

Vietnamese congregations patiently wait for American Sister churches to join hands with them...

Of all the exciting developments in our ministry in Vietnam, perhaps none are quite as exciting as the door that has been opened for new churches to be built and for congregations to expand their ministries to their communities.

Many Vietnamese Christians have told us that they have prayed for more than thirty years for the government to allow them to rebuild or build their churches. The time has finally come. Their prayers have been answered - in part. The permission has been given, but it is proving to be challenging due to the poverty that is so prevalent in much of Vietnam.

With the economic circumstances facing the United States some may wonder why we would ask for help for people in another country. To begin with, we do so because it takes so little to do so much in Vietnam. For example, for the cost of taking one's family to an American restaurant, just once, you and I could provide for an orphaned child's needs for an entire month!

Secondly, no church or individual will ever give to reach the world for Christ without being rewarded by the Lord. And it is just that blessing from the hand of God that has made America the greatest nation on the face of the earth. But with greatness comes responsibility.

Years ago someone said something that still holds true. "Somehow if we are to be a great nation, we must be concerned about the least of these, our brothers... we must be concerned about the poverty-stricken because our destinies are tied together. And somehow in the final analysis, as long as there is poverty in the world, nobody can be totally rich. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. And what affects one directly affects all indirectly. For some strange reason, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. And you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. John Donne caught it years ago and placed it in graphic terms, "No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." And he goes on toward the end to say, "Any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind." As Christian people we know, through the heart of God, we are inescapably connected to all other people. Each month we continue to ask for your support because we believe that, like us, you do not want anyone to die without knowing Jesus Christ. It is our calling to reach the world for Jesus Christ!