When Trinh* became a Christian, along with her husband and children, it seemed like everything was coming together. But family pressures took their toll and tore Trinh’s family apart.
Trinh comes from an ethnic minority group – the H’re tribe – in a remote region of Vietnam. She came to know Jesus through the ministry of Pastor Dong*, another member of the H’re tribe, who is passionately sharing God’s love and message of salvation with his community.
Not long after becoming a Christian, Trinh married Manh* and gradually introduced him and their children to God. With support from Pastor Dong, the family grew in their faith.
However, Manh’s parents and the local authorities began to suspect his family of worshipping God.
Family threats come to a head
Manh is from a revolutionary family – his ancestors helped to win the war against the US and unite Vietnam in 1975, a victory that is commemorated every April. Revolutionary families often receive government subsidies, including free school tuition for their children.
When the local authorities confirmed the truth of Trinh and Manh’s Christian faith, they threatened Manh’s parents, warning, “If your son’s family continues to believe in God, they will lose their subsidies. The grandchildren won’t have free tuition and finding jobs will be difficult.”
Sadly, Manh took this threat seriously, and he turned away from his faith.
In March last year, the situation escalated. Manh physically assaulted Trinh and forced her out of the house. “If you renounce God, you can stay. If not, leave,” he told her. Resolute in her faith, Trinh left with her two children, uncertain of where to go. Since that day, Manh has cut off all contact with his wife and children.
Trinh’s church help her find a home
When Pastor Dong heard about her situation, he, along with other church members, promptly visited Trinh to pray and offer assistance.
A local man whose grandmother had recently died was moved by Trinh’s difficult situation and offered his grandmother’s house to Trinh as temporary accommodation. It also came with a small piece of land that Trinh could cultivate for her livelihood. Pastor Dong and the church worked hard to clean the house and get it ready to live in.
The local church has continued to support Trinh’s family by providing essential supplies, including food, blankets and clothes, and covering school fees.
Despite all she’s been through, Trinh remains committed to Jesus, and continues to work tirelessly to provide for her family, with her children helping through casual labour. Her eldest daughter is determined to finish high school and, together, they face each challenge with unwavering faith and resilience.
*Names changed for security reasons
please pray
- That Trinh and her children will continue to grow in their faith, and experience God’s peace and joy
- For Pastor Dong and his church, that God will bless their ministry
- That Manh and his parents will encounter Jesus and Trinh’s family will be restored.
please give
- Every HK$100 could give a Bible to a persecuted woman so she can read God’s word
- Every HK$200 could give a month of vital practical support to a persecuted woman
- Every HK$300 could provide discipleship training to strengthen a woman facing persecution.
*Any excess funds from this appeal will be used to strengthen other persecuted Christians where urgent help is needed.
give today: Women
