As a young girl, my association with Vietnam was always this horrific picture. The girl, my own age in 1972, was badly burned by the napalm bombs that exploded in her village. I didn't know her name or whatever happened to her, until I went to Vietnam.
Kim Puch was with her entire family hiding in a Buddhist temple. They heard the airplanes and mistakenly thought that the temple would be bombed. Which led to a fatal mistake by the pilots, thinking it was enemy soldiers running from the temple, they dropped four napalm bombs on the terrified family. Kim's baby cousin was killed instantly. Kim experienced such severe burns that she spent 14 months in a hospital in Saigon having seventeen surgeries while there.
Soon after Kim was done convalescing, the Vietnamese government used her to propagate all the evils of America.. She became the poster child of anti-war, anti-America. Later, a disillusioned and confused seventeen year-old Kim, found a bible in a library and began reading it. She read of a savior that went to the cross for her and then accepted his gift of salvation. Her prayers began for her family that they too would become Christians. One by one they all came to the Lord. Except her older brother (in the foreground of the picture) He became a bitter, angry man. For thirty years Kim prayed. Finally, 10 years ago, her prayers were answered.
Now the joy is very visible the moment you meet Kim's brother,Phan. When asked if it was difficult to forgive. Phan gave a startled look, as if to say " lady, don't you know the same gospel I do?" Then he said, "when you accept Christ's total love and forgiveness, you can't help but give others total love and forgiveness."
Monday, October 8, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The Joy of the Lord !
I couldn't begin to tell you who my favorite pastor was in Vietnam, but without hesitation I could tell you that this woman was my favorite pastor's wife. I think she would win in the most-loved category from everyone in our group. She was so full of God's joy that you couldn't help but giggle at her exuberance!
After a delicious Vietnamese meal, she shared her story with us. First she had to tease my dad since the last time he visited, she prepared a delicacy reserved for the most special guests--bird's heads. She painstakingly removed all the feathers and cooked the heads to perfection. Only to have my dad pick at the heads. ( she expected him to attack the treat with great gusto!) This time, she selected a menu that was much more appealing to the western palate and devoured by our group.
A few years back her husband was arrested for sharing the gospel. She was given the option of going with her husband as he got processed at the police station. Her quick reply was "God's spirit will go with my husband, I am going to the church to pray"
Prayer is such an important part of the Vietnamese believers. It is understood that the believers will wake up at 5:00 a.m. each morning to pray for their church, their friends, family and even their enemies. For one hour they devote their time for intercession to the Lord. All around the country a revival is being seen. A church is built, followed by entire villages coming to the Lord. The prayers of faithful believers are being met with the favor of the Lord.
My lesson from this woman? Pray, pray, pray! God loves the prayers of his children. My other lesson?, Be joyful ALWAYS.
After a delicious Vietnamese meal, she shared her story with us. First she had to tease my dad since the last time he visited, she prepared a delicacy reserved for the most special guests--bird's heads. She painstakingly removed all the feathers and cooked the heads to perfection. Only to have my dad pick at the heads. ( she expected him to attack the treat with great gusto!) This time, she selected a menu that was much more appealing to the western palate and devoured by our group.
A few years back her husband was arrested for sharing the gospel. She was given the option of going with her husband as he got processed at the police station. Her quick reply was "God's spirit will go with my husband, I am going to the church to pray"
Prayer is such an important part of the Vietnamese believers. It is understood that the believers will wake up at 5:00 a.m. each morning to pray for their church, their friends, family and even their enemies. For one hour they devote their time for intercession to the Lord. All around the country a revival is being seen. A church is built, followed by entire villages coming to the Lord. The prayers of faithful believers are being met with the favor of the Lord.
My lesson from this woman? Pray, pray, pray! God loves the prayers of his children. My other lesson?, Be joyful ALWAYS.
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