World View: Vietnam

There are probably few countries that have as much of a place in the collective American psyche as Vietnam. It was a war that divided the American people. The wounds of that conflict are still felt today, and not all of them are physical.

Because of our history with Vietnam as a nation, it is easy for us to overlook it. Many would like to forget about it altogether. Regardless of how you felt about the Vietnam War, we all can agree that it was dark time for America. It was a dark time for the Vietnamese as well. For them the darkness is not over.

Reconciliation between the north and south did not really start until the mid 80’s. It was a short time after that the Vietnamese government started trying to reunify with the rest of the world. One group is still under attack, however: the Christians.

Though the government claims openness to religion, all churches have to register, and are then subject to very strict restrictions. Because of this many Christian churches do not register, and then become persecuted by the state.

In 2008 a newly built church was set on fire. As hundreds of Christians rushed in to put out the flames, they were beaten by police with electric cattle prods. Five were seriously hurt including a young child.

Christians are regularly arrested and tortured. Many die because of this. Due to the oppressive climate towards Christians, most baptisms happen at night in secret, and people have to walk for miles just to get a bible.

Despite all of this, the church continues to grow. There is a rapid acceptance among the ethnic minorities in the mountain regions. Like Israel in Egypt, the harder the government works to stop the church, the more it grows. God will not be stopped by man!

Pray for the Christians in Vietnam this week. Ask God to give them strength to face the persecution around them. Ask God to bless them for their faithfulness. Also, pray that God will send more teachers and missionaries to instruct the new Christians in how they are to live.