“If a Christian is not facing tribulation in the world, there’s something wrong!” (Leonard Ravenhill)
I was born and raised in a difficult and painful situation. I had a serious illness and was about to die. No matter how much medicine I took, I still couldn’t get better. One day someone came to me and told me about Jesus and I decided to accept Jesus.
After accepting God, I experienced God’s supernatural healing. I used to be an idol worshiper, practiced superstition, and was an alcoholic… but after accepting God, my old life was transformed miraculously.
I was not the same anymore. I began to enthusiastically share about God with many people in the village.
In the year 2000, the authorities mobilized the masses to arrest me and slander me for destroying Vietnamese culture and following American religion. The authorities ordered my arrest, beat me, forced me to do hard labor many times, and imprisoned me. They did so to threaten, pressure and cause believers in my village to give up their faith.
After being imprisoned for the first time for one year, I was released from prison. I continued to evangelize and expand the church, encouraging believers in my village to keep their faith and fellowship. The authorities found out and arrested me for a second time. They were very angry, they broke my shoulder and my hand at the police station, but I prayed to God and he healed me right there. This time they sentenced me to three years in prison for illegally spreading the gospel. Thank God in the midst of the storm, the Scriptures in Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” came to me and encouraged me to overcome all the difficulties and persecution to endure to the end.
By the mercy of God, time flew, three years became just like three months. Finally, after my release, I went out to share the good news of freedom from sin for my people and continued to plant churches.
Currently, I am pastoring a flock of 500 members in my village. God blesses my family greatly: my son, my son-in-law, my grandchildren also follow my footsteps and dedicate themselves to His service. Thank God for His amazing grace in my life.
Spiritual lessons:
- Don’t give up, don’t get discouraged, keep going, be steadfast, make a commitment to share your faith, share the Gospel. God will always defend you.
- Take hold of God’s promise, it is your strength, it is your comfort, it is your assurance in the fiery furnace of trial and be confident that the one who stands on God’s word will be strong.
