October 2006:

The flights over went very well and we actually arrived in Saigon within 5 minutes of our expected arrival time. We were met at the airport by about 11-12 of our relatives, including Mai's Mother. We went to one of Mai's brother's house in Saigon and spent several hours visiting with family members. We then spent the night in a nearby hotel to get some rest from the trip. We decided to go to a hotel because it would be difficult to rest at our brother's small house with 15-20 people there( plus the hotel had air conditioning).

The next morning, Saturday, April 29th, our brother took us by van to Ba To, about 20 miles from Binh Chau, and where Pastor Quy's church is located. We spent the day with Pastor Quy, his family, and some of his Elders getting an update of what had happened the last few days since we had talked to Pastor Quy on the phone. We were told that, although the local Binh Chau government officials had all signed their approval for the home church and dedication, they kicked the petition upstairs to the Province level where those officials said we will consider it, but you can not hold any dedication now. They also told Pastor Quy that he could not preach in that building, and if he did, they would not approve his petition to be recognized by the government as a pastor( Pastor Quy was ordained by the CMA church 14 years ago, but the Vietnamese government has never given their approval). Pastor Quy stated that he had lived over half his life waiting on the government to give him approvals and this time he was going to do what God had put in his heart to do! Praise God!! Pastor Quy said the Province officials had been getting nervous lately and asking alot of questions trying to find out what all was going to take place on Sunday. God had put it in our heart to stay at a hotel in Ba To the next few days and travel back and forth to Binh Chau as not to bring more attention to our activities. Sunday, 4-30, we actually got up at 2am and prayed and prayed and prayed for the dedication and read God's Word until 7am. We then went to Pastor Quy's church for Sunday Worship Service. We had a great morning of Praise and Worship and fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ba To.

After the service, Mai, her sister Hiep, and I left for Binh Chau to visit with some more family in Binh Chau before the dedication at 2pm. When we arrived at her sister Kim's house, we were told that the Province police had searched her house and the house of another sister the night before looking for Mai, thinking that she would be staying with them for the dedication (now we understood why God had put it in our heart to stay in Ba To). After visiting for awhile, we were off to see the new church. As we saw the church for the first time in person, tears of joy swelled up in our eyes as we realized again what an AWESOME GOD we serve! He, and HE ALONE, had built what man said could not be built. Even though it is a beautiful building, we were excited to know that He had provided a place where His true church, the Body of believers could gather to Praise, Worship, and to know Him better. We didn't know what obstacles Satan may have in store for us that afternoon, but we felt completely at peace knowing our Almighty God was in control. Then the people started coming and coming and coming. We were told there were around 160 people at the dedication. CAMONCHUA!!!( Thank you Jesus in Vietnamese). Most of the Christians in Binh Chau showed up, plus some members of the Ba To church and 3 other home churches in surrounding towns. The government threats did not seem to detour anyone from coming. The dedication started at 2pm as scheduled. It was such a Glorious event where our Lord Jesus' name was High and Lifted up in prayer, song, and the reading of God's Word. We felt the Presence of our All Living God and knew this was truly His answer to all of yours and our prayers that have been presented to Him over the last 2 years. We felt each and every one of you with us spiritually as we gave thanks to our Lord and Savior for each of you.

About half way through the service, the man who had previously given Lam and Mai, the Bible teachers, a hard time(he actually had beaten Lam up) began to make a little disturbance. Mai and I got up and quietly led him outside to talk with him. While we were outside, the second obstacle showed up, a young man in his early thirty's who identified himself as the official in charge of religious matters at the Province level. He first started talking to our sister Hiep, whose name the property is currently in, and she brought him over to talk to us. The official began questioning what we were doing and then stating we could not do this. Mai asked what law are we breaking? Shouldn't you be out there catching murderers or thieves who are causing so much trouble? We are a peaceful group who just want to worship our God. We worship the same God who made all of us and gives us everything we need, even though you may not realize it. He loves us so much HE sent His only Son to die for our sins that we might live eternally with Him. That is why, as Christians, we gather to celebrate what God has blessed us with in every situation. The young man stated that God didn't give him anything that he worked hard for everything he had. Mai asked him how much he would have if God took the air away from him that he breathes to stay alive? The young man did not have an answer to that question so he continued his harassment. Mai then asked one of the cameramen who was filming the dedication to come over and film our discussion. The official stated we could not film him because he had not given us permission to. Mai told him that she didn't need his permission since he was on our property. He then got up and said he was going to send his boss over to deal with us. Mai told him we would be right here. Later some government officials drove by 2 or 3 times, but they did not stop. Maybe they saw those Angels God had positioned at the entrance and thought otherwise. Mai was not arrogant, but God gave her boldness to stand firm in her faith, as we were encouraged to do by Pastor Quy. The government rules by intimidation and Pastor Quy encouraged us to take advantage of us being Americans, which the government is not as aggressive with as the locals. Winston had told us before we left to be Bold and Strong! Mai is already pretty bold in her faith and when God used Winston and Pastor Quy to confirm it, well, that government official was pretty much overmatched. The rest of the dedication went off without a hitch and was concluded by a catered dinner where all had a great time in fellowship.

When we finally arrived back at the hotel that evening, we realized we had only had 3 hours of sleep over the last 40 hours, but we weren't even tired. What a Spiritual high we had been on all day and you couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces. As we reflected back where we were at 14 years ago(truly at the bottom of the pit and ready to give up) and how a Gracious, Loving God had reached down and given us newness of Life in Him, and today had allowed us to be a part of this awesome ceremony where His Glory was so Magnificent, we were so thankful and so blessed.

The next three days we attended events in Ba To and Binh Chau arranged by Pastor Quy and his staff. We attended Mr. Hai's 78th birthday. Mr. Hai is an Elder in Pastor Quy's church and was the first person to join his church 14 years ago. Mr. Hai was a former member of the Communist Party and a Viet Cong( guerrilla warfare fighters who fought against the USA during the war). He was highly persecuted by the government when he became a Christian over 40 years, but has served the Lord ever since. We went to the ocean one day and Mai witnessed to the ladies in the churches about some of her life experiences. Before we left, we went and visited Tu Dong, the Binh Chau Chief of Police who had given Mai a hard time last year(and she ended up witnessing to him) and also visited the Mayor of Binh Chau, who seemed quite helpful but concerned about how fast the church was growing. I believe this is the first time we have gone to Vietnam and not shared the Gospel because the short time we were there we were surrounded by other Christians, where we had a great time of fellowship to encourage each other in our walk with the Lord.

One concern we all had was what the government would do when we left and if the new believers would stand firm against government intimidation. Mai talked to Pastor Quy and her sister Hiep this morning and Praise the Lord!! They held Worship Service at the church today and 50 people showed up to Worship God! Hiep said another government official showed up and asked what they were doing and she said they were worshipping God. The man said they could not do that, but Hiep told him that they had no where else to go unless he wanted them to come down to his office. After some more conversation, he said they could continue, but just to let him know each week what they were doing. God's favor and protection continues to be on Binh Chau!

Please pray that God would continue to strengthen Pastor Quy, his staff, Lam and Mai, and all the Christians in Binh Chau and the surrounding areas to stand firm in their faith against government intimidation. Please pray that God would soften the hearts of those at the Province level to approve the new building as the Christian Home Church in Binh Chau. Please pray that God would raise up Laymen to help shoulder the load of the growing church in Binh Chau( a total of 81 Christians now). Please pray that in all things we seek God's Will, not ours, so that His Name might be Glorified.

Thank you again, precious prayer partners, as you are all such a blessing to us. God bless you.

In Christ's Love,
Dennis and Mai