VIETNAM: CHRISTIAN MUM AND HER CHILDREN FORCED FROM THEIR HOME

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 leaving behind local religious beliefs and worshipping God instead. 

Family threats come to a head 

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 assaulted Trinh and forced her out of the house.

“If you renounce God, you can stay. If not, leave,” he told her. Standing firm 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, quickly visited Trinh to pray and offer help and support.  

A local man whose grandmother had recently died was moved by Trinh’s difficult situation and kindly 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.  

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 – the children help out when they can doing causal jobs that earn some money too. Her eldest daughter is determined to finish high school and, together, they face each challenge with faith and resilience. 

*Names changed for security reasons