Mission Trip to Vietnam 2008

Vietnam is the 13th most populous country in the world and has a population of over 85 million. The country has one of the fastest growth-rate in GDP among countries in Asia. Vietnam is opening up as she joins the world trading nations; there is religious freedom as is evident from the many churches and temples.

Protestantism was introduced in 1911 at Da Nang by a Canadian missionary. As part of the Christian Missionary Alliance (CMA), over 100 missionaries were sent to Vietnam, assisting the faith's growth in the country.

Today, Protestants in Vietnam are a small religious minority constituting around one million people or 1% of the population. However, it is the country's fastest-growing religion, growing at a rate of 600% in the last decade. It is estimated that about half of the Protestants are part of evangelical house churches. 

The mission trip was from 8th March to 15th March. The objective of the trip was firstly, to encourage Phan in his mission work and, secondly to see how it is progressing. Phan’s work in Vietnam has been supported by Jurong for approximately 3 years. He studied in Singapore together with his wife, Hau. Phan graduated with degree in MTh and Hau, with a diploma in child education.

 PHAN’S (and HAU) WORK IN VIETNAM

(i) A kindergarten/child-care centre with 70 children with age ranging from 1¹/₂  to 5 years.

Parents bring their children to the kindergarten at about 8am and fetch them back at 4:30pm; some of the children are not picked up by their parents until 6:30pm. There are 4 teachers. Currently, the kindergarten is self-sustaining but was supported by Jurong for the first two years. There is a queue of parents to send their children to the kindergarten.

(ii)An outreach to students and factory workers in Thu Duc district in HCM

The meeting took place in a small rented house on a Saturday night. The way leading to the house was dark and muddy, not accessible by cars but can be reached on foot or motorbike which is the most popular form of transportation in Vietnam.  That night about 16 people attended the meeting.

Their age ranged from 18 to mid-twenties. Phan shared a passage from the Bible. It is obvious that the young people were very enthusiastic in worshipping God and responded naturally to the questions of Phan . The meeting lasted about 2 hours and ended with a treat of Vietnamese poh-piah  stuffed with slices of pig ears and vegetables.

(iii) A hostel  for students and workers in Nhi Hiep, district 9, HCM

The hostel is a rented house in Nhi Hiep which is in district 9 of HCM. The meeting which runs every Sunday night started at 7:30 pm. It was attended by about 35 people whose age ranged from late teens to the mid-twenties. There were about 4 new comers to the fellowship and a visit of the local police to see that all was well.  Phan preached from Titus chapter 2.

The atmosphere was friendly but sober. Most of them had a bible and all were completely attentive to the sermon. After the service plenty of food was served.

(iv) Helping a 70 plus-year-old senior pastor in an established CMA church.

Phan helps out on a voluntarily basis in an established ‘CMA church’. He serves unofficially as their youth pastor and preaches regularly to various groups. He is not supported by the church.

The CMA was the Christian body which did early missionary work and established a network of churches in Vietnam. Today, these churches are not formally linked to the CMA which exists in many parts of the world.  This group of loosely affiliated CMA-started protestant churches is recognized by the Vietnamese government. The churches are autonomous.

Starting a church is not so easy in Vietnam. Usually one has to work from within a church body that is recognised by the Vietnamese government.

PRAYER REQUESTS

1.   That the Vietnamese government open-up further the liberalization of religions.

2.   That Phan can be ordained soon and formally recognized as a pastor.

3.   That the kindergarten be allowed a measure of freedom to share the Christian gospel.

The group was led by Dn Peter Goh.

Top Of Page