VIETNAM – Widow stoned after spreading the gospel
13/09/08
Police interrogations, attacks fail to weaken her faith
Lien (a pseudonym) is a 44-year old widow with four children – two are teenagers and two are already in their twenties.
They live in Vietnam's Central Highlands, in a province where Communism still has a tight grip on the people.
When her husband passed away in 1997, Lien was left on her own to feed her family with only her strength and will to survive.
Every day she built up her strength by carrying large quantities of household items on foot to a village six miles from her house.
She took soap, loo paper and sugar to sell, and through this business Lien learned the language of the people who lived there.
Adding God to her business
Lien was fully occupied with her business until God added a new focus to her life in 2004 when a pastor shared the gospel with her and her children.
With glad hearts, they received the Lord.
Constant nurturing from the pastor grounded Lien and her children in the faith. They gave up their idols and lost their belief in superstitions. Their hearts were stirred to freely give, just as they freely received the salvation of Jesus Christ.
To every person they met, they talked about their Saviour. Lien also saw the opportunity to tell others about the love of God through her small shop.
As she had become fluent in the local language, she was effective in sharing the gospel, bringing more than 100 tribal people to the Lord in three years’ time.
Lien took care of God's business of saving souls, and God took ood care of her business too. Lien's income grew as more people bought her soap, loo rolls and sugar.
Threatened and stoned
Upon hearing that she spread the gospel whilst conducting her business however, the district police summoned her for interrogation on many occasions; but nothing shook Lien's faith.
Lien continued her ministry, sharing her faith with others even though relatives began pressuring her to give up her faith in Jesus Christ.
Lien opened her home to new believers early in 2007, for a Bible study. Many came, including the pastor who had shared the gospel with her.
After everyone left the meeting and those at home were asleep, the electricity was cut and darkness shrouded her house.
Suddenly around 10 teenage boys began throwing large stones at her house, and some climbed up to destroy the tin roof.
When Lien tried to stop them, the boys began to stone her. A rock hit Lien's head and she was knocked unconscious.
Some of the believers came to her aid and she was rushed to the nearest hospital.
Open Doors extended help to Lien by assisting with her medical expenses at the hospital and by praying with her, providing much needed encouragement.
Many believed the assault was connected with Lien's faith.
Though one of her eyes was swollen and she needed a few stitches, to the relief of her children, Lien suffered no serious injuries.
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