One of the wonderful privileges enjoyed by people 00:00:22.89\00:00:26.05 living in most nations of our world today 00:00:26.08\00:00:28.85 is the freedom that they have to assemble 00:00:28.88\00:00:31.28 without fear of disruption or discipline by police, 00:00:31.31\00:00:34.78 army or civil authorities. 00:00:34.81\00:00:38.22 This along with guaranteed rights of religious freedom 00:00:38.25\00:00:41.42 allows people to gather together in churches 00:00:41.45\00:00:43.86 that have been dedicated to the worship of God. 00:00:43.89\00:00:47.13 Here they can freely express their devotion 00:00:47.16\00:00:50.20 to their Creator in the form of praise, 00:00:50.23\00:00:53.22 prayer and the study of His word. 00:00:53.25\00:00:55.71 However, in many parts of our world 00:00:59.76\00:01:02.52 Christians are not as fortunate. 00:01:02.55\00:01:05.31 In the country of Vietnam, 00:01:05.34\00:01:07.15 still emerging from dark decades of communism 00:01:07.18\00:01:10.89 that controlled the lives of the people, 00:01:10.92\00:01:13.43 freedom of assembly, 00:01:13.46\00:01:15.16 worship and religion is severely restricted. 00:01:15.19\00:01:19.28 Although the constitution of Vietnam 00:01:19.31\00:01:21.42 gives lip service to the freedom of religion 00:01:21.45\00:01:24.92 and official churches are allowed 00:01:24.95\00:01:26.40 to operate in the country this is permitted 00:01:26.43\00:01:28.89 only under the strictest control and regulation. 00:01:28.92\00:01:32.65 Churches that have registered with the government 00:01:32.68\00:01:35.05 find their congregations infiltrated 00:01:35.08\00:01:37.44 at all levels with communist agents 00:01:37.47\00:01:40.39 that monitor and influence the activities of the church. 00:01:40.42\00:01:45.10 Public evangelism is forbidden 00:01:45.13\00:01:47.44 and as a result churches die. 00:01:47.47\00:01:51.01 The pews in most registered churches 00:01:51.04\00:01:53.53 in Vietnam today, lie empty. 00:01:53.56\00:01:56.95 Without the ability to evangelize 00:01:56.98\00:01:59.17 no growth can occur. 00:01:59.20\00:02:00.89 But God had a plan to reach the people of Vietnam 00:02:04.00\00:02:07.03 that bypass the control 00:02:07.06\00:02:09.03 and restrictions of a communist government. 00:02:09.06\00:02:11.87 He impressed church leaders and ASAP 00:02:11.90\00:02:15.41 to work with Isaiah Duong 00:02:15.44\00:02:17.62 an Adventist pastor in California 00:02:17.65\00:02:20.21 that had fled the country of Vietnam 00:02:20.24\00:02:22.17 as a young man at the end of the war. 00:02:22.20\00:02:26.08 They asked him to produce a radio program 00:02:26.11\00:02:27.98 that would be beamed into the country 00:02:28.01\00:02:29.44 over short wave by Adventist World Radio. 00:02:29.47\00:02:33.70 The broadcast called Peace and Happiness 00:02:33.73\00:02:36.03 radio program has now been on the air for over 12 years 00:02:36.06\00:02:40.45 and the results have been amazing. 00:02:40.48\00:02:44.43 The listening audience is estimated 00:02:44.46\00:02:46.34 to be in the millions and many thousands of people 00:02:46.37\00:02:49.34 through out the nation 00:02:49.37\00:02:51.04 now consider themselves to be Adventist Christians. 00:02:51.07\00:02:55.89 To avoid control and regulation 00:02:55.92\00:02:58.24 by the government or local authorities 00:02:58.27\00:03:00.84 Adventist members meet in small groups 00:03:00.87\00:03:03.13 at different locations in what is called 00:03:03.16\00:03:05.74 a underground house church movement. 00:03:05.77\00:03:09.20 Each Sabbath, thousands of groups 00:03:13.99\00:03:16.30 of Adventist believers gather together 00:03:16.33\00:03:18.57 secretly to worship God. 00:03:18.60\00:03:21.56 Sometimes they are able to keep 00:03:21.59\00:03:22.93 one step ahead of the local authorities 00:03:22.96\00:03:25.22 and can enjoy uninterrupted fellowship. 00:03:25.25\00:03:28.74 Other times, their worship service is overrun 00:03:28.77\00:03:31.41 by angry police and they are taken off to prison 00:03:31.44\00:03:35.21 where they are interrogated, 00:03:35.24\00:03:37.21 fined and even sometimes beaten and tortured for their faith. 00:03:37.24\00:03:42.66 Can you imagine living in a country 00:03:42.69\00:03:44.68 that does not grant you the freedom to worship? 00:03:44.71\00:03:47.51 How would it affect your faith in God 00:03:47.54\00:03:49.34 and your commitment to live the Christian life, 00:03:49.37\00:03:52.14 if you knew that going to church 00:03:52.17\00:03:53.28 might mean going to jail, being fined or even beaten. 00:03:53.31\00:03:57.89 Would you still get up every Sabbath morning and go? 00:03:57.92\00:04:00.80 As you meet some of the individuals 00:04:00.83\00:04:02.13 in this video, put yourself in their shoes, 00:04:02.16\00:04:05.72 imagine how you would feel and what you would do 00:04:05.75\00:04:08.58 if you're asked by God to take a stand for your faith. 00:04:08.61\00:04:12.92 I would like you to meet a young woman 00:04:12.95\00:04:14.64 who made the bold decision 00:04:14.67\00:04:16.55 to stand firm for God at all costs. 00:04:16.58\00:04:19.96 Hau An Bao has dedicated her life to God 00:04:19.99\00:04:22.69 and works as a youth evangelist, 00:04:22.72\00:04:24.63 sponsored by ASAP. 00:04:24.66\00:04:26.48 The Lord has been good to her, 00:04:26.51\00:04:28.06 surrounding her with new friends 00:04:28.09\00:04:30.11 that share her same passion 00:04:30.14\00:04:31.71 and convictions to replace those 00:04:31.74\00:04:34.61 she lost in her commitment to stand for Christ. 00:04:34.64\00:04:37.35 She recently experienced a testing of her faith 00:04:37.38\00:04:40.63 when she went out witnessing with some of her friends. 00:04:40.66\00:04:43.46 Before we hear her story though, 00:04:43.49\00:04:45.28 I want to explain that in an effort 00:04:45.31\00:04:46.98 to ensure the safety of our missionaries in Vietnam, 00:04:47.01\00:04:50.19 we have digitally obscured their images. 00:04:50.22\00:04:53.24 I hope you will be able to get the sense of joy 00:04:53.27\00:04:56.21 and genuine dedication these people have in Jesus 00:04:56.24\00:04:59.32 as they share the challenges that they have faced. 00:04:59.35\00:05:02.20 One of the ways that we share faith 00:05:04.94\00:05:06.84 and the message of the Sabbath 00:05:06.87\00:05:08.30 and the soon coming of Jesus 00:05:08.33\00:05:10.22 is to handout literature and DVD's 00:05:10.25\00:05:12.56 that have on them the wonderful sermons 00:05:12.59\00:05:14.40 of pastor Isaiah Duong. 00:05:14.43\00:05:17.20 One night we decided to be really bold 00:05:17.23\00:05:19.47 and stand on the steps 00:05:19.50\00:05:20.53 of one of the registered Christian churches 00:05:20.56\00:05:22.86 and pass out our DVD's to the people as they came out 00:05:22.89\00:05:25.40 from a Christmas evening service. 00:05:25.43\00:05:28.87 We were all having a lot of fun 00:05:28.90\00:05:30.51 wishing people a happy Christmas 00:05:30.54\00:05:32.39 when suddenly from out 00:05:32.42\00:05:33.45 of nowhere the police showed up. 00:05:33.48\00:05:37.87 It was clear that they were not there to hassle the people 00:05:37.90\00:05:40.34 from the registered church, they were there for us. 00:05:40.37\00:05:44.06 Immediately we stopped what we were doing 00:05:44.09\00:05:45.81 and ran into the night. 00:05:45.84\00:05:47.86 But four of us including myself were caught handcuffed 00:05:47.89\00:05:51.71 and taken into the police station. 00:05:51.74\00:05:54.39 They put us into separate rooms so that they could question us 00:05:54.42\00:05:57.16 and then see if our stories matched. 00:05:57.19\00:05:59.60 I decided that the best thing 00:05:59.63\00:06:01.00 that I could do in that moment was to pray. 00:06:01.03\00:06:04.43 God has promised to deliver us out of times of trouble 00:06:04.46\00:06:07.67 and I began to pray and ask Him to deliver my friends and I 00:06:07.70\00:06:11.46 out of the hands of these policemen. 00:06:11.49\00:06:13.85 I had no idea how He would do that. 00:06:13.88\00:06:16.65 As I was praying one of the policemen 00:06:16.68\00:06:18.86 who saw what I was doing 00:06:18.89\00:06:20.06 came and struck me on the head several times 00:06:20.09\00:06:22.77 and yelled, "stop doing that, stop doing that." 00:06:22.80\00:06:26.34 But all I could think to do was keep praying 00:06:26.37\00:06:28.61 and that is what I did. 00:06:28.64\00:06:30.52 My friends who did not get caught by the police 00:06:30.55\00:06:33.33 found each other on the streets and began praying for us. 00:06:33.36\00:06:36.97 They sent us text messages on their cell phones 00:06:37.00\00:06:39.54 to encourage us and tell us that they were praying. 00:06:39.57\00:06:43.68 The police kept us in the station 00:06:43.71\00:06:45.36 all night long keeping us separated, 00:06:45.39\00:06:47.76 interrogating us, not letting us drink water. 00:06:47.79\00:06:51.23 They accused us of distributing pornography 00:06:51.26\00:06:54.04 and tried to get us to sign statements 00:06:54.07\00:06:55.76 that we had done so, but we refused. 00:06:55.79\00:07:00.72 The next morning strengthened by prayer 00:07:00.75\00:07:03.11 and the Holy Spirit the other members of our team 00:07:03.14\00:07:05.79 decided to come down to the police station 00:07:05.82\00:07:08.11 to see if they could see us and talk to us. 00:07:08.14\00:07:10.52 But the police would not let them into the building. 00:07:10.55\00:07:13.95 They were still trying to get us 00:07:13.98\00:07:15.11 to sign these false documents. 00:07:15.14\00:07:17.65 Then something incredible happened. 00:07:17.68\00:07:20.41 The chief of police arrived at the station 00:07:20.44\00:07:23.21 and as he was about to enter the building 00:07:23.24\00:07:24.95 our friends were impressed to go up 00:07:24.98\00:07:26.54 and plead our case with him. 00:07:26.57\00:07:29.07 After they explained what had happened 00:07:29.10\00:07:31.14 and that we were being falsely charged 00:07:31.17\00:07:33.56 and that his officers were trying to get us 00:07:33.59\00:07:35.29 to sign false statements. 00:07:35.32\00:07:37.27 The chief of police went in and spoke with his men. 00:07:37.30\00:07:41.11 A few minutes later not only were we released 00:07:41.14\00:07:44.68 but the policemen gave us back the DVD's 00:07:44.71\00:07:46.95 that they had confiscated. 00:07:46.98\00:07:49.25 We couldn't believe what had happened. 00:07:49.28\00:07:51.23 Surely, God had answered our prayers 00:07:51.26\00:07:53.61 and sent deliverance 00:07:53.64\00:07:54.68 in the form of the Chief of Police. 00:07:54.71\00:07:57.59 As we came out of the building 00:07:57.62\00:07:59.10 we rejoiced with our friends 00:07:59.13\00:08:00.80 and stood in a circle right there 00:08:00.83\00:08:02.56 in front of the police station 00:08:02.59\00:08:04.10 to thank God for rescuing us from jail 00:08:04.13\00:08:06.94 just as He had the apostles long ago. 00:08:06.97\00:08:10.49 What powerful witnesses these young people are? 00:08:10.52\00:08:13.79 I wonder how eager I would be to share Christ 00:08:13.82\00:08:16.74 if I had to worry about the possibility of prosecution. 00:08:16.77\00:08:19.92 And yet that threat of prison only seems to fan the flames 00:08:19.95\00:08:23.68 of these dedicated laborers in Vietnam. 00:08:23.71\00:08:26.26 Did the images you just saw 00:08:26.29\00:08:27.56 in this video stories surprise you? 00:08:27.59\00:08:29.61 In light of how the media 00:08:29.64\00:08:30.82 now requests that Vietnam has religious freedom 00:08:30.85\00:08:33.71 you may be him yourself what is really going on there? 00:08:33.74\00:08:37.25 Pastor Isaiah Duong leader of the Seventh-day Adventist 00:08:37.28\00:08:40.85 house church movement in Vietnam 00:08:40.88\00:08:42.81 will give you an insider's look into a true state 00:08:42.84\00:08:45.56 of Christianity in Vietnam today. 00:08:45.59\00:08:48.04 You know that's the reason 00:08:48.07\00:08:49.10 we the government in Vietnam open up 00:08:49.13\00:08:51.83 and one took portrait to the word 00:08:51.86\00:08:54.39 that Vietnam have religious freedom. 00:08:54.42\00:08:57.06 The rest one Vietnam believes religious freedom 00:08:57.09\00:09:01.12 for Christian group in Vietnam 00:09:01.15\00:09:02.78 in order to receive financial aid to the country. 00:09:02.81\00:09:06.83 So Vietnam say okay, 00:09:06.86\00:09:08.36 we will give freedom but on out term. 00:09:08.39\00:09:11.90 Everything you do you have to ask 00:09:11.93\00:09:14.32 for permission from the government. 00:09:14.35\00:09:16.28 So we have to be very careful 00:09:16.31\00:09:18.55 when we hear religious freedom in Vietnam. 00:09:18.58\00:09:22.40 I have nothing against the government in Vietnam 00:09:22.43\00:09:26.13 because of my faith I want to share the Lord, 00:09:26.16\00:09:28.34 I don't want to mess that out with politics 00:09:28.37\00:09:31.82 but on the other hand I don't want the church 00:09:31.85\00:09:37.72 be under the government control. 00:09:37.75\00:09:39.71 The church must serve the Lord Jesus Christ 00:09:39.74\00:09:44.75 and only one Lord, one master 00:09:44.78\00:09:48.00 the church cannot serve any other organization 00:09:48.03\00:09:51.88 in that what I believe. 00:09:51.91\00:09:53.09 That's why I don't believe that 00:09:53.12\00:09:55.53 the church should be under government control. 00:09:55.56\00:09:59.85 Once a year Pastor Isaiah and ASAP 00:09:59.88\00:10:02.85 organize a secret training session 00:10:02.88\00:10:05.48 for the leaders of the house church movement. 00:10:05.51\00:10:07.74 It was that one of these sessions 00:10:07.77\00:10:09.14 that I had the privilege of meeting 00:10:09.17\00:10:11.37 Dinh Le Minh and with the help 00:10:11.40\00:10:12.94 of a translator his story unfolded. 00:10:12.97\00:10:15.88 Dinh Le Minh is a poet and hymn writer 00:10:15.91\00:10:18.55 that has dedicated his life to God 00:10:18.58\00:10:20.97 and now works for the Adventist house church movement 00:10:21.00\00:10:23.78 as a lay pastor sponsored by ASAP. 00:10:23.81\00:10:27.14 I believe that we can gain inspiration 00:10:27.17\00:10:29.31 from the way that he has taken a stand for God 00:10:29.34\00:10:32.20 against the pressure of his family, friends and country. 00:10:32.23\00:10:36.10 I was born into a Buddhist family 00:10:39.12\00:10:41.43 but as I grew into an adult 00:10:41.46\00:10:43.08 I found little satisfaction in the rituals of Buddhism 00:10:43.11\00:10:46.74 and began a search for something more. 00:10:46.77\00:10:49.92 I began to study the bible with some friends in my village 00:10:49.95\00:10:53.07 and in 1993 I was baptized 00:10:53.10\00:10:55.71 and joined the Baptist church group 00:10:55.74\00:10:57.77 that met close to my house. 00:10:57.80\00:10:59.87 The first thing that I did after I was baptized 00:10:59.90\00:11:02.79 was to destroy the Buddha idol that was on my property. 00:11:02.82\00:11:07.16 My wife, my parents and my siblings 00:11:07.19\00:11:09.34 became very angry with me 00:11:09.37\00:11:11.02 because of my decision to become a Christian. 00:11:11.05\00:11:13.29 They would shout at me 00:11:18.13\00:11:19.18 and sometimes even hit me in anger. 00:11:19.21\00:11:22.29 At first I was discouraged 00:11:22.32\00:11:24.46 but then I remembered the passage of scripture 00:11:24.49\00:11:26.83 that says, "When my father and mother forsake me, 00:11:26.86\00:11:30.66 then the Lord will take care of me." 00:11:30.69\00:11:33.57 This brought me the greatest comfort and strength 00:11:33.60\00:11:36.35 but it was still difficult 00:11:36.38\00:11:37.41 to lose the friendship with my wife. 00:11:37.44\00:11:39.91 She stopped preparing meals for me 00:11:39.94\00:11:42.15 and when I would come home from my Bible studies 00:11:42.18\00:11:44.15 I would often find the door locked. 00:11:44.18\00:11:46.49 I would have to sleep on the roof 00:11:46.52\00:11:48.29 with only a straw mat for a blanket. 00:11:48.32\00:11:51.98 On those sad lonely nights 00:11:52.01\00:11:53.79 I would repeat the scripture text 00:11:53.82\00:11:55.30 that I had learned and it would always make me feel better. 00:11:55.33\00:11:58.64 I specially like the one in 1 Corinthians that said, 00:11:58.67\00:12:02.68 "No Temptation has overtaken you 00:12:02.71\00:12:05.41 except as is common to man, but God is faithful, 00:12:05.44\00:12:10.06 who will not allow you to be tempted 00:12:10.09\00:12:12.10 beyond that what you are able, 00:12:12.13\00:12:14.36 but with the temptation will also 00:12:14.39\00:12:16.01 make the way of escape, 00:12:16.04\00:12:17.61 that you may be able to bear it." 00:12:17.64\00:12:20.26 Finally I was able to obtain a Bible of my own 00:12:20.29\00:12:23.74 and I spent a lot of time reading it. 00:12:23.77\00:12:26.92 My wife began to wonder what I saw in this book 00:12:26.95\00:12:29.59 that could hold my passionate interest for hours at a time. 00:12:29.62\00:12:33.94 Without my knowledge 00:12:33.97\00:12:35.00 she began to read the Bible for herself 00:12:35.03\00:12:36.78 whenever I would leave the house. 00:12:36.81\00:12:39.25 God worked on her heart 00:12:39.28\00:12:41.14 and little by little she began to believe in God 00:12:41.17\00:12:43.87 and accept Jesus as her Savior. 00:12:43.90\00:12:47.10 After two years of study 00:12:47.13\00:12:48.61 she also became a Baptist Christian. 00:12:48.64\00:12:50.98 Everything was well in our home for five years 00:12:54.37\00:12:57.02 until one day a lay Bible worker from ASAP 00:12:57.05\00:13:01.11 visited our home and told us 00:13:01.14\00:13:02.82 about the Peace and Happiness radio program. 00:13:02.85\00:13:05.84 As my wife and began to listen to the broadcast 00:13:05.87\00:13:09.31 I had the strong impression that God was leading me 00:13:09.34\00:13:11.89 into a deeper understanding of His word. 00:13:11.92\00:13:14.72 And it was with joy that I accepted 00:13:14.75\00:13:16.49 an invitation to attend an ASAP lay Bible training program 00:13:16.52\00:13:21.57 where I had the opportunity 00:13:21.60\00:13:22.78 to learn many new things about God 00:13:22.81\00:13:24.87 and the teachings of His word. 00:13:24.90\00:13:27.62 While I was away at the seminar 00:13:27.65\00:13:29.66 pastors from the Baptist church visited my wife 00:13:29.69\00:13:33.30 and convinced her and my sons that Adventist were a sect 00:13:33.33\00:13:37.08 and that she should have nothing to do with them. 00:13:37.11\00:13:40.16 One day when a group of ASAP 00:13:40.19\00:13:42.03 lay pastors came to visit me in my home 00:13:42.06\00:13:44.91 my wife became very angry 00:13:44.94\00:13:47.23 pointing her finger at them said, 00:13:47.26\00:13:48.82 "you are teaching false believes." 00:13:48.85\00:13:51.93 Even though my wife and sons 00:13:51.96\00:13:53.45 have not followed me into the Adventist message 00:13:53.48\00:13:56.09 I'm still happy that the Lord has called me 00:13:56.12\00:13:58.38 into His service in this great movement 00:13:58.41\00:14:01.17 that is sweeping the country. 00:14:01.20\00:14:03.50 The day that I was baptized again 00:14:03.53\00:14:05.21 into the Adventist church 00:14:05.24\00:14:07.10 was the happiest day of my life. 00:14:07.13\00:14:09.87 My family does not yet understand 00:14:09.90\00:14:11.66 this new joy that I have 00:14:11.69\00:14:14.01 and they have lost their respect for me. 00:14:14.04\00:14:16.52 My sons shout at me and sometimes even hit me. 00:14:16.55\00:14:20.18 But I continue to pray for them everyday 00:14:20.21\00:14:22.76 and I believe that one day 00:14:22.79\00:14:24.53 they will join me in my new faith. 00:14:24.56\00:14:27.42 With the training that I have received 00:14:27.45\00:14:29.01 from ASAP and the Adventist Mission 00:14:29.04\00:14:32.06 I'm now a lay pastor for the Adventist Movement 00:14:32.09\00:14:34.81 in my corner of Vietnam. 00:14:34.84\00:14:37.32 We face many challenges everyday 00:14:37.35\00:14:39.73 but it is a joy for me to serve God. 00:14:39.76\00:14:43.69 Harassment and prosecution from local authorities 00:14:43.72\00:14:46.61 are among the many challenges faced by Dinh Le Minh. 00:14:46.64\00:14:50.91 He and his Bible workers have been 00:14:50.94\00:14:52.38 thrown in jail many times. 00:14:52.41\00:14:54.80 In during days of interrogation, 00:14:54.83\00:14:57.47 hunger and torture for their faith 00:14:57.50\00:15:00.30 through it all he continues to stand firm for God. 00:15:00.33\00:15:04.30 In a recent hymn that he wrote he penned the words 00:15:04.33\00:15:07.94 "My blood is more precious in God. 00:15:07.97\00:15:10.82 Whenever Jesus needs it I'm willing to give it." 00:15:10.85\00:15:15.49 When I think about the persecution 00:15:15.52\00:15:17.19 this man faces from his family 00:15:17.22\00:15:19.39 I remember what Jesus used to say to His disciples 00:15:19.42\00:15:22.50 and others who suffered estrangement 00:15:22.53\00:15:25.23 from their loved ones as a result of following Him. 00:15:25.26\00:15:28.87 He encourage to them with these words 00:15:28.90\00:15:30.99 found in Matthew 19. 00:15:31.02\00:15:34.29 "And everyone who has left houses 00:15:34.32\00:15:36.44 or brothers or sisters or father or mother 00:15:36.47\00:15:40.21 or children or fields for my sake 00:15:40.24\00:15:42.92 will receive a hundred times as much 00:15:42.95\00:15:45.42 and will inherit eternal life." 00:15:45.45\00:15:48.23 Nguyen Thi Minh is no ordinary ASAP lay pastor. 00:16:02.03\00:16:06.84 With fierce determination 00:16:06.87\00:16:08.51 she works in the rapidly expanding 00:16:08.54\00:16:10.73 underground house church movement in Vietnam. 00:16:10.76\00:16:14.45 Constantly she sees God's hand at work. 00:16:14.48\00:16:18.44 Recently while Nguyen Thi Minh was visiting members 00:16:18.47\00:16:22.18 in her district to nurture their faith 00:16:22.21\00:16:24.64 she encountered police. 00:16:24.67\00:16:27.29 What shall God helped her 00:16:27.32\00:16:29.05 turn a very difficult situation into a soul winning venture. 00:16:29.08\00:16:33.26 When the police brought me to the prison 00:16:36.15\00:16:38.18 they interrogated me briefly 00:16:38.21\00:16:39.90 and when my answers did not satisfy them 00:16:39.93\00:16:42.34 they threw me into solitary confinement. 00:16:42.37\00:16:46.25 I did not have any idea 00:16:46.28\00:16:47.95 how long they would keep me there 00:16:47.98\00:16:50.04 but God gave me strength and I was not afraid. 00:16:50.07\00:16:54.08 I decided to pass my time in prayer. 00:16:54.11\00:16:57.42 Once a day they would bring me some food 00:16:57.45\00:16:59.55 and pass it through the door 00:16:59.58\00:17:01.70 then after four days they pulled me out 00:17:01.73\00:17:04.29 of my small dark room and let me to in larger cell 00:17:04.32\00:17:07.98 that had 21 other women. 00:17:08.01\00:17:10.98 When the other inmates saw me 00:17:11.01\00:17:12.57 I think they most of thought that I was crazy 00:17:12.60\00:17:14.80 because I had a big smile on my face. 00:17:14.83\00:17:18.15 I was just happy to be somewhere 00:17:18.18\00:17:20.42 where I could once again have the opportunity 00:17:20.45\00:17:23.04 to talk to people about Jesus. 00:17:23.07\00:17:27.47 They were only enough blankets 00:17:27.50\00:17:29.12 for about half of the women that were in that cell. 00:17:29.15\00:17:31.92 And so it was necessary to share a blanket 00:17:31.95\00:17:34.20 with another inmate. 00:17:34.23\00:17:37.00 Being the new person in the cell 00:17:37.03\00:17:39.16 I was paired up with the meanest woman 00:17:39.19\00:17:41.73 the one that no one wanted any thing to do with. 00:17:41.76\00:17:45.82 When I went over to her that first evening 00:17:45.85\00:17:48.29 she glared at me in an angry way. 00:17:48.32\00:17:51.42 She gruffly said, "This blanket is only for me." 00:17:51.45\00:17:55.49 And then turned her back towards me. 00:17:55.52\00:17:59.14 Not knowing what else to do 00:17:59.17\00:18:00.73 I started praying for this lady. 00:18:00.76\00:18:03.11 I asked that God would change her heart 00:18:03.14\00:18:05.91 that He would speak through me 00:18:05.94\00:18:07.44 to help her see His love. 00:18:07.47\00:18:09.81 Right there before my eyes God performed a miracle. 00:18:09.84\00:18:13.50 The woman turned around and looked at me. 00:18:13.53\00:18:16.78 I smiled at her and began talking softly to her, 00:18:16.81\00:18:20.30 sharing the love of God with her. 00:18:20.33\00:18:23.16 I told her that it did not matter 00:18:23.19\00:18:24.79 what she had done in the past 00:18:24.82\00:18:26.56 that God still loved her and wanted to be her friend. 00:18:26.59\00:18:30.90 How could God love me, she asked, 00:18:30.93\00:18:32.95 when I stole so much money from the bank? 00:18:32.98\00:18:36.71 I shared with her the story of Jesus 00:18:36.74\00:18:39.91 and how God loved us so much 00:18:39.94\00:18:41.68 that He gave His only son to die for our mistakes. 00:18:41.71\00:18:45.94 Her eyes cold heart melted 00:18:45.97\00:18:48.48 and she asked me to help her pray the prayer of repentance. 00:18:48.51\00:18:52.31 And right there in that cold cell 00:18:52.34\00:18:54.67 she accepted Jesus into her heart. 00:18:54.70\00:18:57.75 She was a changed woman. 00:18:57.78\00:19:00.93 That night not only did I thank God for a warm blanket 00:19:00.96\00:19:05.18 but I also thanked Him for a new friend, 00:19:05.21\00:19:08.21 a new sister in Christ. 00:19:08.24\00:19:11.89 The next morning when the other ladies 00:19:11.92\00:19:13.76 in the cell saw that change in the woman 00:19:13.79\00:19:16.62 they began to ask me what had happened? 00:19:16.65\00:19:19.52 What had I done to change the attitude 00:19:19.55\00:19:22.27 of this woman so dramatically in one day? 00:19:22.30\00:19:26.76 I was happy to share with them 00:19:26.79\00:19:28.84 that it was nothing that I had done 00:19:28.87\00:19:31.32 but that it was the Creator God in heaven 00:19:31.35\00:19:34.12 that had changed her. 00:19:34.15\00:19:35.85 Nothing is too hard for Him. 00:19:35.88\00:19:38.49 He created us once, 00:19:38.52\00:19:40.54 He also has the power to create in us a new heart. 00:19:40.57\00:19:45.72 That day three other ladies accepted God into their hearts 00:19:45.75\00:19:49.64 and accepted Jesus as their Savior. 00:19:49.67\00:19:53.27 After spending about ten days in Jail the police called me 00:19:53.30\00:19:57.24 into the interrogation room again 00:19:57.27\00:19:58.98 and asked me many questions about the work that I do. 00:19:59.01\00:20:03.24 Knowing that my new friends were in the cell praying for me 00:20:03.27\00:20:06.51 I felt the power of God come over me 00:20:06.54\00:20:09.69 and I spoke to the men with assurance and confidence. 00:20:09.72\00:20:13.79 God gave me the words that 00:20:13.82\00:20:15.54 I needed to answer their questions 00:20:15.57\00:20:17.46 and even gave me the courage to witness 00:20:17.49\00:20:19.49 to the police officers about the Bible 00:20:19.52\00:20:22.30 and God's love for them. 00:20:22.33\00:20:24.87 I guess I may never know 00:20:24.90\00:20:26.40 what my word had any effect on them. 00:20:26.43\00:20:29.25 But I continue to keep them in my prayers. 00:20:29.28\00:20:32.75 In the end they made me 00:20:32.78\00:20:34.20 sign a piece of paper and let me go. 00:20:34.23\00:20:38.42 I thank God for the opportunities 00:20:38.45\00:20:41.56 that He gave to me by sending me to jail. 00:20:41.59\00:20:46.50 Praising God for jail time 00:20:46.53\00:20:48.75 is to be expected from our ASAP pastors. 00:20:48.78\00:20:53.23 The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:4 00:20:53.26\00:20:57.74 "Rejoice in the Lord always." 00:20:57.77\00:21:01.12 As I have traveled to churches sharing the amazing things 00:21:01.15\00:21:05.00 that the Lord is doing in Vietnam today 00:21:05.03\00:21:08.03 I often have people asking me if there is something 00:21:08.06\00:21:11.84 that they can do to help the work of God in Vietnam. 00:21:11.87\00:21:16.19 I am happy to tell them about there are many options. 00:21:16.22\00:21:20.68 For $70 per months you can support 00:21:20.71\00:21:23.60 one ASAP lay pastor like Nguyen Thi Minh, 00:21:23.63\00:21:28.52 for only $5 you can supply a Bible 00:21:28.55\00:21:31.50 to one of your brothers and sisters, 00:21:31.53\00:21:34.35 $65 for purchase a DVD player 00:21:34.38\00:21:37.54 and set up sermons on DVD. 00:21:37.57\00:21:40.67 This resource will be used to nurture the faith 00:21:40.70\00:21:43.56 of entire house church congregation. 00:21:43.59\00:21:46.71 It's been such a privilege for my wife 00:21:46.74\00:21:48.73 and I to be members of the board of ASAP 00:21:48.76\00:21:52.28 and also to have opportunities to donate 00:21:52.31\00:21:56.78 in accordance with how God has blessed us. 00:21:56.81\00:21:59.77 As you hear the stories that are being told about 00:21:59.80\00:22:02.20 what's happening in Vietnam today 00:22:02.23\00:22:04.84 it seems like the latter rain is being poured out 00:22:04.87\00:22:08.47 at least in its initial stages on that country. 00:22:08.50\00:22:12.20 And there is just a hunger and thirst for God's word. 00:22:12.23\00:22:16.29 And I think anyway that we can distribute God's word 00:22:16.32\00:22:20.28 whether it's through the scriptures themselves 00:22:20.31\00:22:23.66 or DVDs or over the radio waves 00:22:23.69\00:22:27.18 there are million of people 00:22:27.21\00:22:29.16 wanting to listen and they are listening. 00:22:29.19\00:22:33.11 Pastor Isaiah produces DVDs 00:22:33.14\00:22:35.57 that are being distributed all over the country. 00:22:35.60\00:22:39.36 It's very inexpensive but huge amounts of material 00:22:39.39\00:22:43.88 can be placed on one DVD. 00:22:43.91\00:22:47.68 I just can't think of a more important project 00:22:47.71\00:22:50.98 than to actually getting God's word 00:22:51.01\00:22:53.41 into the hands of the people. 00:22:53.44\00:22:56.96 One of the lay pastors that came for training 00:22:56.99\00:22:59.85 when I had the opportunity of being there 00:22:59.88\00:23:03.64 had helped to make arrangements for a book 00:23:03.67\00:23:06.29 that Pastor Isaiah had written 00:23:06.32\00:23:08.22 on "The Truth About the Sabbath" 00:23:08.25\00:23:10.24 to be printed in Vietnam. 00:23:10.27\00:23:12.86 There was a printing press 00:23:12.89\00:23:14.20 that was kind of a alternatives sort of location 00:23:14.23\00:23:18.67 and they did work for Buddhist actually 00:23:18.70\00:23:21.40 and for Christians sometimes 00:23:21.43\00:23:23.42 and he had made arrangements for 10,000 copies of this book, 00:23:23.45\00:23:27.08 "The Truth About the Sabbath" to be printed. 00:23:27.11\00:23:30.47 And right during the time 00:23:30.50\00:23:31.64 when the book was being printed the authorities 00:23:31.67\00:23:34.23 broke into this press and ransack the place, 00:23:34.26\00:23:38.21 burn the many of the books, threw the people out 00:23:38.24\00:23:42.92 and it seem does though it was just a total loss 00:23:42.95\00:23:46.79 and then this faithful lay pastors 00:23:46.82\00:23:49.42 thought well I'm gonna go back and see. 00:23:49.45\00:23:51.98 So couple weeks later he went back to the location 00:23:52.01\00:23:55.24 and kind of sifted through the rubble 00:23:55.27\00:23:57.72 and under all the dust and dirt 00:23:57.75\00:24:00.56 he found a canvas lifted it up 00:24:00.59\00:24:03.83 and here were all 10,000 copies 00:24:03.86\00:24:06.41 of "The Truth About the Sabbath" 00:24:06.44\00:24:08.21 unharmed and unhurt. 00:24:08.24\00:24:10.30 All the Buddhist material and all the other books 00:24:10.33\00:24:13.72 that have been printed have been destroyed 00:24:13.75\00:24:15.49 but God's hand had been 00:24:15.52\00:24:17.13 over those 10,000 books, precious books. 00:24:17.16\00:24:23.07 God loves those books enough to protect them 00:24:23.10\00:24:26.90 than He certainly gonna give them 00:24:26.93\00:24:28.32 into the hands of people who need to know the truth 00:24:28.35\00:24:31.69 and by sending a donation to ASAP 00:24:31.72\00:24:35.31 you can ensure that this kind of ministry would go on 00:24:35.34\00:24:40.17 that there will never be a lack of resources 00:24:40.20\00:24:43.09 to provide truth filled literature 00:24:43.12\00:24:46.40 to people in Southeast Asia. 00:24:46.43\00:24:48.75 I want to take this opportunity to thank you 00:24:48.78\00:24:51.79 for your prayers and financial support 00:24:51.82\00:24:55.36 as you partner with ASAP 00:24:55.39\00:24:57.48 and this important ministry 00:24:57.51\00:24:59.65 you are joining arm and arm with the lay pastors 00:24:59.68\00:25:02.55 who are finishing God's work in Vietnam. 00:25:02.58\00:25:06.09 May God bless you as together 00:25:06.12\00:25:08.37 we look forward to the soon coming of Jesus Christ. 00:25:08.40\00:25:12.41 Jesus, I stand for you 00:25:22.83\00:25:28.99 No matter what you lead me through 00:25:29.02\00:25:35.40 They will chase me out 00:25:35.43\00:25:39.05 And close me down 00:25:39.08\00:25:41.80 But Jesus I'll stand for You 00:25:41.83\00:25:48.33 Jesus, I've stood my ground 00:25:48.36\00:25:54.20 When unbelief was all around 00:25:54.23\00:26:00.30 I have felt the sting 00:26:00.33\00:26:03.77 Rejecting brings 00:26:03.80\00:26:06.29 But Jesus I'll stand for You 00:26:06.32\00:26:12.79 I'll always stand, I'll always stand 00:26:12.82\00:26:18.89 I'll always stand for You 00:26:18.92\00:26:24.71 I'll always stand, I'll always stand 00:26:24.74\00:26:30.67 I'll always stand for You 00:26:30.70\00:26:35.80 A time will come, when everyone 00:26:35.83\00:26:42.03 Will turn their eyes on the risen Son 00:26:42.06\00:26:48.70 But until that day, this world will turn away 00:26:48.73\00:26:54.43 And so I'll take Your hand 00:26:54.46\00:26:57.43 I'll always stand for You 00:26:57.46\00:27:02.09 Guilty of disgrace 00:27:12.60\00:27:16.06 But You took my place 00:27:16.09\00:27:21.61 So Jesus 00:27:21.64\00:27:24.49 I'll always stand for You 00:27:24.52\00:27:30.22 A time will come 00:27:30.25\00:27:33.35 When everyone 00:27:33.38\00:27:36.46 Will turn their eyes on the risen Son 00:27:36.49\00:27:43.17 But until that day, this world will turn away 00:27:43.20\00:27:49.13 And so I'll take You hand 00:27:49.16\00:27:52.20 I'll always stand 00:27:52.23\00:27:55.22 For You 00:27:58.53\00:28:01.88