PRISON DIARY

I was born in December, 14th, 1964 at Dong Tay Village, Binh Hiep Commune, Binh Son District, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam into a very poor rural family. My parents were farmers with 12 chidren. Through my parents, I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ. 

I got married to Ep-ra-im in 1988 and we had five children together. God called me into ministry at exactly 12 p.m of Feburary, 2, 1987. Prior to the call, I was conscripted into the Vietnamese Army from 1982 to 1985; and was duly deployed to the battlefield in Cambodia - afterwhich I was discharged from active duty and came back to my home town. 

Having been involved in severe fighting in Cambodia, I cannot thank God enough for His protection. I came back alive but caught “malaria” at the military quarters where I lived in Cambodia. This sickness was extended and I was in severe pain - without any hope and signs of recovery. Naturally, I was in deep despair. Even though I took some medicine during the two years of my illness from 1985 to 1987, I often thought that I would soon die. 

Actually, I was a Christian at that time but I did not know anything about God’s Word or about Divine healing. I have never seen any miracles or healings in our Church. All the other members of my family were also Christians - but their lives were similar to that of many unbelievers as they did not understand their faith! 

One day, I was so upset with my medical condition that I wanted to be alone. Quietly, I went to my brother’s empty house. My brother had left it vacant about a year ago. After sitting down at the table I opened the Bible to read. It was about 8 p.m. when I prayed thus: 

“Dear Lord Jesus! Are you truly God? Are you perfect? Are you the father of love? Are you true? If you are true please heal me. I promise you that I will give all the days of my life to serve you. I will read your word instead of reading the other books. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.” 

After my prayer, I went to sleep. At about mid-night, when I was sound asleep, I heard a voice calling me: “Trung my son! Trung my son! Trung my son!” 

The voice was very clear and gentle, a friendly voice - full of love and confidence. His words brought great comfort to my spirit. I woke up immediately and remember every word that I had prayed earlier that night. I just could not control my emotions anymore and my tears started to flow freely. Without knowing why, I did not go back to sleep but prayed till the next morning. 

Oh ! how marvelous! What happiness! I was like flying high in the air. All of my suffering and pain left my body and I felt very well. Where is my “malaria“? It was gone in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord. 

Early the next morning, I returned to my parents’ house for breakfast. Upon arrival, I asked my father :- 

“Did you call my name last night three times?” My father answered – “No! I did not call you last night. Why would I call you? But what happened to you last night?” 

And so I told them everything that had happened to me the previous night. Everybody was so surprised and happy to hear about my story. That was the first time in my life that I experienced God’s divine healing; and it was also the first miracle for Binh Son Church. 

Thank you, Lord! He not only healed my sickness but also changed my life totally. I began to like reading the Bible more than any other books. Although I did not understand this at that time, my life started to change for the better. I love my Deliverer who loves me unconditionally and who takes such good care of my life. My old nature and bad habits left me gradually. I no longer had the urge to stray from home but would just stay home to read the bible and to pray. Eventually, I established a devotional group and asked my brothers and sisters to join with me every night for fellowship. 

I started to attend church (Binh son Christian Missionary Alliance Church) very frequently. Soon, I suggested to Pastor Doan; who was my church-leader at that time, that We should have a meeting together every Thursday evening beside Sunday meeting. Do you agree with me? He answered yes, we should do that. From then on, our relationship grew and we became close friends. Every Sunday we would just have 3 or 5 members for our worship service. But I did not know why I could love God and enjoy our meetings so much. 

On one Thursday, it rained so heavily that the fields and streets were flooded. But that night was to be our weekly meeting at the Church (around 6km away from my house). Unaware of any personal danger, I walked slowly to church. The pastor and his wife were so astonished to see me. They could not believe their eyes when they came to open the door for me; and pastor Doan asked - Why did you come in this weather. Why are you so daring? Did you not fear the danger? You can come next Thursday! I did not know how to answer him but I only knew one thing - I love Jesus and our fellowship. As for me, it was a small matter and truly no excuse for missing our meeting. As it was already late and dark after the meeting, I slept in the church. Early the next morning I made my way home. 

My parents were very furious with me when they heard about my good relationship with Pastor Doan and his wife. My whole family began to harass and ridicule me. It was horrible. They treated me with disdain - like an intruder who didn’t belong. 

One day, my Father held a big party (an ancestor’s death anniversary) and he invited all of his relatives and the neighbors. All of my relatives came together with plots to attack me. They all had too much to drink and soon got drunk. They put me in front of all the relatives, and stared to curse and shout at me, Trung, you’re ruining our family name. The situation was dreadful. 

“You are so crazy. Crazy! Crazy! You are following American culture, you are westernized… Ok, you go ahead! go to America to live. We cannot accept you here any more in our country. In Asia there is no one like you. You cannot give up worshiping our ancestors. You mean nothing to us; to Vietnamese traditions. Go to America. So crazy! crazy! …” 

Even my own brothers also persecuted me. I was numbed by their attacks and could not say anything. To make matters worse, I had unwittingly invited pastor Doan to the party. My father came close to him and said: “You are the one who caused these problems. You taught my son to be crazy.. You taught him to give up worshiping our ancestors”. 

Pastor Doan was so surprised by their behavior: “ because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold that I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16). After saying that, he went back to his motorbike and started for home with great anger; but I stopped him and urged him to stay for lunch. For my sake, he reluctantly agreed. 

The party that day was like a funeral, no one was comforted by the food. The tension did not ease after the party. I continued to pray for my whole family to repent and believe in the Lord - that He will change my whole family someday. I started to stick some Scriptures on the walls of my house. 

“You shall have no other gods before me, and shall not bow down to them or worship them; Honor your father and your mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God has given to you.” ( Exodus 20: 2;3;12 ) 

I often walked back and forth in the house to read and to learn by heart the Scriptures which I had stuck on the walls. Thank God so much for His Word. Eventually, they changed my family! 

The Bible says that:“The Words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life.” (John 6 :63) 

“For the Word of God is living and active; sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit; joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” ( Hebrews 4 : 12 ) 

It was so powerful; little by little, day by day, the word of God touched my family. One by one, they came to me and asked about Jesus. And then they gave their hearts to the Lord. The first person in my family was my father and over the next few months my brothers and sisters; and finally my mother. After their conversion, they resolved to be faithful to the Cross and gave up ancestor worship altogether. 

From that moment on, my father always attended church and sometime later he even became a secretary in the church. Every night, we would meet together at my father’s house and I taught everyone God’s word and sang Christian songs; including my parents. 

I was so happy and started telling about God’s love to all of my other relatives and even my neighbors. Later, some of them became Christians! 

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! 

According to His leading, I visited some villages (Phuoc Thien, An Cuong, Le Thuy) near the beach which are an hour away by bicycle (20km). At that time, I would just share my personal testimony with those I met - with Mrs Ly, Dao and some other young men there. I was so surprised that while I was talking they started to cry aloud. After which, they confessed their sin of unbelief and received the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior. 

Soon, the new converts came every Sunday for church service even though the journey was long; and the roads full of pot-holes, from their villages to the church some 18km away. Slowly but surely, every seat in the church was filled with new believers. The congregation was multiplying every day. 

According to Acts 2:47 “The Lord added to them daily those who were being saved.” 

From Mrs Ly, the Gospel went out to others and miracles began to happen and the people began smashing and throwing away their idols and gave their life for Jesus Christ. In about 5 months, there were well over 100 households becoming Christians (whole villages)! 

After that, I evangelised other places like Binh Thoi, Binh Phuoc, Binh Chuong, and Binh My villages ………According to the word of God: “Builders of the Wall” (Nehemiah 3). The work was in progress but I had no one else to go with me. 

A great persecution in 1990 -1991 

For me, preaching the Gospel is daily inspired from within by the Holy Spirit and not from men. At that time, I had nothing - No Bible, no Christian books, no money, and no spiritual support. I had to collect used Bibles and Christian books - even loose pages!…also, some days i had to travel very far away from home, nearly 50km by my old and broken bicycle. 

From 1986-1990, I was working as an accountant for the Agricultural Co-operative in my village but received a starvation salary. However, this job gave me some free time to evangelize. My wife helped with the rice field and took care of my children. During the day, I would preach and in the evening I stayed up late to work in the rice field. My family life was so difficult with hard work. But I always rejoiced in the Lord and we never lacked anything. I was contented with what I had in the Lord. 

Another meaningful event was meeting brother Duy (ethic minority) at Binh Son Church. He had come from the mountain side - Tra Bong District (very remote). I was so surprised to learn about a few Christians living in the mountain side. Thank God for this precious opportunity. I befriended him and we became like close brothers. Duy told me that he came to know Jesus through a Catholic Bible. And then he was led to Binh Son Church for Sunday service. Praise the Lord! He loved me so much and he wanted to visit my home. When he arrived, he noticed my house was in bad physical condition and that it would collapse anytime. 

He said to me: ok! My friends and I - we would come back and help you to repair it. That’s right! Some days later, they came as promised and started going for it. Wow! It was so wonderful. My wife and I offered Duy some money but he was determined not to receive any. 

After that, our relationship grew closer. In 1990, I began one of many travels to Tra Bong mountain side. I have never experienced ethnic minorities like them before. Most of the people in Tra Bong belong to the Koor Tribe. They had their own language that is very different from Vietnamese. I was so touched by our first meeting. They were very poor, miserable, starving, and under- developed…But at the same time, they were very friendly, kind and open-hearted to welcome me. 

On that first night at Brother Duy’s house, there were 40 people who were listening to what I said. I started to tell them about God’s love for them through the Lord Jesus. They were all so eager to hear from me. After my sharing, six of them gave their lives to Christ Jesus. I prayed for them and asked for brother Duy to translate into the Koor language so that they might understand. 

From that moment the Gospel of love went out to all of the Koor tribe. The waves of revival swept across to Tra Son - 3 Group ( one of the other villages of Tra Bong). It was so marvelous! All the people there came to know Jesus Christ! Brother Duy and I taught them how to confess their sin of unbelief and to receive Jesus Christ. And then we prayed for them. Only after one year, the Gospel of Jesus Christ reached Tra Nham village. It was a very special place. 

Up to this time, the Government discovered that: “The Gospel is breaking out. They announced that they have to quell the Gospel as soon as possible. It is very dangerous. It would spread out to all of our Districts if we don’t stop it immediately”. And then they hatched many plots to repress and force the people to renounce Christ. Yet the people did not do that. The authorities came with guns to the villages to take away their live stocks (hens, ducks, piglets….) and also rice, food and everything the believers had. Also, the police killed larger live stocks that they could not bring away (like the cows) and ate what they could on the spot. 

By 1990, the government had persecuted and repressed the church more than 100 times. However, the more they persecuted the church, the more the Gospel spread and the people became even more faithful. Nevertheless, the persecution became more and more savage. 

Once, some communist soldiers went to Brother Dinh Tan Loc and used the butcher’s knife to kill his pregnant cow and ate it at his home. Loc and his wife could only watch and cry in silence and could not say anything for fear of harm. That precious cow was the sole possession of his family. Like Brother Loc, many other believers were also persecuted in nearby Tra Nham village with over 120 believers. They were beaten and repressed ruthlessly; with some, like Brother Truong, hospitalized for broken bones. 

Similarly, at Tra Son village, police started to catch and kill the Christian’s live-stocks for themselves. Once, when they were about to kill a cow, there was a sudden flash of lightning. They were so frightened and quickly ran away. Hallelujah! It was a miracle! Praise the Lord for His deliverance. 

Yet Satan did not stop persecuting the church. One incident was so ruthless that the people went to Quang Ngai district office to ask for explanations. That night, the government ordered a power outage because of fear of rebellion! Then they tried to convince the people to return home by promising them human rights; that they can believe in any religions they wanted; but it was not true... They used several buses to bring the 70 protestors back to their villages. 

Subsequently, the government signed a decree to compel renunciation of belief in Jesus Christ. Otherwise, the penalty will be the confiscation of land and possession. A copy of this decree is still kept with brother Duy till today. 

Initially, the protestors were not afraid of what they did. However, with the issue of the decree, they started to blame TO DINH TRUNG, the preacher from Binh son village, who had caused all this trouble. They were very angry with me and ordered that whoever meet TRUNG : Let’s arrest him without giving any reason or condition of release! 

At the end of December, 1991, God revealed in a vision: I saw a group of angry people armed with guns coming to arrest me. Anyhow, I calmly resumed my visits to encourage the brethrens. I carried along with me some Christian literature like “God’s message for every family” and some old clothes for distribution to the poor. 

Upon arriving at brother Duy’s house, suddenly a large crowd armed with guns came, seized and arrested me. Immediately, they brought me back to the police station, and I was locked up in a dimly lit “special room “ - like an angry “lion with its quarry”. Trapped in this hopeless situation, I only knew one thing – pray! 

Unknown to me, many Christians had heard about my arrest and were praying for my safety. They also came to visit me in prison, to comfort and encourage me. They also brought along some food for me. There were some other brothers who risked their own lives to visit me in prison to pray for me when I got sick. 

Thank the beloved brethrens for their prayers, the police kept me imprisoned for a total of 12 days (it felt like a year to me) and afterward set me before a small crowd to defame and to jeer at me. Mr.TUNG, the captain of Tra Bong Police, furiously pounded the table and said: we have 4000 years of Vietnamese History without any religion - just Ho Chi Minh religion. HOW dare you bring the Gospel here? Everybody was living in peace and happiness but you brought us all this trouble. You have to compensate the police USD1,000 and provide one buffalo for the people here to worship their gods to restore order and peace here. Finally, you are to bring the Gospel out of Tra Bong Village. 

Then the police asked the people - Should we kill this man? They answered - yes, let’s kill him. I was so frightened but I thought to myself - If they kill me I will go to heaven. No need to worry… 

One policeman said this to me – ‘I think you are very wise but I am wrong, unexpectedly you are just a normal person but able to do a great thing like this..’ I kept quiet for a while and replied: ‘Dear sirs and madams! Feel free to treat me according to your laws. If I am worthy to die for the gospel, I would’. 

Then, the police chief said: ‘Ok! Let me solve it. I would send all his documents to the police chief at Binh Son District’. A few days later they transferred me to Binh Son Police station where I was held for over a month. Immediately on arrival, the Binh Son policeman gave me many slaps on my face without saying anything. Like before, I continued to preach the Gospel for the prisoners at Binh Son - such as brother T and Mr. H who were converted. But later they became fearful of reprisal and asked the police for their freedom and promised that they would not meet together any more for Christian fellowship. A few days later they were released. 

As for me, the police investigated my personal information and what I had done in Tra Bong village previously. It took them 10 days to finish their investigations. Meanwhile, they put me in front of many villagers to ridicule me and to warn others. They ordered that I promised in writing that from now on I would not go to Tra Bong and Son Ha Village to preach. Out of fear, I agreed … Sometime later they released me. Everybody in my village said my preaching the gospel was a blessing, so why did the police treat me like this? 

As a result, Pastor Doan and I had some misunderstanding. Pastor Doan said: ‘The church was growing and peaceful but now it is different. The police started to persecute the church because of you’. I became very upset by his words and did not attend his church as regularly. 

Sometime later, one of my friends returned from Saigon and he invited me to Saigon for Bible Studies. After that, I went back home and started church services every Sunday with my family. One night in December, 1992, it was raining heavily when at about 10 p.m. someone knocked on the door. My wife and I got up to open the door and we saw two men. Wow! They were my close friends; Brother Quang and Brother Hon. We had not seen each another for such a long time. Brother Quang used to live in the same village as my wife. Later, he relocated to Saigon and lived there for five years. He was invited to join a denomination called ‘International Evangelism’ if I remember correctly. He started to explain to us about God’s word to comfort and encourage us. It could see his act of love. He even came in bad weather to visit us. He told us that the next day he would conduct Bible Study in Mo Duc District. He invited me to go. In this class, I learned many new things. We studied the foundation of faith, basic of Christian life, SOW I (School of Worker) a well-known program from the Phillipines. I was so encouraged and touched by these lessons. 

While we were studying, another brother arrived from Saigon. His name was Duc. He was very friendly and kind. Even though we had not met him before, I felt very comfortable with him at first sight. Immediately, he started to teach us the fourth lesion - which was the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Then something very strange happened - like the day of Pentecost. Everybody received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and started to speak in other tongues; except me! I was so upset and ashamed that I did not receive like everybody else. I cried and prayed so much but could not receive anything. Actually, I like the baptism so much that I invited brother Duc and Quang to my house for further instructions. They agreed readily to go with me. 

I asked them to go along with me to Tra Bong Village to invite Brothers Duy, Loc; and to Son Ha Village for Brothers Troan, Vinh, N; and to Nghia Hanh Village for Phung Tien, Tam. In Binh Son Village: Brothers My, Viet and some others from a CMA church. A total of 11 members attended the class. Brother Quang and Duc taught us like preachers in the freedom Cathedral, without fear…They spoke loudly. Even from 100m away, I could still hear their voices. 

The Bible said:“if anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.” (I Peter 4: 11) 

Everyone in class was surprised by what they learned about the baptism of the Holy Spirit as it was the first time for them. They wondered where they got this from. At that time there was no Bible School within the House Church movement. Certainly they were trained by ‘Spirit’ School. 

Especially, during lesson four “The baptism in the Holy Spirit of SOW I program” all of us were touched and cried so much when we learned this invaluable lesson by Brother Duc. The Spirit of God was moving! My neigbours were moved and came to see what was happening - but only saw us meeting together. Soon, they told others and words of our church revival spread very far. 

Thank God! He showed me why I could not receive the Holy Spirit’s baptism. I started to cried out and confess my sin of unbelief. And then I received the baptism just like my wife, brother Loc, Duy, Sister Phung Tien and others too. 

At that moment I felt like floating in the sky. I was so glad and prayed out loud. The more I pray - the more I was strengthened! (Inner Spirit man). Suppose at that moment, someone was to stab me with a knife, I may not feel any pain as I was totally drunk with the Spirit. Just like Stephen, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke without fear. After teaching this course, brother Duc and I decided to set up Quang Ngai church in my house. And then everybody shaked hand with me and agreed to build His kingdom in Quang Ngai. A few days later brother Duc and Quang had to travel back to Saigon. Before leaving, they promised to keep in touch with us. But sadly we did not hear from them afterward. 

After that, the brethrens who had attended the course started to worry about their denominations; who are against speaking in other tongues and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and who would support/provide for them in future. But I comforted and invited them to meet every month at my house. They agreed to do so. Later on, they came every month. However, due to their lack of funds, I had to buy rice, to catch fish and even had to pay for their transportation. It was very challenging for me indeed! 

Meanwhile, brothers Duy and Loc went back to the mountainside to continue working. However, they still lacked good understanding of God’s word. 

As for me, I felt very happy when I received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I constantly went out to share the gospel and to start small groups (Home churches). I started a group in my wife’s village. In the beginning we had 10 church-members and then the congregation multiplied. I put brother Vang and brother Anh as church-leaders in Nghia Hanh district. 

And then I had to go back to my own village. Sometime later, I heard some bad news about Nghia Hanh home church. The police came to threaten them and did not permit them from meeting together. Subsequently, many members left the house church and some went back to the traditional CMA church. 

It was a sad development but I continued with some new groups at my village. In the beginning we had Mrs Ba, Brother Cuong and his wife, Brothers Viet, Hung, Trung, Thich, Nhe. We had a total of six families. I prayed all the time and went to every family in my village to tell them about Jesus Christ. A few months later, our group split-up due to some misunderstanding and because of the local authorities. I cried so much and spent the next 3days fasting and praying. 

I was determined to keep on working for God in the mountainside, Tra Bong Village. I loved the Tra Bong people so much and went to visit many times to build up the church there and also to plant new churches. 

After a long absence, brother Duc un-expectedly came back to Quang Ngai. He comforted and supported me. We visited some home churches. The first place was Tra Phu village, at brother Thanh’s family. They were very friendly and welcomed us warmly. A few days later, brother Duc had to depart for Saigon. I had to stay home as my wife was due to give birth to our third son whom I named To Ngoc Phuc Sinh (Easter day - his name means resurrection). I only remained at home 14 days as the ministry was waiting for me. 

In April, 29, 1995, I was at Tra Bong home church for meeting. Suddenly, one of them told me that the police was looking for me everywhere! So I hurried to flee / escape but was too late. There were 7 guerillas ready to overtake me. I run frantically and hid myself in some brushwood along the road. They could not see me but did not give up - searching through the night. Like more than 40 Jews plotting together to find and kill Paul. (Acts 23) 

At 1: 30 a.m. I thought that perhaps the police would not run after me because it was already so late. I slowly got out of from the brushwood. Immediately, they saw me and used flashlights to identify my face and quickly recognized me. They rushed in, arrested me, and brought me to the Police station nearby. Mr Phat, who was the chief of police, used a flashlight and beat like thunder into my face. I could not see anything as I became dizzy and fell down on the floor. 

And then, they started to check everything I had brought along with me. They found some Christian literature, bibles, clothing, and cassettes. Finally, they concluded that I was an evangelist. I gladly accepted their accusations. They were so happy with their success in discharging their duties in arresting me. (According to the government’s urgent instruction to arrest TO DINH TRUNG). They held a celebration feast that night. They had me remanded in a very dark room “special room”. It was so dark that I could see anything. Thank you, Lord! I shall not fear “Even thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff - they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4) 

From April, 29, 1995 to April, 30, 1995 (the fall of South Vietnam / Saigon to the North) I was arrested together with 3 other Christian-leaders; brothers Duy, Loc, Truong. They had been held in Tra Bong prison some two months ago. 

The authorities plotted to destroy the church in Tra Bong. This plot was carried out by the local Government body in Tra Nham village. They persecuted the Christians there and ordered them to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ. The believers were threatened with severe punishments for dis-obedience. Those who obeyed would be given food, salt, medicine, protection. Tra Nhom Christians were driven into a corner. As the believers felt helpless, they reluctantly accepted their orders. The police was so elated that they recorded their renouncements. 

After that, they played this cassette recording to the crowd that many Christians had already denied their faith and were normal again. After Tra Nham, they continued the same tactics in Tra Son. They persecuted and arrested 3 church-leaders there: Brothers Duy, Loc, Truong. (March, 3, 1995) and remanded till April, 30, 1995 when I was also arrested and met them in jail. 

Thank God! Under such adverse circumstances, we experienced His joy. Brother Truong said: ‘Last night I saw in a vision there were 4 stars together but I did not understand its meaning? The previous night, I saw 3 stars in another vision. Perhaps there would be one more person to meet up with us. Wow! Then you turned up! It was you who led us to Christ Jesus. Hallelujah! We are all here in Jesus love. 

No need to ask why - Just my arrest was reason enough. They had top priority over me - a special room of “solitary confinement”. This cell was used for dangerous prisoners of the first class. The cell was very filthy as prisoners had to use it as a toilet as well. The cell was not only pungent but so small and narrow that I could not lie down to sleep. It was built so carefully that no insects could get inside. And sunlight could not penetrate - so dark that I could not recognize day and night; so dark that I could not see anything. Day was like night… 

They gave me a bedpan so I could relief myself. Everyday they brought me 2 very small bowls of rice. Sometimes, Mr. Son the prison keeper, would forget to open my cell because he was busy flirting with the local girls. 

I lived with the constant smell of urine and human excretion. There was no blanket or mosquito-net. Needless to say, the mosquitoes had a good feast. Every 12 days, I was allowed to bathe. They still had a little humanity. 

Who could suffer like that? Only His children can. There was only one thing I could do here - is sing! Songs of praise to our Lord. I was singing and praying all the time. The more I sang and prayed, the more the police got angry. They promised if I stopped singing and praying they would transfer me to a better room. If not, they would continue to confine me in “special room” forever. 

I answered them: Dear sirs, how can I go through a day without anything? I have no one to talk to, no light, nothing in my room …What can I do in there except sing and pray?’ So, they kept me in the ‘special room’ for a while longer… 

The Bible said that: “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose? “(Romans 8:28) 

In this place, I was to learn many valuable lessons about listening to God’s voice and how to be successful in church planting. Previously, I was unsuccessful in planting churches using my will, and human ability…. in many places like Nghia Hanh, Binh Son, Tra Phu. God reminded me : be like Jesus Christ when he was on the earth he did what God wanted and “ he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross “ (Philippians 2 ;8 ) 

We called the prison THE SCHOOL OF HOLY SPIRIT. In the beginning, I felt deep animosity against those who had persecuted me ruthlessly and treated me so badly . I could not forgive them for what they did to me. My prayers were like cursing them. Rightly so, there was so much policy conflicts and mis-management in prison. A few months later, Mr. Son, who had abused me, got very sick and his wife and children, too. I also heard his father had burned his house down. 

Immediately, the Lord reminded me: Why do you behave like that? Do you remember Me - dispised, rejected, oppressed……and even crucified on the cross. You see, what did I say to them? “Father, forgive them - for they do not know what they are doing “(Luke 23: 34) 

Why did I curse them? The love of God was poured forth my heart by the Holy Spirit and I repented of my behavior and asked God to forgive those who had persecuted me and to bless them in Jesus Name. After that, I felt very lighthearted and happy. God was doing a new work in my heart. I started to compose some new songs about Forgiveness. Forgive and forget - like Jesus did. And I prayed for those persecuted me with the love of Jesus Christ. 

After my prayers of love, God changed their hearts. They transferred me to a better cell after a few months. Nevertheless, my body was emaciated and weak. When I saw the sunlight I fell to the ground again and again…I was not able to stand because I had not seen sunlight for such a long time. 

Similarly, at Tra Son village, police started to catch and kill the Christian’s live-stocks for themselves. Once, when they were about to kill a cow, there was suddenly a flash of lightning. They were so frightened and quickly ran away. Hallelujah! It was a miracle! Praise the Lord for His deliverance. 

Yet Satan did not stop persecuting the church. One incident of persecution was so ruthless that the people went to Quang Ngai district office to ask for explanations. That night, the government ordered a power outage because of fear of rebellion! Then they tried to convince the people to return home by promising them human rights; that they can believe in any religions they wanted; but it was not true... They used several buses to bring the 70 protestors back to their villages. 

Subsequently, the government signed a decree to compel renunciation of belief in Jesus Christ. Otherwise, the penalty will be the confiscation of land and possession. A copy of this decree is still kept with brother Duy till today. 

Initially, the protestors were not afraid of what they did. However, with the issue of the decree, they started to blame TO DINH TRUNG, the preacher from Binh son village, who had caused all this trouble. They were very angry with me and ordered that whoever meet TRUNG : Let’s arrest him without giving any reason or condition of release! 

At the end of December, 1991, God revealed in a vision: I saw a group of angry people armed with guns coming to arrest me. Anyhow, I calmly resumed my visits to encourage the brethrens. I carried along with me some Christain literature like “God’s message for every family” and some old clothes for distribution to the poor. 

Upon arriving at brother Duy’s house, suddenly a large crowd armed with guns came, seized and arrested me. Immediately, they brought me back to the police station, and I was locked up in a dimly lit “special room “ - like an angry “lion with its quarry”. Trapped in this hopeless situation, I only knew one thing – pray! 

Unknown to me, many Christians had heard about my arrest and were praying for my safety. They also came to visit me in prison, to comfort and encourage me. They also brought along some food for me. There were some other brothers who risked their own lives to visit me in prison to pray for me when I got sick. 

Thank the beloved brethrens for their prayers, the police kept me imprisoned for a total of 12 days (it felt like a year to me) and afterward set me before a small crowd to defame and to jeer at me. Mr. TUNG, the captain of Tra Bong Police, furiously pounded the table and said: we have 4000 years of Vietnamese History without any religion - just Ho Chi Minh religion. HOW dare you bring the Gospel here? Everybody was living in peace and happiness but you brought us all this trouble. You have to compensate the police USD1,000 and provide one buffalo for the people here to worship their gods to restore order and peace here. Finally, you are to bring the Gospel out of Tra Bong Village. 

Then the police asked the people - Should we kill this man? They answered - yes, let’s kill him. I was so frightened but I thought to myself - If they kill me I will go to heaven. No need to worry… 

One policeman said this to me – ‘I think you are very wise but I am wrong, unexpectedly you are just a normal person but able to do a great thing like this..’ I kept quiet for a while and replied: ‘Dear sirs and madams! Feel free to treat me according to your laws. If I am worthy to die for the gospel, I would’. 

Then, the police chief said: ‘Ok! Let me solve it. I would send all his documents to the police chief at Binh Son District’. A few days later they transferred me to Binh Son Police station where I was held for over a month. Immediately on arrival, the Binh Son policeman gave me many slaps on my face without saying anything. Like before, I continued to preach the Gospel to the prisoners at Binh Son - such as brother T and Mr. H who were converted. But they became fearful of reprisal and asked the police for their freedom and promised that they would not meet together any more for Christian fellowship. A few days later they were released. 

As for me, the police investigated my personal information and what I had done in Tra Bong village previously. It took them 10 days to finish their investigations. Meanwhile, they put me in front of many villagers to ridicule me and to warn others. They ordered that I promised in writing that from now on I would not go to Tra Bong and Son Ha Village to preach. Out of fear, I agreed … Sometime later they released me. Everybody in my village said my preaching the gospel was a blessing, so why did the police treat me like this? 

Meanwhile, Pastor Doan and I had some misunderstanding. Pastor Doan said: ‘The church was growing and peaceful but now it is different. The police started to persecute the church because of you’. I became very upset by his words and did not attend his church as regularly. 

Sometime later, one of my friends returned from Saigon and he invited me to Saigon for Bible Studies. After that, I went back home and started church services every Sunday with my family. One night in December, 1992, it was raining heavily when at about 10 p.m. someone knocked on the door. My wife and I got up to open the door and we saw two men. Wow! They were my close friends; Brother Quang and Brother Hon. We had not seen each another for such a long time. Brother Quang used to live in the same village as my wife. Later, he relocated to Saigon and lived there for five years. He was invited to join a denomination called ‘International Evangelism’ if I remember correctly. He started to explain to us about God’s word to comfort and encourage us. It could see his act of love. He even came in bad weather to visit us. He told us that the next day he would conduct Bible Study in Mo Duc District. He invited me to go. In this class, I learned many new things. We studied the foundation of faith, basic of Christian life, SOW I (School of Worker) a well-known program from the Philippines. I was so encouraged and touched by these lessons. 

While we were studying, another brother arrived from Saigon. His name was Duc. He was very friendly and kind. Even though we had not met him before, I felt very comfortable with him at first sight. Immediately, he started to teach us the fourth lesion - which was the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Then something very strange happened - like the day of Pentecost. Everybody received the baptism in the Holy Spirit and started to speak in other tongues; except me! I was so upset and ashamed that I did not receive like everybody else. I cried and prayed so much but could not receive anything. Actually, I like the baptism so much that I invited brother Duc and Quang to my house for further instructions. They agreed readily to go with me. 

I asked them to go along with me to Tra Bong Village to invite Brothers Duy, Loc; and to Son Ha Village for Brothers Troan, Vinh, N; and to Nghia Hanh Village for Phung Tien, Tam. In Binh Son Village: Brothers My, Viet and some others from a CMA church. A total of 11 members attended the class. Brother Quang and Duc taught us like preachers in the freedom Cathedral, without fear…They spoke loudly. Even from 100m away, I could still hear their voices. 

The Bible said: “if anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God” (I Peter 4: 11) 

Everyone in class was surprised by what they learned about the baptism of the Holy Spirit as it was the first time for them. They wondered where they got this from. At that time there was no Bible School within the House Church movement. Certainly they were trained by ‘Spirit’ School. 

Especially, during lesson four “The baptism in the Holy Spirit of SOW I program” all of us were touched and cried so much when we learned this invaluable lesson by Brother Duc. The Spirit of God was moving! My neigbours were moved and came to see what was happening - but only saw us meeting together. Soon, they told others and words of our church revival spread very far. 

Thank God! He showed me why I could not receive the Holy Spirit’s baptism. I started to cry out and confess my sin of unbelief. And then I received the baptism too - just like my wife, brother Loc, Duy, Sister Phung Tien and the others. 

At that moment I felt like floating in the sky. I was so glad and prayed out loud. The more I pray - the more I was strengthened! (Inner Spirit man). Suppose at that moment, someone was to stab me with a knife, I may not feel any pain as I was totally drunk with the Spirit. Just like Stephen, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke without fear. After teaching this course, brother Duc and I decided to set up Quang Ngai church in my house. And then everybody shaked hand with me and agreed to build His kingdom in Quang Ngai. A few days later brother Duc and Quang had to travel back to Saigon. Before leaving, they promised to keep in touch with us. But sadly we did not hear from them afterward. 

After that, the brethrens who had attended the course started to worry about their denominations; who are against speaking in other tongues and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and who would support/provide for them in future. But I comforted and invited them to meet every month at my house. They agreed to do so. Later on, they came every month. However, due to their lack of funds, I had to buy rice, to catch fish and even had to pay for their transportation. It was very challenging for me indeed! 

Meanwhile, brothers Duy and Loc went back to the mountainside to continue working. However, they still lacked good understanding of God’s word. 

As for me, I felt very happy when I received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I constantly went out to share the gospel and to start small groups (Home churches). I started a group in my wife’s village. In the beginning we had 10 church-members and then the congregation multiplied. I put brother Vang and brother Anh as church-leaders in Nghia Hanh district. 

And then I had to go back to my own village. Sometime later, I heard some bad news about Nghia Hanh home church. The police came to threaten them and did not permit them from meeting together. Subsequently, many members left the house church and some went back to the traditional CMA church. 

It was a sad development but I continued with some new groups at my village. In the beginning we had Mrs Ba, Brother Cuong and his wife, Brothers Viet, Hung, Trung, Thich, Nhe. We had a total of six families. I prayed all the time and went to every family in my village to tell them about Jesus Christ. A few months later, our group split-up due to some misunderstanding and because of the local authorities. I cried so much and spent the next 3days fasting and praying. 

I was determined to keep on working for God in the mountainside, Tra Bong Village. I loved the Tra Bong people so much and went to visit many times to build up the church there and also to plant new churches. 

After a long absence, brother Duc un-expectedly came back to Quang Ngai. He comforted and supported me. We visited some home churches. The first place was Tra Phu village, at brother Thanh’s family. They were very friendly and welcomed us warmly. A few days later, brother Duc had to depart for Saigon. I had to stay home as my wife was due to give birth to our third son whom I named To Ngoc Phuc Sinh (Easter day - his name means resurrection). I only remained at home 14 days as the ministry was waiting for me. 

In April, 29, 1995, I was at Tra Bong home church for meeting. Suddenly, one of them told me that the police was looking for me everywhere! So I hurried to flee / escape but was too late. There were 7 guerillas ready to overtake me. I run frantically and hid myself in some brushwood along the road. They could not see me but did not give up - searching through the night. Like more than 40 Jews plotting together to find and kill Paul. (Acts 23) 

At 1: 30 a.m. I thought that perhaps the police would not run after me because it was already so late. I slowly got out of from the brushwood. Immediately, they saw me and used flashlights to identify my face and quickly recognized me. They rushed in, arrested me, and brought me to the Police station nearbt. Mr Phat, who was the chief of police, used a flashlight and beat like thunder into my face. I could not see anything as I became dizzy and fell down on the floor. 

And then, they started to check everything I had brought along with me. They found some Christian literature, bibles, clothing, and cassettes. Finally, they concluded that I was an evangelist. I gladly accepted their accusations. They were so happy with their success in discharging their duties in arresting me. (According to the government’s urgent instruction to arrest TO DINH TRUNG ). They held a celebration feast that night. They had me remanded in a very dark room “special room”. It was so dark that I could see anything. Thank you, Lord! I shall not fear “Even thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff - they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4) 

From April, 29, 1995 to April, 30, 1995 (the fall of South Vietnam / Saigon to the North) I was arrested together with 3 other Christian-leaders; brothers Duy, Loc, Truong. They had been held in Tra Bong prison some two months ago. 

The authorities plotted to destroy the church in Tra Bong. This plot was carried out by the local Government body in Tra Nham village. They persecuted the Christians there and ordered them to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ. The believers were threatened with severe punishments for dis-obedience. Those who obeyed would be given food, salt, medicine, protection. Tra Nhom Christians were driven into a corner. As the believers felt helpless, they reluctantly accepted their orders. The police was so elated that they recorded their renouncements. 

After that, they played this cassette recording to the crowd that many Christians had already denied their faith and were normal again. After Tra Nham, they continued the same tactics in Tra Son. They persecuted and arrested 3 church-leaders there: Brothers Duy, Loc, Truong. (March, 3, 1995) and remanded till April, 30, 1995 when I was also arrested and met them in jail. 

Thank God! Under such adverse circumstances, we experienced His joy. Brother Truong said: ‘Last night I saw in a vision there were 4 stars together but I did not understand its meaning? The previous night, I saw 3 stars in another vision. Perhaps there would be one more person to meet up with us. Wow! Then you turned up! It was you who led us to Christ Jesus. Halelujah! We are all here in Jesus love. 

No need to ask why - Just my arrest was reason enough. They had top priority over me - a special room of “solitary confinement”. This cell was used for dangerous prisoners of the first class. The cell was very filthy as prisoners had to use it as a toilet as well. The cell was not only pungent but so small and narrow that I could not lie down to sleep. It was built so carefully that no insects could get inside. And sunlight could not penetrate - so dark that I could not recognize day and night; so dark that I could not see anything. Day was like night… 

They gave me a bedpan so I could relief myself. Everyday they brought me 2 very small bowls of rice. Sometimes, Mr. Son the prison keeper, would forget to open my cell because he was busy flirting with the local girls. 

I lived with the constant smell of urine and human excretion. There was no blanket or mosquito-net. Needless to say, the mosquitoes had a good feast. Every 12 days, I was allowed to bathe. They still had a little humanity. 

Who could suffer like that? Only His children can. There was only one thing I could do here - is sing! Songs of praise to our Lord. I was singing and praying all the time. The more I sang and prayed, the more the police got angry. They promised if I stopped singing and praying they would transfer me to a better room. If not, they would continue to confine me in “special room” forever. 

I answered them: Dear sirs, how can I go through a day without anything? I have no one to talk to, no light, nothing in my room …What can I do in there except sing and pray?’ So, they kept me in the ‘special room’ for a while longer… 

The Bible said that: “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose? “(Romans 8:28) 

In this place, I was to learn many valuable lessons about listening to God’s voice and how to be successful in church planting. Previously, I was unsuccessful in planting churches using my will, and human ability…. in many places like Nghia Hanh, Binh Son, Tra Phu. God reminded me : be like Jesus Christ when he was on the earth he did what God wanted and “ he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross “ ( Phillipians 2 ;8 ) 

We called the prison THE SCHOOL OF HOLY SPIRIT. In the beginning, I felt deep animosity against those who persecuted and treated me ruthlessly. I could not forgive them for what they did to me. My prayers were like cursing them. Rightly so, there was so much policy conflicts and mis-management in prison. A few months later, Mr. Son, who had abused me, got very sick and his wife and children, too. I also heard his father had burned his house down. 

Immediately, the Lord reminded me: Why do you behave like that? Do you remember Me - dispised, rejected, oppressed……and even cruxified on the cross. You see, what did I say to them? “Father, forgive them - for they do not know what they are doing “(Luke 23: 34) 

Why did I curse them? The love of God was poured forth my heart by the Holy Spirit and I repented of my behavior and asked God to forgive those who had persecuted me and to bless them in Jesus Name. After that, I felt very lighthearted and happy. God was doing a new work in my heart. I started to compose some new songs about Forgiveness. Forgive and forget - like Jesus did. And I prayed for those persecuted me with the love of Jesus Christ. 

After my prayers of love, God changed their hearts. They transferred me to a better cell after a few months. Nevertheless, my body was emaciated and weak. When I saw the sunlight I fell to the ground again and again…I was not able to stand because I had not seen sunlight for such a long time. 

God is good all the time! Although, physically I was weak but my spiritual life was very strong. Often, I prayed in tongues and sang to the Lord through the night without tiring. One day, the police brought a new inmate to my detention room. When he heard my singing and praying, he became so frightened that he asked to be transferred. He told the jailor to kill him right away - but please not let him stay with me. He had felt a strong force within me. The jailor disagreed, and tried to convince him to stay, and said that I will pray for him. Do you know why he was so frightened when he saw me? It was because the Holy Spirit within me caused such great distress to the evil spirit in him. I started to pray for him, afterwhich he slept very well. The next morning he got up and came to give thanks. 

The Spirit of God was moving here, many prisoners came to know Jesus through my witness. They were so simple-hearted. I taught them how to pray and praise. Also, I could meet and talk to my brothers Duy, Loc, Truong after 2 months in solitary confinement. We loved one another so much and help one another to overcome our troubles. We continued to compose new songs like ‘Rejoice in the Lord’. 

God is good all the time! Although, physically I was weak but my spiritual life was very strong. Often, I prayed in tongues and sang to the Lord through the night without tiring. One day, the police brought a new inmate to my detention room. When he heard my singing and praying, he became so frightened that he asked to be transferred. He told the jailor to kill him right away - but please not let him stay with me. He had felt a strong force within me. The jailor disagreed, and tried to convince him to stay, and said that I will pray for him. Do you know why he was so frightened when he saw me? It was because the Holy Spirit within me caused such great distress to the evil spirit in him. I started to pray for him, afterwhich he slept very well. The next morning he got up and came to give thanks. 

The Spirit of God was moving here, many prisoners came to know Jesus through my witness. They were so simple-hearted. I taught them how to pray and praise. Also, I could meet and talk to my brothers Duy, Loc, Truong after 2 months in solitary confinement. We loved one another so much and help one another to overcome our troubles. We continued to compose new songs like ‘Rejoice in the Lord’. 

Let’s sing a new song to praise Jesus He is our Lord. Haleluja Praise his holy name Jesus Christ. He is blessing whomever was sent to prison for His name sake. Haleluja (4x) 

In spite of dangers, persecutions, troubles - But Jesus gave strength to us overcome. Let’s sing a new song. How blessed are those sent to prison for Jesus’s name sake. Haleluja (4x) 

The dawn is coming. The darkness has gone. The Lord is coming to us. He will reward you. No, no more sin, sorrow, misery. Jesus has suffered. I sing this new song from my heart to praise your work. Haleluja Amen. 

Heaven is not only in heaven but also here on earth. Where-ever the Lord is, there is heaven. I had Jesus and I had heaven. We wrote one more song, Here is heaven. This song made the jailer and the high ranking police sore-headed and they felt they had been unsuccessful in surpressing the Gospel. 

Here is heaven. Jesus is with us in our hearts. I am so joyful. I will sing. I will lift up my voice and sing from my heart to worship you. Here is heaven. Haleluja (4x) 

In July, 1995 police officers came to our detention room and took our photos. One of them said they were preparing to bring us to court to be sentenced. Surely, he added, we would be imprisoned for a long time if we did not give up our belief. 

During this time they tried to convince us to deny our faith. They came to Brother Duy and told him many things like: who will take care of your wife, kids? His wife was pregnant at that time. No rice, food or anything in your house etc…If you agree, and deny your faith, you would be released right now. He was so worried about his family struggling without him. How could his wife and his kids survive? Finally, he gave in and signed a Warranty to Abandon the Gospel. The police also asked him to persuade other believers in his village to give up as well. 

Brothers Loc and Truong were also caught in this terrible dilemma. What would they choose? Be set free right now if they repented or be send to prison for a longtime. Your family or your God - which one will you choose? Brother Loc was deep in thought. I asked him where brother Duy was? And he told me that Duy had already repented and would be set free the next day. I was so surprised. What?! I said loudly to brother Loc: No, No, Don’t do it! Let’s consider and meditate – have God ever left you or rejected you? You should not do it please… 

Finally Loc and Truong were both convinced and went back to the detention room. I knew exactly what the government was up to. By forcing these church-leaders to renounce their faith no one would be left to lead Tra Bong church. Surely, the church would then collapse. That was what they though... But man purposes and God disposes! 

They could never succeed against our God. Finally, they came to me and said, ‘Duy your brother had already renounced his faith and now how about you? Sign your name here and you would be released right now’. With all of my heart I said loudly to them : No! Never! I can not. Forever can not. Jesus loves me so much. Save my life; never hurt me. He loves me and died for me on the cross never leaves nor forsakes me. No, no, never, never. 

The chief of police said: Yeah, well done! He clapped his hands. Ok! You will be imprisoned forever… I answered: Even if I die, I would not deny the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Back in detention, we wept in the knowledge that one of our brothers had been made to stumble. Quietly, we prayed for him and thought about what would happen when Duy went back to the village? Changed his heart and his decision to follow Jesus? Oh God! We cried and prayed so much that day. Duy was so upset and wept freely too. Like Peter crying after the rooster crowed the third time. After that he came to the police and told them: I have some thing to tell you. If I have to be imprisoned indefinitely, I would accept. But I would not deny Jesus, my Lord, my savior. 

When fellow believers in his village heard this news they also cried and prayed fervently for him. Just as satan failed to deter Peter, who was later restored; satan could not destroy God’s church. Jesus Himself had bought the church by his precious blood. 

We resumed our fellowship with praise and worship every night. Indeed, we prayed all night long. The police hated it so much and were very furious but could not do anything to stop us. Every night we would hear loud sounds on the outer wall like someone throwing stones. We felt something very strong in our inner man. We comforted one another and united in to overcome our present circumstances as the court hearing day came near. I was held here in Tra bong jail for 5 months and Brothers Duy, Loc, Truong were 7 months. 

They brought these three brothers to court one day before me. They wanted to separate us. They were so brave when they answered the magistrate who asked brother Truong: Do you think you are committing a big crime? He answered: Jesus Christ had shed his precious blood on the cross for all my sins. The Judge was so surprised at his reply. They could not understand what he said. But they could not oppose these strong words; like when Peter and the others apostles replied “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5: 29) 

After the trials they pronounced these verdicts: 

1. Brother Duy was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment. 

2. Brother Truong was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment 

3. Brother Loc was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. 

All our brothers were happy to accept their sentence without complaining… The next morning, I was taken to court. After praying during the night and now I was to face my challenge. I was not fearful but rather bolder. They seemed so small before me like ants. I could see a large crowd came to witness my trial. I thought it was a big trial because of the presence of the entire Tra Bong and Quang Ngai police force. There were so many soldiers; armed guerillas in uniform. They treated me like a dangerous reactionary. 

My father, two my brothers, my wife, brothers Hon and Duc were also present. The hearing started with one of the police officers taking me to the bar. 

The judge questioned; who commanded you to spread the gospel? 

I replied with God’s great commission in the Bible; ‘go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation’ (Mark 16;15) and ‘therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’(Matthew 28:19-20) 

As they did not wish the court to hear what I was saying, they had turned off my microphone and manacled my hands because of fear. I did not understand why they behaved like this. 

Question: How many times did you evangelize in Tra Bong Village? 

I answered: Yes, Sir, I could not remember how many times. 

One more question for you: Are you a citizen of Vietnam and a Vietnamese? 

I Replied: Yes of course. I am not only a citizen of Vietnam and a Vietnamese but also belong to the kingdom of God. 

Question: Why did you not obey the Vietnamese government? 

Aswered: I must obey God’s law rather than Vietnamese government’s law” 

I will obey you on anything according to Vietnamese Law, but on the matter of the good news; I will not obey you. I must obey the Lord. 

The magistrate was stunned by my answers. You would have thought someone had shot him. And he seemed to bristle even more. 

Because God’s law is forever! But your law could be changed and mistaken. They were flabbergasted when they heard it. They know that I was not afraid of prison or even death. At the end, I was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. After that I was allowed to meet my father. My father asked: Why did you talk to the magistrate like this? Let’s appeal for commutation. I replied that’s ok I had nothing to regret. The people who witnessed this trial were so angry with the authorities. 

The court clerk asked me to signify my sentence. After that, they shackled my hands and took me to the prison. And they placed many soldiers to guard me. For three days I was put in stocks. I could not sleep because of the pain. I was remanded in Tra Bong prison for 20 days and later transferred to Quang Ngai prison. 

NGHIA KY-QUANG NGAI’S PRISON 

I should think these hardship days had passed by. Perhap Quang Ngai Prison would be better? Quang Ngai government may be more democratic. The judge who tried me was from the Koor tribe and may be mistaken. But I was wrong. My sentence was from the highest command. No mistakes… Deal ruthlessly with Christians is Communism’s creed. They hated the Gospel, and Christians. Good or bad, ethical or not - are inconsequential as Communism does not accept any religions. God had allowed them to deal badly with me for His glory! 

The Tra Bong police station issued transfer papers for brothers Loc, Duy, Truong and I to Quang Ngai prison. It has been built so so careful - including WC, canteen. The rules here were so severe. But family visitation was easier. I stayed with 20 prisoners in a one detention room of 15m length and 8m breadth. Most of them were detented for political crime; corruptions etc…most of them had good education unlike the common criminals. Immediately, upon my arrival, they were all curious to know why I was there. 

I answered: For Jesus Name sake (the Gospel) I was here. They were so surprised at my strange story. Mr Hoang, who was oldest inmate, said: this is not a crime. Force is right, best and weak is wrong, bad. 

By God’s love I won their hearts and preached God’s love for them, I began sharing with the Manager of a big bank and Mr. Hoang, Brother Danh…. Due to the lack of Bibles, I had to write parts of scriptures on pieces of paper and sent them to every detention room. Unfortunately, this was soon discovered. The prison wardens came to our room and searched through everything and found 2 bibles and some Christian books in my possession. They were doubtful of brothers Loc, Duy, Truong also. I confessed to them; they are mine and unrelated to these brothers. They took me to a ferocious police officer. His name was Ngoc - infamous for his ruthlessness with prisoners. Needless to say, he duly gave me a good beating. The punch stunned me for a moment. And then he commanded me to stand up and he started to work with me. He said: I had beaten you so that you may sue me for it. 

I said to him: You know what? You could destroy my body but not destroy my soul. You see, I am a Christian and I would not sue you for anything you did to me. You know it, right? I am an evangelist and the Bibles are mine. They ordered me to sign my name in the discipline order. I had to comply and I was put in A1 solitary confinement for 7 days. 

They registered my mischief with the higher police authorities and recommended adding three more years to my prison sentence. They told me: ‘when you were a free man; you had already preached the gospel so much. And now that you are imprisoned, do you not feel tired? Was it not enough for you already?’ 

I replied: ‘yes, sir. Should I not declare the good things, good news for those who are here? I have to show them the truth, the good way? And what is so bad with my work? Even for you and your government I have cried out and prayed for every night. 

Gospel will never be jobless - Preaching the word all the time- in season and out of season. 

I was in Nghia Ky-Quang Ngai prison for three months. My wife continued to appeal to the highest government office of Vietnam to intervene. As a result, in December, 1995, the Quang Ngai court had to try my case again. They asked me these same questions as before. Finally, Mr. Nanh who was the judge asked: 

Why did not you ask to commute the sentence? 

I replied it was not necessary to ask for commutation? 

We need you to acknowledge the fact. 

One more question: Do you recognize your action was wrong/offensive? 

I said - before God I have never dared do wrong and to cause any offence. 

They could not understand what I said. Anyhow, in summary, They maintained my prision sentence and brought me back to Nghia Ky prision. But I continued to evangelize. They always came to check my place, disciplined, and held me many times in special detention rooms. During my fourth detention, there were 18 prisoners, eventually 11 of them became Christians due to my hsaring the gospel. They wardens were so angry and transferred me to Nghia Hanh prison. 

While in prison, my wife had to nurse our third son alone. Even though we had a small family of three children, my eldest son Hoang Bich, did not attend basic education. My wife had to accept the misery, trouble, and hardship. Take care of my children, work in the rice field, and worried about the soon collapsing house; and also about how, when to visit and food to feed me . 

It was a heavy burden to place on her small shoulders. Praise the Lord for His amazing grace. God used my parent-in-laws and brethrens far and near to comfort, encourage and contribute financially to help her. How wonderful! When the storm did come my wife had His solid faith to stand on. Our old house finally collapsed because of a passing storm. Thankfully, my wife and children were safe and sound. She had to re-build in the middle of the rainy season. But honestly, we had nothing at that time. 

However, with God’s grace she was able to build a new house with 15.000.000 VND (equivalent to 1,000.00 USD at that time). Wow! How marvelous! Everybody in my village was so surprised. They agreed it was not her doing but God’s. In my village, many worked so hard all the days of their lives but got nothing to show for their efforts. Besides paying for my children’s education, for food daily, she had to visit and feed me every month. Without her loving support I would not have survived prison. Give thanks to the Lord for His good; His love endures forever. Amen… 

Here is the correct meaning of prison. I had just arrived and they sent me to the vast rice fields for three months. The harvest was waiting for the laborers. “Undergo re-education” - you have to work and grow food for yourself. I thought the police would reward us for our hard work. But it was not true. Although we worked so hard and brought in a great harvest we were given a little and the lions share went to the prison authorities. 

Yes, here is my smelting furnace. Everything was so severe, strict and principled. Thank God! He strengthened me. The work here was so heavy. I had to toil all the time. But I felt joy even though we were forced to high productivity. On one morning I could harvest 400m2 of paddy-rice. Like the Israelites when they was so troubled by slavery in Egypt. I cried out to God for his deliverance as early as possible. And God heard me. By His love, many Christians, and churches within and without Vietnam; knew about my situation. They sent messages, letters to comfort me. Even though the prison was so strict but I was allowed to receive all these letters that meant so much to me. 

I saw that all kinds of governments, whether democratic or communist cannot stop the work of the Holy Spirit because the government of God is greater. I believed that one day the Bible will be printed in Vietnam. At the end of 1995, I heard that Vietnam could not be accepted for admission to WTO and would be cut off humanitarian support from foreign countries because of religious persecution of Churches and Christians. (Peoples news release, October, 24, 1997). 

But the Vietnamese government’s answer to adverse public opinion was: Vietnam only persecuted, arrested those who took advantage of the freedom to trespass the benefit of the Government and the people. 

Actually, this was not true. They were trying to hide. But the truth will out. Many Christians was persecuted, oppressed, and isolated like To Dinh Trung, Ho Hoang Duy, Dinh Tan Loc, Dinh Thanh Truong, Nguyen Gia Phai, Dinh Vinh Be, Tran Van Vui, Nguyen Duc Loi… All of them had not committed any crime worthy of prison except for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

His Gospel is not only for Vietnam but also the whole world. The Lord is living in our hearts and will surely uphold those who are righteous in Christ. 

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases” (Proverbs 21 : 1 ) 

Just as God humbled King Nebuchadnezzar - He gave back the glory to God by praising and lifting up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Praise the Lord for their bravery. They refused to bow down to the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Even when they knew they will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 

Many times, the government had sought to kill me but could not; Because God is constantly with me. “The Lord is my helper: I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:6) 

At this time, my wife sent appeal letters to the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr. Vo Van Kiet, to ask for intervention. I think the letters must have touched his heart by God’s anointing. Sometime later, the Vietnamese government changed their bad attitude towards Christians, and religions, in general. A few months later the Bible was printed with the Vietnamese government’s permission. God is so faithful. Amen? 

What about me? I was still in Hanh Thien prison; and kept fruitful preaching the good news to my fellow inmates. There were over 180 prisoners here. I wrote many Bible’s verses down on slips of papers to distribute to them. Later, twenty inmates came to Christ. Soon, the prison warden found out about my activities. They put me in front of the 180 prisoners and started to ridicule me. I asked them - good and bad things - which should I choose? I was not only preaching the good news for these prisoners but also all of you who hold power. 

One of the prison wardens said; don’t forget, this is the prison; not the Cathedral where you can preach and say anything you want about the Gospel. Please don’t make troubles for us. What more do you want? 

The wardens then set some prisoners to follow me; to keep a close watch on me. They tried to find faults with me but were not able to. God was constantly with me. Amusingly, the prisoners who were assigned to follow me came to Christ; touched by God’s love. Finally, they disciplined me by solitary confinement. No one was allowed to contact me. Those who did would be severely punished. 

In June, 06, 1996, Brothers Nguyen Thanh Quang and Tran Van Vui came to talk to me and the prison officer saw us. Brother Quang was put in solitary confinement for 14 days and brother Vui was kept in suspense, pending investigations, and became worried and frustrated. It was all a mind game… 

My family visits were stopped, too. My wife could not bring anything to feed me. The wardens thought to themselves; how I could preach about Jesus without food? But God is good all the time. I knew in my heart He will make a way, and deliver me for His glory. Like Elijah when he had to run for his life. He had nothing to eat. But the Lord sent ravens to bring the food! God reminded me of His faithfulness. Knowing that never will I leave you and never will I forsake you. Surely, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He will supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory. I believed in him with all of my heart. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… 

Jehovah-Jireh! My provider! A wonderful miracle! How wonderful! He used a prisoner named Binh who loved me so much. He told me he was willing to do anything to help me - even die for my sake! Brother Binh offered to slip away while working in the forest to bring word to my wife. But I knew the penalty would be most severe. As the need was great, I reluctantly agreed. Fervently, I prayed for his safe passage and proclaimed the protection of God over him. I wrote a short message to my wife and sent it through him. 

Eventually, Binh was very resourceful and managed to rent a motorbike to travel to my village. He showed my message to my wife and told her about my need. My wife gave Binh 100.000VND for me and also some travel expenses. What a dangerous adventure! But it was successful. Binh came back without any mishap and handled the money to me. I offered Binh 10.000vnd but he refused persistenty. 

With that money, I asked brother Binh to buy some good food for me. Everybody was so surprised that I had been in solitary confinement for three months but my body was more sturdy and healthy than before. They could not believe their eyes! 

Eventually, the money was used up and I was out of food again. God continued to provide through Mr. Luu (an ex-communist party member), who gave me some food. Another time, a Christian prisoner named Loi came to me in the middle of the night with supper! Loi was a great blessing and took care of me during my prison stay. 

On September, 15, 1996 - The rainy season was here. It was so dark and the floor was drenched with rain water. No pillow, mat, blanket, nothing - so we could not sleep. How could I live here? I tried to contact to brother Vui, who had been so faithful, to have a time of fasting and praying. We decided to fast and pray for 5 days. During this time, neither police officers nor prisoners were able to sleep. We were given one small portion of cooked rice a day. But we determined not to eat anything. After three days, one of the prison guards reported this matter to the prison chief. Mr Hai, who interrogated me, was a strict disciplinarian. He started to talk to me as sweet as honey. He said I should promise never to evangelise or do something foolish like fasting. As an incentive, he would not punish me and I could be transferred to a better detention room. He asked me for assurance. I promised him I will not say or do anything bad but only share good news and do what is right. After reading my papers, he said, Ok, Well done, you will be here longer. I replied The Lord opens and no one can shut. And if he shuts then no one can open. 

Halelujah! A few days later they transferred me to a better room. I had been in solitary confinement for a total of 105 days in Hanh Thien prison. They also transferred Brother Vui to a better facility 2 days later. Seven days of fasting had completely depleted us! But after our transfers; in a short 2 months, we quickly recovered. 

Many things were changing for the better at this point. We were given more food than before. Thank God for His blessings. He blessed my every work in the rice field……. It is still a wonder to me how big the sweet potato was? During summer, it was very dry and water was scarse but the Lord was doing something supernatural. There was lots of water! Like Joseph in Potiphar’s house, God blessed Potiphar for Joseph’s sake. Likewise, the blessings of the Lord were evident on me and overflowed to all in the prison. 

I wanted to baptize some new believers like Brothers Quang and Tuan. But how can I baptize them? So I cried out to the Lord. Strangely, a while later, the police chief wanted to show favor to the inmates by buiding a lake where everybody can shower. A few weeks later it was completed. I said to both of my brothers. 

‘Let’s wait till everyone has gone to bed and then I will baptize both of you.’ 

Hallelujah! By God’s grace, I baptized Quang and Tuan in Hanh Thien prison. 

My life, and of some other Christians, in prison was a good example for others. It affected both prison staff and prisoners. The prison warden ordered everybody to give up smoking and drinking. Be like Trung and other Christians. But they just could not do it. The police warden used many ways to help them but it was impossible. Truly, the power of His love is stronger than their guns. Once, the prison warden tried to ask me: 

‘How are you able to persuade and transform them, but we could not? 

I answered: it is not me but God. I could not change their hearts, their live; but with God - nothing is impossible! 

One more interesting incident took place. The police conducted an important civil law exam in prisons throughtout Vietnam. Candidates were to compose an essay of exactly 400 words. Those who scored well would be greatly rewarded. Many inmates were highly educated. Naturally, they relied on their talents, and abilities? As for me, I only had grade 6 but knew the one needful thing! Pray to God. Please help me glorify your Name. I believe I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. Amen! 

Finally, after waiting for a long six months; the scores were announced. I heard from one of my friends in another prison that I had come in third! I was so happy and told the good news to my friends. But they made fun of me. It was impossible! So I went to the police chief to enquire. And he said: 

‘Yes, not third; but actually - second place!’ 

I continued to ask him about my reward but he had not been informed further. For me it does not matter. Praise the Lord ‘But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise’ (1 Corinthian 1:27) 

Everyone was so shocked when they heard about my academic success. They had all thought that perhaps I was a university graduate in disguise… 

For three years I had fallen into the clutches of the lion but God had given me the authority to overcome. I was not harmed. Ten days before the expiry of my sentence, a police officer brought release papers for my signature. At exactly 6:00a.m. April, 29, 1998, I was summoned by the police chief. He greeted me warmly. He asked if I would like to bring anything home. I replied: ‘No, sir, I have already given it to the others.’ 

How strange! Unlike the other prisoners I was not asked to do anything before release. I believed that he also was touched by the power and love of the Gospel. Later on, he asked his personal assistant to escort me to the bus station. Sour and sweet, sorrow and joy, today I have overcome and took the prize. Yet never will I forget my friends - those still in prison. I both missed and loved them. 

I was so worried about the new believers. Who will take care of them in my absence? Thank God! I had completed a significant part of my long journey on earth to heaven. The first place I visited was to my parent-in-laws. Hearing the good news about my release Christian brethrens everywhere contacted the police station for further details. Brother Duc, Hon, my wife, my children, my brothers; they were all waiting outside the prison gates to bring me home! 

What happiness! I cried so much. It had been so, so, long since we met. And my wife also cried when she saw me. Oh, how I ran to my sons, my daughters! I threw my arms around them and kissed them repeatedly... 

In April, 30, 1998 I celebrated my release and gave heart-felt thanks to my Abba Father for all of His blessings, protection, care…His faithfulness. And then I thank my parents and my in-laws for their support during my absence. Finally, I thank my brethrens in Christ - those who had so comforted, encouraged, and helped us in our time of trouble. 

Shortly after, Brother Duc invited my wife and I to Saigon to relax. While in prison, I had been so worried about the churches in Tra Bong and Son Ha. I made enquiries regarding them and was told that nothing very much had changed. 

On 27 May, 1998 my wife and I left for Saigon. I stayed on for another 6 months to attend bible school. At 9a.m. I and my wife departed from our village to visit my brothers in Buon Ma Thuoc. We had not seen each another all these 3 years. Upon meeting them we all cried for joy. My younger brother embraced me. After hearing my testimony, he promised to dedicate his life for ministry! 

We had a sumptuous feast and it was time to say goodbye as we had to leave for Saigon the next day. Brother Duc was waiting for us when we arrived at the bus station. He brought us home to rest. The next day he took us sightseeing in Saigon. And then we were invited to a conference in Vung tau. Standing before many Church leaders and missionaries I shared my prison testimony and Gods faithfulness through it all. The audience was so touched and they started to pray for my wife and I. 

After days later, I saw my wife off as she had to return home for the children. Our bible class would start on June, 10, 1998. Praise the Lord for our instructor Mr Tran Mai who risked his life operating this underground Bible School. Its sole purpose was equipping Church leaders for the kingdom of God. 

At 7:00 a.m. Brother Tran Mai prayed and blessed the opening of the course. There were altogether 13 students - 11 from the North, 1 from Central (myself) and 1 from the South. But the school was rather strict. We could not sing loudly, nor allowed to go outside the school compound. 

During this time, I prayed constantly for central Vietnam – especially Quang ngai. God then gave me a vision - 30 church-leaders for Quang ngai in 1999. Also, I prayed for Brothers Duy, Loc, Truong in Tra Bong; and Ba-thi, in Son Ha, for them to be fruitful in Quang Ngai. Later, I shared this vision with others in the school and asked for their prayers. But they did not believe me! Praise the Lord. A few months later the vision came to pass. I heard from home that every month there were 16 church leaders from Tra Bong and Son Ha meeting at my house. Some pastors from Da Nang and even Saigon came to assist. Also, some Bible Training Courses were made available in Son Ha. 

After attending these courses, more ministers were recruited – resulting in more than 100 conversions in just six months. After my graduation, I went back to Quang Ngai and eagerly visited the churches in Tra Bong and Son Ha to taste that the Lord is truly good. The church elders I met told me that they now had 30 Christian workers! Exactly like what I saw in my vision! Hallelujah! 

Due to the rapid expansion, we wanted to establish a Central Church Committee in Quang Ngai for Central Vietnam. We wrote to our mother church in Saigon for approval but did not receive any reply. We continued to pray and to wait upon the Lord. Some time later, we established the Central Church Committee to oversee more than 1000 members in central Vietnam. Indeed, His church was growing… 

Not surprisingly, government persecutions resumed they pressured us into stopping our activated and tried to destroy the home church movement. I continued to pray for them and believed that God will change their hearts. Nothing is impossible for God! 

Now, I praise the Lord for the new freedoms we have - like never before. God is indeed doing a new work and opening a great door of blessing over Vietnam, particularly Quang Ngai. The Spirit of the Lord is moving mightily! 

There are over a million in Quang Ngai still without the saving knowledge of Christ. At the same time, I also pray for a bible school and a Christian bookshop in Quang Ngai so that many Christians can be equipped. Truly, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are so few’’. 

Once again, in concluding, I wish to thank my wonderful wife, my children and those who wish to dedicate their lives for the Gospel of Christ Jesus. 

Let’s move forward! God is waiting for you. 

In the most precious Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen! 

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