Photo: VOMC
In July of this year, Huu Dat (whose name has been changed for security reasons) became a follower of Jesus, leaving behind a tradition of tribal ancestor worship. His wife and four of his six children also chose to follow Christ.
Sometime later, Huu's eldest son found out about his family's conversion and became extremely angry. He viewed their conversion to another religion as an act of betrayal to the family's ancestral legacy and the beliefs of their tribal group. The son demanded that they renounce their allegiance to Christ and return to the tribal religion. However, the family refused, holding steadfastly onto their Christian faith.
After various attempts to convince his family to recant their belief in Jesus, the son physically attacked his father in late October, repeatedly striking him with a wooden rod. The beating left Huu with broken ribs and a deep wound on his face. The father's pastor reported that he is receiving medical care for the injuries and, despite the ordeal, continues to persevere in his faith. The most recent report indicated that Huu needed to return to the hospital due to experiencing persistent pain. It was discovered that he had sustained other bone fractures, which are now also being treated.
While the incident has been reported to the local authorities, they are refusing to get involved since it's a family matter. In rural and tribal areas of Vietnam, new believers are frequently targeted with harsh persecution and deprived of resources in an attempt to pressure them to reject their faith. For more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam, and/or to review previously posted reports, go to our country report.
As Huu recovers from his injuries, pray that the faith of this persevering believer and his Christian family will endure, becoming even further strengthened through the opposition they have encountered. Ask the Lord to touch the heart of Huu's eldest son and that, as he continues to witness the persistent faith of his family, he will respond to the ministry of the Holy Spirit – to the point of coming to repentance and receiving God's gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
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