I thank the Lord for this mission trip where I have the opportunity to travel together with my former senior pastor, Rev. Kelvin Sim (left for Melbourne to start new ministry). It is a beautiful reflection of Jesus ministry on earth. I’m glad that God has instrumentalized Ps. Kelvin to bless the believers in Hanoi and Haiphong.

This is my third trip to North Vietnam and it was totally a different experience compared to the previous two. During my first trip, it was more of an eye opener for me. I have a culture shock looking at the traffic, especially the numerous motorcycles trying to make their way through the heavy traffic and their way of life. It was more of a holiday trip though we had some meetings in the house-churches in the evening.

My second trip was to visit and encourage some believers’ especially the returnees who have come to know the Lord during their stay in Johor Bahru. We went from house to house to visit and encourage them to remain faithful to their faith and also encourage them to continue to go to house-churches respectively. We prayed that they will continue to meet with other believers and enjoy the fellowship of the saints.

The third trip was entirely a different experience. As Ps.Kelvin was asked to preach and teach the Word of God to the leaders and pastors of the house-churches. Some have to travel about 30-40km.just to attend the 3 days training starting from morning 9.30am to evening 5.30pm. It was a long session but the hunger and thirst for God’s Word of the participants bought the presence of God into the sanctuary.

After the end of each session, Ps. Kelvin would minister to them in prayer. Practically everyone came forth to be prayed for. I felt the mighty move of the Holy Spirit was so strong that some were slain and some wept; and Ps. Kelvin also exercises the gift of prophesy. It was an awesome experience for many who received the Word of prophesy to find encouragement and strength for their faith in the Lord. The Lord sees the heart of His people and their hunger and thirst after His Living Word. I saw Ps.Kelvin brought the Bread of Life to feed them and the Holy Spirit just poured down on everyone.

At the end of each day we thought we could rest but our dear interpreter, Bro. Huy, would not allow us to do so. He would plan for Ps. Kelvin to share at the small group meetings. We were at his mercy but nonetheless Ps. Kelvin was happy to do so. Then on March 13th, we went northwards to another city called Haiphong. It is the hometown of Bro. Huy. There I got the chance to meet up with several of my friends who have been to Johor Bahru for ministry. It was a wonderful time of talking and dining. Practically, all our nights are been arranged for dinner at the homes of my friends. They planned in such that each family would have a chance to invite us for dinner. Ps.Kelvin and I were really touched by their kind and generous hospitality. Their kind gesture insisted that we eat as much as they fill up our plates…continuously.

Looking at the ministry in Haiphong, the spiritual atmosphere is quite similar to that of Hanoi. We have participants who came from as far as Kaba Island (12 hours by boat). The two pastors had to put up a few nights in the house of an elderly sister who opened her house to be a house-church. Most of the leaders and pastors who attended the training were in one way or another being persecuted. They were once been beaten or imprisoned due to their faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, they did not abandon their faith but remain faithful and steadfast in the midst of persecution.
They continue to preach and teach the Word of God to everyone they come in contact with.

They knew their resources and their knowledge are limited so they are so eager to learn from the servant of God. Looking at their faces and eyes, you can tell how enthusiastic and eager to hear the Word of God being expounded. The Word of God has become ‘rhema’ unto them. Ps.Kelvin has revealed the truth from the Word. They were craving for more and more of God’s Word. They were so hungry for the Holy Word that they sat through from morning to late evening just to listen the preaching. When an altar call was given, many responded expressing their desire to be prayed for. The ministry of the Holy Spirit moved again mightily as Ps. Kelvin begin to minister to them in prophecy. It was a wonderful time as everyone was ministered to. You can literally see the joy in their faces.

Throughout the seven days in North Vietnam, though we were worn out, I mean Ps. Kelvin, but it was a very fruitful ministry. The leaders and pastors invited us to come back again next year. So we are hoping for another opportunity to do greater work here in Jesus Name. We want to see more leaders and pastors called into the ministry. The desire and purpose of Ps. Kelvin is to open more house-churches for the Glory of God. It is also the heart desire of Ps. Kelvin to train more leaders ready for the great harvest. I’m glad to see some returnees committing their lives to serve God even though they face poverty and persecution from family members and authorities.

Surely, one day Vietnam will be turned upside down by the believers of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Report by Jeffrey Lim Hong-Hua