When Typhoon Yagi hit Vietnam in September 2024, it caused widespread devastation and destruction, leaving many without a means of income. OM responded to this need not only by giving practical help but also with financial assistance.
Tran Van Vuong and Le Thi Khuyen made a living by catching crabs, fish, oysters and whatever else they could find. They lived on Minh Chau Island, Vietnam, returning to the mainland in Van Don once a week.
Tran Van often drank and smoked heavily, and his wife felt that life was insecure and had no future, so she left.
A short while later, she met a Jesus follower who told her about God and led her to faith. When Le Thi returned home and told Tran Van, he also believed in God. Husband and wife were baptised in June 2024 and began attending a church about 20km from their house.
Tran Van said, “We had been blessed for a very long time by catching fish and shrimp that God had made. We had no knowledge of God at all at the time, but now we acknowledge Him.”
The couple began praying for their son, who worked as a seafood porter at Van Don port, to come to know Christ. When the OM’s Ha Long church planting team met with the son, he finally accepted Jesus Christ.
Minh Chau Island, where Le Thi and Tran Van live, is a two-hour boat ride from Van Don port on the mainland. The Ha Long church planting team is now planning to go to the island to preach to the fishermen there.
Despite the distance, Tran Van’s family regularly attends church and has fellowship with and gains encouragement from their brothers and sisters in Christ.
Depending on God’s mercy
When Typhoon Yagi struck the island, Tran Van and Le Thi were left hungry and freezing for two days. Feeling frail and small, they could only reach out to God for mercy.
When the storm passed, they surveyed the damage and discovered that their boat had sunk and was severely damaged.
Tran Van said, “We lost everything we had on the boat. All we can do is give thanks to God that we are alive. Fixing a big boat costs $7,000 USD, so we haven’t been able to do it yet.”
Understanding the family's struggles, OM in Vietnam and the local church visited them and brought gifts to help deal with the storm's aftermath, including a financial gift of $400 USD to put towards the cost of fixing the boat.
“We were very encouraged with this small present,” Tran Van said. “I just repaired my small boat and am operating it now.”
Since the typhoon, OM in Vietnam has helped nine families through financial aid towards the cost of repairing houses and boats and has built five new houses in Lyung Ly Village. The team has also been able to give out 120 ‘love packs’ — gifts of essential supplies — to 120 families.
Pray that God will open the way to share the gospel with the people living on Minh Chau Island. May God continue to strengthen Tran Van Vuong and Le Thi Khuyen’s faith and help them share the good news of Christ with others.