VIETNAM — Chu is a courageous Christian woman in Vietnam whose husband tried to force her to deny Jesus. He had come under pressure from his local community leaders who threaten to demote or retire tribal leaders if they allow Christianity into their villages.

However even though he beat her there was no turning back for her.

“My husband was told by many people to force me to deny Jesus. He became angry then he beat me.”

In the rural provinces of northern Vietnam where Chu lives, there is no room for Christianity. The local authorities threaten to demote or retire tribal leaders who allow Christianity into their villages.

“My relatives and also the local government authorities said ‘You are the first one in the village to believe in Christ. If you continue to believe, your children might also become followers of Christ. You will become a trouble to us and cost us our positions in the government.’”

Some of Chu’s children did also believe; and for two years, so did her husband. But when he was threatened with losing his own high position in the village, Chu’s husband denied his faith. Then in February 2020, he was summoned for a meeting with the local authorities to pressure Chu to do the same.

“When my husband came home I asked him what the leaders said to him. So he said that it was because of me: because I follow Christ, that’s why he hit me. My husband used a stick to hit my arms and my neck and my head.”

Chu went to the village chief and to the police to complain about the beating, but no action was taken. So she decided to divorce her husband and had to go and live with other relatives, leaving her children behind.

“After my divorce from my husband, the village authorities came to me and told me to leave because I could not stay there. They said that if I chose to stay, I might die. They also said that if I renounce my faith, they might accept me back into the village. But I have already found Christ. There’s now no turning back.”

Chu has found encouragement from her pastor and other church members.

“They encouraged me for choosing Jesus. They said that Jesus is the only way so I should continue to lean on Him and He will protect me. No matter what hardships I face I know that when I die I will have a place in heaven.”

So as Chu chose not to deny Jesus it’s hoped many more believers like her will take this brave stand across the communities of Vietnam to show God’s faithfulness through his bold witnesses.

About Open Doors UK

Open Doors is a non-denominational mission that supports persecuted Christians in over 70 countries where Christianity is socially or legally discouraged or oppressed. In their work, they provide vital support, training, and resources to those facing persecution or discrimination.

Resources that they provide include distributing Bibles and literature, running leadership training, assisting with socio-economic development and intercessory prayer. They also help victims of violence and disaster, including widows and orphans, with practical support such as relief aid, livelihood support, and community development projects.

Their vision is of a world in which every Christian who is persecuted is remembered and supported by other Christians. They pray for a world where there is no persecution.

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