Last Sept 1-12, I had the privilege again to visit the work in Vietnam. In this trip, I also went to Cambodia to discuss with the Filipino missionary worker in Phnom Penh the details of missions work. I want to share with you, Cornerstone people, the blessings and insights in this recent mission trip. I am greatly thankful to the Lord for this trip as His hand was so evident in many ways. So let me focus on what God has done in this missionary journey.
But before I discuss what God has accomplished in this trip, let me update you of some significant details concerning these two nations. Vietnam is an economically growing nation. Its economic capital—Saigon or Ho Chi Minh, is coping fast with the rest of the world. Last year when I was there, there were very few taxis. But in this trip, I saw many Innova and Adventure taxis plying the busy streets of Saigon. Luxury cars abound as well. Construction work seems to be unceasing. Together with these, worldliness and sins grew also. In this city of approximately nine million people (with the country’s population totaling 70 million), you could imagine its great need of hearing the message of Christ’s salvation. There are now nine Filipino missionary workers of our persuasion in that city.
In Cambodia I saw great difference. I learned that there are only nine to ten million people in the whole country. But Cambodia seems to be lagging behind its neighbors in terms of economics and infrastructure. There are also street kids who roam around there, while in Vietnam I did not see such. Cambodia is like a large city outside Metro Manila. But here there are many Filipino missionary workers who diligently work in the Lord’s ministry. There is more freedom here than in Vietnam. In both nations you can engage in tent making tasks as a means to obey the Great Commission.
Going back now to what God has taught me there and the insights I believe will benefit you, let me discuss each blessing. First, God allowed the entry of ten complete and five New Testament King James Version Bibles into Vietnam. This was a great victory! We rejoiced much for this as the brethren there would have the opportunity to read the word of God. This was accomplished according to the request of the missionary there. It was also a result of courage and confidence in God’s power to let these books into that needy nation. One has to be courageous to experience God’s power.
Second, God gave me sickness for three days while in Vietnam. I suffered from urinary tract infection coupled with fever and blood in the urine. It was diagnosed later here in the Philippines. While there, Dr. Yul Raquintan whom I contacted by texting prescribed medicines with the thought that it was probably a kidney stone problem. I thank the Lord that medicines were available there though not without difficulty. This was the first time I had this sickness. I had urinalysis two months before travelling. Both the host missionary and I endured worries during the sickness. I asked the Lord for the reason of the sickness. Then I found out His will – to humble me for the recent victory and learn not to trust in myself but in Him alone.
Third, God led me to discover that engaging in tent making mission strategy in the field is highly possible. The missionary partner there verified that scheme with some details of hourly rate in English teaching work. I found out many Filipinos are already working there as overseas Filipino workers (OFW). Some missionaries and/or their wives are themselves engaged in the same work nature – tent making. They are either employed by international language school, by private language tutorial, and/or in some multi-national companies. In Cambodia some are employed by non-governmental organizations or foundations. With Saigon’s bustling economic growth coupled with their desire to learn English for employment and travel, some tent making strategies for future Filipino missionary workers abound. This discovery encouraged me much in the feasibility of Cornerstone missionary philosophy – tent making towards indigenous local church. Though we are a small local church with meager resources yet reaching ASEAN region is not impossible. It is now within our reach. Cornerstone will provide education, training in missionary work, and partial support. The rest of the needed financial support will come from the missionary’s tent making engagement. One has to get the necessary degree, engage in teaching experience, and obtain the necessary license and language fluency to qualify there. You may use your trade skills or occupational expertise. In this way we are imitating Pauline methodology. We become closer to the scriptural mode of mission work. The missionary need not deputize to other churches. It will diminish possible compromises. It will also strengthen the local church supremacy in missions work.
Fourth, I also observed the improvement of Vietnam in its openness to the message of Christ. Although there are still raids and crackdowns on unauthorized religious gatherings yet there is a felt improvement to the positive. In the past, hardly could you see house churches gathering for worship freely. But in this recent trip, in one Vietnamese pastored house church, believers freely assembled and sang in their worship provided they stick to certain allowed number of people to gather. This is a marked development. Let us pray God will freely speak in the hearts of the national government and local leaders to freely improve this religious climate. I am personally excited in praying and in waiting to see the fulfillment of this request. Nothing is impossible with God. He can move the heart of kings and rulers. Consider Proverbs 21:1 for your meditation. May the day come that the nation will graciously permit churches to gather without fear of reprisal from the police authorities. May the day come that churches will be allowed to buy lands and erect edifices for the ministry.
Fifth, I discovered the existence of Filipino congregation in both Vietnam and Cambodia. The preaching services of the former is purely in Filipino language while the latter is in English as there are other nationalities. The one on Vietnam is very young and is still going through infancy stage, while the one in Cambodia is already mature and able to support other missionaries. It has also sent other missionary couples into other nations. As people move out of Cambodia due to their work or occupational reassignment they use it as avenue to spread the gospel to other lands. This is very scriptural as seen in Acts 8:4 and others.
Sixth, I noticed the slight weakness of existing churches or ministries in the area of music and dress standards. In Vietnam, ladies culturally wear pants due to their mode of transportation. But Christians are now learning to change to the biblical standards. Bringing in the right music and music teachers are significant elements in effecting positive change to protect the faith and godly standards among Vietnamese churches.
Seventh, I experienced the need for the missionary worker to learn and speak the language of the people as an effective strategy of reaching and discipling them. Language acquisition is a must for all workers. Diligence in this aspect of study is a necessity. Would-be workers need to learn the language even before final departure so as to reduce the time spent in learning the language at the mission field. Thereby time could be spent wisely on actual missions work, i.e., befriending people, earning their trust, sharing the gospel, baptizing them into the local church, and grounding them in the faith.
Eight, I learned the priority of prayer life and meditation on God’s word at the mission field. During the days I was recovering from sickness, much time was spent on communion with God. I was closer to Him than before. His word was my comfort and assurance as well. This sickness prepared me for the teaching and preaching tasks to follow. Then God answered prayers that I recovered for the Cambodia mission trip. The healing God gave was crucial in seeing His hands at Cambodia work and openings for us, Cornerstone.
Ninth, I learned the generosity of both Filipino missionaries in Vietnam and in Cambodia. Their graciousness evidenced divine presence and abundance in their lives. God rewards generosity and brotherly hospitality. The warm and hospitable reception I received in both mission fields shows the Lord’s blessings upon the missionaries’ lives. We were given the best accommodation according to their best ability while in their residences. I pray God will reward their hard labors with saved souls, changed lives, and abundant provisions for their ministry.
Tenth, God has protected us with His hands in the midst of dangers. In Vietnam, there were instances of police raid and discovery of Christian assembly and ministry that resulted to deportation of some foreigners. The fact that we accomplished our mission shows God’s protection from disclosure of our tasks there. I taught and preached the word of God without disclosure and disruption from the authorities. God has chosen to secure us.
Finally, both missionaries in the two fields assure Cornerstone of their willingness to help when we need it when we send our very own missionary workers. Both affirmed the great need for more workers. This is the greatest divine provision for Cornerstone in the future as we prepare to launch for the field. So why not decide to surrender to the Lord’s call to the mission fields of Vietnam and Cambodia! As you respond to His call to become missionaries, start serving Him diligently in whatever local mission assignment He gives you. Give your all to Him through the local church as He rewards you with promotion. Amen.
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