Yesterday Open Doors, another ministry to the persecuted church, released a press release concerning an evangelist named Pham Ngoc Thach who is currently still in prison even though the five others he was arrested with have been released.
Here is a touching part of their release:
Visit In Prison
Pastor Thach was delighted to be visited inside prison. As he entered the visiting room, he broke into tears and embraced every one of his visitors.
Thach immediately asked for a shaving razor from one of them and shaved as he spoke to those around him. He complained of terrible pain on his side. He suspects that this is a result of beatings he received from the police.
He is not allowed to have a Bible, to pray or to speak of Jesus to anyone. The punishment for those who violate the rules and regulations in the prison camp is heavy. They are either beaten, electrocuted or placed in tiger cells (solitary confinement).
Sharing His Faith
In the midst of such a difficult situation, Thach holds on to his faith in God. While he is not allowed to pray out loud, he prays silently. He shares his faith with his fellow inmates. Last month during Christmas, one fellow inmate gave his life to Jesus after Thach shared the Gospel with him.
Almost everyday a prisoner dies. Thach is assigned to bury the dead. This reality strengthens his determination to share Jesus with those around him.
Pastor Thach is encouraged that many brothers and sisters all over the world are praying for him. He knows that many letters are sent to him from different parts of the world, but the prison guards often do not give him any of these letters. They wonder why he has so many friends. Because of the many letters, the guards became more respectful toward him. They realize that he is not an ordinary prisoner.
“Pastor Thach needs our prayers and letters, even though he is scheduled to be released in March,” says
Open Doors USA President Dr.
Carl Moeller. “And pray for all those who continue to suffer for their faith in
Vietnam
Writing Update
Open Doors has updated its writing campaign for Pastor Thach. Please send letters to the following address:
Evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach
K2
, Trai Giam Xuan Loc
Long Khanh,
Dong
Nai
Province
Vietnam
Please observe the following guidelines:
- Every letter will be opened and read by the prison authorities first, before they are (or if they are going to be) released to the addressees.
- Make sure, therefore, that the letter does not have any political undertones. Instead, the letter should contain words of encouragement for evangelist Thach and his family, including prayers and Scripture verses. Don’t mention Open Doors.
- All letters should carry the address of the writer only.
- Do not send money or gifts.