OUR WORK
2023 Year in Review
CANCER MINISTRY
Our work includes a children’s hospital ward for children suffering with cancer, and a hospital specializing in oncology.
Here are a few updates from the cancer care ministry from 2023. A total of 157 cancer patients received Christ in 2023. Most of the patients are in the advanced stage and are terminal. They have been battling cancer for years and some can no longer afford to stay in the hospital, so they rent houses in the neighborhood. On occasion for those who cannot afford rent, some locals open their homes and allow them to stay for free or for a very cheap price.
We were able to distribute gift packages to the patients which was truly appreciated. The gift package included cereal, milk, instant noodles, sweet cake, and nuts.
VILLAGE OUTREACH
In 2023, 96 people received Christ in our village outreach. These were not part of a crusade, but they received Christ face to face with one of our team members.
Some of the villages are 30 miles from Ho Chi Minh City. Although the people here face many difficulties in many aspects, they also desire to receive and hear about God. Some villages were made up of tents and others small homes made of leaves and wood.
We also passed out tracts and Christian literature which the people gladly accepted. Not all we spoke to received Christ, but they were kind and respectful of our visits.
TEACHING ENGLISH
Biblical principles and life skills are seamlessly integrated into our lessons. We share love, demonstrate a Christian lifestyle, and create a bond of fellowship within the class. Many students continue to connect with our team after the class is over which allows the ongoing door of sharing the gospel with them.
ENGLISH FOR BEGINNERS
English for Beginners had a total of 63 students. The class meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00-8:00 PM. The class meets for 5 months and then another one begins. This past year classes included: Christians, Buddhists, Atheists, and Catholics. All the students had the gospel shared with them after every lesson and their spiritual questions were answered.
LET’S TALK – Advanced English
Let’s Talk class is an English Class for adults who want a much deeper dive into English. Covering essential language skills such as listening, writing, reading, and speaking are provided.
This class meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00-8:30 PM. The class covers 4 months and then another one begins. This past year 22 adults joined us. As in our other English class, we had Christians, Buddhists, Atheists, and Catholics join the group.
CELESTIAL CRAFTS SEWING MINISTRY
Celestial Crafts is a beginner sewing class created to introduce and teach basic sewing skills to women who need a trade to earn a living. The main purpose is to train women who do not know Jesus as Savior, so they can come to a saving knowledge of Him. The initial class is for 6 months. After this time students can sew basic shirts and pants. In addition, a daily morning devotional is shared with the students by the teacher. This past year we had numerous students who heard the gospel regularly and one came to a saving knowledge of Jesus. All the students who went through the class understood their need for Jesus and have a much better understanding of Christianity.
Nguyen Thi Loan, 35 years old, and her husband work selling pepper cake’s. Her husband believed received Christ during a Christmas crusade at the Phuoc Binh church in District 9. She resisted and refused to believe in Christ. When the First Fruits Vietnam team came to visit her, she chased them away with a broom. About a month later she became quite ill with her thyroid. Her husband prayed for her, and she was healed. After God took away her illness she put her faith in Christ as Savior. Our ministry is still in touch with them, and they both now attend the Phouc Binh church. To God be the glory!
When Mrs. Sang, a 53-year-old lady, met the volunteers at First Fruits, she shared she had chronic headaches and insomnia, but didn’t have enough money to see a doctor. The First Fruits team shared with her that God loves her and wants to help her. They prayed for me, and I received Christ as savior. God also healed me of my headaches and insomnia. She no longer needs to take painkillers for her migraine headaches. First Fruits guided her to a church near where she lives and is now engaged in regular church attendance and worship. She also was baptized and is thankful for God and First Fruits.
