August 9, 2004

Dear Mennonite Church USA congregation:

I am writing you to ask for your focused prayer for the Mennonite Church in Vietnam. The following words are from a letter written by Larry Miller, Executive Secretary of Mennonite World Conference.

"Strasbourg, 15 July 2004

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Many of you have heard that members of the Mennonite Church in Vietnam are experiencing severe harassment at the hands of local police and sometimes higher authorities. There is also mounting social pressure.

In March, four leaders of the church in Ho Chi Minh City were arrested. On June 8, Pastor Quang, vice-president and general secretary of the Mennonite Church of Vietnam was arrested. All are still being held in unknown places and conditions. Mennonite World Conference and many others have appealed to Vietnamese authorities on their behalf and will continue to do so.

We have also received word from reliable sources in Ho Chi Minh City of the arrest on July 3 of Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien, a leader in the Ho Chi Minh City Mennonite Church. Ms. Lien is a teacher of the Bible to children, social worker, and trainer of Saigon Christian scouts. We know nothing about the place or conditions of Ms. Lein's confinement.

The brothers and sisters in Vietnam have appealed for our support and prayer."

We have provided a bulletin insert with background materials and a prayer, a poster, and additional background and support materials. These can be found on the following web link: www.MennoniteUSA.org listed under "new items." Watch the Mennonite Church USA website in the coming weeks for updates.

In Christ,

Jim Schrag
Executive Director
Mennonite Church USA