Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – After Typhoon Yagi, the Community Development Ministry’s “Jar by Jar of Floss – Pack by Pack of Sesame” program received an enthusiastic response from brothers and sisters. On September 19, 2024, jars of meat floss and packs of sesame salt, together with 1 ton of rice, 100 blankets and many essentials, reached a community of Hmong believers in Bát Xát district, Lào Cai province, as flood relief for Hmong families.
See photos: photos of the Bát Xát trip on the Community Development Ministry fanpage
An Appeal to the Small Groups
After the floods, thousands of highland families faced lost harvests, damaged homes and food shortages. The ministry asked every cell group and family group in the church to contribute 200-gram packs of meat floss or sesame salt, foods that keep well and are practical for families in hard times.
Within days, jars of floss and packs of sesame made by believers’ own hands began to arrive. At the Thanh Xuân group, the Women’s Ministry and one brother tirelessly pounded sesame and shredded meat for floss. The sound of the mortar mixed with laughter and chatter created a warm atmosphere of love.
“Do everything in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Many Hands Preparing Together
September 18 was a busy day. The ministry was joined by the Thanh Xuân group’s Women’s Ministry, cell groups, young people from a sister church in Hà Nội, a bakery and residents of an apartment complex who donated medicine. After surveying and agreeing on needs with the locals, the goods included:
- 1 ton of rice, 100 kg of dried fish and 8 cases of cooking oil;
- 100 seasoning packs with salt, MSG and seasoning salt;
- 150 portions of bread, meat floss and sesame salt, plus 15 jars of shrimp paste;
- 100 packs of toilet paper, 108 bags of laundry detergent and 7 cases of dish soap;
- 100 warm blankets for winter and some basic medicines.
Crossing Landslides to the Highlands
Early on September 19, the ministry team and a believer from the Thanh Xuân group made the long trip to Bát Xát. The road into the commune still had many landslide sections and rough terrain. Thank God, the day was warm and sunny, making it less dangerous to cross the landslides. The team handed all the goods to representatives of the local church, then left the commune early to avoid worsening weather.
A Special Worship Service
On Sunday morning, September 22, 2024, the local church handed the gifts to the believers during a special worship service. Although it had rained all Saturday night, the believers still came faithfully. They came with grateful hearts, not only for the gifts, but for being together and worshiping God in a hard time.
The gifts were essentials to help families through a time of need, and also a reminder that even when floods destroy, God’s love and the unity of brothers and sisters in faith remain a source of strength.
“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23–24)
Thank You
The ministry sincerely thanks all the groups, brothers and sisters and generous givers. The trip is clear evidence of the spirit of unity and love in the community of believers.
Let Us Pray Together
- For flood-hit Hmong families in Bát Xát to have a warm winter with enough provision.
- For the local church to stand firm in faith amid hardship.
- For the church’s small groups to keep spreading the spirit of sharing.
Read more in Community Development and Church News. Contact the church office: 0942 248 688 (Zalo available).
