Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – In late April 2024, representatives of the Community Development Ministry came to pray and celebrate at the third Peace House for Vân Kiều people in Quảng Trị, the new home of Mr. Hồ Văn Vưng’s family. Around the same time, the ministry also provided 800 jackfruit seedlings to 20 Vân Kiều households for long-term livelihoods.
See photos: photos of the prayer time at the new house on the Community Development Ministry fanpage
A New Roof for an Elderly Mother and Three Young Children
Mr. Vưng’s family, with three children and an elderly mother, lived together in a house that was very old and run-down. After hearing about their situation and spending time in prayer, the ministry agreed to give the family 70 million dong to build a new house right next to the old one. Construction began at the end of 2023.
On the day of prayer at the new house, Mr. Vưng’s family welcomed the team with open hearts. Everyone recounted the journey through hardships to get this house, then prayed together for God’s peace, protection and blessing over the whole family. It was a prayer time full of gratitude and hope that the team will long remember.
“Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest.” (Isaiah 32:18)
Many families in especially difficult circumstances still need new homes. The ministry longs to be able to help with many more Peace Houses, and asks brothers and sisters to pray that its members will always be ready to go and do good.
From Cassava to Jackfruit
Through surveys in a Vân Kiều village area of Hướng Hóa district, the ministry saw that people’s main livelihood is growing cassava. Cassava takes a lot of labor but brings low income, not enough to live on, so material life remains very poor.
The villagers themselves said they needed to change how they farm and raise livestock to escape poverty, with three directions using available potential: fruit trees, goat raising and eco-garden services along the streams. The climate and soil here suit citrus and some trees like jackfruit and guava. Some households that tried planting saw encouraging results: the trees grew well, bore plenty of fruit and tasted good. Jackfruit is also popular, with many buyers already offering to purchase the harvest.
40 Seedlings for Each Family
So the ministry partnered with local brothers and gave 25 million dong to buy Indo jackfruit seedlings. Twenty households were selected: reputable, hardworking families with gardens ready to farm. Each household received 40 seedlings, 800 in total. The trees are expected to bear their first fruit in 2026.
Unlike a gift that is used up in a few days, seedlings are an investment for many years. If well cared for, each jackfruit orchard can become a stable source of income, helping families become more self-reliant. That picture reminds us of Scripture:
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.” (Psalm 1:3)
Shelter and Livelihood
A Peace House gives one family a safe home today; seedlings give many families hope for tomorrow. Both are ways the church shows God’s love concretely to the Vân Kiều people. The ministry believes lasting change comes when those being helped are also the ones working and caring for the fruit of their labor.
Let Us Pray Together
- For Mr. Vưng, his elderly mother and three young children to live in peace and good health in their new home.
- For the 800 jackfruit seedlings to take root, grow well and bear fruit on time.
- For the ministry to have more resources to build more Peace Houses.
Read more in Community Development and Church News. Contact the church office: 0942 248 688 (Zalo available).
