Despite setbacks, Palau thrilled by initial effort in Vietnam

  
    HANOI, Vietnam — Although some obstacles clearly arose last month in the first phase of his outreach to Vietnam, Luis Palau and his team left here April 16 with thanks for what he says God has done and is doing.
    “We knew that it wasn’t going to be perhaps the most simple opportunity we had,” the Portland-based international evangelist said in a video from Hanoi posted on his web site, www.palau.org. “But we are going home with great joy because, an an evangelistic team (we have) reportedly at least 5,500 men, women and children who have given their lives to Christ.”
    Although filled with highs, lows, setbacks and victories, the initial two weeks in Vietnam were significant in several ways, said Palau. In addition to souls reached for Christ, the team’s visit is credited by pastors here with building unity among believers.
    “It looks like the Lord has used us to bring many of them closer together, for the glory of God, to work together,” he said.
    It also may have made other outreaches possible for years to come. “Perhaps we open the door ever so slightly for other generations,” he said.
    Palau is scheduled to return to Vietnam next month for two rallies with government-registered churches — one in Danang and the other in Hanoi. He is the first foreigner in decades to openly proclaim the gospel of Christ here.
     After speaking to tens of thousands in Ho Chi Minh City on April 9 and 10,    Palau, his evangelist son Andrew and others on the team had hoped to present a two-day festival in Hanoi April 15 and 16. However, the event was canceled at the last minute.
    “Although the government did provide the necessary approvals and permits (on April 15), several issues surrounding the venue made it impossible to pull things together in time,” a report on the web site stated. “The local committee did all they could. Yet in the end, it was clear the timing for the festival was not right. We are trusting the Lord in His wisdom that he has something greater in store.”
    At the event at a stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, the Palaus joined with national church leaders to mark the 100-year celebration for the evangelical Christian church in Vietnam.
    “We are so excited to have Dr. Palau with us in Vietnam,” said Rev. Ho Tan Khoa, one of the top national church leaders. “He is a pioneer — serving the Church and guiding us in wonderful evangelistic events."
    The excitement among the people was evident as Palau was mobbed by a huge and cheering crowd upon his arrival April 5 in Ho Chi Minh City. Local church leaders had been planning for these events for months, working diligently with the government to find approval and show their goodwill.
    "I am humbled to take part in this historic effort in Vietnam," said Palau. "The Christian community here is so passionate, so patriotic, so optimistic, and so excited for the future of the nation. It is thrilling to see. We love Vietnam and we are overjoyed. We look forward to many years of service to the nation, as God allows."
    Palau and the team noted that this is not the first time that they have run into such obstacles in their worldwide work. In many ways, the experience in Vietnam has reminded Palau of his work in several other nations, and at every turn, it was the start of something “tremendous.” He and his team are convinced, as are the locals, that longtime barriers to the Gospel are being removed in Vietnam and the Church is coming together to move forward with confidence and wisdom.
    “The Lord is at work in Vietnam. No question about it,” said Palau.