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	Hmong Lutheran Ministry Making disciples of all Nations From many cultures - gathering in one faith!

It has been a while since I update information in this page. The end of school and preparing for summer school, job, and tending to my family needs have consumed most of my time. As I have said before, this page is dedicated to things that are happening in my life and in the community where I live.

Sad News: As some of you already know, a Hmong pastor has been arrested, trailed, and sentenced to prison in Laos. His family and those of us that know the pastor personally were deeply touched and troubled by this tragic incident. We prayed for a quick and safe return. My deepest thoughts and prayers go to the pastor’s family.

Spring semester was over. I have already completed one summer class and hope to finish another one by the end of August. This coming fall, I will be taking Greek at Luther Seminary as a non-credit introductory course to my study in the Master of Divinity Program. As I have mentioned to my home pastor, it was the first time that I begin to doubt myself whether I can do it or not. Almost four years ago, I enrolled at Concordia University. The thought of whether or not I could complete the Director of Christian Education Program (DCE) never cross my mind. Of course, I was four years younger then, but now I am four years older. Working full time and going to school full time for four years, I feel overwhelmed and drained out. That is the reason why I begin to doubt myself. Can I put in another four years? Eight years? Twelve years? Only time can tell.

The more I think about it, the more I see that the flame within myself is fading away. Then I remember that it was God who kept, keeps, and will keep my flame burning strong. As Psalm 23 stated, “The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want…” or something like that. He is my provider…If God called, he will equip and surely he will strengthen.

May the grace of God be with you all.

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My name is Bee Vang. I am a Director of Christian Education student from Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. I am married and blessed with two beautiful daughters who were born six years apart, but amazingly on the same day. I will spend a little time in this page sharing with you who I am and where I came from. Also, I would like to emphasize about my vision for ministry to the Hmong people.

I was born in March, 1975, in a small village called Phu Ka, Laos. My life story is very similar to thousands of other Hmong people's stories. I have experienced the struggles that my family faced as a result of the Vietnam War (families were torn apart and lives were shattered). I lost two uncles in the war and one of my grandfathers was left along the road as we fled from the communist soldiers. My family, along with my relatives, constantly moved from place to place--hardly stayed in one place for more than two years. In 1984, we escaped to Thailand.

In Thailand, we took refuge in a camp called, Chiang Kham (most of the refugees at that time were in a camp called Ban Vi Nai). The word to describe life in the refugee camp was "miserable." (If you would like to know more about my experiences in the refugee camp, please feel free to email me). However, it was in this camp that I first heard about God. Then in the spring of 1987, my family arrived in a small city called, East Moline, Illinois. It was here, in this little city, that I learned more about God. It was also here that I was baptized. In 1989, we moved from East Moline to Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

It was the first time that I really understood what I was learning about God because we have a Hmong pastor. I want to thank this Hmong pastor who gave me the opportunity to serve my God by giving me chances to read Scriptures during services. Then in 1990, I moved with my mother and brother to St. Paul, Minnesota.

I became a member at Hmong Central Lutheran Church (back then it was called Hmong Community Lutheran Church). It was in this church that I became an active participant in its various ministries. I was Youth president from 1991 to 1994. Then, I served as the vice chairman for two consecutive terms. I also served as the Treasurer of the church for one year. At Hmong Central, I had the opportunity to teach Sunday school classes (third and fourth graders, junior higher, and the adults). Then in the beginning of 2000, three families were sent from Hmong Central Lutheran Church to start a new ministry at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis, my family is one of those three.

My vision for Hmong Lutheran Ministry is to see Hmong people come and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. There is another way to live our lives and that is through Christ. Yes, I understand that Hmong religion was practiced by our ancestors for many generations, but it is time to turn back to God, our Creator. We have suffered so much already trying to overcome the power of darkness (namely the devil). There is someone who can help us--Jesus Christ. He has overcome death himself. Through him, we are able to overcome the devil. Through him, we inherit eternal life and share his glory when God exalts him to be in his rightful place--ruler of heaven and earth. As the apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" [Philippians 2:9-11].

One of my goals in ministry is "to bridge the relationship between parents and their children, to teach young people about Jesus Christ, to work with parents to create a Christian home environment, to equip and help parents teach their children, and to equip the young people to bring other young, unchurched people to come and know Jesus Christ."

In conclusion, I hope that one day the Hmong people will come and accept Christ as their Savior. I truly believe only through Christ can we find true peace and love. Moreover, I believe that in the church, the family will learn and grow together with their children on how to love one another. In the church, the family will find peace. Of course, I am not suggesting that a church in itself can offer all these to the family, but our heavenly Father, the Creator of heaven and earth, will bring peace and understanding to the family. May the glory be yours, Lord, forever and ever. Amen.

Please send your thoughts, suggestions, and concerns to Nnpisvaj@aol.com and check out our activities and join us.

Thanks

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