Taiwan Prison Ministry: Letter from inmate mr. sEn

The Taiwan Prison Ministry reaches out to Vietnamese inmates in Taiwan through church fellowships and activities in prison and detention centers, such as worship services, discipleship, and Bible memorization contests.

Ministry workers Mr. Thai, Pastor Thu, Sister Diep

​This is a letter from a Vietnamese inmate in Taiwan, Do Thai Sen, who is a hearty convert and is taking the discipleship program with the ministry intern, Mr. Thai.

"​I have a joy in my soul that is hard to express in words."

​October 17, 2017

Greetings with happiness and love!

My first prayer to Jesus is that our Father gives as much grace as he wants to the pastor and the brothers and sisters in the church so it can be a healthy and happy church. Amen!

Today I am so glad that, thanks to the grace of Jesus, I have met with the pastor and heard the sweet, sweet words of the Lord. Thank you, Pastor. Thank you for your love and good food sent to us. It is encouraging and helpful for us to overcome the challenges. Since I’ve believed in Jesus and let him be Lord of my life, I can feel that I’ve been growing, changing, and getting more confident. I feel proud to have God own my life. I have a joy in my soul that is hard to express in words.

I am thankful that the church brought the love of Jesus to us, which gives us hope. I hope that everyone can soon return home as good people who will benefit their village, their family, their society, and people around the world.

"I hope that Jesus helps our home country. People in Vietnam are extremely miserable."

​Today I want to share some thoughts about our home country, because I think you are a pastor who loves Vietnam, right? If I am wrong about that, then I apologize. Through information I’ve gotten from the radio, I think the motherland is crying. People are suffering because of social injustice, and they are extremely miserable.

Wilderness forests, barren land, eroded land, frequent floods and natural disasters, social injustice, unemployment, social evils, children leaving school to work, lack of schools and hospitals, poor infrastructure…what can be done about all of this?

Our exports are mainly slaves who are sold through the country. Our imports are goods from China. People have left Vietnam. They are fleeing the country, crossing the border, seeking work as hired labor. It is sad to think of the status of the Vietnamese people, after four thousand years of building the country. They are living as hired slaves. The economy is like an old cow cart—too weak.

I hope that Jesus helps the nation. I hope that the evangelical church will help nurture the talent in our people to help the country soon. I hope that Vietnamese people, wherever they are, will head back to our home country and that the country will be prosperous.

"I always think about and study the Word of God."

​And now I want to change the subject. I am cowardly, ignorant, and lowly. I have many sins. I am looking forward to singing the hymn for everyone to hear, because I think it is a chance for me to redeem the stupid mistake I made before entering here.

I have been in prison for the past few years. I dream about my family. This year for Christmas I wish there could be fried pork and lemongrass from Vietnam.
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I am learning and being transformed gradually, like a child. I do not dream to do anything big. I am not ambitious like the pastor or other friends. I just want to influence people for good. I don’t need to be a hero like I wanted to before. 
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I always think about and study the Word of God. I love reading Proverbs. I find that the Bible has many prophets who write about their suffering and persecution.

Thank you, Pastor. Please send your greetings with love and with thousands of dear kisses to Mr. Thai, to little brother Thao, Miss Hien, Miss Diep, her pastor, and all the brothers in the church. May all of you be happy and healthy in the love of Jesus. May God bless you, brothers and sisters. 
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—Do Thai Sen
(Editor's Note: The name has been changed to protect his identity.)