Envoy House Announces Fund to Aid Vietnamese Accident Victims
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 28, 2014 -- Envoy House Publishers, long time advocate for Vietnamese humanitarian and faith issues, reports a fund has been started for victims of a collapsed bridge. On February 25, Thanh Nien News reported that the tragedy took 9 lives in the Vietnamese province of Lai Chau.
Envoy House has worked with Pastor Johnny Truong, the Assistant Superintendent of the Vietnamese denomination in establishing this fund.
The ethnic community of Hmong, who live in northern Vietnam, had gathered to conduct the funeral ceremony for one of their own, who had just tragically been killed in a traffic accident. Hundreds gathered for the funeral and the procession moved forward to cross a ravine 65 feet deep over a suspension bridge. As the bridge filled with more and more people, the bridge collapsed, plunging all to the depths below, an area covered in boulders with only a trickle of water.
The much loved and revered Hmong pastor of the region was among the pall bearers with four others who are elders and leaders of the church. Tragically, the pastor and the 4 elders died instantly from the devastating fall. In total, 8 died and another 33 were severely injured with multiple compound fractures and major internal injuries.
The solemn ceremony was transformed into instant pandemonium as the hundreds clambered down the mountainside to try to save as many as possible. Although there were many to lend help, there were no medications available for the terrible injuries. More and more of the Hmong Christian community came running to help, as there are over 2,000 Christians in this area who are a part of the church and denomination.
The Vietnamese government immediately mobilized to take the injured to hospitals, though there are few medical facilities available in this remote area. Pastor Truong is currently in California and is also the pastor of the Vietnamese Saddleback Church in Irvine, California. He is in constant contact with the church and leaders among the Hmong and is providing updates to churches and media outlets.
Pastor Truong asks people to pray for the families affected. In addition, the Vietnamese Saddleback Church has established a fund dedicated to provide for the medical care for the dozens of injured and also to provide food and other necessities. They have committed that 100%of financial gifts donated will be given through the local church leadership and distributed to those most in need.
Gifts can be made out to:
USA Vietnamese Saddleback Church
15 Orange Tree
Irvine, CA 92618
Pastor Johnny Truong is available for more information or interviews at 714-933-6697.
Envoy House Publishers is the creator of "The Most Important Story," a children's bible story book which had one of its first distributions in Vietnam. Now, over 91 million copies of the book have been distributed in 65 languages. You can learn more about Envoy House at http://www.EnvoyHouse.com
David Hunt, Most Important Story/Envoy House Publishers, http://www.MostImportantStory.com, 877.564.7782, [email protected]
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