OGDEN -- The Bostocks hope that by singing across the country they are building churches across the ocean.
Layton couple Greg and Glenda Bostock, Blastoff Music Ministries founders, began their latest tour of the Western United States Thursday as they continue their efforts to raise money for their pet project Mission Vietnam.
Greg Bostock said the project began in 1997 when the couple made a trip to Vietnam with evangelist and Vietnam veteran Dave Roever. Bostock said they were so touched by what they saw that he and his wife took up the cause and have made more than 20 trips back, bringing humanitarian supplies and facilitating good relations between former Vietnamese and American soldiers.
Now the Vietnamese government has relaxed restrictions on Christian churches and Bostock said they have shifted their efforts to raising money so Vietnamese Christians can buy land and supplies to build churches.
"You never know how long the window of opportunity is," he said. "The government could turn on them next year. The window of opportunity is open right now, so we're going to take advantage of every opportunity we can to make a difference."
In 1975, the Vietnamese government imprisoned pastors and forced churches underground. Bostock said it has only been in the past two years that Christians have been able to start openly practicing their religion.
Part of the problem is churches are required to own a piece of property and have it completely paid off before they can begin building a church. Such an enormous task is nearly impossible for citizens in a country with an annual income of $500 per person. That's where the Bostocks come in.
As they travel the country singing Christian music with their youngest daughter Anna, they also talk about the needs of the Vietnamese people and raise money for Mission Vietnam.
Bostock said he's been overwhelmed by the support they received. A church in Oregon gave $22,000, which was enough for one group to finish paying off their property.
"Our whole goal is to share the love of Christ with these people in Vietnam."
Other people involved with Mission Vietnam raise money for other causes like giving children cataract surgery and buying bicycles for teenagers to get to school and work with, Bostock said.
"Our hearts go out to the people in Vietnam," he said. "I know people have different missions around the world and that's what makes it so special. But Vietnam is where we are called to be."
Comments