Permission for the pastors’ visit on the Lunar New Year was even more surprising because the delegation was led by Mennonite pastor Nguyen Hong Quang from Ho Chi Minh City. Rev Quang hit the headlines in 2004-5 when he and five other members of his congregation – known as the ‘Mennonite Six’ – were jailed after challenging security officers monitoring their church.

After visiting the lawyers in Nam Ha prison south of Hanoi, Rev Quang said of Nhan: ‘She is an amazing, strong and courageous woman. Her open witness in prison has earned her the opposition of some fellow prisoners.’

Rev Quang and his colleagues also ‘commissioned Dai for his witness in prison’ by praying over him, Compass Direct reports. Dai himself rose to national prominence as part of the legal defence team during Rev Quang’s trial in 2004.

Some observers have interpreted the visit on January 31 as evidence that the Vietnamese authorities are becoming sensitive about their religious rights record. Others, disappointed that Dai and Nhan were not acquitted on appeal in November, are less convinced.

Thank God that the Vietnamese authorities allowed four pastors to visit Le Thi Cong Nhan and Nguyen Van Dai in jail. Ask God to strengthen their faith.
Pray that the Vietnamese authorities will do more to uphold religious liberties.