You’re offline. This is a read only version of the page.
"Local church members see this as a way to reach out to their communities, share the gospel and lead others to Christ."
Xiong*, Cow Bank recipient
This is just one of the benefits that Xiong* (pictured) highlights while talking about the Cow Bank Project—a livelihood program supported by Open Doors' local partners that your gifts and prayers have helped support since 2016.
Xiong*, a 34-year-old Christian father from northern Vietnam, is a participant in the life-giving initiative in his local church. Families in the program receive a breeding cow as a loan and pay the loan back by returning the cow's first offspring to the "cow bank." Any other cows produced can then be kept by the family to help them create their own income.
The Cow Bank Project helps tribal Christians survive where living is difficult. Xiong currently serves God in a church of 600 members in a remote area. Although the region is full of beautiful landscapes and rich natural resources, its rugged terrain, flooding and landslides make the region almost inaccessible—the area is considered one of Vietnam's poorest.
Xiong's family of five is just one of hundreds of families whose lives have been changed after receiving a cow from the project. To date, Open Doors' local partners have provided more than 261 mother cows, multiplying into 550 cows now in the cow bank. More than 2,245 individuals from different tribal villages have benefited from it.
Recipients share that by raising a small herd, they're able to send their children to school with the income they earn. Others say they're able to invest in a farm, put food on their tables and tithe to their local church.
A local pastor who manages the project in his church notes that the project is very meaningful to this ethnic group, who are traditionally cattle raisers. "When they receive the cows, they take good care of them," he says. "I have seen many lives improved because of this project."
He shares that believers in his church have bred one cow to produce seven in just a short time. In one instance, four were sold to buy materials for a new house while the other two were kept for raising.
The Cow Bank project has also eased the pressure Christian families face when they leave their tribal beliefs to follow Jesus. Because the project helps both Christian and non-Christian families in need, the community that used to oppress believers is now more accepting towards them and their faith.
And like any income-generating project that allows participants to run their own business, villagers like Xiong no longer feel helpless—they see they can improve their lives. They can dream bigger.
"Our church has greatly benefited from this initiative," Xiong says. "I am deeply thankful to the Lord, to the Cow Bank Project, to our pastors, and to our sponsors who support us through this initiative. Praise God!
"We hope that sponsors will continue to support and expand the project to help more of our church members."
Vang*, another participant who also serves in his local church, previously shared: "It was a miracle and a blessing from God. My family's economic situation has improved a lot. Now, my dream of serving my people has been fulfilled. I can now serve God through this project."
Many more tribal Christians in the remote places of Vietnam need help sustaining the needs of their families and church. With your prayers and support, Open Doors' local partners have expanded the Cow Bank project to remote churches in Central Vietnam, as well.
Please pray with us for the Lord's will to be accomplished through this project.
*Representative names used for security reasons.
