Ai-Hang Thi Le

Ai-Hang was born on March 20, 1954 in Binh-Dinh province and grew up in Qui-Nhon city. In 1973, Ai-Hang married a Republic of Vietnam Navysoldier. She worked as a nurse for the Department of Public Health until April 30, 1975.

Ai-Hang and her husband discovered God’s word via a Christian radio program that was broadcasted from Manila, Philippines, but they had to keep their Christian faith a secret in order to avoid persecution.

In June of 1978, Ai-Hang, her husband, their 3-year-old daughter, and a friend made a daring voyage in a small fishing boat in order to seek freedom from a communist Vietnam. After 8 days and over 800 miles at sea, they landed in Manila, Philippines. It was here that they were baptized and were finally able to freely worship the Lord.

Ai-Hang and her family came to the United States on June 6, 1979. While living in Memphis, Tennessee, Ai-Hang, her husband, and a small group of Vietnamese Christians established the first Vietnamese Baptist Church of Memphis. Memphis is also the city where she gave birth to three more children.

Ai-Hang’s strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family and friends carried her through a 3 ½ year battle with lung cancer. Ai-Hang died at the age of 60 on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 in Sugar Land, Texas. She leaves behind her husband, three daughters, one son, four grandchildren, three sisters, and three brothers.