I Survived
"God points to the peaceful attitude of suffering people
to teach others about Himself"
Joni Eareckson Tada
Not having written a song in about 2 months I was feeling quite empty and prayed that God would help me write something. It was on my way home from Ohio to Houston that I met a Vietnamese man in the airport. He spoke a little English, and I could tell he was confused about where to go to catch his plane. I offered for him to come with me, and he agreed. It was during our walk that he just out of nowhere announced that he was a Christian. He then asked me what freedom meant to me. Somewhat taken aback I wasn't quite sure how to answer because I had never really had to think about it. I have always had freedom. He then began to tell me this story. I began taking notes immediately knowing that God had answered my prayer. This song is based on true events from his life. Two years later I felt compelled to send him the song. Normally I don't like to send songs that aren't studio quality, however, I felt so strongly that God was behind it. I put it on a tape recorder and sent it to him. He wrote me back telling me that upon hearing it he realized once again that God really loved him and cared. His son had just been murdered and his home burned down. I forgot to mention that the reason he was flying to Houston was to attend his daughter's funeral who died of breast cancer. Although I don't know Cung very well, he will always be an inspiration to me and others I'm sure.
Lyrics
In l975 my world turned upside down
The Communists took over in South Vietnam
High school History teacher I taught my students well
But I spoke too much of freedom so they threw me in a cell
Chorus
So it was there I built my home away from home
And the Carpenter came and laid the Chief Cornerstone
And every time I was hungry he gave me the Bread of Life
I tell you that's how I survived
Stripped of all my dignity, Do you know what Freedom means?
To me it is like air, without I cannot breathe
14 years that I worked in the concentration camps
In all my weakness He made me stronger than those men
Once God gave me a Bible when he saw I had lost hope
I found it in a shed that I cleaned as I was told
Six years passed they found it and then they tortured me
But they could not touch His Word etched in my memory
Sometimes I feel like him with no place to lay my head
I am a refugee, in Vietnam they want me dead
But he said that if we love him and we keep his Word
He and his Father would make their home with us on earth
Credits
music and lyrics - Christie Cook
vocals and guitar - Christie Cook
© 2001