Author Uong Nguyen
Author Uong Nguyen
NEXT time you think you're having a bad day, think about Uong Nguyen.
The Hinchinbrook man, 50, survived military battles with the Khmer Rouge, imprisonment and torture before being rescued by the International Red Cross.
Born in Hanoi, he grew up during the Vietnam war and was then captured, as an adult, by the Khmer Rouge.
He spent two years in prison, then several years in a Thailand refugee camp, before the International Red Cross arranged for him to immigrate to Australia in 1989.
Mr Nguyen said the need to write the book about his life had been on his mind for some time.
It is called I am a New Creation.
He said it's the story of his life experiences and the struggles and hurdles he has overcome.
It also contains stories of the many friends that he lost through torture and other atrocities while he was imprisoned.
Mr Nguyen moved to Hinchinbrook in 1992.
Through his wife, and some other friends, he started attending The Jesus Centre, Cabramatta.
"After a few years of going to church, I was ordained a pastor in 2003," Mr Nguyen said.
"I am now a full-time pastor and enjoy what I do."
Mr Nguyen said he wasn't "bitter or angry" about his suffering or the things he had seen.
There are marks still on his wrists, evidence of the brutal handcuffing during his time in captivity.
He said his "mental strength" was tested while in prison. "I never lost hope," he said. "I have a good family and my faith in God helped me."
Mr Nguyen said he wrote the book so his children, Tanviet, 19, and Sarah, 15, could understand his life.