Coming into this month, I was a bit concerned with how it would play out. I had expected to not be able to mention Jesus or Christianity, let alone share the gospel.
During our time in Ho Chi Minh City (a larger city in southern vietnam), we were able to go to an orphanage, pray with cancer patients, and have tea with a small group of friends that we met along the way. During each of these visits, we were able to openly share our testimonies and the gospel. We figured we had gotten lucky, but didn’t have expectations to be able to do this as we made our way North…
We made our way into a smaller city about 45 hrs (by bus) north of Ho Chi Minh. The Lord brought us to a couple of girls that were home from University for the Tet holiday. We had lunch with them and told them that we were traveling to tell people about Jesus. They were excited to hear that we were Christians and were pumped to walk us to the Church that was down the block. The next 2 weeks, we were continuously meeting new people and as you would expect, the most common question was asking why we were here. We weren’t breaking any law by telling them, right? J The bible tells us to be bold, so we felt led to be bold.
The girls took us to their temple to teach us more about their beliefs and their culture. Even at the temple, we were welcomed with open arms and hearts. At one point, we were having tea with a few monks and our friends and nearly all of us were having conversations with someone about how the Lord has changed our lives. The best part was that in no way was done in an awkward forced way…it just happened. The girls were asking questions to which we answered the best that we could. It’s an interesting thing to share the gospel with so many people who have never even heard of Jesus Christ. Luckily in those situations, the Lord provides the words and the Holy Spirit does His thing…we’re just the vessel that He works through. I’m not here to convert anyone. The Lord’s put a boldness inside of me to share what He’s done in my life and the gospel, so I do it. What happens from there is all Him.
Ok, so we’ve made it halfway. We made our way out of the city, and into the wilderness to try to find the village that Jonathan heard from the Lord. At this point, we were just going to go for it. If we go to jail, we go to jail, at least it’d be a good story 😉 haha just kidding…but not really.
While we were in the village, we had a bit more difficult time communicating with the people because no one spoke english. The following quote has been on my heart since I first read it…
“Preach the gospel at all times, If necessary use words.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi
This month more than ever, we’ve been able to share Christ’s love purely through our actions. Telling someone about the gospel is only going to mean so much…if they don’t see what it means to live it out in our daily lives, what’s the point? People are going to know Christ best by seeing Him through you and I.
After meeting a few high school girls in town, we were invited to speak at their school the morning before we left – this was an absolute blast! We shared about our families and told them how the Lord had brought us to Vietnam to tell people about Him. After class, we went to their teacher’s home for lunch. Prior to going to her house, she mentioned that she’s married to a police officer haha We thought this was pretty humorous seeing as how we were told that any mention of Christianity and we would be taken away in handcuff’s haha Now we were eating lunch at a policeman’s home 🙂 Too funny …
Just to reiterate – We came to Vietnam with nothing. We didn’t know Vietnamese. We knew no one. We had nowhere to sleep. We had a couple packages of Oreo’s to eat. We had no plan.
We’ve been provided for in every form and fashion. We’ve made some of our closest friends yet. We’ve spent time with their families. We’ve eaten dinner and breakfast with them. They’ve given up their beds so that we would have somewhere to sleep. We’ve been welcomed to speak at schools and universities. We’ve been able to share our faith in settings that we wouldn’t have dreamed of. We’ve been befriended by the Vietnamese police on multiple occasions.
I wonder how often we hold ourselves back from doing things because of fear. Fear that’s made from our own imagination. Let’s stop living life on the sidelines due to the fear of ‘what if?’ Sometimes we let the fear of man get in the way of the fear of God. I think we know which one is trump in that scenario, it’s just harder to see when you’re in it. So be aware of it. Walk in boldness and confidence and trust that the Lord will provide. There’s too much life to be lived. Too much of this world to be seen, felt, experienced. Too many people to love.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41: 10
