Something I have struggled to thrive in while on the race, has been making genuine relationships. I know part of this stems from me hating goodbyes, so if I don’t get too close to people then I won’t have hard goodbyes on the race. But I think also, the ministries we have been in, were ones where we didn’t work with the same people “long enough” for me to make a real friendship out of it.
I walked into this month, feeling a little disappointed in myself for letting this go on for the first two months of my race. I decided I needed a change of attitude and perspective. So, I prayed. I prayed that God would help me get vulnerable and close with the people I meet this month. That He would help me have friendships that feel like the ones I have back home.
And Jesus did just that for me. I met people this month that have forever stolen a piece of my heart. People that have inspired me, challenged me, and simply just loved me. This month, I felt a piece of home, through the relationships I acquired.
The relationship that radically shaped a lot of my month was through my host, Bi. Bi is thirty years old, and hugely involved in her church. She opened her house to my team and I, and instructed us with what our work would be for the month.
This lady, pushed us so hard. There were moments where I would dread the schedule of our days, but now looking back I am so thankful for them. She helped me learn how to depend on God to give me energy and drive to continue teaching English when we were already on our sixth hour that day. She helped me realize, that I am way more patient than I had ever realized, and that I have the gift of teaching.
Bi, was such a servant. She would have American meals prepared for us a couple times a week, to spoil us. If you ever mentioned you wanted something, she would run to the market right in that moment to go get it for you, whether you wanted her to or not. She would lead youth, and women’s ministries at her church, and prepare the flower arrangements for the church, as well. She would sneak into our rooms while we went to ministry to clean up our rooms for us. She was always making sure we all had what we needed.
Bi, always knew how put a smile on your face. She was always making jokes with us, and bringing a bright light to whatever situation she was in. Even when she was talking about something that she struggled with, there was ease in her voice. I would like to believe this was because of her deep trust in the Lord. She would take me on motorbike rides at night and show me all the pretty lights in the city, and take me to get ice cream.
This little lady, named Bi, became one of my new best friends. She is an example of what a woman of Christ looks like, and having to say bye to her was more difficult than I wanted it to be. I don’t know If I will ever get the opportunity to come back to Vietnam to see my new friend, but I do know that she has changed my walk, and I will always remember the laughs we have shared.
To say the least, she made this month the best month of the race I have had so far, and made leaving Vietnam, a tearful one. I will miss my Bi a ton.
If you are on the race, or thinking about going on the race, I would encourage you to pray the same prayer. And to not let the fear of hard goodbyes keep you from making some new beautiful friendships. Yes, they are difficult in the moment, but very much worth it in the end.
I am fully expectant to making new friends, and having hard goodbyes every month from now on!
