There’s something different about Vietnam. I can’t put my finger on it, but there just is.
Maybe it was the smoothie lady in Ho Chi Minh with fresh fruit smoothies for 20,000 dong ($1USD)? Or was it that I lived in Da Nang and biked to the beach in the morning for time with Jesus? Perhaps it was our ministry with Orphan Voice and that we got to throw birthday parties for orphans and special needs children? Could it have been the international church we attended all month which portrayed the most beautiful sense of community that I have experienced since being on the race? Honestly, I don’t know why this country stands out to me, but it does and there is a true hunger and thirst here to know the living God.
For the month of January, I was with Team Fidelity and discovered a irreplaceable friendship with each of these girls (shout out to Jordyn, Jeanette, Dani, Jenny, Kelsea, Kim and Markelle!). Our ministry was serving with Orphan Voice (check out their ministry at www.orphanvoice.org) where we volunteered at an orphanage painting rooms and beds for the children, throwing birthday parties at orphanages in surrounding villages, and loving on special needs children. If you know me, then you know God has given me a passion for showing His love to those with disabilities.
Also in Vietnam, the Lord brought to light some things from my past that I had yet to deal with or be healed from fully. Instead of running from them like I was tempted to and had done prior, I ran to Jesus and we walked through this healing together. I know that I am equipped and empowered to fight this spiritual warfare from His Spirit that is alive and at work inside of me.
From now forward…
I choose love over jealousy.
I choose purity over lustful thoughts and sexual temptations.
I choose joy over depression.
I choose hope over suicidal thoughts.
I choose humility over pride.
I choose identity over worthlessness.
I choose worship over bitterness.
I choose celebration over comparison.
I choose Jesus.
This can and will never be done on my own strength but only from dependence on God alone. I came to the realization that I do have a choice in the matter, and I made the choice to humble myself at the foot of the cross and say, “Lord, have your way with me. I need you. Fill me with Your Spirit and empty me of anything that is not glorifying to You.”
