Good morning Vietnam! God truly blessed us this time. I wake
up with a slight chill thanks to the wonderful air conditioning unit just ten
feet from me. As I glance at my watch I notice it is almost lunch time.
Sleeping until 11:30 is not that hard if there are no windows to let in light
or noise from the busy streets outside. And it is one of the busiest streets in
Saigon.
Bui Vein. Filled
with restaurants, gift shops, massage parlors, bars and many, many hotels. It
is considered the backpackers central station. Just walking down the street you
could run into at least five different nations represented. Since it is filled
with travelers there are also plenty of street venders, men, women and even
children trying to make a buck. Selling things like sunglasses, books, small
souvenirs, and delicious fruit.
During the day
this place seems real nice. Besides everyone trying to get my money, I would
love to come back. But that is where I was wrong. That is just what he wants me
to believe. Behind the pretty lights and friendly faces lies deception and
lust. Once the sun goes down the street becomes a whole new world. The
restaurants become one night stand meeting spots. The vendors are drug deals
waiting to happen. And worst of all the bars are not just selling beer. You
also have your choice of local Vietnamese women or even men that act like
women. This place is no farther from a “red light district” then Vegas is from
the “city of sin.”
Now I know the
reason for my lack of motivation. Why all I want to do is sleep all day and go
out at night. Not only do I want to go out and see the sights, but the great
temptation of my past is truly the most intense since I started my new life
with Christ. I have a big desire to go out and drink my fill and talk to these
women in a flirtatious way. I not only stopped being interested in ministry but
I have fell deep into the strongholds the Devil has on this place. This is the
reason our plans change and all our ministries cancel last minute. The power he
has on this place is truly amazing. No one is reading the Word of God. No one
is praying for this nation. No one is worshiping the creator of all things.
Everyone is just enjoying the AC and living in the comforts of not being bold
for Christ.
It wasn’t until
we went on our trip to the mountains to visit the minority churches that I
realized what was going on. Moses always went up the mountain to talk with God,
why not me, too. I finally felt the power of God. I finally felt the Holy
Spirit. I finally had the love of Christ flowing from me. I finally felt good
about myself. I was once again part of the body of Christ. This time I was not
going to be a victim of the temptations any more. I am a soul winner and I will
bring the fire of God where ever I go in the name of Jesus!
Once back in the
city, back in the sin, I was ready to fight. After a few nights of awesome
worship with my wife and deep loving prayer we had the motivation to go out
into the world again. But it was just so thick and corrupted with lies and evil
that we had a real hard time just trying to keep that love in ourselves let
alone show it towards the lost. This is the first time I have truly “felt” the
spirit of deception. I just want to get out of this place and pray from a far
because I can’t do it with it in my face.
I know we as a
squad made a few great friends and God worked in many ways. I heard a few
stories of some people even accepting God as their savior, but this month sure
was hard for me. It really opened my eyes to the power that the Devil has on
certain places and people. Just how real the battle is. If you are asking
yourself what battle, ask yourself this. “Am I bringing kingdom wherever I go?
Do I show love like Christ towards those around me? Am I allowing God to use me
or am I just living calling myself a Christian?” Don’t be a Christian, be
Christ. He lives in you. Live for Him.
