Before you picture me out on the town sipping expensive tropical smoothies, rest assured that a million dong is only about 40 USD with the exchange rate being roughly 22,000 dong to 1 USD. Coming to Vietnam, I have learned a lot of new things, dong included. I have learned that banh mi op la is the egg sandwich I order every morning from the sweet street vendor. I have learned that black coffee doesn’t exist at most coffee shops but a delicious iced coffee with a syrupy blend of sweet and condensed milk does. I have learned that contrary to Buddy the Elfs philosphy that the yellow ones don’t stop, here none of them really stop, especially the motorbikes. My life has been spared by people grabbing my wrists and pulling me to the curb more times than I would like to admit. I have learned that the language here is a very tonal one in which even after 4 weeks I can still scarecly make out a single word. There are such slight variations on one name that there can be 3 people whose names all sound to me like Jua but are all apparently completely different. I have learned that Vietnam is completely under-rated. So far, it has been my favorite country and where I have seen the Lords beauty the most out in the breathtaking landscapes. From the South China Sea, to the mountains, to the lush vegetation surrounding a rushing waterfall, His fingerprints are everywhere. I have learned to pray a lot on the busses and be ready for my soul to meet Jesus because they drive crazy..and that typical sized Americans would never fit on the sleeper buses here. I have learned that on said sleeper buses it is totally normal for the driver to pull over and everyone go to the bathroom right on the side of the road. So, when on a 12 hour bus ride always come armed with paper. I have learned that the average age for marrying is much younger and I have gotten used to being asked why I am still single. I have learned that teaching English is HARD. Teaching in general is hard for that matter, so shout out to all the teachers out there. I have a whole new level of respect for you. I have learned that the people here, even many of the young people, have a thirst for truth and for God. I have seen that God is moving in HUGE ways in this place and that there is no such thing as a closed country in His book.
…”for the Word of God cannot be chained.” 2Tim.2:9
