The first and primary miscommunication was the purpose in being there. Some how he understood that we were there to visit and not to work. Along with the lack of scheduled work, locals rarely spoke English and most tourists were Russian. Outreach this month was limited.
We used this time to minister to one another. We got stretched, our beliefs challenged, some learned how to “be” with God and not “do” for God, He gave love and grace a new meaning.
(The team packing goody bags for village kids)
My challenge this month was learning to love others in spite of our differences and to unite in our similarities and not allow our differences to split us apart. Although we serve and love the same One and Only, there are many differences among team members. We come from different denominations, different families, and different ways of life. Month three highlighted these differences and pushed me to continue to love and show grace regardless.
We did have the opportunity to visit a village school, were we danced, sang and gave presents to the children. It was beautiful to hear them sing “Jesus loves you” in Vietnamese after we did in English. This reminded me how great our God is and how neither country nor language separates us from His love. We visited a home for older homeless people and for special needs children were we got to briefly love on them and make them smile.
I taught my first English class, I experienced my first only Vietnamese speaking church and got to sing hymns in two different churches. We spent a day doing manual labor at an elementary school, playing with the kids during recess and picking up trash at the beach.
My favorite experience of showing God’s love was to a leper woman at a church we briefly visited. She spoke no English and I can barley pronounce hello in Vietnamese but sitting by her and holding her hand while quietly praying for her filled my heart with His love for her. I could tell in her eyes that she understood.
Vietnam, you will be dearly missed.
My favorite thing: by far the people. Nicest most hospital people I’ve ever met.
Best memory: Spending the day island hoping for $6. Snorkeling for free, huge lunch included, sang “La Bamba” with Jorge from Spain and jumped off the boat to swim in the middle of nowhere. Shared my testimony for the first time in Spanish (who would’ve known it would be in Vietnam!)
Daily ice cream shop visits: 1 cone = $0.20
Ridiculous amount of motorbikes, you cross the street by simply walking into traffic.
It’s like the parting of the red sea, but motorbikes instead of water.
Loved our host home, made us the best dinners and took great care of me when sick.
Blessed with a great thanksgiving meal, every team member cooked something different from scratch
and we ate on the floor due to lack of big enough table.
I’ve never enjoyed Oreos as much as I have this month.
Had a traditional Vietnamese dress made for me. Gift from Michael
Things I ate: Jellyfish, squid, dog, dog intestines, balut (fertilized and formed duck egg)
We daily ate at street vendors, this included meat sitting out in the heat for hours on end.
(Americans: You over refrigerate things )
Lost my first item: Nalgene Bottle
Michael got Dengue Fever
