Our month in Vietnam has been full of friendships. This is just a glimpse of some of the incredible people that I spent the most time with this month:
Meet Chinh:
Kimmy, dani, and I met Chinh our first week in Da Nang when we so bravely decided to join the aerobics group that meets every morning. Chinh could always be found in the front row, stepping completely to the beat. She would so graciously try to teach us how to dance every morning- even simplifying it to a simple 5 step Vietnamese salsa. While we may have disappointed her in our dance moves, a friendship grew. She’d run to us at the end of each class and grab our hands in a hug. We were able to meet for coffee and to learn more about her- she’s trilingual and teaches from her home. We were able to learn a lot from Chinh and the joy she has to offer.
Meet Hien:
I met Hien our first week when Amanda and I decided to try her coffee shop since it was so cute. I asked for Hien and her server’s names and was met with beaming smiles. They even gifted us with free pineapple bread that day. While it didn’t work out as my regular scheduled morning coffee shop, I was sure to stop in often. I never failed to be greeted with a smile and a hug. Hien started the coffee shop a year ago to be able to work and still look after her 2 kids. Her and her servers create a warm, calm, and welcoming atmosphere. Their hospitality is above and beyond. I never failed to leave her shop without a smile and a free treat. Hien promised me on my last day that if I come back she’ll cook me lunch and give me a free room in her home. I may just have to take her up on that offer. . . 😛
Meet Me Quay:
I didn’t get to speak to this little girl or her family much at all this month. They lived and worked next door to Hien’s coffee shop, so I saw them every time I visited. I’d greet them with a smile and a wave and was always greeted back with a giggle from Me Quay and an excited smile and wave from her family. While we didn’t exchange words, they’d always recognize me and often even take my bike from me to park it for me. The last day, I was waved over and got to speak in minimal English to the family and hold this precious girl. While we couldn’t speak the same language, these little acts formed a friendship.
Meet Hoa*:
I got the opportunity to work with this precious boy a few times a week at the deaf center. He has quite the story and is going through a huge transition, but exudes so much joy and potential. I learned so much from my short time with him and this opportunity was definitely a highlight of my month. Learn more about his story here: http://sylviabarrett.theworldrace.org/post/vietnam-from-chains-to-freedom
Meet Daisy:
Daisy is a part of the girls English club that we helped with once a week. She is outgoing, full of joy, and lights up whatever room she is in. Daisy knows that she is loved by her maker and aims to share that with those around her. She loves movies and I was so glad to get the chance to do a movie date with her on my last weekend in Vietnam. Talks with Daisy were always positive and encouraging- I know that she is going to do big things for the Kingdom.
Meet Our English Club:
My team got to hang out with these crazy students three times a week. We’d play games and practice English together. This group welcomed us in with open arms and friendships formed quickly. They intentionally got to know us, whether that was Hoang and Tien causing trouble, excited hugs from Thao and Vy, or a quiet conversation with Win and Hai. They all wanted us to experience their country and would often invite us out- Anh even invited me to her home to eat with her family, such a treat! Each of us got to connect with different students and at the end of the month they were hard to leave. This group definitely made our month the month full of fun and adventure that it was!
Meet Victory:
Victory met my teammate, Jonathan, on a bridge and followed us to the beach we were going to hang out at so that he could practice his English. He ended up joining us for volleyball each morning and quickly bonded with our team. He ended up taking our team and our leaders camping on a beautiful beach and we all got to know him better. He is a deep thinker and on what he calls a spiritual journey. He saw something in us that he thought was different. All of us connected with him in different ways and had different conversations with him, but Jonathan was able to pursue these with him after camping. Victory had a lot of questions and was very interested in our beliefs. Our last day, Jonathan and some teammates were able to take Victory to his first church service and connect him with people who can continue to pour into him and answer these questions. Victory showed us what it looks like to pursue people and love them well (even if it is 6 strangers!) and how God is bigger than our expectations and closed countries. Read more about Victory in Jonathan’s blog: http://jonathanmantay.theworldrace.org/post/victory-in-christ
Our month in Vietnam was so full-in the best of ways. These are just a few of the people that were placed in our path and had a huge impact on what we learned. We leave tomorrow for Cambodia with a bittersweet “see ya later,” but with full hearts.
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