Here’s a quick update from Vietnam!
Password: wonderchurch
‘Nam has been great! Much like every other month on the Race it has been filled with laughter, weird smells, answered prayers, good friends, and challenges. But this month has also provided something the rest haven’t: Christmas time. And breaking the law daily.
Though a closed country (meaning evangelism is illegal here- it’s fine, we do it, don’t worry) Christmas decorations still paint the Asian streets. There’s a Santa or big tree on every corner, yet as I go to ministry everyday I still get the question, “What is Christmas?” This is my favorite question. You see, here in Vietnam my team and I spend our days taking shifts at an English cafe. We get to drink mango smoothies and help Vietnamese people learn English from ages12-45! Fun fact: I spend at least 3 hours of my day getting asked the same question in different phrasing. For example, “You like food in Da Nang?” or “What you think of Vietnamese food?” or “You think pho taste good?” Those questions, admittedly, get a little old- I love their determination to learn English, though! And, let’s be honest, it’s far better than my Vietnamese (I can only say hello, thank you, and order breakfast in Vietnamese). But the question “What is Christmas” makes me smile every time.
Every time I get asked that question I provide the ~illegal~ answer, “It’s celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus.” That usually opens up a big discussion on Christianity and provides the opportunity to evangelize while volunteering. They practice their English, learn about God, and I get to break the rules- it’s a win-win-win!
It’s this question that has kept me going this month. I’ve loved Vietnam and my new team so so much. But the truth is, I miss home this month. I miss ovens (mainly Christmas cookies). I miss baking said cookies with my mom and sisters (meaning I miss coloring and eating the dough with Jenny while Dani and my mom bake them). I miss helping my dad put the lights on the tree. I miss sleeping in Jenny’s room and watching The OC together until we fall asleep. I miss forcing my dogs to cuddle with me as my whole family watches Christmas Vacation. I even miss freezing weather. And I really miss my sweet little niece, Lincoln (happy six months, baby girl!!). It’s her first Christmas and I’m missing it.
But I am missing all of these things for a reason. I am missing all of these things so other people can experience the freedom, strength, and joy that can only be found through Christ. As Christians, we all have the responsibility to share this magnificent love. This Christmas I encourage you to look past Santa, the twinkling lights, and even the delicious cookies, and look straight to Jesus.
“But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.”
~Acts 20:24
Check out this amazing song, A Hallelujah Christmas by Cloverton. Merry Christmas, friends!
