New continent. New teams. New role. So much happened this past month. Our squad finished up our time in Africa and got ready to head to a new continent, Asia. After 3 long flights and 2 fairly long days, we finally arrived in Vietnam. We then had a 2 day debrief where we ended up switching teams completely. This meant that I had to sadly say goodbye to my amazing team Wildfire, and say hello to my brand new team. This new team consists of me and 6 other girls. We proudly named ourselves Bachelorettes In Paradise, or for short BIP.
As a brand new team we were sent out into Vietnam to a beach city called Da Nang. We met with our host and ministry partners and started to get accustom to this new cultural experience in Asia. We found out that our ministry focus for the month was going to be baking and coffee ministry. We also were going to be helping out at English Clubs. Vietnam is a closed country so these on-the-low ministries allowed us to really dive into the culture and simply make friends with the locals living around us.
We spent most of our days hanging out at coffee shops talking to either the workers there or people grabbing a cup of joe for the day. Some days were busier than others, but every day there was something new and exciting and many people to talk to. We also helped our host bake hundreds of cookies and a crap ton of bread for the multiple English Clubs we were apart of and the Christmas Eve service at the church we were attending as well. It was a fun way to help out and also get a little messy in the kitchen.
The English Clubs were so much fun to be a part of. All of the students there were incredibly welcoming and inviting. We had multiple Christmas parties, ate too many cookies together, opened white elephant presents, sang Christmas songs, and so much more. Being in Vietnam for the holidays was definitely different for me. But to have this little taste of home was all I needed to keep my spirits up and remember what Christmas is truly about. I also was so fortunate to be able to lead worship for the Christmas Eve service at our church there, which was incredible.
We met so many amazing people during our time in Da Nang. Even though not many people know of Jesus there, His presence was felt. Through the kindness of the people living around and with us, the hospitality shown many times in that holiday season, the pure joy that was displayed through the kids that we volunteered with, and more, I know He is moving throughout Da Nang and through all of Vietnam.
We ended our time in Vietnam by celebrating the New Year as a squad. We all met up for another short debrief in Ho Chi Minh. New Years Eve some of us gathered together to worship the Lord into 2020. It was an amazing time together and a night I won’t forget. We also celebrated with some late night McDonalds, it felt proper and very American of us lol. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by these amazing, faith filled men and women. I wouldn’t have wanted to end 2019 with any other people in any other country.
ALSO I am soooo happy to say that I am fully funded!!! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to me over the course of 2019. Words cannot express how thankful I am. I feel so humble and am so grateful for your generosity and love. Happy New Year to you all, may God incredibly bless each of you. On to Cambodia we go!
