It is hard to even start this blog because I am afraid no words can describe the ways I have already seen God work in this country. Let’s start a few weeks back, before I left Africa. I applied to this route of the race because the African and Central American countries were very appealing to me to visit. The Asia countries, not so much… I recognized my lack of excitement and started praying that God would break down those walls and allow my heart to be softened toward the upcoming months in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Although I was so sad to leave our last host family in South Africa, I started gaining this eagerness to travel to the next continent and see what Asian culture was really like. There were less negative emotions toward this transition, but instead that excitement I was looking for!
We arrived late Wednesday (11/9) evening, and after a long wait in the visa line, we exited the airport and were greeted by our hosts (husband and wife, for their protection, I will be vague with details and not using names). They took us to our hotel and the next day we started serving alongside them at the school where we are teaching English. Within two days, they were already starting to feel like family. They took us downtown Ho Chi Minh Saturday, we attended church Sunday, and had a lovely lunch together afterwards. Our host told us they have been questioned multiple times about their church but regardless of the potential pressure from government they still gather weekly – I think this is so admirable.
Additional ways that are evident the Lord has been present are in times of prayer and hearing their story. We were all in a prayer meeting Thursday night – our team and their team/family. I asked the Lord if there was something I could share. He said, don’t worry about seeking a prophetic word right now. Just sit and take in this moment. I chose you to be here with these people. Praying to Me, in a school, on a backroad, in Vietnam, with these people.
Their faith is so strong. I began soaking in how cool it was to be such different cultures, coming together to worship the same God. At the end, they wrap up with each person sharing what the Lord has been teaching them that week, then a prayer request. The mom/wife who I’ve been spending time with, said she has been so touched by the Lord in her heart this week seeing how we come together from all over and can do the same things like teach, cook, clean, love each other, etc. I was like WOW, I was just thinking that! The Lord put the same thing on our hearts. This excites me so much!
This past weekend, my teammate Courtney and I visited a nearby beach. A tourist site to visit at this particular beach happens to be a GIANT statue of Jesus. You can google, Jesus statue Vung Tau, Vietnam. Ironic? I think not. He is here, and He’s not going anywhere.
Lastly, for now, the people here are just so kind! We are a bit outside downtown so it’s a rarity for them to see “white” people. They smile, wave, and are so happy to see us walking around their streets. One lady even grabbed my hand and walked down the street with me the other night. Whether or not we can have open conversations with people about their faith, I think it’s evident God is present here and I praise Him for the work He is doing in their lives and mine.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
