With leaving for the Race in July, I knew I would be missing Thanksgiving, Christmas and the precious traditions the holiday season brings.
I knew it would be hard. I knew random things would bring random traditions and moments with my family to mind. I knew homesickness would come at every turn.
As I glanced out the window on our drive into Ho Chi Minh City at the beginning of the month, I was so thankful. I saw huge Christmas trees and Christmas lights and countless decorations. I was so thankful God would be perfectly sovereign over my route to allow me to be in a city that acknowledges Christmas.
We even hear Christmas carols in countless shops here. It’s so beautiful to hear the name and glory of Jesus being proclaimed over this Communist nation. Most of the Vietnamese people have no idea what it means, but it makes me so happy.
Also, many parts of our ministry have included attending Christmas parties and church functions. I have absolutely loved singing my favorite Christmas carols beside beautiful Vietnamese people singing in their own language.
One of my favorite of those moments was at a party where this older man with a gorgeous voice started “O Holy Night” in Vietnamese and it turned into us all singing it in two languages. WOW! It was such a powerful moment. It was like getting to get a tiny glimpse of what heaven is going to be like! That was one of my favorite moments on the Race thus far.
One of the greatest blessings has been that each Sunday we have been able to go to an International Church that is in English! We’ve been able to sing Christmas carols and hear incredible teaching and have a community of fellow foreigners we’re able to spend this season with. I cried like a baby our first service there because it felt so much like home.
I have so many moments where I wish more than anything I could be at home with my family in this season, but then I also wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.
I am so blessed to be able to step away from the traditions and familiar this Christmas season. Yes, it’s so sad sometimes, but it’s so beautiful as well. Actually, this whole journey is that way.
I am singing these carols next to these beautiful people and it’s like I’m hearing the lyrics for the first time. I am no longer just singing sweet Christmas carols but instead seeing them as worship songs to our incredible Savior!
I’m listening to sermons from Passion City and Mark Driscoll and going to services here that all point to Christmas and most importantly, the Gospel.
We've always known that this is the day we celebrate when Jesus came to Earth, but do we get that? This is the day that our all powerful and all sufficent King subjected Himself to flesh. This is the day He had promised for hundreds of years and for many generations. This is the day that God tells us that no longer are we trying to "be a good person" but we surrender to the only One who is truly good. This is the day history and the world that existed before changed forever. Hope like never before invaded the Earth forever!
I’m also hitting a whole new level of respect for Mary and Joseph as amazing examples of people that lived lives fully surrendered to God. No, they should never be worshipped, but we sure could learn a lot from them.
They were so young, and what the angels were telling them was CRAZY! Seriously, ridiculous. But they did it. They trusted and surrendered.
This is Mary’s response to the news that she would be with child from the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Savior of the world;
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Luke 1: 46-55
She trusted the promises of God and worshipped Him even though she has no idea what it would be like to be a mother, let alone the mother of Jesus! Can you imagine?
So, I won’t be home for Christmas, and that’s okay. This has already been a Christmas season I will never forget and full of treasured memories I will remember for the rest of my life.
I am posting two videos at the bottom! One is of a Christmas song from Chris Tomlin that is based around these verses Mary sang after the angel came to visit her. The second is a video my team made for our loved ones at home to wish you all a Merry Christmas! We hope you enjoy it!
Financial Update: I have more than $1,100 to raise in less than a week. I am in danger of being sent home if I do not reach this deadline on January 1st. Please pray about giving and allowing me to continue this amazing journey of sharing Jesus with the nations. Every donation makes a difference in the Kingdom and is GREATLY appreciated! Click the Support Me! link on the left side of the screen to donate online! THANK YOU!!!!
