Vietnam.
I had no idea what to expect going into Vietnam.. though I guess I never really know with any of these countries. And I happen to really like that. I like not knowing and learning as I go. It’s exciting and feels so much more authentic to me. I really strive to live life in a similar way as well. For example, if I have a goal or a place I want to be personally, but I may have no idea how I’m going to get there or what it’ll look like – I know I just gotta keep walking forward in obedience to wherever the Lord is leading me and learn as I go, trusting that He’s got it. But the thing to remember, and usually the most difficult to implement, is that I must walk with open hands in surrender.
The city we were in for the month, Da Nang, is right on the beach which was so nice, and happened to be really fitting considering I felt like I was being tossed around in the waves throughout the month. From the moment we arrived in Vietnam, I could tell that I was really going to enjoy it. Much of the culture and people reminded me of China, and that was enough to get me excited. But I never would have guessed that I would leave Vietnam with such a love for it. It’s crazy how the Lord continues to grow my heart for these people and these places when at times it feels like I can’t keep loving each place so much!
Our ministry for the month was teaching English at a local café with university students and young adults and getting to grow in relationships with them along the way. I met some really caring, kind, and incredible people this month. I was inspired by their eagerness to learn, their gratitude of something we take for granted, and how they invited us into their lives. Going into it knowing that Vietnam is a closed country definitely made us more aware of what we were saying in order to protect our host, and ourselves. However; I have never encountered being asked so many questions about my faith and Jesus and Christianity then I have in Vietnam. It was crazy. And so awesome. The Lord presented so many opportunities for my team and I to share about what we believed simply because people really wanted to know. The people there are hungry for the bread offered by our Savior. I loved seeing what He is doing, the harvest is plenty.. Thank you, Abba.
It was also a nice bonus to be able to be in Vietnam during the Christmas season because it sparked many conversations regarding why we celebrate it which then led to other topics regarding our faith. Something I noticed about Christmas in Vietnam was how, in this closed country, there were signs and banners everywhere reading ‘Merry Christmas’, yet in America, a ‘free’ and ‘open’ country, people get upset about it and fight to have ‘Merry Christmas’ taken down and not spoken. It broke my heart thinking about how my country, a country I love, has become so intolerant and hateful, and how people all over the world are fighting to even be able to say what they want to say, let alone to be Christians. A harsh reality that I’ve been taught about for years finally became real to me.
Through all the good of this month, many past battles came up that I wasn’t prepared for. I fought with insecurities, with believing lies, and with trying to do too much to be with the Lord. It was hard and pretty discouraging, especially because of how the enemy used many of the weaknesses I thought I had left behind. But through it, the Lord has remained sovereign and has reminded me of my place in Him in simplicity. It also made me realize that I always need to be suited up for battle with my armor ready, because the devil will strike at any time, especially in my weaknesses and when I am complacent. But hallelujah, Jesus is glorified in my weaknesses and it is His strength that will get me through the battles that come. I am thankful for how He is leading me through each part of this journey and all He is teaching me along the way. Stay tuned! 🙂
~
THANKS to each and every one of you who have sent so much love and so many prayers during this time. I can’t tell you how much of a difference it makes or how much it means to me. I am so thankful for all of you and getting to share this with you. I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas and I pray blessings over you as we begin 2017! Miss and love you all.
Keep praying for us – hard to believe it, but we are already in month 4 and have just begun our journey in Cambodia, I’m loving it already! We’ll be doing life with students this month and helping build up a local church. This is a country where only around 1% of the population are Christian, so there are endless opportunities to share Jesus and lots of growth to be had. Pray the Spirit will catch fire in this place and that we will walk in boldness as His ambassadors.
Love you guys
All to Him I owe
