Vung Tau Beach, Vietnam: March 18
When our team left for the beach, we were excited for some time to relax and celebrate Jen’s birthday. I prayed that the Lord would send divine appointments, even ministry contacts. I wasn’t sure what it would look like or who would come across our paths.
But out of a desire to hold a “ganh hang rong” (a two-sided basket, that is a traditional ‘market’ that women carry to sell items off of), the Lord delivered a sweet lady right in front of me at the beach.
I asked Huong if she would help me to ask if I could hold the baskets and take a picture. The lady readily said “Sure, okay.” After I took the picture, I asked for a picture with her. She was hesitant, but agreed.
After she walked away, I noticed she was picking up items, including trash, off the beach. Then she sat down under an umbrella to rest and eat a snack. I desired to sit down with her and talk, however the language barrier stopped the flow of conversation. I asked Huong if we could go speak with her.
I learned that her name is Du, who is 77 years old. She sells soybean soups in her “ganh hang rong.” More importantly, she is full of love and joy.
After we talked with her, some of the girls bought her soup. Then she gave me some rice and bean pudding, as a gift. She also gave Huong a cake, as a gift.
More blessed to give than to receive. Perfect reflection of that promise.
As we got ready to leave, Huong said it would be okay for me to write a note to her. I wrote a simple message, “God loves you! Thank you for the rice pudding. Love, Beth” and gave her a hug.
This lady will never know the impact she made on my life—seeing her live out love in the best form. Enjoying the hard jobs with perfect joy. Spreading life into the lungs of complete strangers through her presence.
P.S. The Lord continued the blessing! The very next morning as the team walked to grab food, I hear a lady call out “Hello” as she rode past on her bike. As she passes us, we realize it is Du from the beach! I wave and immediately bubble over in excitement to see her again. I then noticed she stopped at the corner, got off her bike and started walking toward me. I gave her a hug and said hello. She spoke several sentences, but all in Vietnamese. I have no idea what she said, but guessed it had to do with work and going to the beach because she pointed across the street to the ocean.
After we said goodbye, I just stood there amazed that God brought her back to me. I continued to watch her walk her bike across the 5 lanes of traffic, then pick up her bike to place it on the curb then continue biking onto the beach.
I held my heart, realizing that she will forever have a piece of my heart. I ached to see her go, and wished I could grab coffee with her and just hear stories of her life. Although I won’t have the opportunity to do that, I know God knows her stories and knows her heart. I pray that He already communes with her regularly. I pray that the Lord uses her to touch more lives and hearts throughout that area of Vietnam. That her joy, love and generous spirit stems from a relationship with the Lord and that others desire to know how she can be so content selling soup on the beach.
Prayers:
*I do return to Vang Tau this week for debrief, so if the Lord desires that I could see Du again. That I would have the opportunity to hear more of her story and pray over her in person.
*Restoration during debrief, including processing month 3 and all the work the Lord has done in my heart.
*Wisdom for month 4:
-We will be switching teams: pray for smooth transitions
-I will be on the team that is teaching at a university—pray for wisdom in knowing how to instruct the students and also shine His light in our actions
-That I will continue to press in with a teachable spirit—desiring to change and pursue more and more of Him
