This week in ‘Nam has been somewhere between slammed and relaxed, depending on the day.
Sunday: English Club in the Park
A few members from our team met up with an English club in the park. Our meeting was from 5:30-6:30, however, we chatted with the locals until 7:45. The talks could have gone on, but when I looked at my watch, I knew we needed to grab dinner and meet back up with the rest of the team.
This ministry is non-profit, but not religious. They meet at the park to practice their English with any tourist that is walking through the park that wants to help. It is a time of freedom for topics ranging from food to jobs to dreams. This ministry was neat to experience. A true realization of the importance of allowing God to speak through your actions and His Spirit to shine in the conversations.
Monday: International Women’s Day Conference
Our team traveled to another district to attend the conference, from 8-4pm. We knew it would be an opportunity to meet a variety of women involved in this huge network of churches-hoping for contacts that could lead us to possible Unsung Heroes.
However, before we could figure out the possibility of UH contacts, the Lord had work to do within our team. I didn’t realize He would ask me to share a testimony. Huong didn’t know she would be asked to translate. Debbie didn’t know she would be hit with a dizzy/fainting spell. Our team didn’t expect work to be done within.
After the conference started, the pastor asked if one of our teammates would share. I immediately thought no. Debbie said sure, I’ll share. However, between the question and the time slot to share, Debbie started feeling bad and the Lord had a straightforward conversation with me.
Debbie asked me if I would pray for her to feel better. I did, then the Lord led me to a psalm to share with her to encourage her in the spiritual attack. After I prayed for her though, the Lord asked me a question, I didn’t want to answer: “Why did you answer no when you were asked about sharing?“
Honestly, I didn’t feel good enough. I didn’t have a moving testimony. I am not gifted in preaching. My identity is the prayer warrior, and I was comfortable with that. Lightbulb! Comfort zones are going to be wrecked. Growth happens when comfortability is wrecked.
The Lord said, “Your words are important. I have given you a story to share. Trust Me to speak through you.”
“Who you become is determined by how you pray.” -Circle Maker
The Lord allowed me to share a lesson I learned last month (the thing I took away from Cambodia: Love Loosely, I’m not their Savior, His love is unconditional and necessary).
After sharing, I was approached by several women that expressed how much the story meant to them and how much they needed to hear that message. And should I be surprised? Should I forget the amazing ways of the Lord? He used me, the story I thought was insignificant next to my team.
As the afternoon continued, I poured out praises to Him for being such a good Father that likes to teach His children, bless His children, and walk through the waters with them. He then led me to write a poem (check it out: Poem: Gold). It was a beautiful day of His grace, sovereignty and beauty showering down on us.
Tuesday: Plans for the Park
Stephanie, Debbie, Jen and myself decided to spend a few hours in the park relaxing. I had planned to do worship art. Stephanie want to read and practice her guitar. But you know when you make plans…usually things don’t go exactly as you thought.
The Lord brought us a group of Vietnamese students.
As Stephanie played the guitar and I sketched, a group of students approached us. They came boldly and sat right down in our circle. Unafraid. Comfortable. They jumped right into the conversation.
The people in Vietnam are desperate to learn English, and because schooling is so expensive, they taken advantage of foreigners in the parks. They love to hear about life outside of Vietnam. They love sharing about their own culture and country. This group loved singing and playing guitar as well. The hour we spent with these students was a perfect opportunity to allow the Lord to guide our conversations, and allow His light shine in our presence. Pray for these students. Pray that their dedication to learn English and desperation for English shifts to a desperation and dedication to the Lord first and foremost.
Wednesday: Lively Lice
We received some news of critters that came along with us from Cambodia. I have been impressed with my teammates who have it. They mentioned that they wouldn’t have changed how they served the kids even knowing they would have lice now.
Daily lice checks have just allowed our team to grow closer and closer. We spend hours together, combing through hair–what better time to get in some girl talk?
Thursday: Ministry Meetings.
We had two meetings (1st: 10am, 2nd: 3pm) and a dinner date with a Christian couple who just arrived in Vietnam.
The beauty of this day came from the conversations. The beauty of this day came from what the Lord spoke about these girls. These longterm servants are in need of community. They need others who are willing to encourage and uphold them to the refinement process (prune, burn, cut, growth, every step).
The purpose of our teams meeting these ladies wasn’t for ministry. It wasn’t for UH purpose or AIM. It was for their hearts.
It is beautiful to see how the Lord is still interested in the details, even when we cannot see or comprehend the work He is doing. He cares for His daughters on the field. He knows their needs. He is even willing to use a random group of 7 girls from the WR to bridge the worlds together. Beauty.
Sozo Cafe Art
Friday: Fabulously Fantastic
This day was full of fabulous and fantastic moments. It all started with FaceTime with my best friend then my family. Able to catch up with friends and family helps renew the soul–sharing of the work the Lord is doing and hearing His work from back home is such a neat experience.
I had a worship art session in the early afternoon. I chose to do a 4-part poem. The first block had a tree–reminding me that my roots need to grow beyond the surface. The second block was water–reminding me that I am to walk bold on the waves toward His light. The third block was my hand writing–reminding me of the power of my words and how He desires to use them. The fourth block was the future community center–reminding me of the destination He is taking me in the future (carrying my dreams and goals into reality).
I then took a nap. This in it self is fantastic, but it also just added to the day!
That night, our team went on a walk around the city on our way to dinner. It was a warm night but had a slight breeze. It was noisy and busy with a lot of traffic and people throughout the streets. It was cloudy, so you couldn’t see the stars or the moon. It was bright with lights.
However, the beauty was revealed when we reached the bridge over the Saigon River.
There were beautiful parks that lined the river. There was a calmness over the bridge. A peace over the water. Beauty in the gentle waves of the water. In the midst of the chaos, God’s presence was found.
Saturday: Smooth Sailing
Off day! Woot! Although this day means no ministry, God is still at work. Our team is free to choose how we spend this day. So Victoria and I decided to order food in and watch a movie together. Two awesome things happened at once: Pork Kebab and Dirty Dancing! Loved the combo! Then as the team returned home, we watched Pride and Prejudice.
Even though, dinner and movies doesn’t sound like an impressive ministry, the Lord revealed something to me. My team have become my friends. They might be my teammates by force, but they are my friends by choice. I loved that all 7 of us were piled on two beds crowded over a laptop watching Pride and Prejudice (using subtitles because it was hard to hear the words). I loved hearing the giggle of Huong as she laughed at the way the Bennet girls acted toward their suitors. I loved seeing Debbie clinch her heart as Mr. Darcy spoke to Elizabeth.
It was a beautiful picture of friendship. Being able to relax, guards down. Freely choosing to build friendships with one another. Appreciating the little moments together.
Prayers for this week:
1. Ministry contacts–emails, meetings, phone calls
2. Divine appointments–listening ears, willing hearts, obedient hands
3. Protection–the enemy has attacked our team on all cylinders
