This is 100% not writen by me and I take no cedit at all, all thanks goes to Chrissy!!! She explains our month so well…..
We have been all over the place this month. Unlike previous months, our schedule has been different every day. We've visited
pagodas
orphanages
a home for blind people
youth groups
a theology class
a home for men struggling with addictions
a home for unwed mothers and their babies
a school
parks to meet the locals
coffee shops to talk with students
We've also taken time to peruse the city and get a small taste of what life in Vietnam is like. The photos and video (all material courtesy of my wonderful teammate Vivian) should give you a small glimpse at how Team Salt Shakers spent Month 6 in Vietnam.
Top and Left: A Sunday school class we visited in a province 2 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. By the time we left they were experts at Simon Says and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. Middle Right: A kids group that Vivian, Alyssa and I visited one night. They loved Vivian's rendition of Noah's Ark and suddenly became really engaged when cookies were offered as incentives to answer our questions about the story. Bottom Right: The school class we visited on our three day trip to a different province. The church provides a free school for kids in the area (up until the age of 6) who cannot afford to go to school. Don't think they get many foreigners around there so we were quite the spectacle.
Top: The home for men who are struggling with alcohol and drug addictions. We've joined with them in worship, we've prayed over them and we've encouraged them, but I think they've done more for us. Their joy is contagious and they are fervently seeking after the Lord. Middle: The Theology students! These future preachers, teachers and Kingdom bringers are awesome! We sang songs with them, shared testimonies, played soccer and laughed a lot. Bottom: The older Vietnamese women in this photo have amazing hearts. They minister to young, unwed mothers by showing them the love of Christ and providing them with a safe place to raise their babies.
Now for the non-ministry aspects of the month…
Top: A typical van ride with our team. Mouths open, arms wrapped around seats, heads down. It's how we travel. Bottom left: Brian showing our favorite and most dangerous form of transportation…the MOTO. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Bottom right: Canoes on the Mekong River. These ladies were no joke. This was bumper cars Vietnamese style.
Top left: Brian has eaten his weight in Frozen Yogurt this month. He even acquired a members card to Yogurt Space so he now receives a whopping 10% off each visit. Top right: Our beloved bread lady. She provided us with a baguette filled with egg, cheese and vegetables every morning for less than $1 Bottom left: The dreaded supermarket. Although it holds products that we hold dear such as milk, cereal and peanut butter, the chaos that goes on inside makes each trip an adventure. Bottom right: Smoothie Lady! She whipped up a delicious concoction of any fruit you would desire as long as you immediately sat down in a plastic chair when you arrived at her stand.
Month 7 begins in 3 days. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel to Malaysia!
