Today is Saturday December 23rd, 2017 and it’s crazy to think we’re closing out another year. My team and I finished up our fifth month of the Race in Da Nang, Vietnam. It still feels like a dream that we are finishing up our first continent and about half way through our Race.
For now, let me tell you about Vietnam. So if you didn’t know, Vietnam is a communist country and the ‘m word’ is forbidden! The ‘m word’ being missionary, don’t worry. So once again, we were a group of tourist or students part of an exchange program teaching English. Their government does not allow more than fifteen people to gather without a permit. Evangelism is against the law.
During our stay in Vietnam our team, Abide in J.O.Y., was partnered with a college ministry reaching out to students through ‘English Club’ or can I say Jesus Club! There is a group of students that are believers across the universities in Da Nang and when groups like us come in, they are able to promote English classes with foreigners. So this month looked a little different. We had various groups assigned across the city in different cafes to have English class. We got to sip on delicious Vietnamese coffee while trying to decipher the English language. I have to admit that sometimes, English is weird. Students would ask why we have certain rules and I honestly had no idea.
One of the ways that I was able to personally encourage them was sharing my story and learning English. They know that I am American, even if I don’t have blonde hair and blue eyes and that I am Mexican. Spanish is my first language and the only language we spoke at home growing up. I explained to my students how I learned English at school and how truly, it is my second language. I was able to encourage them to keep learning and practicing and that they are more than capable of becoming fluent.
Saturday night came around and our ministry host picked me up on her motto. Yes, everybody in Vietnam rides in a motto. It’s actually pretty fun! So we rode to our usual cafe and I was expecting a couple of girls to show up. To my surprise, my host informed me that only one student was coming that night. She also made a quick comment that she was not a Christian. My one student arrived and we just chatted. She is not as advanced on her English, but our host did a great job of translating and making her feel comfortable. Side note, these students are so smart and dedicated! After having a full day at their university, they take the time to meet with us for English class even if it is a Saturday. Many students have so much knowledge in reading or writing English, but don’t have as much practice in conversation and that’s where we come in! We get to talk, encourage them and grow their confidence in speaking English.
Okay, back to our class on Saturday night with our one student. I’m sitting with my student asking pretty basic questions like, what did you do yesterday? Or have you have you had dinner? I take a moment and ask her if she has any questions for me. She has her question translated through our host and she says, why did you come to Vietnam? Are you ready? This is where the fun begins! So of course I say because Jesus told me to. I share with her my testimony on how I asked the Lord for direction and purpose in my life two years ago.
As it is December, surprisingly Vietnam is starting to celebrate Christmas. Ultimately, they have no idea why they are celebrating besides the presents and Santa Claus. So I go ahead and ask her if she celebrates Christmas. She shakes her head no and BAM! I get to share the real meaning of Christmas. How my family and I celebrate the birth of Jesus. We celebrate and give presents because Jesus is the best present we could possibly receive. My host got the cue and she opened up an app on her phone to lead her through the prayer of salvation. I used the reading as ‘practice for her pronunciation,’ but really I was giving her Jesus!
So there I was, sitting at cafe in Da Nang, Vietnam surrounded by cigarette smoke from other customers and some American pop song playing over my voice, all while sharing the Gospel with a Vietnamese college student. Like what is even life?! I broke the law! I am a criminal and I am more than okay with that! We continued to read through each verse and I explained how we are all sinners. We joked for a second because she said, I’m a good person. Our host asked her is she had ever lied or been jealous, so I raised my hand and admitted that I lie. I make mistakes; she giggled and said me too. I shared with her how Jesus loves her and came to Earth to give his life for our mistakes. Through his sacrifice, we can have a relationship with God. We can pray and ask Jesus for direction in our lives like I did two years ago. How he clearly answered and now I was sitting next to her in Vietnam, “teaching her English.”
Our host took over in Vietnamese and explained with more depth, but guess what?! She said ‘Yes’ to Jesus. I was able to sit with her and walk her through the prayer of salvation!! I have a sister in Vietnam! Gggaaahhh!!! I broke the law for the sake of the Gospel and I love it! We got to rejoice with her as she joined the family of Christ. I gave her a big hug and as I got on the motto to go home, I felt so alive!
This, this is the very reason why I’m sitting on the other side of the world during the holiday season. As much as I am missing home, it is worth it! My student coming to know the one true God is worth me carrying a pack to hold my life in. She is worth every single bit of it.
This month was truly a dream as our hostel was literally, two blocks away from the beach. I would walk over just about every day, listen to a preaching or pull out my hammock and read my bible on the beach in a communist country. Seriously, what is life? So thankful to the Father for allowing me to experience his love on this side of the world. Our hostel was phenomenal and the staff became our friends. It truly was hard to say goodbye and tears were shed.
This holiday season, remember the true meaning of Christmas and scream it from the rooftops! Jesus is the one true God! Take advantage of the freedom of speech and religion our country offers and invite a friend to church. Tell somebody of the Good News. Give, forgive and love because Christ did that for us first.
From one vulnerable heart to another,
Diane
