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Hello readers! I am here in Da Nang, Vietnam just finishing up my second week. I wanted to share with you a little of how our ministry is going so far and some reflections about what life is like here!
– I am teaching at least 2 English classes a day at different coffee shops in the city and my students are great! We have planned questions and vocab to go over at each class including topics like birthdays, food, childhood, social media, and change. I have loved getting to know the students a little better.
– Other things that have happened this week… we went to Monkey Mountain to watch the sunrise and pray, we visited a nearby waterfall, we attended the student’s CRU youth group on Wednesday night, and visited the town of Hoi An (famous for hanging lanterns) on Thanksgiving day!
I titled this blog duong (meaning “the road” in vietnamese) because one of the main things that I have reflected on since arriving in Vietnam is the driving. I have ridden in busses, cars, motorbikes and bicycles and the traffic culture is unlike anything I have ever seen. I would describe it as chaos. There are only a few rules for the road and they are rarely followed. I noticed this first when we had our long bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang. The bus swerved in between cars and the horn was used about every other minute. This really added to the experience of our 20 hours on the bus haha! From these experiences, I have noticed that there is truly an art to getting around smoothly in Da Nang.
I thought I would attempt to paint the picture of what the traffic culture is like here…
– Motorbikes here don’t like to stop so people will drive on the wrong side of the road, will run red lights, and make dangerous decisions in order to avoid stopping.
– It is rare for people to check their mirrors or blind spots before making a move because the mentality is that they are only responsible for what is in front of them. – Turn indicators are rarely used and if they are, you cannot always trust them. If you want to indicate that you are turning, it is more common to stick out your hand.
– To turn left at an intersection, instead of waiting until the cars clear up and taking the turn wide, it is common for cars to turn sharp before the traffic comes. Motorbikes sometimes turn from the left lane but sometimes they cut across traffic from the far right lane to turn left.
– Most of the motorbikes drive in the right lane, leaving the left lane for larger and faster vehicles, but it is also very common for motorbikes to weave around cars during slower traffic.
– When it comes to roundabouts there are essentially no rules… pretty much go when you can, and stop when it is dangerous.
– Because it is hard to predict what people will do on the road, the horn is used almost all the time. It is often used to signal to someone “hey I am here, look out!”
– Many motorbikes have 3, 4 or 5 people riding on them which is illegal but common.
– Many motorbikes carry large loads of supplies on them, so it is good to be aware of who you are riding behind.
After riding in this traffic a couple of times, I decided to look up ways to be a safe driver here in Vietnam (you’re welcome mom and dad). One of the most common tips found about being safe on the road is to not drive the same way you would in the Western world. Yes, be cautious, but what is most dangerous is to drive like you would back home.
In the states, I knew the driving conditions well and I was a pretty good driver in my opinion (if you care to challenge this, please do so privately with me… I don’t want any public shaming on this thing…). I was experienced, having driven in the same set of rules and driving conditions since getting my license. I knew the rules of the road and the driving rules in the states are quite clear and exact. I knew the vehicle as I have driven the same car for about 5 years now. Driving conditions were understood, clear and I was experienced in them.
Here in Vietnam, the conditions are totally different and I am not a good motorbike driver. These driving conditions are new territory for me. I am inexperienced, having only driven the motorbike 2 or 3 times. I don’t really know the rules/ there aren’t really clear rules that are followed. I don’t know the motorbike vehicle because it is not a car and I am having to learn a whole new machine. Driving conditions here are not understood, not clear, and I am very inexperienced in them.
So if you have read any of my previous blog posts you may know where I am going with this. The purpose of the blog is not to scare everyone about the roads here, but instead it is to explain how my experience on the roads of Vietnam can compare to my faith experience.
Right now, my experience with God feels like I am in a foreign place. It feels like I am in new territory with God.
For most of my walk with God, I have felt like an experienced driver back at home. I understood the rules. I knew how to navigate the roads. Things were familiar. God was understood and clear. More recently in my walk with God, it feels like I am an inexperienced driver on a foreign road. The rules are not clear. I don’t know how to get from place to place or navigate my way through. Things are unfamiliar and I don’t have as clear of an understanding of God. So much like the roads here in Vietnam, things feel a bit chaotic. I am not a great driver because I am inexperienced.
However, I want to be a smart and safe driver in these new territories with God. So, much like research has said, I think the safest thing for me to do is to avoid driving like I would back home. Perhaps the most dangerous thing I could do is not assimilate… or I might crash. Although the roads feel chaotic, there are not clear rules, and I really don’t know where I am going… perhaps the safest thing to do is to go with the flow of traffic. The roads can be scary and fast sometimes, but there are always traffic lights where I can stop and reflect. I can always just take a break and get off the road for a little to catch my breath. But one of my biggest fears in life is getting off of the road, giving up, remaining stagnant and not moving. I always want to be growing in my relationship with God, moving forward and learning. I know the destination that I want to get to, greater intimacy with God. So I know that I need to just keep practicing, keep riding, and know that I have an abundance of grace on the road. I am thankful that I have the Lord to teach me these new roads and help me to become a more experienced driver.
Because that is really the most amazing thing that Christ did for us right? He came down to be our driving coach!
IMG_2714 from genna dalence on Vimeo.
Untitled from genna dalence on Vimeo.
The directions = perseverance
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)
The destination = intimacy and unity with God
Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 4:8)
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. (Psalm 73:28)
