I didn’t know what to expect for this month in Hanoi, Vietnam. All I knew is that I wanted more of the Lord and I wanted to continue to pursue Him wholeheartedly! I wanted to pursue Him will ALL my heart even in the hardest of times. I never knew how something would end but I was at least confident that He will fix it all and be with me to the end! But… that’s not what this blog is about. I will have to write another blog about how pursing Him wholeheartedly has blessed me. This blog is going to be bragging on how He has continued to provide for me! I had two things I really desired this month and one I actually started praying for which was for cold weather. I was also in need of new clothing as my clothes were starting to get this unreal stench on them that you just couldn’t hand wash out anymore… But that became a desire.
Our squad landed in Ho Chi Minh City for debrief at the beginning of the month. We ended up being there for a couple of days, then team Borderlands got on an hour plane ride to Hanoi which is North Vietnam. We went to the airport sweating wearing shorts and a t-shirt as we are waiting to get on the plane we get a call from our host telling us to bundle up because it is cold in Hanoi. By this time we didn’t have enough time to put on more clothes so we figured we would be fine. But when we got off the plane it was 15 degrees Celsius out. The chills started to come. This is when I knew this month was going to be awesome… haha Prayer number one was answered! We have cold weather!! This entire month was cold we had weather that ranged from 15- 20 degree weather. This was cold for us as we were bundled up in our toques, leggings with pants, socks, sweaters, jackets and scarfs. Pretty much any warm clothing we had was on our bodies. My team wasn’t as ecstatic about the cold weather as I was :p
This month we got the privilege to work in a Bakery but it was not only a bakery you could buy clothes, pillows, stuffed animals, purses, wallets and more. Pretty much anything that could be sewed up and put out on display was made all at the bakery. There are about 80-90 employees who work here they are either blind, deaf, or have a disability. The employees at the bakery are incredible at what they do. We don’t give others enough credit. If we think people are incapable of doing a task we don’t allow them to even try. We just assume they can’t do it… I have been able to see a bunch of employees who are deaf run a kitchen, do all the baking and cooking in the bakery. The lady who works at the front desk is blind. The ladies who work up in the sewing room are deaf. This bakery runs just as efficient as any bakery I have seen back home, it’s been really cool to be able to work with all of them and see what a day of work looks like for them. This month has been amazing as we have been able to do a bunch of different tasks around the bakery like: painting, baking, ironing clothes, organizing fabrics and storage closets etc. Our host also asked Allie and myself to go to a Fair at the International School to sell some of the products made at the bakery. So we got to go and experience what a Vietnamese fair looked like. It was packed with a bunch of booths and activities you could do and watch such as: water puppets, dragon dancing, bands etc. We have worked at the bakery for 2 weeks. The last week is Tet which is the Asian New Year so they have one week off of work, therefore, the bakery is closed.
Our team found an International Church which we have been attending and have found other Americans in the area of where we live. So they have given us some work over this past week. But we have been incrediblely blessed by the American family we have met since being here. Today the girls on our team received a big bag of clothes!! With the bag of clothes we received I have been able to give myself a whole new wardrobe and there are still clothes that are leftover. I am able to get rid of all my old, smelly clothing and am able to feel fresh for the last half of the race! Desire/ prayer number 2 has been answered!
Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.- Psalm 37:4 This month has been incredible and I am just so excited for the second half of the race to see more growth, and more challenges. My Father is such a giver and has been blessing me over and over again. He does provide!
Lastly, I have almost reached my financial goal!! I only need $418 more before March 20th. If you are willing to provide for me to stay on the field it would be greatly appreciated! 🙂 Thank you for all your support already up to this point, along with all your prayers! I couldn’t be more blessed with all the friends, family and even strangers who have helped me get this far by donating.
Be blessed,
Heidi 🙂
