It is so strange to think that my time in Vietnam is coming to a close. The things that seemed scary and uncertain are now part of my normal. The people here have completely captured my heart with their hospitality, generosity, and on occasion marriage proposals. As I sit and take a moment to reflect back on all the life lived here in the past few weeks I have such a deep appreciation for life here. Ho Chi Minh City has been different from anything I have experienced in almost every way. Vietnam is a “closed country” meaning that it is illegal to share your faith. When we first arrived, I could feel the darkness. As we walked through downtown it seemed that there was brokenness almost around every corner. The city is buzzing with people, tourists, motorbikes, sellers, street food carts, and street cafes. It is definitely exciting in its own wild way. But, the feelings of darkness as we walked down the street, or even stayed in our hotel room had me full of anxiety the first few days. There was just so much hurt that I didn’t know what to do with, and felt discouraged.
After a few days of fully adjusting to this new place and new city we had the opportunity to attend a Christian church service with our hosts. This church service rocked my world. We met in the fourth story of a small building down a road that I didn’t even know existed. The people there were loving and welcoming but knew not a word of English. As the service began and the music started the church attendee’s starting praising . I had no idea what they were saying but it was one of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard. In that moment I felt so close to our Father and so at peace. It encouraged me and lifted my soul in a way that is unexplainable. To be in a country where it is illegal to share your faith, where their pastor has been to jail many times, and the country’s religion is different than your own- and yet here I stand amongst a group of people who are all in for Jesus. And of all ages; young to old we are standing together and praising our Father.
Then I started to think about the other teams on my squad and the people who they are staying with as well. There is so much more light in this city than I saw at first. It is a beautiful thing to be able to meet the body of Christ around the world. It is something that connects us, we can share hope and encouragement with one another, and there is a feeling of instant friendship. We may not know how to speak to one another, we may have grown up on different sides of the world with different ideas and definitely different foods- but yet here we and we can celebrate in the fact that we are family. We are all sons and daughters of the King.
As I look back on this month I am reminded just how much good is in this city. How many lights are being turned on here and flames that are starting. There is always more light than we can see, so don’t give up hope. There are battles being fought, and victories being won all over. Even if you can’t see it immediately in front of you and you feel hopeless and in the midst of darkness- there is always light just around the corner just like the light that is inside of you. The one inside of me. Kingdom is being brought here and everywhere.Stay encouraged.
As always, thanks for letting my thoughts be a part of your day
Next stop, Cambodia!
xo, Katie
