Month 10
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Vietnam was an exciting and relaxing month. We depended on the Lord to bring us people that were searching after God or just in need of God. We called it our ATL month – Ask The Lord. That’s exactly what we did, we were constantly asking God what He had for us last month, what He had for us in Vietnam and how we were supposed to present the gospel in a basically closed country.
One morning we went to an orphanage called Unwanted Children. It was for women who either got pregnant out of wedlock or whose husbands left them after they found out they were pregnant. Our ministry here – holding babies and loving on them!! It was so fun! I picked my baby for the day and we
laughed, walked, danced, and eventually fell asleep in the ball pen because we were both exhausted! What a fun way to spread the love of Jesus!
We went to a Rehabilitation Center for men who were coming off drugs. We brought Jesus by dancing and singing and sharing our testimonies. These guys were pumped up about Jesus and what He was doing in their lives. Definitely took me by surprise, I honestly couldn’t keep up.
Twice we went to a children’s program that was put together
by two women who were doing their best to spread the gospel. We lead songs and shared stories with the children. We got to sit with them and hug all over them, teaching them of God’s goodness and love. Then we would eat snacks and listen to the two women tell us what they had gone through to bring this children’s program to the community. They meet in a tiny room with 25+ students and parents send their children there because they act kinder when they come home!!
We went for a day to a church and helped with a youth program and children’s program. Again teaching them songs and sharing the struggles and lessons we’ve had along the way.
But my favorite part of Vietnam is the relationships I was able to form with four people.
Our first day in Vietnam we found an Indian Restaurant right beside our hostel and decided this was a place we needed to hang out. My teammate Kaitlyn automatically built a relationship with the owner Monu who is from India. Then for the rest of the month we were able to just go over and talk, hang out and share life with this man. A guy from America lived with him too and again we were able to build a friendship with this man. This is the ministry that I love. It’s natural and it’s just a friendship, but they saw something different in us. Whether they know it or not, they saw Jesus and on some occasions we were able to talk a little about our beliefs, but more than that we were able to act them out.
The other two people were the most adorable couple. Phat and Vi. Phat is 19 and Vi is 16. We
met them in the park one day while we were out taking photos. They walked up and asked to interview us for school and we knew right off the bat these would be two people easy to get along with. It was a natural friendship once again. Sometimes with foreigners, conversation is difficult and you have to force yourself to find things to talk about. Not with these two, it was like hanging out with friends from home. We were able to go to the Vietnam War Memorial with them and get coffee with them on multiple occasions. Then Vi moved to AMERICA! I know, crazy! Phat was obviously upset and in a really low place, so we did what we thought was best. We gave him a Bible. We told him how it has impacted our lives, when we’ve been in tough places how it’s gotten us through. This man was so sweet, he completely trusted us with his heart and opened up to us about all the struggles he has in life. I’m going to truly miss these two.
I honestly miss all four of those relationships so much already. But there are times when you have to plant, sometimes when you have to water, and times when you get to watch people grow. Last month was my month to plant, but that doesn’t mean that I have to forget. I get to pray now and I ask you to join me in prayer for these people.
Vietnam, I’ll miss you.
