“…adventures don’t come calling like unexpected cousins calling from out of town. You have to go looking for them.” — Unknown
There is no doubt that this month will be an adventure through and through. The components of this month's ministry are going to be a bit different than the prior nations. Allow me to explain…
On the race, we have this little, yet extraordinary activity that we call "ATL." The acronym stands for Ask The Lord. If you've ever heard of a Treasure Hunt, it's the same concept. Basically, we pray about where we should go and what we should do. In those places, we strive to be intentional about listening to what He is saying and, well…do it. Coffee shops, bars, in the hotel lobby, grocery stores, markets, on the side of the street, the smoothie stand, parks, the beach… These are places we're envisioning for this month. Examples of this being played out are so vast that I don't know how to continue explaining!
There is a wonderful girl on my team named Jenna. She has been hanging out with some tourists from France, Vancouver, and Britain these past few nights in Ho Chi Minh. The team has been here for about four nights and on Wednesday, we take a train a little further North to our main ministry site, Da Nang. Anyway, Jenna has been chilling on the streets in Saigon where many tourists gather to meet other tourists over a beer and sometimes a game of rummy. Since she has been spending time with the same folks for a couple of nights now, she has a fervent heart for these individuals. This very night, she is saying goodbye and planning to depart with some words the Lord has given her to impart to them.
It's true that we will most likely be living it up in the city life for these next few weeks. We will be indulging (with whatever our budgets may afford) in sweet comforts such as the coast, iced mochas, and air conditioning. We may find ourselves conversing with tourists, buying a meal for a child on the street, loving prostitutes, or prayer walking to intercede for the city of Da Nang. I don't know, we will probably be doing something much more unfathomable. Everyone is a ministry this month. But isn't that how it should always be? Yeah, and it has been. Now, we get to live it out even more. We get to do what we're called to do at all times here in Vietnam. My teammate, Shay remarked that this is a perfect ministry for us this month. In preparation for our approaching arrival home, we are able to live this thing out in tangible situations where we will surely find ourselves in the near future.
So, when you think of us…pray for us. I am asking for your prayers because I so believe in its unexplainable power. Pray that we would hear His voice and draw closer to His heart. That we would not become distracted by consumerist pleasures. That we would not be discouraged. That we would simply go. That we would not grow weary. That we would speak of the Truth boldly. That the Holy Spirit will be our Rock and Teacher. That we would make the most of the days and moments we've been given. (Eph. 5) That the people we encounter would experience the One thing that can sustain them. That He would be glorified!
I can't wait to get stateside to coast out on the boat at sunrise and hike some mad passes. For now though, the girls and I are going out to look for adventures, great opportunities to be "the aroma of Christ." Ultimately, I believe that He has these advenures out there…we just have to go.
Will keep you posted!
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We will always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body." –2 Corinthians 4:7-10
