Whether it’s playing frogger while trying to cross the chaotic streets of Ho Chi Minh City, sipping on the best fresh fruit smoothies down a small dark alley, sweating profusely, or loving on little Vietnamese children, Vietnam has been an absolute joy and adventure thus far.
Vietnam is a creative access country, which means the gospel isn’t freely accepted. You must find creative ways to hold church and talk about Jesus with others. Coming into this month, I was really interested to see how ministry would function, since you can’t openly proclaim Christ to the Vietnamese people like we could in Nepal.
The Lord brought us to Nam to partner with a very special ministry. From face value, we are partnering with an English and Life Skills consulting business. Through out the week several children frequent the building to learn english and life skills that will help set them up for a brighter future, since English is so crucial for children to get into University and get higher paying jobs.
Some of these children are the most affluent and brightest children in all of Vietnam and other children are the poorest of poor in Vietnam with very little hope of a bright future. So what’s the catch? How is this place ministry?
About six years ago, a couple felt called to start a church in a creative access country, so Vietnam is where the Lord lead them. As they opened the church, they prayed about how they could reach the people of Vietnam. After many months of prayer walking, sitting outside of buildings and praying for God’s direction, life skills consulting for kids came to the table.
Fast forward six years, and now from the inside out there is a building filled with children of all ages through out the week. These children are learning solid life lessons, biblical principles, experiencing true unconditional love, and compassion as they learn English and life skills. The ministry we partner with pours into the children of Vietnam that will one day take over their parents jobs as communist party members, surgeons, lawyers, you name it. As well, as pouring into children who do not have the brightest future ahead of them due to their level of poverty.
What is so powerful about this “business” is that these children are getting taught how to love, show compassion to the poor and hurting, lead with integrity, and live a life that isn’t focused on themselves but the needs of others. Seeds are being planted for the kingdom as well as for a brighter future for Vietnam as a whole. The rich and poor kids are both getting a solid english background, while also learning how to connect and be companions even though their affluences are polar opposites.
As we partner with this ministry , I am grateful for the opportunity that we have to love on kids that so desperately need love and acknowledgement. I am grateful to partner with an organization that is so Christ centered and firmly rooted in living in tune with the Holy Spirit. I learning so much about what ministry looks like in creative access countries and how no group of people are unreachable.
Like our host says, put your last domino up first (where you want to be in the end), and then start lining up the dominos one after another until you get to a starting point (where you can begin). I’m beyond excited to be a part of this domino effect of bringing the kingdom to Vietnam!
Thanks for following along on this grand kingdom journey! It is exciting and encouraging to watch Jesus be proclaimed through out the world.
Until Next Time,
Michelle
Today we toured Independence Palace where Saigon fell in the Vietnam War. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be in Vietnam and getting to tour historical landmarks from the Vietnam War. Thank you Uncle Mike for your service to our country during the Vietnam War!
First he shoved me and then decided that he wanted to be my friend. This cute boy is one of 350 orphans, who live at a facility dedicated to taking in kids who are left at the hospital because their parents do not want them. More to come on this story in my next blog.
Touring Ho Chi Minh City and finding really neat trees! It’s pretty NEAT!
Some of the children we are loving on this month! My heart melts for their stories and what they walk through on a daily basis. They know very little english so I have been enjoying praying for them and them not even knowing it. 🙂 More photos of these adorable kids to come in future blogs!
A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has donated since I left the States! I am now $550 away from being FULLY FUNDED!!!
Want to help me reach 100%? Just donate on this page! 🙂
Have a GREAT week my friends!
