For the past week all 43 of us have been in Ho Chi Minh city. We have been apart of an array of different things throughtout the community. But have mostly been involved in relational ministry. There isn't that much of a 'schedule' so we are pretty much given the freedom to go out and be Kingdom in whatever way the spirit is leading you for that day.
Some people have found themselves in the park having conversations, others have been in local coffee shops speaking with students, others have been making friends with local tourists and pouring into them, and still others have been to an international and underground church and visiting a rehab center and an orphange.
The other day I got to go to the rehab center with some of our people. We went there with the intent to be love and encouragement. Every day the men there get together in the morning for a time to hang out and play music. They will also read the bible and talk about Jesus. We were excited to get to go and just be apart of what they already have going.
I rode there on the back of a motorcyle with my friend Peter and it was interesting to say the least. There are so many people out on the rodes that I think my knees brushed up against other drivers and riders. Literally. No big deal right… 🙂
Anyways, we got there and it was pretty crazy. In a good way of course. There were about 20 men hanging out playing music, jumping, singing, dancing and just having a good time. We got to join in on the fun and learn some pretty cool Vietnamese dance moves.
A few of the people on our teams shared their stories and got to encourage these men in their journey of freedom and walk with the Lord. At one point we got the opportunity to go around and just fellowship with one another. When I went around the room I met several of the guys. Everytime they would shake my hand they would say 'I am one of the drug people, my name is __________.'
I'll be honest I did NOT like it when I heard this. I felt like these men were still living in a place of chains and not fully knowing who they are as sons of God. My heart hurt for them and I wanted Jesus to do something.
'Jesus, no…they are not a drug people anymore. Fix this. Tell them! Tell them who they are. Tell them that you love them and that you don't see those things anymore. Tell them you have set them free.'
'Rachel, my love, speak. Communicate. Won't you tell them for me? That's why I've brought you and the others here today. You have a responsibility to tell them.'
I realized yet again, in that moment the responsibility of just simply speaking, communicating and displaying the love and grace of God. I was complicating things. All Jesus was asking me to do was share my heart. It didn't have to be this big preachy sermon or 'thus sayth the Lord.' It could be simple.
I told them how much God loves them and does not see their past anymore. He has redeemed them and set them free. They are not longer drug people. They are men of God. They are my brothers in the Kingdom. They are sons of the Father. They have an inheritnace to claim and walk in. They have worth and value. Their idenity is not rooted in what they have done but who God says they are.
So I left feeling encouraged and thankful. On the ride home I pondered the men of God in my own life.
My dad. He has become my biggest hero. He is the hardest working, genuine man ever. He is so faithful and has the ability to literally build or fix anything. He can turn any tough situation into something lighthearted and funny. He has loved me through thick and thin and I will always know that I'm his little girl no matter what age I am. He challenges me to love unconditionally and to honor my family and the people around me.
My best friend and the most amazing man I've ever met in my life. He is so passionate and hungry for Jesus and His Kingdom that it seriously blows me away. He has the ability to call things out in me that I didn't even know were there. Throughout the crazyness of this year, he continually communicates how special, treasured and worthy of love I am.
My co-leader. He is seriously one of the most humble, gentle caring souls I've yet to know. He has an interesting unique, funny twist to his personality that always keeps things fun and exciting yet when he puruses the Lord's heart during worship it moves people to experience greater depths of God's love. Without even probably realizing it he constantly challenges me to be a woman that responds in grace and walks in humility.
My field support leader. Whom, I haven't known that long but feel comfortable around and thankful for who he is. He has been a light in dark places for me and has given me incredible amounts of encouraging words to help me get to the next step in this journey. He leads out with a true servants heart and can make friends with anyone and genuinely cares about making people feel heard.
So today I want to celebrate and honor the men at the rehab center that I got to meet and the stellar group of men that are around me this season. Love you guys. Bless them Jesus!!
