Our month in Viet Nam was different. This was our Unsung Heros (UH) month (see my last blog for an explanation of UH). We learned to live Spirit-led.
Spirit-led means we lived each day asking God what He wanted and expected. We built our schedule around His plans. We prayer walked everywhere we went. We walked with expectancy through the streets, parks, and shops asking Him who He would have us approach.
This was a first opportunity for each of us. It was a challenge to set self aside and follow His instructions. This month required submission, obedience, and trust in Him and our team. Living Spirit-led has been a soul craving that I did not know I had. I am still learning to live with the faith of a child. God blessed me with intelligence so I try to logic my walk ou. Sometimes I doubt I hear Him properly. Thankfully God is good and patient. Let me tell you about a couple of times I did listen and the blessings that followed.
The Lady in the Park
We did two “scavenger hunts” around HCMC. The idea was to let God lead us to treasures (divine appointments) around the city. The purpose was to practice hearing and following His lead.
On our way home we passed a woman in the park with her puppy. God told me to stop so I asked about the puppy. She light up that we wanted to pet her dog and attempt to communicate with her. Through broken English we understood that she had moved to Viet Nam from China in 1946 (fleeing war) and that her daughter had left Viet Nam in 1979 (fleeing war). She did not want our blessings because she was sad. However, our time made her smile and we were able to pray peace and happiness over her.
About a week and a half later I received a phone call from her daughter who is visiting now. She was grateful that we had spoken with her mom and now we can stay in touch!
A Vietnamese Little Sister
An evening early in the month, as Debbie, VP, Huong, and I were walking through the park, I shared with Debbie my concern that we had missed the divine appointment Beth had anticipated that day. We had been out for hours and now were only a few minutes from the hostel. Around the next turn we met an English club. In Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) university students form English Clubs to go to the parks to talk to tourists to practice their English.
Our second time at English club is when I met her. She and I just clicked. In a country where hope and dreams are discouraged she is a dreamer. She dreams of travel. She dreams of opening her own bakery. She dreams of making a difference in the world. She asked me many of the questions I have asked myself: “How much can one person really do?” “What will you do about money when you are old?” “How will you support yourself as you travel?”
I shared with her what I have learned: keep things simple, be a seed planter, chase your dreams and try for the crazy things. When she asked me about money I told her I have faith in God and am trusting Him to provide. That opened the door to share my testimony and some things about God.
We only saw each other four times this month; however, the last time we claimed each other as sisters. I was able to pray for her in the park and encourage her to keep chasing her dream. We will stay in touch via Facebook and someday we will meet again. Please keep her in your prayers.
The Deaf Community
One day during my quiet time God told me to start praying the submission prayer again. I had no idea what He was talking about, so He reminded me of a prayer I used to pray every morning before reading the Bible. To me it was a prayer to focus my mind and heart on Him while reading, but really it is a prayer of submission.
Father,
Open my mind to Your thoughts.
Open my eyes to see Your people and Your path.
Open my ears to hear Your voice.
Open my mouth with only Your words.
Open my heart to accept Your ways.
Use my hands for Your work.
Direct my feet to where You would have me go.
Open the doors You want open.
Close the doors You want closed.
Make clear the path you have for me.
Place obstacles on the wrong paths.
Amen
Our last Sunday in HCMC Debbie was signing the worship songs and the woman next to her joined her. After service we talked over cookies and coffee and learned she is a sign language translator who also leads a worship and Bible study for a deaf community. She invited Debbie to join her that afternoon to teach Lord, I Lift Your Name on High to the group. Then she invited me to join too, but also said we could stay with her all day and hear Nick Vujicic! Debbie and I were literally squealing and jumping up and down at lunch.
When I submit to His will, He faithfully makes clear the right path. Ministry that day with the deaf took no effort on our part. We just followed His lead. Debbie lead worship, conversed with various people, and translated for me. I got to watch my sister come alive and God use her talents to bless others. We brought joy and made friends. It’s so simple could that possibly be ministry? YES!
Ice cream with some new friends (photo credit: Beth Crenshaw)
The deaf choir
Translator and advocate for the deaf
Nick Vujcic live in HCMC
I could share many more stories of how God used us and worked through us to bring blessings and unity to His body this month. We were simply living life. Sometimes we felt like tourists. However, looking back we can see God so clearly in each day, in each interaction, in each person He placed in our path. This was practice, not for the World Race, but for our lives.
