I wish I had been more intentional about taking pics of your beautiful boy. He's a sweet and happy little guy and seems to have adapted well in Malaysia and Vietnam.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
For Linda
I wish I had been more intentional about taking pics of your beautiful boy. He's a sweet and happy little guy and seems to have adapted well in Malaysia and Vietnam.
Making Friends
It’s easy to make friends in Vietnam. We’ve made friends with Tuy, our hotel receptionist. Cong, our taxi driver in Phu Quoc. A street vendor, (didn’t get her name) that we spent a good chunk of time talking to last night as we ate what I call banana jerky from her stand. She starts working at 8 in the morning and ends around 10pm. She makes an average of $2 (USD) a day, and only sees her family (that lives in the central part of Vietnam) for one month a year during Tet.
Though we’ve only been on our own for a week in Vietnam, I’ve seen just how easy it is to talk to people. (Well, for Hieu to talk to people, I need to really get this language thing down). But it still hits me hard knowing that in just a short time, one can only really have a surface level conversation. It’d take a considerable amount of time to get deeper. To know their joys and struggles and to share our hope, the truly good news, with them.
This trip is truly eye opening. Though I feel like I cannot really make much of an eternal impact this trip, I see so many needs. I see so many ways to pray. And I definitely see Hieu and I returning again in the future, for a much longer stay.
Though we’ve only been on our own for a week in Vietnam, I’ve seen just how easy it is to talk to people. (Well, for Hieu to talk to people, I need to really get this language thing down). But it still hits me hard knowing that in just a short time, one can only really have a surface level conversation. It’d take a considerable amount of time to get deeper. To know their joys and struggles and to share our hope, the truly good news, with them.
This trip is truly eye opening. Though I feel like I cannot really make much of an eternal impact this trip, I see so many needs. I see so many ways to pray. And I definitely see Hieu and I returning again in the future, for a much longer stay.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Goodbye Montezuma!
Quick update-
I'm feeling a LOT better! Thnanks for your prayers. We're on the island of Phu Quoc right now. Don't have much time to update, but I just wanted to say thanks for your prayers. It feels so good to feel good!
-Katie
I'm feeling a LOT better! Thnanks for your prayers. We're on the island of Phu Quoc right now. Don't have much time to update, but I just wanted to say thanks for your prayers. It feels so good to feel good!
-Katie
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Montezuma's Revenge
Two days ago, the team and us (Katie and Hieu) parted ways. They are in Thailand now while we're still in Vietnam, exploring and experiencing the city. Parting ways has been harder than I imagined it would be.
I was showing beginning signs of "Montezuma's Revenge" (google that if you don't know what I'm talking about) the day the team left. I felt so wonderful physically in Malaysia and the first few days of Vietnam that I dropped my guard. I started drinking tea with ice, putting vegetables in my soups and eating everything put in front of me. I figured that since we're in District 1 (the touristy district of Vietnam) that pretty much all food is safe.
Its been a few days now since my friend Montezuma joined me, and I'm wiped. I have waves of gurgles in my tummy that keep me in fear, a headache that wont go away, and total exhaustion. I'm trying to drink more water to stay hydrated, but its hard to feel thirsty in such a humid environment.
Right now I'm feeling down. It feels like once we parted ways with the rest of the SEAM team, we lost purpose and intentionality. We no longer have a schedule, we aren't meeting up with any brothers and sisters and we haven't even continued the devotionals. This is me just being authentic right now. I'm frustrated at myself because I feel like we could be doing SO MUCH MORE- visiting the tunnels, the Mekong delta, the countryside, if I had more stamina. We could be having more intentional conversations with people. I viewed this part of the trip being the "vision" part- where I get to really experience and absorb Vietnam, but my brain feels fuzzy and detached.
Despite all this, I am really enjoying Vietnam, believe it or not. Though I'm discouraged a bit, I'm thrilled to be here. I just wish my body could be as thrilled as my mind. Not to mention, Hieu has been incredibly understanding and gracious with me not feeling up to speed.
So I'm asking you all for prayer. Please please pray that I'll get back to feeling 100%. Please pray that though we aren't "doing missions" that we can still be intentional in how we interact with each others and the locals. And of course, please continue to lift up the rest of the team in Thailand. Pray that they will continue to love each other and be unified, that they will encourage the Thai brothers and sisters, that they will also be intentional in all they say and do.
Love you all, and thanks for your prayers!
-Katie
(Waving goodbye to the SEAM Team)
I was showing beginning signs of "Montezuma's Revenge" (google that if you don't know what I'm talking about) the day the team left. I felt so wonderful physically in Malaysia and the first few days of Vietnam that I dropped my guard. I started drinking tea with ice, putting vegetables in my soups and eating everything put in front of me. I figured that since we're in District 1 (the touristy district of Vietnam) that pretty much all food is safe.
Its been a few days now since my friend Montezuma joined me, and I'm wiped. I have waves of gurgles in my tummy that keep me in fear, a headache that wont go away, and total exhaustion. I'm trying to drink more water to stay hydrated, but its hard to feel thirsty in such a humid environment.
Right now I'm feeling down. It feels like once we parted ways with the rest of the SEAM team, we lost purpose and intentionality. We no longer have a schedule, we aren't meeting up with any brothers and sisters and we haven't even continued the devotionals. This is me just being authentic right now. I'm frustrated at myself because I feel like we could be doing SO MUCH MORE- visiting the tunnels, the Mekong delta, the countryside, if I had more stamina. We could be having more intentional conversations with people. I viewed this part of the trip being the "vision" part- where I get to really experience and absorb Vietnam, but my brain feels fuzzy and detached.
Despite all this, I am really enjoying Vietnam, believe it or not. Though I'm discouraged a bit, I'm thrilled to be here. I just wish my body could be as thrilled as my mind. Not to mention, Hieu has been incredibly understanding and gracious with me not feeling up to speed.
So I'm asking you all for prayer. Please please pray that I'll get back to feeling 100%. Please pray that though we aren't "doing missions" that we can still be intentional in how we interact with each others and the locals. And of course, please continue to lift up the rest of the team in Thailand. Pray that they will continue to love each other and be unified, that they will encourage the Thai brothers and sisters, that they will also be intentional in all they say and do.
Love you all, and thanks for your prayers!
-Katie
(Waving goodbye to the SEAM Team)
Friday, August 6, 2010
Spirit Led...
Last night our group went out to a delicious restaurant that specializes in bun bo hue. Our server was quite possibly the best server we've ever experienced. He worked his butt off, making sure our drinks were always filled, bringing out dish after dish so quickly, smiling so much and making sure our large group had whatever we wanted. He was sweating and running and just... an awesome hard-working server. Like I said- quite possibly the best.
Our group tipped him generously- 200,000 dong (about $10 bucks U.S.) which is a lot- considering that A- most people don't tip waiters in Vietnam, and B- a nice paying wage in Ho Chi Minh is only about $200 a month ($6.50 a day.) He probably makes even less than that, since he's a server and not in a highly skilled position.
This afternoon we were thinking of a place to eat lunch with our Vietnamese brothers and sisters. Thinh didn't get to eat with us last night because he had a BBQ with his family, so he wanted to check out this bun bo hue restaurant. Though we had already gone there last night, we decided to go again- just for Thinh.
We went back to the restaurant and our server was THRILLED to see us again. Even the other servers and cooks peeked their heads out, surprised and happy. The server pulled Hieu aside and explained that last night, he rang up one of our tables, but forgot to ring up our other table. He had to pay his tip money to the restaurant and still owed $400,000 dong ($40 bucks- a LOT of money!) to the restaurant. What a roller coaster night he must have had- first happy that he got a very nice tip, and then devastated that he ended up in debt to his employers.
So when we came back, you can imagine the excitement not only from him, but every worker in the restaurant. They couldn't believe we came back! What are the odds when there are so many delicious restaurants all over Ho Chi Minh?! We ate another delicious meal, payed the money owed from last night, payed back his tip from last night, and gave him another tip for his once again amazing service.
We've never seen a happier kid. He ran back and forth serving us, almost dancing as he ran. His smile never once left his face. Hieu told him that is was Jesus that brought us back to the restaurant today. As we left, some of the cooks and servers and even the manager came out, smiling, bowing and shaking our hands.
It is no lie that the Holy Spirit brought us back to the restaurant. We could have gone to another place but for some reason we were drawn back to this particular restaurant. He could have not been working today, or had an evening shift, but he was there.
A seed has been planted. God's care and faithfulness has been displayed. We pray that our will notice and experience Jesus Christ's love and faithfulness even more in the days/weeks/months to come.
^ the girls and our happy server ^
Our group tipped him generously- 200,000 dong (about $10 bucks U.S.) which is a lot- considering that A- most people don't tip waiters in Vietnam, and B- a nice paying wage in Ho Chi Minh is only about $200 a month ($6.50 a day.) He probably makes even less than that, since he's a server and not in a highly skilled position.
This afternoon we were thinking of a place to eat lunch with our Vietnamese brothers and sisters. Thinh didn't get to eat with us last night because he had a BBQ with his family, so he wanted to check out this bun bo hue restaurant. Though we had already gone there last night, we decided to go again- just for Thinh.
We went back to the restaurant and our server was THRILLED to see us again. Even the other servers and cooks peeked their heads out, surprised and happy. The server pulled Hieu aside and explained that last night, he rang up one of our tables, but forgot to ring up our other table. He had to pay his tip money to the restaurant and still owed $400,000 dong ($40 bucks- a LOT of money!) to the restaurant. What a roller coaster night he must have had- first happy that he got a very nice tip, and then devastated that he ended up in debt to his employers.
So when we came back, you can imagine the excitement not only from him, but every worker in the restaurant. They couldn't believe we came back! What are the odds when there are so many delicious restaurants all over Ho Chi Minh?! We ate another delicious meal, payed the money owed from last night, payed back his tip from last night, and gave him another tip for his once again amazing service.
We've never seen a happier kid. He ran back and forth serving us, almost dancing as he ran. His smile never once left his face. Hieu told him that is was Jesus that brought us back to the restaurant today. As we left, some of the cooks and servers and even the manager came out, smiling, bowing and shaking our hands.
It is no lie that the Holy Spirit brought us back to the restaurant. We could have gone to another place but for some reason we were drawn back to this particular restaurant. He could have not been working today, or had an evening shift, but he was there.
A seed has been planted. God's care and faithfulness has been displayed. We pray that our will notice and experience Jesus Christ's love and faithfulness even more in the days/weeks/months to come.
^ the girls and our happy server ^
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Highlights of Vietnam
Here are a few visual highlights of our trip so far while in Vietnam:
1. Traffic. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?
2. Worship. Such passion, joy and excitement!
3. Our "hotel" at the beach (we like to call it a "Bed and Breakfast", minus the breakfast- so it was really just a Bed) Hanging out on the roof, where Hieu and I decided to sleep for the night.
4. Our brothers and sisters! Their testimonies are so powerful!
5. Food!!! We are definitely well fed on this trip!
6. Mom. She is awesome and is taking care of so many of us! Here is a picture with her sister and Oliver. Ollie is doing great by the way. Happy, exploring, and becoming more comfortable being passed around.
7. Praying over Mom's plot of land. We prayed and sang songs in Vietnamese as a dedication for this land to be used for God's purposes. She envisions this place to one day be a retreat center for Vietnamese Christians to deeper in their faith, fellowship with other Christians and be trained further in the gospel.
8. View from the roof of Mom's old house. Absolutely stunning.
9. Motor bikes. Fun and exciting way of transportation.
10. Meeting Sabastian's family. Awesome.
There's just so much more. We're having a great time, thanks again to all you that are praying!
1. Traffic. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?
2. Worship. Such passion, joy and excitement!
3. Our "hotel" at the beach (we like to call it a "Bed and Breakfast", minus the breakfast- so it was really just a Bed) Hanging out on the roof, where Hieu and I decided to sleep for the night.
4. Our brothers and sisters! Their testimonies are so powerful!
5. Food!!! We are definitely well fed on this trip!
6. Mom. She is awesome and is taking care of so many of us! Here is a picture with her sister and Oliver. Ollie is doing great by the way. Happy, exploring, and becoming more comfortable being passed around.
7. Praying over Mom's plot of land. We prayed and sang songs in Vietnamese as a dedication for this land to be used for God's purposes. She envisions this place to one day be a retreat center for Vietnamese Christians to deeper in their faith, fellowship with other Christians and be trained further in the gospel.
8. View from the roof of Mom's old house. Absolutely stunning.
9. Motor bikes. Fun and exciting way of transportation.
10. Meeting Sabastian's family. Awesome.
There's just so much more. We're having a great time, thanks again to all you that are praying!
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