finishing up vietnam!

My last few weeks in Vietnam were honestly the best weeks of the whole race. So much has happened that I unfortunately can’t fit all in one blog, but I have a 22 hour bus ride a head of me, so I will share a few highlights! We had our normal schedule with a few extra english classes, events/going away parties, some fun excursions, so many opportunities to share the gospel, and many hard but sweet goodbyes.

As I mentioned in my last blog, my team took an overnight trip to Hoi An city, about a three hour drive from Hue, where we met up with two other teams. We went to the beach, went on coconut boats, walked around the tourist part of town, went to coffee shops, and swam with a water buffalo (yes… it was a living water buffalo). I made memories I will never forget, and I even witnessed a man be healed! (read previous blog for full story!)

(Wade the water buffalo^)

These past few weeks, the Lord has answered so many prayers and has given me many opportunities to share the Gospel! My biggest prayer request for my time in Vietnam was for the employees at the coffee shop (aka the flower shop) just down the road from my homestay. My heart felt so deeply for them, and all I wanted was for them to see and know Jesus. I started to build connections and friendships with them (as I went to this coffee shop every opportunity I had), and I soon got to know all their names. I looked forward to seeing them everyday, and even though we couldn’t usually understand each other, a smile or a laugh made a huge impact. After finding out one of the girls has job at a restaurant, my team and I went to visit her the day before my birthday. She put together a whole gift box for us and even made me a decorated cake! She expressed that she had been so touched by our kindness and was so grateful she met us. Later that week, I met up with her very last minute, and she had invited her friend (also our waitress at the restaurant) to help translate. After a few minutes, her friend asked me, “so what are you doing on your trip?” I smiled at Mieko sitting next to me, and all I could think was, “now’s the time.” I told them the whole story of the Gospel, which her friend then translated, and about how we are traveling to spread the good news of Jesus. They were so open and receptive, and after giving them Vietnamese bibles, her friend said, “I think this may be true.” For weeks, this moment was exactly what I had been praying for. That morning had worked out so perfectly, and I knew the Lord was handing me this opportunity… all I had to do was say yes. Just a month ago, I was a customer at a coffee shop, but through prayer and the faithfulness of the Lord, I was able to tell them about Jesus. Mieko and I even got to meet up with them one last time for lunch a few days later!

One more testimony from the week was on our last Sunday when we had a Team Building event! This event was planned for weeks, and we invited everyone who had come to an english class, plus more students from the universities. The CCC student leaders run Team Building, with the goal of sharing the Gospel with the unbelievers and connecting them with believers. That particular morning I had been feeling really exhausted, both mentally and physically, and I was a bit worried because I knew we were going to be playing soccer/games, interacting with everyone, and sharing our testimonies. As we were driving there, I prayed that the Lord would give me joy and energy for that afternoon, and as soon as I saw all the familiar faces of CCC and english class students, I was so excited. “Praise” by Brandon Lake was playing, and I couldn’t help but jump and dance around. The games were so much fun, and I was so happy to be with almost everyone I had met over this month and a half. We were split up into groups and after the games, a CCC leader shared the Gospel and I shared my testimony. As we were waiting for other teams to finish, a few of the english class students expressed how grateful they were for my team, and how much they’ve grown and learned from us. They were genuinely so thankful and were encouraged that we would travel all the way across the world just to be with them.

(they love their peace signs!)

The Lord has really touched my heart through the people of Hue. As our time came to a close, I was so grateful that the Lord put me in a place that was so hard to leave. I have had some of the best weeks of my life, have made so many memories, and have built so many sweet friendships in my time in Vietnam. I witnessed so many people hearing the Gospel for the first time, and I saw the Lord actively work in many peoples hearts, both believers and unbelievers. Saying goodbye to the flower shop employees, CCC students, our hosts, and everyone else we met was a testimony in itself of how the Lord had worked in and through us. My heart grew so deeply for these people, and I have never felt so sure that I was exactly where the Lord wanted me.

Thank you for all your prayers and support, and please feel free to reach out if you want to hear more testimonies or stories from Vietnam!

Mo 😊