Friends,
What an amazing trip! Overall this was a trip of confirmation. We left convinced that the ministry of Young Life is a perfect fit for Vietnamese kids and the principles of incarnational ministry, humor, and winning the right to be heard work here! It works everywhere. From downtown Ho Chi Min City, to Hanoi, to the highland provinces, to small tribal villages across the country. We left confirmed that Johnny & Pearl are the right national directors and the ministry is in great hands. (They are likely coming to our All Staff Celebration in January, and also staying a few weeks after for some gatherings).
As you can see from the attached picture (can you find me?) we had about 70 people from around the country for our 3 day training. About half were from HCMC, another 25 or so from the central provinces and tribes, and 4 from Hanoi. Some great seeds were planted for new clubs, a camp next spring and summer, and potentially a similar training next year in Hanoi if our friends that attended really go for it this year.
One of the coolest moments is when we had all the leaders pray for kids they knew, kids they didn’t know, names of towns, villages, and provinces, cities, districts, and schools, and for the whole country of Vietnam. They wrote down their prayers, and names of kids, and put them on the maps on a white board. Above the maps the Young Life mission statement is written in Vietnamese.
After 4 hard days of vision and training we took a day to see a little bit more of Vietnam. We went to the Cu Chi tunnels. This was in the middle of the former DMZ (Demilitarized zone) where some of the worst jungle fighting of the Vietnam war took place. The propaganda machine is still churning here, and it was interesting to walk through exhibits and see videos about the "American enemy." Lots of mixed emotions, but the predominant one was respect and admiration for our troops who served here. What a horror that must have been. At the end of the tour I did get to shoot an M60 and AK47 J. We also got a chance to visit the Mekong Delta area. On the second video below (it is a bit long) you can see some of the interesting (non-ministry) experiences I had while there. Just be warned, I eat some weird stuff, shoot some guns, and join a public work out session. Oh, and they eat dog there and I shot a video of a basket of them heading to market….so the video is a bit PG-13.
At the end of the week we helped put on a Young Life ‘Birthday ‘ club in the middle of a worn down part of the city. Kids came streaming in from the streets and were greeted with smiles, music, laughter, and the name of Jesus proclaimed. The room we had club in was so hot I joked to the kids that this was the first club ever done in a Sauna. No kidding, it was about 110 with 100% humidity. You can see in the pictures in the club video my shirt is completely soaked…that is not water! Somehow us ‘Westerners’ were the only ones bothered by it as all the kids seemed just fine. At the end of this email I have a link for you to see club and some pictures. They call it a ‘Birthday Club’ to avoid suspicion from officials.
Overall, the Young Life movement is well on its way in Vietnam. It has been a true joy and honor to see it start and thrive. Thanks to those of you who have stepped in and become regular prayer partners and donors. I hope to introduce many of you to Johnny and Pearl in just a few short months. More to come on that…
Videos:
Birthday Club Video: Starts with a few pictures and then the footage is a bit dark as the room was not well lit, but you will get the flavor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm4iX-JRJfg
Jamie’s other Vietnam Adventures: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9D8R1P8K5Q
"The Journey is the Thing" - Homer. (not Simpson) Those words remind me that success is not about the end result, money, or things. It is about relationships, and living life with the people God puts in our path. Homer goes on to explain "the consequences of each interaction with each person on each day being indelibly painted on the tapestry of my soul". I like art.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Fish Head Soup and 70 new YL Leaders!
You got it! Fish head soup, lots of fish head and a little soup. Incredible close to our 3 day training. I was not able to post yesterday because our internet was down. We are in the midst of a strategic planning day with 19 of the 70 leaders from around Vietnam. We are meeting with leaders from Hanoi, the highland provinces, and HCMC. They are dreaming for thier country and planning camps, clubs, and leaderships. It has an unbelievable experience to see thier passion and broken hearts for kids and Jesus. They are embracing the Young Life principles and speaking vision for thousands of transformed lives!
What a blessing to walk with these friends. I gave a devotion this morning on Nehemiah and we talked about walking the walls and having a vision for broken kids all over this country. Johnny (our national director) was sitting next to me writting out every high school in HCMC and praying over the list! Wow.
More late.....
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Day 2 - Training
We started today at 8am and didn't finish until 8:30! Long Day with some great friends. The picture to the right is all our friends ready to learn some great Young Life principles! Tonight we put on another Club and also did a skit night.
The other picture is of Phi and Sing. Sister and Brother from the central provinces who are doing Young Life work in remote villiages. Their brother Lung was at our training 2 yrs ago and was an amazing young man. He was a our clear leader for Young Life in central Vietnam. Tradjically he died 6 months ago in a horrible scooter accident. His sister and brother came to our training to carry on what Lung had started. I am attaching the picture from 2yrs ago of Lung.
It is late here (almost midnight), so I will leave you with one last picture. Today it rained harder than I have ever seen rain before. I would estimate about 8 inches in :45mins. Took a little video of the down pour for your enjoyment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Np9NQK-jy8
Blessings, and good night (or good morning where you are reading this)
Blessings, and good night (or good morning where you are reading this)
Monday, August 22, 2011
Day 1 - Ho Chi Min City Young Life Training
What an amazing day. As I sat at breakfast this morning the word that keep coming to mind is unworthy. Who am I, we, to come all the way around the world to teach these amazing people? Yet that is exactly where I am and what I am doing. Today we took time to unpack 'What is Young Life' and the Incarnation. Two small subjects :0. In my first picture Johnny (one of our staff people) is standing next to Josh Powell (AD from Seattle), and Denae Wood (from Singapore). On the White board is the Young Life mission statement and the 5 C's of Young Life translated in Vietnamese.
Here is a quick video when we took a break and had all the leaders play (Human Knot)...great stuff..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjmhV2Mnybc
After a crazy travel day, and it being past 11pm, I am DONE for the the day. I would to go on about the fish head soup we had for lunch or the black eggs...but will save the food update for my next post...enough to keep you interested right??
Blessings....
JH
Here is a quick video when we took a break and had all the leaders play (Human Knot)...great stuff..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjmhV2Mnybc
After a crazy travel day, and it being past 11pm, I am DONE for the the day. I would to go on about the fish head soup we had for lunch or the black eggs...but will save the food update for my next post...enough to keep you interested right??
Blessings....
JH
Saturday, August 20, 2011
International Travel is not sexy! Day .5
Welcome to my journey 'back' to Vietnam! Trip started fine, right up until I had to sprint to make my Hong Kong flight in the San Fran airport only to stand there sweating and panting as the door closed. Then I got to argue with several United agents to finally find out I had to wait a full 24hrs before I could fly to Tokyo and then to Ho Chi Min City!
Now I am sitting here in Tokyo waiting for my plane. I did get to go into the Air Japan lounge and got to shower! And I did experience my first bidet. Wow, I have seen them but man HELLO if you ever need a good wake up after a 10hr flight, try that!!
Looking forward to seeing my friend Johnny tonight and connecting with Josh and Denae. We now have 70 leaders attending our training, starting on Monday morning (8pm on Sunday night PST time)
I would appreciate your prayers for safe travels as many of the leaders coming are riding long bus rides and scooters to get there.
Blessings,
JH
Now I am sitting here in Tokyo waiting for my plane. I did get to go into the Air Japan lounge and got to shower! And I did experience my first bidet. Wow, I have seen them but man HELLO if you ever need a good wake up after a 10hr flight, try that!!
Looking forward to seeing my friend Johnny tonight and connecting with Josh and Denae. We now have 70 leaders attending our training, starting on Monday morning (8pm on Sunday night PST time)
I would appreciate your prayers for safe travels as many of the leaders coming are riding long bus rides and scooters to get there.
Blessings,
JH
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