A Kingdom Moment

Tonight while sharing dinner with a young friend who has become like family to us, Doug and I were taken aback by something he said - actually, we were amazed by it.  While discussing a problem that he has been having, I said "don't you hate that" - meaning the situation that he was in.  He thought I said "don't you hate him" meaning the other person involved in the situation. 

He quickly said to me "No, the Book says to love your enemies, I think in Luke, chapter 6, or between 6 and 8".  Doug and I stared at each other, how did he remember that?  He's only been reading the Book for a couple of months.  We looked it up and there it was, Luke 6:35.  When I asked him how he remembered that, he replied that he loves reading the Book and he wants to remember everything that is in it - all the things he must learn to do.

It's moments like these that send our hearts soaring and make every hardship that we have had here seem trivial.

Wondrous Things

Sometimes, when you let go of all the plans you work so hard to execute and just concentrate on loving people, stuff just happens! Lately, we've watched in amazement as our Father has simply "popped" into our activities without warning. These interruptions in the normal catch us offguard;  all we can do is smile at each other and say, "did you see that?" For instance:

An unexpected visit from a student just as another one is leaving after a special time of study with Susan. The two don't really know each other and we do some light intros. Something on our bookshelf catches the eye of one and he asks, "are those books about the Good Book we're studying?" The other one looks too and asks, "do you mean the holy book?" (not a phrase we hear very often here.)  This leads to a spontaneous conversation about the Word and what makes it special.

Another evening and some kids are here for a time of socializing and practicing their English skills. The conversation turns to American movies (a favorite way students have of listening to English). Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia are big favorites. We share the true meanings of both stories and the kids are fascinated, clamoring to know more. One of them has heard the good news from a previous teacher. She looks at me in wonder and whispers the name of the Person represented by Aslan the Lion. I nod a simple "Yes" and she smiles.

Just this week about 10 students came over to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark and enjoy some popcorn. We had a great time and they loved the action/adventure classic. After the movie we get into a discussion about the Ark. Once more they are enthusiastic and eager to know more. They want to know where they can read the stories about the Ark of the Covenant!

Wondrous things do happen when people simply gather to share life and love. He gently reminds us why we came here. And He confirms that we aren't alone.

Peanut Butter & Traffic Jam

Just another misty morning in Hanoi and I was enjoying a peanut butter sandwich while observing the view of Chua Lang Street from our guest house open area. Things went dramatically from relative calm to utter chaos on the always busy street below. Aha...a photo-op!

A stream of students carrying luggage appeared by the lake across the street from the school. I had no idea where they came from or where they were going. But suddenly the number of taxis in the area seemed to multiply and I observed tour buses trying to get to the students on these narrow roads. A lone auxiliary policeman became utterly frustrated trying to clear the intersection.

In Hanoi, no one stops when things back up. They simply start going around anything that's incoveniently in their path. Buses, cars, motorbikes, bicycles, and pedestrians just move into any space available and keep the tide flowing. Until the space is swallowed by a traffic jam, that is. This one was a treat to watch. I even climbed up to our roof and got some overhead shots.

This is your News4 Eye-in-the-Sky reporter, Doug, wishing you all safe travel on the way to work this morning! Now, let's send it back to Ken and Barbie in the studio.

One day this past week all the seniors were gathered in the front court yard of the school for pictures.  A lot of the girls wore the traditional "ai dai" (pronounced "ow zi" with a long i sound).  A Vietnamese woman friend has described it as the outfit that covers everthing, but hides nothing!   It seems a lot of the boys were not as interested in getting dressed up.

The girls were laughing and giggling, everyone was snapping pictures.  After being together for almost 4 years, they will all go their separate ways in a few months. 

Doug and I watched from our balcony next door and snapped pictures.

Team Vietnam

While we were at the Thailand conference, each country met separately for a time of planning for the next semester.  On the day set aside for this Team Vietnam was quite noticeable in their matching red shirts.  We were missing David and Nancy though, members of our team in Hanoi.  Their daughter had a baby at the end of January and they opted to go to Hawaii to see their new grandson.  Their son-in-law is in the navy stationed at Pearl Harbor.

We are a dedicated, serious group here to do the work that He has for us.......but we do know how to have fun!

A Countryside Afternoon

A colleague and friend in the DAV English Dept. faculty recently invited the rest of the teachers in the department to spend a leisurely day in the country. Our gang, American and Vietnamese teachers, their spouses and children, piled into a car and small tour van for the 1-1/2 hour drive north from Hanoi to the village of Pho Yen, in Thai Nguyen province. Here our hosts have built a 2nd home in the village of the husband's family ancestors.

A warm welcome was extended by our teacher friend's in-laws, who are retired and take care of this home. Inside we entertained ourselves by group singing karaoke style, snacks and drinking tea, playing with the children, and walking around on the beautifully worked property. It's a small farm where the family raises chickens (about 300!) and grows vegetables for the household. Much of the 3 hectare (7 acres) property is still being developed around  farm plots, a pond where you can find shade in a thatch roof gazebo, a large swimming pool(not quite finished yet), and the tennis courts. There's lots of room to take a walk and just enjoy the quiet.

After resting from the drive, we had lunch. For the limber bodied, dining was upstairs where everyone sat crosslegged on mats. This worked for Susan and I for a short time, but we eventually moved to the dining table and chairs, back downstairs. The array of food included chicken, rice, veggies, beef and noodles, potato salad, and our favorite traditional food - nem - fried Vietnamese spring rolls. A word of caution: Vietnamese eat a lot of chicken, and they eat it all! (see photo).

After lunch we strolled the property, played with 3 darling little girls - daughters of the VN teachers, and just enjoyed pleasant company in a peaceful setting. Everyone had cameras and it was group photo time.

All too soon it was time to pile back into the van for the drive back to Hanoi. The Vietnamese countryside around Hanoi is like all the classic pictures of Asia. Alongside a super highway you see people working in rice paddies, cows scrounging for grass, or water buffalos lounging in mud holes.

Unfortunately but inevitably, you also see the billboards and construction, all signs of a new rising economy and evidence that you're back in the city. Hmmm, think I'll go look at my pictures of Suttons Bay for a while.