The rest of the story....

As a young girl,  my association with Vietnam was always this horrific picture.  The girl, my own age in 1972, was badly burned by the napalm bombs that exploded in her village.  I didn't know her name or whatever happened to her, until I went to Vietnam.

Kim Puch was with her entire family hiding in a Buddhist temple.  They heard the airplanes and mistakenly thought that the temple would be bombed. Which led to a fatal mistake by the pilots, thinking it was enemy soldiers running from the temple, they dropped four napalm bombs on the terrified family.   Kim's baby cousin was killed instantly.  Kim experienced such severe burns that she spent 14 months in a hospital in Saigon having seventeen surgeries while there.

Soon after Kim was done convalescing,  the Vietnamese government used her to propagate all the evils of America..  She became the poster child of anti-war, anti-America.  Later, a disillusioned and confused seventeen year-old Kim, found  a bible in a library and began reading it.  She read of a savior that went to the cross for her and then accepted his gift of salvation.  Her prayers began for her family that they too would become Christians.  One by one they all came to the Lord.  Except her older brother (in the foreground of the picture)  He became a bitter, angry man.  For thirty years Kim prayed.  Finally,  10 years ago,  her prayers were answered.

Now the joy is very visible the moment you meet Kim's brother,Phan.  When asked if it was difficult to forgive. Phan gave a startled look, as if to say " lady, don't you know the same gospel I do?"  Then he said,  "when you accept Christ's total love and forgiveness,  you can't help but give others total love and forgiveness."

The Joy of the Lord !

I couldn't begin to tell you who my favorite pastor was in Vietnam, but without hesitation I could tell you that this woman was my favorite pastor's wife.  I think she would win in the most-loved category from everyone in our group.  She was so full of God's joy that you couldn't help but giggle at her exuberance!

After a delicious Vietnamese meal, she shared her story with us.  First she had to tease my dad since the last time he visited, she prepared a delicacy reserved for the most special guests--bird's heads.  She painstakingly removed all the feathers and cooked the heads to perfection.  Only to have my dad pick at the heads.  ( she expected him to attack the treat with great gusto!)  This time, she selected a menu that was much more appealing to the western palate and devoured by our group.

A few years back her husband was arrested for sharing the gospel.  She was given the option of going with her husband as he got processed at the police station.  Her quick reply was "God's spirit will go with my husband,  I am going to the church to pray" 

Prayer is such an important part of the Vietnamese believers.  It is understood that the believers will wake up at 5:00 a.m. each morning to pray for their church,  their friends, family and even their enemies.  For one hour they devote their  time for intercession to the Lord.  All around the country a revival is being seen.  A church is built,  followed by entire villages coming to the Lord.  The prayers of faithful believers are being met with the favor of the Lord. 

My lesson from this woman?  Pray, pray, pray!  God loves the prayers of his children.  My other lesson?,  Be joyful ALWAYS.

Humble pie.

Day One:  Vietnam  (for real)

I soon realized I would feel a lot of uncomfortable emotions in Vietnam.  When you are in the presence of men who gladly go to prison, and face many hardships to help others know of a personal relationship with the Lord, you can't help but feel humbled and shame.

After a bus trip to the Mekong Delta, we met this awesome hero of the faith.  A man who told over 300 of his classmates in school about the Lord while he was studying to be an engineer.  He was put in prison with other "hardened criminals"  (rapists and murderers) .  When we asked if he was afraid in prison,  we just got his big smile.  He said "No, it gave me an opportunity to tell the rapist and murderers about the Lord".

This same man could no longer be an engineer, but, his parents knew all along, his true calling was in the pastorate  In 2004,  ICM gave this congreation a church  Today, this church has already started 4 daughter churches.  The red crosses on the chart in the picture, symbolize where they want to plant other churches

How do they fund such churches when the national average year's salary is a little more than $1,000?  One way is via old fashioned piggy banks.  The children of the congregation get piggy banks to save precious coins.   Children agree to give up one meal a day so that they can contribute to the building of new churches.  At the end of the year, there is a great celebration as the banks get smashed by the children, their coins collected.  This method of saving is replicated all over Vietnam.  As,  I said,  I have been greatly humbled.

Day one: Vietnam, no make that Hong Kong

When I first got my ticket for Vietnam,  I saw we were flying into Hong Kong.  I was a little bummed that I would only see the Hong Kong airport,  since it would be just a few hour layover.  But,  God was smiling,  knowing that I would get to see Hong Kong afterall. 

I met my Dad at the Chicago airport on Monday,  September 17.  Our flight to Hong Kong had been delayed a couple of hours,  still leaving time for a quick connection to Vietnam.  Three from our team were flying from New Mexico ,  the rest of the 11 were gradually coming together at O Hare airport from Iowa,  Missouri,  Virginia and Ohio.  Already at the airport we were establishing a quick bond as we got acquainted. 

Finally,  the delay was over,  we were boarding for the 14 hour beginning of a wonderful adventure.  Or so we thought!  Mechanical problems on the airplane made it impossible to leave Chicago that night.  Instead our evening was spent in Chicago ordering take-out food and getting more comfortable with our teammates.

As we were departing the plane in Chicago,  I  remembered how I had surrendered this trip to the Lord and that whatever happened,  I knew it was in His hands.  How could I be upset knowing God was in even a delay to Vietnam?

Tuesday,  the 18th, we boarded a plane for Hong Kong much earlier than the previous day's scheduled flight.  We got to Hong Kong by 1p,m, and we had several hours to have a quick tour of the city.  Someday, I would love to stay longer,  but, it was a great introduction to a very intriguing city.

Hong Kong is very clean.  Everyone I saw was very well dressed, people were friendly and polite.  We went to the peak of Hong Kong,  looked out over the city, got some much needed caffeine, and came down via cable car. 

Eleven p.m. we boarded a plane for Ho Chi Minh City,  getting us to the hotel at 2:30 a.m.  Travel weary,  we crawled into bed,  tomorrow we discover Vietnam!

I could learn a lot from the Vietnamese

I had every intention of sipping hot tea in a chair,  lap top in hand,  writing pieces daily of what I experienced in Vietnam.  But, the reality was,  I came to bed overwhelmed with emotion, when I tried to put it all to words, I was not making any sense.  So,  I thought I would allow myself some time of reflection.  As I reflect,  I will share with you.

I went to Vietnam with an attitude, "Isn't it great how we Americans can help the poor Vietnamese".  I return thinking, "Isn't it great how the Vietnamese can help the poor Americans".   I saw a country that is having revival.  A country where Christians rise at 5 a.m.  everyday to pray for others to know a Savior that gives a life of peace and joy.  A country of gratitude, discipline and servant hearts.

One of our daily devotions really spoke to me.  Carla talked about coming to God with "poverty of spirit".  A spirit empty of everything "me",  a spirit wanting to be filled with everything God.  I saw so many believers in Vietnam that exemplified poverty of spirit.  They were willing to be beaten, thrown in prison, and spend years praying for others.  They truly got what it means to be a christian as the Christians of the church of Acts. 

I come back to the cornfields changed.  I knew I would.  You can't go to a country that loves Jesus so much and not be different when you return.  I will share with you what happened each day.  Day #1 will  be tomorrow.  Thanks for all your prayers.  I went with a fantastic group.  We all got along so well.  I would like to introduce you to them as I share with you more the next few days.

love,
Tammy

Imagine being blindfolded and taken into a room,   shown only a square inch of the Sistine Chapel.  You had no idea where you were,  you only saw an inch of color.  It doesn't make any sense.  You may see a lot of different colors, or maybe just one.  There is no way to determine the magnificance of the masterpiece by the one square inch.  Maybe,  you are allowed some information,  that if the rest of the inches were revealed,  you would see something so achingly beautiful that you would weep at the glory of it.  That truly a gifted artist spent years developing his talent and this was something that was born out of love and sacrifice.  Something done because of great compassion for sharing a gift with the world.

So often,  I feel like only one inch is being revealed, the masterpiece of my life.  It doesn't make sense.  I may see bright colors, happy times, joyful times.  Sometimes, the harsh blacks and greys.
And, then, often times,  a lot of solid, plain colors.  They do all make sense in some way to the master.  As in seeing one inch of Michaelangelo's work,  knowing about the brilliant artist, allows you to trust that whatever is not being revealed has got to be amazing, because, the artist is known for his great work.

This year has been a year of interesting "inches".  First, a husband's car accident with 7 broken bones.  Next,  my daughter moving to a different state, taking 4 grandchildren with her!  Then, my husband's company being sold, resulting in unemployment.  Now,  I am taking a trip to Vietnam with a very eclectic group.  I see many different colors, and I can't imagine how they will all fit together in this masterpiece,  but I know the artist.  His work is ALWAYS good.  He works out of love and compassion.  He has given and sacrificed so that we can enjoy the beauty of his gift.

broken arm prayers.

I am sure even the godliest 8-year old would have fallen prey to envy when they watched Heidi walk into the Miss Norman's 3rd grade class that monday morning.  Heidi was sporting a huge cast on her arm and an even bigger smile on her face  On the previous friday,  Heidi had fallen on the playground and broke her arm.  As,  Heidi' s parents rushed their daughter to the hospital for treatment,  Miss Norman called the class into action.  There were cards to make,  a desk to decorate and a schedule to be made of who would help Heidi for the duration of her cast.

From the moment Heidi stepped into the class, she was flooded with attention.  I was one of the first in line to sign her cast.  She had assistance with her books, her lunch tray and plenty of popularity on the playground. 

It all seemed like a dream.  A moment of pain,  for 6 weeks of celebrity!  Sign me up! 

Thus began my "broken arm prayers".    "Lord,  if you could just break my arm like Heidi's, I would really appreciate it"  Of course,  after what I am sure was a big belly laugh from God,  I am sad to say,  all my limbs stayed intact.

Now,  some forty years later,  I smile at the immature wishes.  But,  then I reflect on other prayers over the years.  In my little mind, they were very sincere.  I just didn't have the bigger picture.  God has answered "no" to prayers.  Evidence later reveals that God was protecting me, or maturing me, or giving me something far greater. 

I am sure I still pray "broken arm prayers".  I am sure I still make God laugh at some of my requests.  I will still keep praying, hopefully, with more maturity.  Even though I don't crave the title of" Miss Popularity" of the 3rd grade,  I do ask for things that may not be for the greater good.  I love that God is always good and will work everything for good.  I can trust Him.  He has proven faithful.