I’m so excited to be on the way to the country of Vietnam! Its time to meet some of the Christian brothers and sisters working tirelessly in the most difficult environment of a communist country. The planning, investigating, and preparing phase has been over a year in process; at one point I didn’t think it would happen. I truly believe the only reason we’re to this point is because the praying phase has been consistent throughout.
So…why Vietnam?
I have to admit I’ve had a fascination with the country all of my life. I would diligently watch the evening news every night during the final days of American troop involvement there; as an 18 year old American male it was a very real potential part of my future. I remember seeing the nightly casualty counts and realizing there was so much more to the numbers than simple math. Every KIA or wounded serviceman was an individual story with numerous people, family and friends, affected forever.
And not just the Americans. The number of Vietnamese killed, both combatants and civilian, was exponentially higher than the number of Americans. Tragedy and suffering were equal opportunity impactors.
Over the last several years I have felt the Lord’s leading to pursue a strategic partnership there for SCCGO. We desire a chance to work with strong indigenous leaders taking the good news of Jesus to the people of this southeast Asian nation.
Surely, there are easier places to do mission work. There are places where we can celebrate many more immediate decisions for Christ and see an immediate Kingdom return on investment.
But Romans 10 reminds us, “how, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”
Someone needs to share with them. I believe the people of Vietnam have every much a right to hear what Jesus did for them as I did. And the Church needs to devote more resources to the hard places, the places toughest to permeate with Good News.
So…that’s why Vietnam.
I hope to share my reflections and learning’s over the next couple of weeks as Ngu Doan and I travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and then Into western China.
My desire is that the Lord will speak to your heart about His loving pursuit of lost people through our faithfulness.
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