7 months

Today, October 28th 2009 is my 7 month anniversary in Vietnam!
I took myself out to celebrate this afternoon. I drove south to the cute little Hoi An town. I went to my favorite restaurant, Cargo Club, and ordered a pot of mint tea which I sipped while reading and journaling. After awhile, I ordered a chicken fajita and a hot mocha. I was overlooking the river as the sun was falling behind the buildings casting light on the river and dirt roads in a very magical way. As I was finishing my fajita it started to rain a bit so I moved one seat over to be covered by the big umbrella. I finished my mocha as the rain continued to fall and the sun completely set. It was lovely.
The drive home was in the dark and rain off and on, but not stressful. I was singing out loud (laugh if you want) and enjoying the liberating feeling as the breeze carried my voice off to the ocean next to me. Once I got back into the Da Nang city limits I chose to continue driving along the beach road to the other end of town to drive over the new bridge and enjoy the view of the city at night. I love this place. I can't imagine being anywhere else but here. And today helped me refocus and remember why I'm here: to seek the Father and where He is at work in this place. There is nothing else that I need to focus on or worry about. He is here all around, and I want to spend all of my energy and moments seeking Him and joining Him where he is at work. Nothing else matters!
Happy 7 month anniversary, Vietnam! I've loved every day.

sudden downpour

October breeeeeeeeeeezed right on by. Why do I feel like this keeps happening? Time needs to take a break and let me acclimate.
This month has been filled by numerous early morning walks (multiple 13K+...!) in the gorgeous weather we've been having, as well as coffee dates with friends, relaxing trips to the beach, organizing and participating in a newly forming young adults group from the fellowship I attend, interviewing for new staff at work, an this past week, a much needed vacation to Ha Noi and Sa Pa.
Out of everything that has been happening that has been seemingly "major," there are some specific events that have been on my heart that I've wanted to share.
One morning I was out walking with a friend and we got caught in a downpour. We ducked under a tarp where some people were selling food, to wait out the rain. While we were standing there, we saw two older women pushing a very old man in a wheelchair. They didn't stop but kept walking in the pouring rain, obviously cold. An approaching motorbike slowed down and stopped next to this three-some. A man in his 30s or 40s was driving with a young boy, his son probably. The got off the bike, opened up the seat and pulled out two rain ponchos to give to the group. He also gave them his umbrella. I didn't hear any words being exchanged, just this man covering the older man in the wheelchair with the poncho, and helping the women get situated and on their way again. The man and boy got back on their motorbike and headed on their way.
I was so touched in seeing this act of service. In Vietnam it is interesting because it is a very communal culture where everyone takes care of one another, especially the older people in the family. But when it comes to public displays, it is more common to see the "every man for himself" attitude displayed: motor accidents, robbery...people often stand by and watch, not doing much to help. It warmed my hear to see this man act so selflessly, giving up his own comfort for the sake of these other people. Watching this exchange also gave me hope for the future generations of Vietnam. This young boy saw his father act this way. The role of a father is important in every culture, and in Vietnam the family dynamic is immensely effected by the involvement or lack of involvement of the father. Having such a positive, impacting display of selflessness will most definitely leave a lasting impression on this young boy and will help mold him into a better man.
Thank you Father for your ultimate example. Let us watch you and follow your ways and directions.

signs of fall

Fall is here, there are leaves on the ground!
(and not just because there's still debris from the typhoon....)
Leaves are falling =)
The Lunar year's Mid-Atumn Festival was this weekend.
The air is getting a hint of maybe being chilly at night.
Robin made chocolate chip cookies last night.
I want to watch American football.

Ketsana!

Typhoon Ketsana came into town this past Monday...what a surprise! I woke up to lots of wind and rain, and I was about to head out to the house I volunteer at, not excited about going out in the rain. I checked my email before heading out and I saw an email forwarded from the pastor about the typhoon scheduled to hit Da Nang! What a surprise, it seemed unreal. I've never had to be concerned about a typhoon before. So I decided it best not to venture out in the elements which were promised to worsen as the day went on.
Sure enough within a few hours the wind was wrecking the trees and structures all around us. There was a small break in the strong winds, and our friend took us to the market in her car. We picked up tofu and veggies to make dinner that night. It was delicious! We invited friends over for vegetable curry and rice, and some thrilling rounds of Phase 10, Apples to Apples, and Nerts. We held onto power until we were sleeping Monday night. We put some mattresses together in one of our common areas and a few of us slept together. With the massive rains, many bedrooms in the house were flooded, and the strong winds made those of us with (glass) doors to the outside in our rooms a little bit nervous...! The winds were loud and strong all through the night. Sleep was hard to come by.
In the morning we were strangely excited and found comradery in our entrapment. We knew our classes would be canceled again that day, as they had been the night before. We made breakfast and lunch together with the food that would soon spoil in the fridge and freezer. Pancakes, eggs, chao, oatmeal, taco meat, vegetable curry, homemade tortillas (which turned out more like nan bread), tea, hot chocolate, coffee....mmm it was like a mini-vacation for a few days trapped at home! It was nice because the six of us were just spending raw, quality time together--something that hasn't really happened yet. All six of us at the same place for any length of time has been rare. So this much time together was I think really good for each of us.
As of about 24 hours ago, we've had power back again, though we're still waiting for the flooding to dry up and the running water to work completely. The power at school is still off, but we're planning to teach tonight, probably on generator power. Having three days off is really off-putting! Hopefully the students are all ok and safe and haven't endured harm or damage to their homes. There are news reports of over 30 deaths in Da Nang from effects of the typhoon, and many many homes, farms and businesses wiped out. Just going around the town its crazy to see the billboards completely torn down, trees uprooted, roofs lying next to the houses they used to shelter. I am very thankful for the house we're staying in: yes it flooded and leaked and a few things are wrong with it, but it protected us and kept us safe and dry. What more could we ask for? It also provided a safe place for the six of us and many of our friends to come together and be there for each other for entertainment, comfort, prayer and support.
This disaster was devastating for so many people and I pray that through all of this, glory and honor will come to the Creator. I don't understand Him sometimes or why things happen when and where they do, but I find comfort in knowing He has it all figured out and my thoughts and feelings about it are nothing to worry about, because He knows what will come of everything and the best path for each of us. I continue to seek to know His will and to join Him where He is at work, in obedience and service. I hope to grow in this process and to be a blessing to those I encounter, in any way I can.