.ubuntu.

NEW BLOG ADDRESS

2010-11-10T10:32:00.002+07:00

http://audreyquealey.wordpress.com/

http://audreyquealey.wordpress.com/

http://audreyquealey.wordpress.com/

http://audreyquealey.wordpress.com/

http://audreyquealey.wordpress.com/

No translator necessary

2010-08-20T15:31:00.002+07:00

Today my morning started by going to our orphanage in town to interview a few children for their mid-year report. I met one of the Vietnamese Orphan Voice staff there to help me talk to the kids and take down correct information. When we got there, 20 of the 23 kids had gone to school to meet their teachers (school starts on Monday!). Luckily, one of the three kids remaining was a girl I needed to interview.
The OV staff member was talking with the house father, trying to figure out what had happened with a child who used to be at the orphanage but now is not. While she was off, I went in with two of the girls I've gotten to know really well. They're 11 & 12 years old and know a few English words, so I really rely on the Vietnamese I've learned thus far to communicate with them. I opened up my computer to get the document ready for the interview and started asking the 11 year old girl the questions I knew how to ask her in Vietnamese, so save time while waiting.
Before I knew it, all of the questions were answered!! There were a few things that we had to use body language to figure out (when I asked about her health, she acted out *coughing*), but for the most part, between me, the 11 year old interviewee and the 12 year old observer, we figured it all out!
Soon after, the Vietnamese OV staff came in apologizing and was ready to begin. I told her we were finished and she looked at me blankly, then laughed a giddy, encouraging laugh =)
I thought this was a fun experience, but didn't think much more about it until I went home for lunch an told my roommate Kaitlyn about it. She said, "That's huge!"
She's right, that's huge! I hadn't stopped to think about the fact that I effectively asked important questions and understood the answers in a foreign language... in VIETNAMESE.
I think I've been so focused on how much better at speaking this language others are than me, and the level of speaking and comprehension that I want to get to, that I missed this marker or progress. A few months ago, I would not have been able to write of this accomplishment; but today, (mostly by the Grace of G*d and the encouragement of supportive friends) I can.
That's progress :)

I can't do this alone.

2010-08-09T14:44:00.007+07:00

I started babysitting I think when I was 11 or 12 years old. As soon as I was 15 or 16 I got an actual "paycheck" job and I've been working ever since. The concept of working without pay is something I am still having a hard time with.
Moving to Vietnam was something I did because I felt a calling to be a part of the bigger picture. There was a need and I knew I was able to physically go, so I did. My heart was telling me to go, the Lord was telling me to go, but my logical thinking, "provide for yourself, take care of yourself," was telling me I couldn't go. I had to throw away logic and trust in the Provider.

Titus 3:14
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Luke 12:28
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

I know that many people have a burden on their heart for the poor and underprivileged around the world, but are physically unable to go.
I want to ask you to join with me in this journey I am on. I can not do this alone. I am physically here, but I need you, friends and family to join with me and be my team. I am here advocating and working for the underprivileged. We need your prayers, advice, encouragement, resources, stories, love. We need you. When you feel passionate about something, share it! When you have a testimony, share it! When you feel convicted, share it!
I am here physically, but I know many of your minds and hearts are here as well. Let me be your hands and feet, working for our team here.

If you want to give financially, the information for giving is below. One time donations are wonderful, and monthly donations are a necessity.
If you will commit to praying regularly, please let me know!
If there is something on your heart that you want to know about in our efforts in Vietnam, I will do my best to find information for you.

The best way to support me is by check.
Simply make the check out to Orphan Voice Ministries and be sure to write Audrey Quealey in the memo.

Mail To:
Orphan Voice
1510 Newtown Pike, Ste. 152
Lexington, KY 40511

You can also give online by visiting the Orphan Voice website.
http://www.orphanvoice.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=1

In the DESIGNATION drop-down bar, remember to select "Audrey Quealey Support," and simply enter the amount you want to donate.

All giving is tax-deductible.

new every morning

2010-08-09T13:42:00.007+07:00

Every morning starts the same way: I'm confused at the noise that wakes me from my sleep, and after about 10 minutes I figure out that I've been sleeping and I need to be awake. But what day is it? Why am I waking up?
Maybe it's Saturday, what do I need to wake up for? Do I have plans? Oh no, am I late to meet someone????
No, it can't be Saturday-I'm pretty sure I went to church yesterday....yeah I did.
I went to church yesterday? AHHHH it's Monday! I'm late for work! What time is it?
6:00am.
Whew.
Get up, boil water, turn on fans, make coffee, make oatmeal, get bble, sit down, pray, drink, eat, read, pray, drink, eat, read, pray...
Oh no! 8:00am.
Get dressed, go to work!

My mornings usually seem to follow this pattern. It might sound frantic or stressful, but it's not. It's my routine now. The confusion of sleepiness keeps everything feeling new and spontaneous :)

For awhile, my mornings at work were all the same; going into the office, answering emails and working on documents and plans for incoming Friendship Teams. Different tasks, but almost always in the office 8:30am-12:00pm for my morning before lunch. Lately I've gotten to spend more time out, seeing and doing. I can see how this was necessary now. I was content working in the office, I wanted nothing more-I loved the work I was doing!
Once the Friendship Team arrived, I (as the Friendship Team Coordinator) was with them all day, everyday, at the orphanages, doing things with and for the kids. Orphan Voice does so many different projects in and around Central Vietnam and I've been learning a lot about them all in the past 5 months. But without seeing and experiencing, I was kind of detached.
Now that I've spent so much time with the children at the orphanage I am getting to know them-I know their personalities, their ailments, their favorite jokes, their love languages, their preferred games and tricks....I long to be around them.

My mornings aren't always in the office now. There are many things I need to get done on the computer still, so I do that of course. But now, seeing the kids has become a priority. If it's been a few days and I haven't seen them, I can say "I'm going to Promise House because I haven't been in a few days," and that's completely acceptable.
That's what I love about my job; going to Love the children is a beyond acceptable reason to go out for a few hours.

My mornings always start the same, but my days have been transforming as my knowledge and love for the orphans in Da Nang has grown in the past month. My heart and my desires are changing and transforming in ways I never thought was "me." I love behind the scenes, administrative, support, clerical work. I always have. And I stopped there, accepting that's who I was.
I was wrong--that's not all I am.
The Maker of Heaven has much more in store for me and His purposes surprise me and mystify me daily. Here I am humbly saying again "You are God and I am not. Thank you. I will follow You, Your ways are not my ways."
And for that, I am grateful.

Testimonies

2010-05-28T10:26:00.004+07:00

As I've been learning and growing in the past couple months, it has continually been revealed to me the importance of sharing about what the Lrd is doing in my life. There is a song by The Desperation Band called "Overcome" that has been a theme for me lately. There is a verse in it that says:

We will overcome,
By the blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony
Everyone, overcome!

Speaking out the work of the Father is one of our tools in battle against the enemy!
So please hear some of my battle cries; this is me claiming victory, exclaiming words of truth and proclamation with courage and confidence in the power and authority of JC!!
(I first wrote this as an email to some friends, and from there was inspired to share it with all of you!)

A few weeks ago at our Young Adults group, my friend was playing keyboard and leading us in songs as the Lrd brought songs to his mind. I was having a hard time getting my heart and mind focused on wrshp. The Lrd inserted a LOUD thought in my mind to just apologize to Him--I had been thinking, "Lrd, why cant I connect? I just want to wrship, what's going on?" so after that loud thought, I just said "Lrd I'm sorry! Here is my heart, ready to praise you!" That was all it took. At that point I felt like Audrey disappeared and my spirit was just completely connected with the HS. My friend started playing many songs in a row that I've only really heard about 10 years ago, all around the time I gave my life to the Lrd. I associate these songs with when the Lrd really grabbed hold of me and revealed his all encompassing, unfathomable love to me. The keyboardist didn't know this but I told him the next day just how the HS worked through him in my life. It was awesome.

A few times in the past 2 months (Since my healing!) people have told me they think I have a gift of healing, imparted to me since I was healed. I've received their comments, and just said to Gd "Lrd if this is from you then that is wonderful and I will continue to pry in faith." I know all healing comes from the Lrd, and it doesn't matter who He uses because it is all in His power. There have been a few times I've asked for healing in my own body in the past 2 months and I've felt the Lrd work almost instantly. Also with one friend's tummy the other day, and with another friend's breathing a few weeks ago. Last week Timothy pry anointing on me for me to heal more, but he only knew of my praying for the stomach pain in our friend. It's all been amazing to see, but I also haven't thought much of it in regards to being a "gift" I have. I guess I don't understand if "healing" can be a gift that I, Audrey, have. It doesn't seem like a gift specific to me, because it's not anything I'm doing, but the Lrd.

In switching jobs this month, I've been preparing for a different financial situation. I will now have more expenses to pay, and no monthly stipend from work like I've been having the past year. I am working on fundraising now, but I've really not felt worry or stress about any of it. I really believe in what the Lrd has set out for me and I trust He will guide me in the right ways. As I began prying about the whole situation many weeks ago, the Lrd provided me with more tutoring hours with one family, and a possible second family to tutor for.
Two weeks ago my dad finally (after many failed attempts by me) got through to my student loan lender to have my monthly payment lowered with ease no penalty. That is a huge relief!
Three days ago, an unexpected $ amount showed up in my bank account! I asked my sending organization at APU about it and they said it wasn't a mistake! I'm still shocked about this.

Sunday morning the lrd told me to really examine how honest I was being with Him--why I felt so compelled to be open and honest about my shortcomings and sin with the humans I feel close to in my life, but try to be "presentable" to the Lrd. At the end of the message, the speaker asked if anyone had anything to share and I knew I had to share this with the fellowship. 3 different people talked to me in the day or 2 after that telling me they needed to hear what I'd said, ptl.

About a month ago at our pryer group, Jemimah shared with us about her fasting and Gd really spoke to me. I've never really fasted too seriously before. That week I really fasted and the Lrd met me in a way I've never experienced before. It made me want to fast everyday, never wanting to be apart from such intimate and intense communion with the Lrd. I am learning a lot and have decided to fast at least once a week now, but seeking to learn how to live in a constant mentality of fasting and surrendering my flesh to the Lrd.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sharing these personal stories is a wonderful feeling. I feel blessed and humbled by the Father and I hope reading about things He has been doing in my life can be encouraging to you. I want to encourage you to start looking for His involvement in your own life, and to share!
If you have testimonies I would love to hear them! You are all an incredible encouragement to me, thank you for running alongside me as I continue on this journey :)

--Song noted: "Overcome" by The Desperation Band

I'm HEALED!!

2010-05-05T11:22:00.004+07:00

I think many of you know that I have been dealing with a gluten-intolerance for a few years now. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, oats and rye. I haven't been eating any bread products, baked goods, crackers, even some things such as soy sauce has gluten in it. In the past few months my symptoms had been changing and getting worse. I was pretty sure the intolerance was developing into celiac disease.
I also have had allergies to shellfish, as well as lactose intolerance for a long time.
In February, I pryed with some friends about many things, including my food allergies and intolerances. Gluten intolerance was the main one that effected my daily life, but I never really thought it was something I didn't have to have, or that the Father would heal me from it. After this pryer time, I would test to see if I was healed yet, by eating a cracker or piece of bread. I was still getting sick. One day, without thinking about it, I ate some soup at a party and afterward, I realized it had been crab soup. I didn't have an allergic reaction! PTL!!! :)
In the middle of March, I went to Ha Noi for a conference and some of my spiritual mentors pryed again for healing for me (the same people I pryed with in February), and I fully believed and felt Gd do something within me. About 15 minutes later I ate pizza for lunch with a cookie to follow...and I didn't get sick! And then for at least one meal following that everyday I had wheat, and still--not sick! Here I am almost 2 months later, and STILL not sick! PTL!!
So I am praising the Lrd for His amazing power and love. He is the Gd of healing, deliverance, provision, grace, peace, mercy and salvation. I am walking daily in the freedom He gives to eat without fear of sickness, and to live without fear. I am now using/making/baking all of my gluten free supplies more frequently, not feeling like I have to save it or make it last :)

Work Changes

2010-05-05T11:15:00.003+07:00

So much has been changing and happening since my visit to the States this past February. The Lord definitely spoke to me through many people while I was home and prepared me to start thinking and prying about change and following His leading.
While away from Vietnam, I began realizing and identifying talents and passions I have in my everyday life, as being valuable assets to Gd and that He created me to be this way on purpose, for His purpose. I've been learning now how to embrace these things as wonderful and not comparing myself to those I see and revere as "all-star" believers, serving the Lord in "better" and "more valuable" ways than I am.
I am a SUPPORTER, ENCOURAGER, and even a MOBILIZER! =) I am continuing to learn about this and discover what it means, but I am loving the process and finding so much freedom in accepting His calling on my life and I am excited to see what else He will teach me and reveal to me about the work He is doing and how He wants me to be involved and join Him. I have no doubts that there are many surprises and revelations waiting for me around the corner. What an incredible state of expectation to be in, not hoping for the Father to reveal Himself, but expecting Him to with confidence and assurance.
As of May 15 I will no longer be teaching English at the English center, due to some recent changes in policy of the HIS Years program. I have started volunteering with an organization called Orphan Voice (www.orphanvoice.org). They do orphan relief work, child sponsorship, medical care, etc. I am the "Friendship Team Coordinator." I organize and coordinate volunteer teams who will come here to serve, helping them with travel arrangements, accommodations, scheduling their activities and service while here, and everything related. I've also taken on tasks of assisting the director of the organization in his travel planning, as well as some administrative duties like filtering information for him to read and giving him summaries of important documents. I LOVE IT. I never thought that these "guilty" pleasures I have could be what the Father created me do to in support of advancing His kingdom. I thought it had to look a certain way, or you weren't doing EVERYthing possible to serve Him. I am so humbled in learning this, and also so overwhelmed by His love and power. He is THE creator and the author of THE master plan. How cool is that?? Amazing.

bye bye FB

2009-11-12T15:44:00.001+07:00

VN government has put out a ban on Facebook!
I guess it's back to good old emails...

audgeq@gmail.com

Hope to hear from you!!
=)

Love

2009-11-02T20:35:00.000+07:00

I taught tonight for the first time in about a week and a half. I didn't really know what it would be like, but it's always hard to go back to work after a long length of time off...
I got to school early to prepare my lessons, same old routine. 2o minutes before classes were to start, the power went off--not unusual. But today we're having another storm..not like Ketsana, but reminiscent of it. We're getting a lower intensity sprout of what recently hit the Philippines. Anyway! The strong winds knocked out the power but the generator soon kicked in and we were in business.
Before my class began, I realized it would be a quiet night. Due to the fact that the majority of people travel by motorbike rather than cars, the rain (especially tropical storms) effects if people drive or not. I had 5 out of 15 students come to my first class, and 6 of 12 in my second class.
But that didn't bother me at all, because at the sight of my first student (they came in one at a time which was strange) my heart leaped. Sam saw me from the end of the hall and yelled "TEACHER!!!" and ran to me, kicking his shoes off and giving me a big hug. AHHHH it was so great, I didn't realize JUST how much I missed them until I saw them each and was so overwhelmed with love for them. As each student entered I felt this feeling over and over and over, hugging and kissing the life out of them (not literally... :) ) I love my kids so much! Maybe this time off was the "eye opener" to mix things up for me to rediscover why I'm here. I don't necessarily think I'm in Vietnam just to be a teacher, but right now I needed to be reminded just how much I feel and care for these students. It reminded me that I'm in Vietnam to LOVE. For a few hours a day, I am to Love in the role of a teacher. For a few hours a day, I am to Love in my role as a co-worker. When I'm at home, I am to Love as a housemate. When I'm in my neighborhood, I am to Love as a neighbor. All day, I am to Love everyone I meet. Throughout each and everyday, I feel Love for everyone I know, everyone I am in relationship with, and everyone I know I will meet soon. Yes, there are different roles I have for different parts of the day, but the Love I have doesn't stay at the location I am seen to express it. It is a part of who I am and I hope that through my words and actions people will know this Love.

7 months

2009-10-28T19:19:00.000+07:00

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

2009-10-28T10:45:00.000+07:00

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

2009-10-07T13:08:00.000+07:00

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!

2009-10-01T09:43:00.004+07:00

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.

Engagement

2009-09-24T13:11:00.000+07:00

I just got home from a friend's Engagement ceremony. In Vietnam there is an engagement ceremony and then a wedding ceremony.
Today was at the bride's home in Da Nang. Her family hosted and welcomed guests, then the groom's family entered bringing gifts of food and drink (a full roasted pig!). The fathers talked (not exactly sure what was said), then the fathers introduced their family members. Then the couple was brought to the front to take pictures in front of the table of food and gifts, and to exchange rings. It was so special! Very formal, but intimate and personal. I tried to take some pictures, but the flash on my camera hasn't been working too well...

Where you're meant to be

2009-08-24T00:10:00.000+07:00

"There's no where you can be that isn't where you're meant to be."

Hai and Teresa had us (some teachers and staff-whoever could make it) over for dinner tonight. Hai BBQed some chicken marinated in salt, pepper and oyster sauce, which was tender and delicious, Teresa made a wonderful salad with green olives, radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes, cashews....mmm, and Teresa also made baked beans, baked potatoes, and apple cake. It was a beautiful meal, and I believe the hospitality, love and good company made the food taste even better. I love being in a home. Yes, I live in my home with Ashleigh, Andrew, Kaitlyn, Christa and Robin, but going to a long-established home where kids are running around outside, people are cooking and chatting in the kitchen and living room, and some are out gathered in the garden around the BBQ--people existing for each other, not just with each other.
After eating, we all took a walk through the fields and dirt roads surrounding the Huynh Family Compound. It was so simple, so nice, so leisurely. It wasn't a power walk with a destination in mind; we were just sauntering forward, stopping here and there, not all at once but sometimes all together. People were having conversations, skipping rocks on the pond, throwing a frisbee, giggling, chasing the children, or just walking side-by-side or hand-in-hand taking in the beauty and serenity of the fading light of day. We walked without knowing when we would stop or what we were heading towards. I never even heard anyone ask. No one was talking about their other plans they were waiting to get on with, we were all just there, in that moment, for the evening.
Eventually we headed back to the house, ate dessert (I had flan, yum!), chatted a little more, and we all went our ways home. At this point it was still pretty early, I think we were home by 7:30pm. So I went with Ashleigh, Andrew, Karen and Dave to the beach. At night there are beach chairs and tables set up at certain beaches, where you can eat or drink and enjoy the ocean. I haven't been to the beach at night yet here, and let me tell you I will be doing it as much as possible from now on! Again, it was just incredibly peaceful and enjoyable being in the presence of caring, authentic, quality people. The ocean was dark and the sound of the waves couldn't have been more tranquilizing. I could feel myself smiling for no apparent reason, other than being thoroughly pleased and content with the people surrounding me and genuine nature of who they each are. You'd be surprised at how fulfilling a real and true relationship can be when you're not thinking about what TV program you're missing by being out, or constantly texting people who aren't with you...

"There's no where you can be that isn't where you're meant to be."

I've been learning lately to be where I am. It hasn't been some huge lesson I learned with a major epiphany and transformation of thought. But I did realize it was something I've been living out which is pretty different than how I've lived in the past. I've always looked forward to the next major event or change or landmark in my life--getting to high school, graduating, getting to college, graduating, moving to Vietnam...and now I don't know what's next! There's "nothing to look forward to" in my life, because there's no set agenda I feel that I need to fulfill now. I've completed all the required tasks given to me by society and not I am free to be where I am and not worry about planning my next life change or adventure. I'm here. I love being here. I don't need to plan my next move. I can't plan my next move because I don't believe I'm the one calling the shots. I am here, living my life, trying every day to act in faith and obedience, abiding in grace and mercy and love and hope. I'm glad I'm not the one deciding my future. It's exciting to follow the One who created the earth and everything in it-He's no much more creative and orchestrating than I'll ever be! Yeah, He's the one I'll listen to. Life will be so much greater with Him calling the shots. I like where I am, because He is here with me. And it'll be that way forever.

"There's no where you can be that isn't where you're meant to be."

{The Beatles}

Relief & ....Tutti Frutti!!

2009-08-20T07:38:00.000+07:00

Things went great in Saigon, PTL! Smooth interactions with the US Consulate and Department of Foreign Affairs. They granted me all of the approvals and documentation I need in order to now apply for my work permit. So yay! Thanks Vietnam! :)
Saigon is a great city with many attributes I'd forgotten exist...overpriced shopping malls, ridiculous, over-the-top "designer" fashion, corner espresso stands, public transportation, high-rise buildings, FROZEN YOGURT! That's right, ladies and gentlemen: Fro-Yo. I'm not talking about your simple, sweet, soft-serve fro-yo--but tart, yummy, choose your own toppings, pay-per-gram (weight, not cracker) Fro-Yo. Believe it or not, there is a little place known by the name of Tutti Frutti across from Azusa Pacific that opened during my senior year, owned by a Vietnamese-American. Kaitlyn told me she spoke with him once and found out that he had stores in Vietnam also. Well, as Hai and I were walking around the city doing some sight-seeing in our (unexpected) free time, we sat to rest on a bench and through the trees, across the park, a few streets away, a familiar looking sign caught my attention. I told Hai about the Tutti Frutti in Azusa, and he was intrigued as well so we went to check it out. Sure enough, TUTTI FRUTTI! We went in and enjoyed some amazing treats--it was Hai's first Fro-Yo experience, so I explained how it all worked.
He created:
Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry & taro fro-yo, with I believe peanuts and raisins on top.
I created:
Strawberry & taro fro-yo with kiwi, mango and strawberries on top.
For those of you who have not spent any length of time in Southern California to experience this phenomenon, I am truly sorry. I don't know how to feel for you, but I advise you put this on your "Bucket List" for sure.
As we were sitting enjoying our cups of heaven, we asked one of the workers if there was a connection between this shop and one in California. She said she wasn't sure, but probably because it is owned by a Vietnamese-American man. So yes, I'd say so. And here's the great news: among many "Stores coming soon..." Da Nang is on the list!!! Who knows how soon it will be, but mmmmmm it's definitely worth the wait.
This may all seem very trivial to you, especially if you haven't experienced a place such as Tutti Frutti, Paradise Juice Cafe (PJC), Cherry on Top, Pinkberry, or 21 Choices...so if you're rolling your eyes at me that's ok. I know I'm Frutti for fro-yo and I'm ok with that. Thanks for loving me anyways.
Peace & Love with some fruit on top
AQ

Raise it Up

2009-08-18T06:50:00.000+07:00

Wow wow wow, life is speeding up here--
that's very true and very far from the truth actually. The pace of daily life continues to slow me down and keep me in check, but days seem to be passing without any regard for those of us involved.

A few days after my last blog I came home from work feeling very sick. I went to bed early and was sick all night. I went to the hospital in the morning and got all checked out: tests, ultra sound, chest x-ray...the doc said I had food poisoning and a bad cough. They gave me many many pills and drink mixtures to treat both, and after 4 more days of constant sleeping and pill popping, I started regaining strength. It was not fun! I am very fortunate to have friends and housemates who care about me and take care of me. They told me the would come check on me, and once or twice a day Kaitlyn or Christa would help me take medicine or drink water. I've never felt so completely helpless and dependent, and at the same time truly confident that I was taken care of.

Once I got back on my feet there were a few fun adventures I got to participate it:
-learned how to drive a motorbike
-went with some friends on a motorbike ride to the top of Monkey mountain, overlooking all of Da Nang
-Went to Michael Jackson Tribute night at a local lounge (so great!)
-Began volunteering at a local home for young single mothers and their babies
-Two more Parent Meetings concluding two more courses
-Crazy downpour causes my balcony to flood inside and put my bedroom under water

August is pulling me along and today I will leave with my boss to Saigon to work on getting my diploma verified to be authentic and to make it possible for me to apply for the proper documents I need to stay in Vietnam. I'll keep you posted on what transpires there, hopefully it will go smoothly and when I return all will be well and resolved.
"Sometimes it seems impossible, that's why we pray. So raise it up!"
-"Raise It Up," Jamia Simone Nash & The IMPACT Repertory Theatre (August Rush Soundtrack)

Video tour from the balcony

2009-08-01T18:40:00.000+07:00

Hello August, where'd you come from?

2009-08-01T17:47:00.000+07:00

Quick little tid-bit...
There is some trouble on our end over here dealing with visas. The government has made some new rules and stipulations for foreigners working in Vietnam, and so we are in the midst of working through that and trying to figure it all out. Please lift this up for us if you can--it's a sticky situation!

I just actually felt the need to put up a little post...for no reason at all. I just got home from teaching my one Saturday class, so my weekend has started!--------------and I'm home alone. The other 5 housemates are all teaching still. =)

I had a really good laugh today. That's a very important event, I think. Good laughs are something I don't really think about until I have one--then it's like "OHHHH goodness, this is wonderful, I haven't laughed this hard in awhile!" You know what I mean?
You're gonna laugh when I tell you what I laughed about, because it might be a "You had to be there" situation. Let's see:
Ashleigh and I were video chatting (yes, she lives in the bedroom about 30ft from mine), just 'hanging out' from our separate rooms. Being silly. Talking. Making faces. Typing. Stuff like that. She left her screen for a second and I needed to get up and get something, so I pointed my web cam at the fan in my room and typed "Here's some extra breeze for you." Then after a minute or two of whatever I was doing, I went into Ash's bedroom and saw her laying on her bed looking at her computer (reliving this right now is making my laugh out loud to myself), watching the fan in my room/on her screen, oscillate back and forth. She looked back at me and we both just started cracking up. Haha, there was a dose of silly joy in this instance today, and for that reason alone, I wanted to share. So, if you don't think it's funny, I'm sorry, but I hope you maybe laughed at the fact that you thought it was silly for me to think this is so funny............! =0)

That's all.

Peace, Joy, & Laughter,

Audrey

overdue update

2009-07-28T09:27:00.000+07:00

Summer is in full swing, and the weather is not letting us forget it! As I'm sitting here at 6:45AM sweating buckets, I have no plans on leaving the position I hold in front of my fan blasting me, until I absolutely have to.
And apparently it's not just in the tropics of Vietnam--I've heard many reports of the over-dramatic heat hitting my friends in LA and yes, even Seattle. Craziness! I hope you're all finding ways to stay cool and find energy. My favorite answer: a nice fruit slushy!!
Because of the heat, the city turns the power off for different neighborhoods for certain amounts of time every once in awhile, in order to save energy and prevent uncontrollable blackouts. This has come at seemingly horrible moments at home--in the middle of lesson planning or getting ready for work; until we get to work and realize the power is off there too! Last week this happened about 4 times, once during class. I recently changed classrooms, so I am now in a middle room with no windows...my students went a little crazy in the pitch black. Luckily another teacher down the hall came to my class with his laptop open as a flashlight, to guide me and my class to join him in his room with a window. It was hot, smelly, chaotic, and tiring.
After about 45 minutes I think, the power came back on, so teaching my second class was just fine. What an experience though! Talk about change of plans...
This weekend I went with some friends to get massages again. The place we go to is a project to benefit the blind. The masseuses (is that the right word?) are mostly all blind, and very good at what they do. Both times I've gone I've had the same woman, and she's great! It's interesting though, since we don't speak the same language, and she can't see so I can't even use gestures or facial expressions to communicate with her. But she can hear my tone and hear when I laugh, so we had some good "conversations" through these means. And of course I could see her smile and hear her tone as well. I am really learning a lot about communication in all forms and senses of the word.
Since the other teachers have been here I've been trying to reestablish a routine that adapts to my new home, neighborhood, mentality, schedule and community. Kaitlyn has started joining my on my morning walks, which is nice. That, like so many other things, was a time I have been used to having just to myself, so it was really hard at first to share it. But we set up a system that the night before, we decide if it's going to be a talking walk or a solitaire walk. If it's a solitaire walk, we'll go together, but not talk; listen to our own music or whatnot. It's been really great, and again another learning experience for me in change and adaptability.
Sunday evening the pastor at DIF (Danang International Fellowship) and his wife invited the 20-30-somethings out to eat elephant fish. So we all met at their house and then rode our bicycles to a patio restaurant to eat wonderful fish and get to know one-another. After, some of us went out to Karaoke, something I've now done twice since I've been here. It is so much fun! My mom likes to do it at home with her friends from work, and she'd tell me how they had private rooms and it was really quaint and fun. It always sounded a little uncomfortable to me, because in my head it's like on the movies when there's a stage at a bar or something, and all eyes are on you. Actually not just the movies, also in reality like at O'Houlies! =)
But here, it's so common, there are multiple Karaoke places on every street, and they are just small rooms for a group of people to hang out in. No pressure, just lots and lots of fun! A great experience indeed.
I'm getting to know my new housemates more and more each day, and it is wonderful. Even Kaitlyn and Ashleigh, who I knew well before I came here, I am getting to know them more and more as we all spend more time together and in a different capacity than ever before. I am truly excited to see what lies ahead for us.

and so it begins

2009-07-14T14:37:00.000+07:00

Well, this past week has been a whirl wind for sure. With the arrival of Kaitlyn, Ashleigh, Christa, Robin and Andrew, along with moving into the new house, I feel like my time in Vietnam has just begun as well! I honestly didn't realize what sort of adjustments I would go through just in moving to a new neighborhood, and not living on my own anymore. Having people around all the time is a major change for sure. It is definitely nice having them all here, and also exciting to get to experience all of their "firsts" with them as I did just a few months ago. Each one of my new roommates are amazing and wonderful and I am so excited to know them each better as the days roll on.

Losing the independence I grew comfortable in has been hard in the past couple days. Of course I can spend time alone when I want to, or go somewhere alone if I chose. But I don't have to anymore. I've had a hard time even piecing this together for my own understanding, so forgive me if this sounds ku ku. I just am going through a transition from the way I've been living for over 3 months, to another way of living. It's not bad, it's just what it is: a transition. It's not easy and smooth as I anticipated it would be. But my roommates are all understanding and aware of this, and I love them dearly. This transition marks the next chapter of this story, and it is one I am eager to unfold.

Let me tell you about life in this new house!
There are 7 bedrooms, a roof, a kitchen, and a large entry-way space where we keep out bicycles and refridgerator. The past 2 nights we've had some major rain along with thunder and lightening. The rain flooded our roof as well as the bedroom (Robin's) that is on the roof! Needless to say, there was a mini-stream making its way down the stairs. Quite the adventure, but everything is fine, hot and dry this morning!

It is common in Vietnam for families to have a helper, to clean and cook in their home. The school has hired a wonderful woman to help us. She is a great cook and a very sweet lady. She will bring her 10 month old son with her on Saturday for us to meet!

That's one thing about the people here--everyone is family. Welcoming, loving, accepting, caring, sharing, and interested in the well-being of others. I feel like Ubuntu is going to materialize in so many more ways than I could've anticipated or dreamed of, and I'm praying for an open heart to be able to learn and learn and learn what I can of love and sharing and community and self-sacrifice. I am filled with excitement and a loving fullness when I think about the character and personalities of each person I am going to be living with for the next year or two. I know I have a lot to learn, and I am filled with the hope and possibilities that God will reveal to each of us through one another.

"We affirm our humanity when we acknowledge that of others."
What does it mean to acknowledge the humanity of another? Is it possible to think that one person has more or less humanity than another? I can't think of a circumstance that that could be true. Thinking like that puts many things into perspective: in my daily life, how do I chose who I will or will not make eye-contact with, will or will-not smile at, will or will-not talk to, will-or will-not help carry a large basket from one side of the road or another....? Do I compare one person's humanity to another? or to my own? Why am I more willing to help or become involved in the lives of some people and not others?
Am I alone in this? Maybe this is something that I am falling victim to because I am so wrapped up in my life and situation. I find that this is often truest in my life in regards to the people I see the most regularly, the people I am "closest" to: family, friends, roommates. It's easier to connect with the people you don't have to answer to at the end of the day. The people I'm "closest" to should be the first place I open myself up to for sharing, caring and loving. If I can't do it at home, it makes my efforts in the community a joke.
Going back to my transition to living in a community now, I feel that this is a major issue I'm dealing with. Now that I have people to come home to and do life with, I think I am filled with a fear of being known and completely vulnerable. I will be held accountable for maintaining relationships and living out what I talk about. It's a great fear in that it will challenge be to become the person I feel I am being molded into, but also in that it will be uncomfortable, hard and trying.
and I can't wait.

ubuntu ubuntu ubuntu ubuntu

"Ubuntu is the essence of being a person. It means that we are people through other people. We cannot be fully human alone. We are made for interdependence, we are made for family. When you have ubuntu, you embrace others. You are generous, compassionate. If the world had more ubuntu, we would not have war. We would not have this huge gap between the rich and the poor. You are rich so that you can make up what is lacking for others. You are powerful so that you can help the weak, just as a mother or father helps their children. This is God's dream."
-Desmond Tutu

Another new beginning

2009-07-09T23:51:00.000+07:00

The other APU teachers have arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so so happy they are here, FINALLY! =)
It is absolutely amazing to see them and hug them and chat and laugh. Marvelous I tell you. My heart is smiling very very big right now.
For the four days before their arrival I was down with the flu, and that was no fun. Lots of sleeping, coughing, fever, blah blah blah. I'm slowly getting better, but not quite there. I took two days off from teaching but now am back into classes, which are moving along quickly it seems.
When the new teachers arrived we moved into a new house! It's beautiful, and we're making it our home, little by little. Pictures to come soon.
It's only been one full day since everyone has been here, but I've already gotten to share parts of my life here with them--having coffee from my favorite coffee lady, riding bikes to the market, and a few of them have even sat in on some of my classes! Tomorrow morning I am taking two of them to the beach for sunrise. Mmmmmm.
More to come soon, I just wanted to quickly share with you this exciting week and new chapter of my time in Vietnam.
I hope you're all well and loving life, wherever it's leading you! Follow THE Leader.
Be kind, rewind.
Love Love Love,
Audge

Superkids Day Camp

2009-07-02T11:17:00.000+07:00

http://picasaweb.google.com.vn/lh/sredir?uname=haisuperkids&target=ALBUM&id=5352631588658834113&authkey=Gv1sRgCKi13Zviv9SLLg&feat=email
(For more Superkids day camp pictures)

Saturday was Superkids Day Camp.
We got there at 7am and prepared for the children to start arriving, though I think some were there before us, their excitement surely pushing the parents to be rid of them for the day! Just kidding. Well, in some cases. Not for the mother of my student, Lewis. She came to me shortly after I arrived telling me in the little English that she knows, that this is the first time she has left Lewis somewhere all day, and she was nervous. She asked me if I would keep an eye on him, and of course I assured her he would be fine and I would keep track of him for her. And I wasn’t just saying it, I was fairly confident that I would be able to check up on him every so often, since I was set at a station that the groups would rotate through all day long.
Did I mention that Lewis is one of my oldest, and most well-behaved students? I wasn’t worried, though I did feel a twinge of unexpected responsibility after her request.
The camp was set up at the park in Danang. We had a big red and white striped parachute tent set up as “home base” for the day. Then there were 5 white tents set up around the big tent. There was a station under each tent., with activities led by some of us teachers, along with volunteers from Azusa Pacific University, as well as Seattle Pacific University. All of my worlds collided! My hometown, my university, and my current life, all together in Vietnam. It was a nice homey thought.
Activities included tag, making bracelets, face painting, balloon animals, skits, baseball (my station) and a few others. There were 5 in the morning, and then 5 in the afternoon. Baseball was new to ALL the kids. For some reason this really surprised me, but I guess it shouldn’t have. The APU team brought 9 donated children’s mits, an aluminum bat, rubber bases, a tee, and 4 soft baseballs. It was great! We explained the basics to each group that came through our station, including (and limited to) “This is a ball. This is a bat. This is a glove.” Then Tyler and I would physically demonstrate that they would be hitting off of the tee and the others would be trying to pick up the ball that had been hit.
It was so cute, they were so excited!!! When a child was up to bat, we had to show them how to hold the bat, how to aim to hit the ball, and not to swing until we told them to, as to avoid injury. We devised a more clear “thumbs-up” system after Tyler and I took a few hits while trying to get away from the batter. Things got better.
In the morning session we made sure everyone got to hit, then in the afternoon we instructed them to run around the bases after they hit the ball (and we of course had many runners choose the 3rd, 2nd, 1st base route), and also for the fielders to throw the ball to the teacher after retrieving it. It was a lot of fun! They all had a better understanding of how the game worked—what we had told them at least—in the afternoon, and many were even hitting the ball pretty far! It was awesome to see, the kind of joy that makes you laugh in pleasure without realizing it.
Overall, it really was a great day. There were a few bloody noses (from the weather, not the baseball), and maybe one knee scrape. No one fell in the lake and we didn’t lose anyone! Obvious markers of a successful day.
I had a lot of fun getting to see my students outside of class, like I’ve mentioned about the field trips, but this was better: A whole day of fun and activities, playing and joking. It was amazing. I really bonded with a lot of my students and it was fun to see them in class this week, sharing with them this new level of knowing and understanding between us. I feel my love for these kids continue to grow more and more every week and I can’t thank God enough for the incredible things He’s doing in my life and for the many ways He is blessing me in my relationships, experiences and support, here and from home. Amen and amen!

Family Time!

2009-06-22T10:13:00.000+07:00

Happy Father's Day!!!
And happy marriage, Blaze & Jamie!!

I had a different Sunrise experience this morning...
Last night I was chatting with my neighbors (as chatty as we could be with the language barrier and the limited amount we knew of each others' language), and they invited me to come swimming with them this morning. So at 5am I hopped on the motorbike with them (it took 2 motorbike for the 5 of us) and off we went.
We arrived and headed straight for the water. Usually if I get in the water it's mid-day so it's super hot, or I've biked 20 minutes to get there, so I'm ready to cool down in the water. But today was different, and I feared the water would be shockingly cold.
Who was I kidding?
The water was warm and refreshing, with a slightly cool kick.
We were in the water when the sun rose (is that the proper way to say that...??) and it was incredible. I wonder if the sunrise will ever seem routine or like not a big deal. I can't imagine that being the case. I hope and pray that I will never take it for granted. It is so beautiful and incredibly full of hope, provision, restoration and newness. I am so thankful that I get to experience it and feel blessed by it.
It was fun being there with a family; just me and a family. I got to see the father interacting with his daughters in a way playful and loving way that I did not think existed in this culture of men distant and absent from their families. Or so I thought. I'm glad I had this experience so my eyes could be opened and I could be rid of the false conception I had against the men here, which I didn't really realize I had.
This family is so kind and loving and inclusive, I felt honored and blessed to be apart of their family outing.
I will be moving out of the house I'm living in now, in just less than 2 weeks. I am excited for the move and arrival of my friends from APU, but I have really come to love the street I live on and the families I've gotten to know around the house. I'm really going to miss seeing them multiple times a day, "Chatting" with them and playing with the babies. Hopefully I make the time and effort to come visit for one reason or another. And I want to, so I will. Hold me to that. :)
Like I mentioned before, the rest of the teachers will be joining me about a week into July. I am so excited! Please keep them in your thoughts as they are getting prepared for their journeys and saying their goodbyes. It's a difficult and exciting time, and I hope that they are feeling at peace about tying up their loose ends and beginning a new adventure.
Kaitlyn, Ashleigh, Robin, Andrew & Christa, I'm excited to see you and we're all eagerly waiting for your arrival!!
Peace & Ubuntu

Opposing views

2009-06-15T11:26:00.000+07:00

Can two pastors disagree and both be right?
I’ve been listening to a few different podcasts of pastors, and two in particular I really like. Both offer so much honesty and biblical foundation, and I feel there is Truth in what both of them are saying.
But
In the overall “circle” of people who read these pastors’ books or listen to their sermons, there seems to be an obvious contention that they are completely opposite.
I beg to differ.
Maybe I am being ignorant or naïve, but I find that I am led to truths and revelations from both of these people. Of course I notice major differences in what they speak about as a whole…one seems more concerned with the global community in a very large sense, and the other seems more concerned with the local community and branching out globally from there.
The Book talks about each person being one different part of the Body. So is it even reasonable to think that two pastors would be the same and have all the same views? Maybe, maybe not. I know that I definitely don’t have the answers…and that in being equally human, neither do these pastors.
There is only one source that knows all the answers. I believe that we’re all here to help each other get to know the One with the answers and keep each other in check in that pursuit, making sure we’re not going too far off from the Book and the Spirit.
This is when it’s frightening to realize that something one of these pastors (a person who devotes their life to studying, learning, deciphering, interpreting and discussing the Bible) believes to be absolutely, undeniably true could be the exact opposite of what another one of these pastors believes, or what I think I believe…it’s scary! I don’t want to live my life based on the wrong theology…
But then I remember that there’s only one side I need to choose. As long as I am in constant pursuit of Truth, Love, Justice, Community, Hope, and His Will, then I think everything else is commentary and I need to take all of it with a discerning ear and open heart. He is my guide and my filter and I trust Him to keep me near to Him and His Truth.
Cause let’s face it: We’re all human, we’re all sinners saved by grace, we all need a little help from our friends. We don’t know the answers, and we can’t expect to get it right, except by His grace. His answer is the only one that matters, and it’s our job to ask the right questions.

I think I need a sunrise, I’m tired of the sunset…

2009-06-13T15:35:00.000+07:00

There’s a line in Augustana’s song, “Boston,” that says “I think I need a sunrise, I’m tired of the sunset…” I’m not tired of the sunsets I’ve seen, but growing up on the west coast of the US, the number of actual sunrises I’ve seen have been few. Now I’m living on the eastern coast of Vietnam with the beach a 20 minute bike ride away.
I woke up at 4:15 yesterday morning to meet the APU team. We took a taxi and went to the beach to watch the sunrise and it was incredible. There were many people there exercising, swimming, running, playing…I was very surprised! It was a great time. We also saw a few women burying themselves in the sand. Usually you see children doing this for fun and it's silly, but apparently it is good for the bones, and people do this. Hmm.
We were there for about an hour and a half, just enjoying IT—Vietnam, each other, the scene, the feelings of awe and appreciation, the cool morning air…ok not cool, but not blistering hot.
After the beach I started biking home, and stopped at the market for some veggies and fruit. It was about 6:20am when I got to the market, and I’ve never been there that early before! It was quite the sight: people were still bringing in all of their goods, setting it all up on their carts and tables, there were people still cutting apart their pigs and cows…that was gross—it really threw me off guard and I almost tripped over a guy taking the skin off of his cow because I was so stunned by the bleeding pig’s head on the other side of me.
Other than that I considered myself successful at the market, getting very fresh vegetables and using some Vietnamese in the process! I was able to ask what things were, and ask how to prepare some of the things I bought. It was fun! The women I go to are familiar with me now, and have suggested new things for me to try and tell me what other things to cook them with or eat them with.
Waking up early has been a pretty regular occurrence lately, if not for little outings like this, and sometimes for walking, then it’s just because it’s so hot and impossible to continue sleeping! For the past 2 or 3 weeks, it has been getting relentlessly hotter. My energy is fading, but gallons of water and long afternoon naps have been a great help. I do love being awake so early in the mornings though. And it has made my days feel more productive and I feel like I’m getting more out of myself and of my daily experience.
This morning we had another “field trip” with Superkids. I put that in quotations because it wasn’t really a trip. We started at the school and walked numerous blocks to the big park. It was an Environmental Walk, and we all picked up trash as we were walking. Somehow the local news station heard about it and came to film some footage. I think we’ll be on the VTV news sometime soon! Pretty exciting. Once we got to the park the kids played on the equipment (ok, so did we) for awhile and then their parents came to pick them up from the park. Us teachers, and the APU volunteers, walked back to the school and parted ways for lunch. The park was beautiful! There is a big lake in the middle, and there are many benches surrounding it. Apparently there is no swimming in the lake, it’s too dirty I think. But it sure is nice to look at. There are duck/swan boats to take out though, and petal around. If you’ve ever been to the Lagoon and Public Garden in Boston, that’s exactly what it reminded me of.
This past Tuesday I had two more parent meetings, concluding to more of my classes. Both meetings went very well, and I received some really encouraging comments from my boss afterwards. In a weird way, I was very humbled by him telling me that I was doing a great job and that he was impressed with my teaching style…saying that sounds cocky even, I know. But I just felt so aware that what he was seeing and praising wasn’t me, but what was being done through me. It was the spirit and attitude given to me, it was the love and care for my students from the Father, which was carried out through me. It was humbling to realize how small of a part I am actually playing in this whole teaching thing, and I hope that it continues to be less of me, and more of Him.

My Address

2009-06-02T13:25:00.000+07:00

Because a few of you have asked, I thought I'd put this out into blog land once more.

Audrey Quealey
c/o Fisher Superkids English Center
99 Nguyen Van Linh
Danang, Vietnam

I successfully received a package yesterday, so I know it is possible! :)

Things I'd enjoy receiving include chocolate, soup/sauce/seasoning packets, tampons, gluten-free treats or baking mixes, stickers, pictures of you or you and me, ANYTHING!!!!!!! :) :)

The sun is hot, the wind is soft

2009-06-01T15:45:00.000+07:00

Today has been a wonderful day. I woke up early, like I've been wanting to lately, and went on a walk down to the river. I walked up and down the river, then stopped and did some stretches and such, then walked home. It was wonderful! There were many other people exercising down at the river, mostly older folks, I'd say ages 65+. It's also interesting around town, some people who have places set up for lunch and dinner aren't out in the morning, and different people are out and in different places for breakfast. It's just something simple, but I'd never thought about that being different, mostly because for the most part, the same foods are served for every meal: rice, soup, meat, egg, porridge...side note, eel porridge is one of my most favorite breakfasts, yummy! I'll have to take a picture of it next time I eat it.
So after I got home from my walk I took a shower and made some coffee and oatmeal. I bought a metal coffee filter the other day so I could make Vietnamese coffee at home. I also of course bought the coffee grounds and sweetened condensed milk. I took a picture off of Wikipedia to show what it looks like. First you pour the sweetened condensed milk in the glass. Then you put the coffee grounds in the metal filter with the press on top, then pour the hot water in the filter and let it drip down into the milk. Once it's done dripping, you stir it up really well, and then drink! I usually put some ice in it, because let's be honest, I don't need to make myself overheat for no good reason.
So I ate my oatmeal and drank my cafe sua da (coffee milk ice) while reading and listening to Mars Hill online. After that I started some laundry and did some journalling. When the wash was done, I hung it on the line and got ready to go. I rode my bike to work to use the internet, as well as drop a few things off and talk to the girls. When I was there, Uyen brought me a slip saying I received a package! I was headed to the postoffice next anyway, in order to send a package home, so it was perfect! I spent some time at the post office filling out forms to send my package, and receive the one from the states. I was so excited! I've been anticipating this for many many weeks now. My mom sent me some fun things from home, and it was wonderful to get! Thanks Mamma :)
Now I am hanging out at a friend's house using her internet and watching the Discovery channel (in English). I am leaving shortly to go to Mr. Hai's house for a welcome dinner for the volunteers from APU. I'm excited to see them! It will be odd to have some familiar faces in the country...but a VERY good odd! Plus I love spending time with Mr. Hai's family and the Superkids staff.

Thank you for the rain yesterday, and thank you for the bright sun and soft wind today. You know what we need each day.

Field Trip to Hai Van Park

2009-05-26T14:09:00.000+07:00

This past Saturday we went on a field trip to a park north of Danang, called Hai Van park. Here is a link to some of the pictures that were taken by the staff. I figured this would be easier than me trying to post a bunch of pictures...!
http://picasaweb.google.com/thutrangsuperkids/FIELDTRIPATHAIVANPARK?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeNwtPXopbFTg&feat=directlink
But I also took some of my own:
Yes, that is a huge rock carved into a turtle.
This entire stream is filled with such creations, it really is marvelous.

These two cutie pies are some of the younger students. The one on the right is Kyle, I've shown pictures of him before. He is one of my trouble students...though he's just so dang cute. The boy on the left, his name is Superman. I kid you not. That is his English name. I have a hunch that he helped pick it out when he first began English school...

Here we have Ray and Simba, playing with their water bottles. So cute. They are in my middle level class, very funny. I love talking to them because they are some of the students that know enough English to crack jokes with me :)

This is off to the side of Hai Van Park. Apparently this is a location that the US landed during the war in the 60s. I knew there was a lot of war history in Danang, but this was one of the first times that a specific location has been pointed out to me.

Classroom Activities

2009-05-25T15:41:00.000+07:00

This week in class I had my young ones review each other. I didn't even give them much direction, I just paired them up and gave them each a different stack of flashcards. They just took it upon themselves to "be teacher" and play review games that I usually play with the whole class. It was so cute to see, because each pair did something totally different! This first video is Giggs (the boy) being the teacher to taylor. He is playing the memory game, as well as asking her, "what is it?" He's adorable, because he also copies my "good job!" and thumbs up when she's correct.

I asked Kate to lead the class in the Rainbow song, because I don't know it--they learned it from their last teacher. She got up and started leading it, then without skipping a beat, started in on Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. So directive!

Sabbath

2009-05-18T09:34:00.000+07:00

Today was a gorgeous day.
I woke up before 9am (which has been a goal of mine for the past few days, but today was the first time I’ve achieved it in awhile), got dressed, brushed my teeth, got on my bike and went to a nice (air-conditioned) café around the corner to use the internet. I sipped on a nice glass of iced tea (which is the equivalent to getting water at a restaurant in the states) and a very refreshing iced coffee, as I sent emails, returned Facebook comments, downloaded the iTunes Free Single of the Week, and had a wonderful iChat with my parents! All before 10:30am…
I finished my beverages and languagelessly interacted with two adorable little kids under the age of 2 who had wandered over to the chair I was sitting in. I paid my bill and got my bike from the attendant outside, and rode a few blocks over to church.
Church was good, hot and crowded, but full of joy and hope as usual. Plus we sang “How Great is Our God” which I love, and I always think of Kaitlyn when I hear it because for the past four years in college she’d always turn to me in chapel or at church when the song would come on and say “I LOVE this song!” It always makes my heart smile.
After church we all went north to Red Beach for a very yummy lunch and relaxing afternoon in the sun (and water). Red Beach is to the north of Da Nang, where the beaches I’ve gone to before have been to the east. It was different! I really liked it.
From church I rode with a fellow teacher, on the back of her motorbike. It was such a nice ride! The road followed along the river for awhile, and then once we rounded the bend it followed the bay line. It was beautiful, breezy, and altogether amazing.
I love being at the beach! The water was so very warm, in an unimaginable kind of way. Really, it was shocking. I waded for awhile in the shallow parts, chatting with a few others, then I ventured out deeper. I got far out, up to my shoulders, and the water was a little cooler, but not at all cold (and I’m not just saying that because I know what the Puget Sound feels like). For at least 30 minutes I just let the waves take me this way and that, gently growing and dying, going in and out, fast and slow. It was incredible to just give up all control and let go of any sort of anticipation or anxiety about what intensity or direction they would decide to move next. It was blissful, overwhelming, and an amazing revelation if you catch my drift—pun intended, without a doubt.
**Since I’ve been in Vietnam I have adopted this practice called the Sabbath…weird I know. But taking Sunday off as a complete and total day of rest, worship, and fellowship has been transforming to my life. Mostly, I think, because it was an intentional decision I made; to dedicate the day to be something different and rejuvenating, not stressful or dutiful, but an act of resting in Him and enjoying all He did in the past week and looking forward to what He will do and how He might use me in the week to come, and preparing for that mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I’ve never really done this in my life before, on purpose anyway, because I always felt I needed to be productive or get something done, or I had procrastinated on an assignment and really didn’t have a choice but to work. I don’t know if it’s the being out of college part, or the being out of American society part, but I feel I have a very new and different perspective on what take priority in my day, my week, my life—to take the time to observe how God is working in my life and how it’s not a matter of me letting Him work, but me letting myself see His work, not only in my life but everywhere.**
My evening concluded with an adventure with a friend from work. She and her two friends came to pick me up on their motorbikes. We took a drive at dusk (twilight, if you will) across the river to drive along the beach and up Monkey Mountain. We stopped a couple times to look down on the water and the city, and then continued on our way to where we eventually parked and walked down a very steep path, past a restaurant on stilts over the water, to the beach, to enjoy the fading daylight, semi-cool water, and indescribable beauty of the view. My friend told me they like to come here because they “find peace” here. Boy, that is an understatement. We may have broken the peace for the others we were sharing the sand with, because as four 20-something girls, we enjoy laughing. Shocking, I know. But it was grand, and we had a blast.
This was a better day than I could’ve asked for. Last night I felt I was going to begin feeling homesick, and I was having a lot of feelings of separation from things at home such as my brother and friends’ graduations, birthdays, and even just this time of year in California and in Washington. Waking up today I was hopeful for things to turn around, but never could I have imagined provision like I was given. How great is our God!

Kisses

2009-05-16T13:11:00.000+07:00

Some days when I enter my classroom I feel very scattered and hectic, never really having a complete grasp on my approaching lesson, and feeling unprepared to handle the unknowns waiting to be discovered upon the entrance of my students…usually the 5 year olds. Last week I had one of those days, but for no identifiable reason. I just felt in a funk, and I couldn’t shake it. Everything the students did seemed obnoxious, out of control, and disruptive. Some of the children are very lovey, to a point at times that I literally have to pry their arms from around my waist or arm just so I can walk. It is adorable, don’t get me wrong, and very flattering, but also not helpful when there are 10 other students getting out of hand because I cannot fully keep order because of my being physically restrained. So this day last week was one of those, “everything that can get out of hand or overwhelming will” kind of days.
Half way through the class, during snack time, I had a chance to regroup and give myself a little pep talk: “Ok Teacher Audrey, these students are 5 and 6 years old. They have a lot of energy. They’ve also been in school all day, so this is the point that they want to play. Cut them some slack. Love them, find joy in their energy, use it to teach them in a fun way. Appreciate their unique and loving ways of expression.”
At that moment, little Emma sprinted at me, almost knocking me over, grabbed my face and started kissing my face over and over again. It was so cute. I couldn’t get out of her grip; her tiny, tiny hands are strong (she is the smallest, most frail and petite student I have, by a long-shot)! Karen saw this and ran over and started kissing me also! It made me laugh really hard, and made my heart smile real big.
As the students left that evening, they each received a sticker from me for having a good day, and they each repaid me with a kiss on the cheek. That had never happened before, and it hasn’t happened since, but it was such an incredible gift and it blessed me more than I ever could have thought. It’s nights like that that I just have to praise Him for His provision and love in even the smallest of crazy/hectic moments.
xoxo

I Choose Love

2009-05-11T09:24:00.000+07:00

Happy Mother's day Mom, and all the other beautiful mothers I know!!!
Happy birthday Blaze!!
=)
My dear friend Kaitlyn shared many words of wisdom with me while we were roommates our sophomore year of college. Some of them were hard to hear, and some of them made me laugh until I cried. But all of them were challenging, inspiring, full of love, and a true blessing. I recently found an amazing poem written by Max Lucado that Kaitlyn shared with me, and that we had posted on the wall of our apartment. It has meant a lot to me since finding it again here in my new location, and I feel inspired and blessed all over again by the truth and passion written here:
I CHOOSE LOVE…
No occasion justifies hatred;
no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love.
Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY…
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical…
the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see
people as anything less than human beings,
created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as
anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE…
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE…
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.
Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll
invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the
wait is too long. I will thank God for a moment
to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new
assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS…
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.
Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to
the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS…
I will go without a dollar
before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked
before I will boast. I will confess before I will
accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS…
Today I will keep my promises.
My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates
will not question my word. My wife will not
question my love. And my children will never fear
that their father will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS…
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle.
If I raise my voice may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer.
If I make a demand may it be only of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF CONTROL…
I am a spiritual being…
After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.
I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal.
I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy.
I will be impassioned only by my faith
I will be influenced only by God.
I will be taught only by Christ.
I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
To these I commit my day.
If I succeed, I will give thanks.
If I fail, I will seek his grace.
And then, when this day is done,
I will place my head on my pillow
and rest.
-Max Lucado

Look to the Sky

2009-05-08T12:22:00.000+07:00

This past week I have become aware of how lost I am, but in the opposite way. I am so wrapped up in myself that I am failing to see the big picture. I am seeing the things and events and people within my own bubble, but nothing else. The simplest thing happened yesterday: I was riding to work on my bike and I looked up at the sky, and I gasped in utter surprise-surprised at the sky! I'm not sure what the initial shock was about, I can only guess that it is that I have physically been keeping to myself as well, not looking away from the path I walk on each day, even for a glance to the sky. The grandness and beauty of the sky grabbed my attention and reminded me that there is a world out there, and it grounded me a little bit, to bring me back to what I felt when I first got here, the feelings and knowledge of His greater purpose and plan for us all. It was a very sobering and humbling experience and I am so glad it happened. Now I just need to make a plan about how to intentionally "keep my eyes on the sky," and not focus on my familiar and routine path here.

My Soul Cries Out

2009-05-05T22:01:00.000+07:00

Do you ever have those days when you just feel completely and utterly blessed to be alive?
Like there is no way your life exists by chance, it is completely on purpose and there is a definite plan for you.....even if it is unclear what that plan is?
I have been feeling like this lately--amazed, blessed, thankful, blind.
But the good kind of blind; the kind that is trusting and not anxious. The kind that knows that 'it's gonna be ok,' even if 'ok' isn't what I might think it should be.
Sometimes this feeling even goes so deep physically that I can't even express it. "My soul cries out," in wonder and appreciation, in awe and worship, in love and adoration. The following song by Hillsong captures this feeling and state of being that I've been feeling. If you haven't heard this song, I suggest you do. Hearing the words and passion of the music is incredible and helps convey connection and longing angst like nothing other than music can.

From the Inside Out
by Hillsong

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
my heart and my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out

Field Trip to Hoian

2009-04-25T13:06:00.001+07:00

Every month, Superkids takes a field trip. Today we went to Hoian, about 30 minutes away from Da Nang. It was great! Only the older students are invited to go, so they handle the activities, walking, and heat with a little more maturity... well, kinda.
It was also fun because at this stage of their English learning, they can communicate in simple conversations, not just vocab and simple sentences. This makes it really fun for me, to get to know them better and see them excited to show off what they know. I met a lot of students today who I do not have in class, so that was fun too.
We walked around Hoian and saw a lot of old sites from when the Chinese were building and starting to do business and life there. Mostly I talked with students and the Superkids staff, and really I had very little idea about what I was seeing and any history behind it...everything was given in Vietnamese! But it was a good experience and I enjoyed it.
After walking around the town we got back on our busses and went across town to the Hoian Orphanage. We got to tour it and meet some of the disabled children that resided there. We then went into a classroom full of children. Our students sang a song in English, then the other kids sang a song in Vietnamese, and back and forth for awhile. It was really fun to watch the kids interact. Then our students handed out gifts they had brought to give to the kids in the orphanage.
After that we headed back to Da Nang and we were back by noon!
It was a seemingly short trip, but with all the activity, sights, and intense heat, it was quite draining. Such a joy though, to see the children in Hoian and from Superkids, to bless each other and enjoy themselves.

Surviving the heat!

2009-04-24T16:00:00.000+07:00

Sorry it's been so long since my last post! I really want to get better at blogging...I never really thought that would be a skill to perfect, but it is! Especially after my recent exposure to my dear friend Blaze's blog, I have learned that I need to step up my game!
I've also realized that if I blog more often, the blogs might be shorter.... :)

So here's a recap of my past few weeks!
Teaching has continued to challenge me everyday. My younger classes seem to be the hardest for me, mostly because kids ages 4-6 are difficult in general, but also because of the more prevalent language barrier, as well as the fact that they've been in Kindergarten all day long, then they come to Superkids to come into my classroom. That's why I need to try to think of fun and engaging activities, that are also time efficient in teaching as much English as possible in the one-hour class. If you have any ideas for activities, PLEASE let me know! Comment on this post, or email me at audgeq@gmail.com. I would seriously appreciate it so much, however many you've got, send them my way if you get a chance! :)
Last week was the hottest it has been since I've been here: 98, 99, 102, 101, 97....ugh. It really was a challenge to have energy, and a lot of people were sick from it. It's something about this humidity, it just feels like you hit a wall. Definitely something to get used to. I have faith though, there are a few tricks to help on these days: A decision to leave the house at least once is a good goal. I know it sounds odd, but that's really just how it is! It's a very good thing that there are carts lining the streets selling fresh fruit, squeezing fresh fruit juices, Sinh To (sin-toe), fresh pressed sugarcane juice, Nuoc Mia, and a new smoothie shop around the corner! These are my objects of exodus on the hot days. Very delicious, and nutritious! Many vitamins.
So in the midst of the heat was this past Sunday, my one day off (I teach 6 nights a week). So after Church on Sunday, Dawn and I went home, changed out clothes, put a leash on Max (her dog), and headed to the beach! We rented beach chairs under an umbrella for 15,000 dong (less than $1 usd), and laid by the ocean for a few hours. As I was laying there, I closed my eyes and realized how universal "the beach" is. Once my eyes were closed, I could've been at Seal Beach with Ashleigh, at Santa Monica with Casey, Long Beach with Laura or Marina beach with Andi. But I was in Vietnam, with Dawn and Max! There are so many things that have made me feel like an outsider in this new country, but the beach helped me remember just how small the world is, and that no matter where I am, I am still under the care and protection of God, on the earth (or the beach) that He has created. What a great feeling!

Anyway, though it was 102 that day, the breeze at the beach was constant, so it was quite bearable. I read a little bit of Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, I drank some iced tea i made at home, I took some pictures, took a nap, and waded in the water a little bit. It was a very great day, and I plan on doing it again this Sunday!
We had a teacher's meeting at school today. It was small, as there are just 6 teachers, and our supervisors. We talked about our challenging moments in teaching, as well as our most rewarding moments. We talked and bounced ideas off of each other, discussed ideas for discipline as well as positive reinforcement. It was very helpful to me, I found a lot of benefit in it! I still have so much to learn about this culture and teaching, and I am very humbled to realize the size of my task. I feel so comforted knowing that I have a strong support system in the teachers and staff here, eager to help me and teach me. I've also been tapping into the resource called Mom. Working with Kindergartners herself, she has given me many great ideas for activities and management. Some things transcend cultures quite flawlessly! One from Mom I especially like, is taking pictures of the kids--we're studying feelings right now in my young classes, so I say things like "Show me sleepy! Show me hungry! Show me excited!" It's just so cute (this is his excited face).

Many of you have asked for my address. Where I'm living actually does not have an address believe it or not. So if you wish to send me anything, be it cards, letters, chocolate, stickers.... :) it can be sent to the school. Here is the mailing address:

Audrey Quealey

c/o Fisher Superkids

99 Nguyen Van Linh

Da Nang, Vietnam

And that's correct, there is no zip code!

In case you're interested in learning more about Superkids, I will include the website below. Volunteers are also welcome to come help out at the school! 1 month, a few months, whatever you like! :)

(Fisher Superkids http://fishersuperkids.com/).

That must be all for now. I hope you're all doing well, I'd love to hear from you as well!

Blessings and ubuntu to you,

Audrey

To the Beach and at the Market

2009-04-08T22:23:00.000+07:00

Yesterday morning I attended a teacher’s conference here in Da Nang, learning about how to use puppets in teaching English. It was pretty interesting, yes basic. It wasn’t too long, and I got some good ideas for some teaching techniques and activities that are effective and fun for young students. Plus there was a great assortment of fresh fruit, and delicious Vietnamese coffee!
I went to the conference with two other teachers from school, Teresa and Keith, and at the conference we met up with some TA’s on staff at school who are also teaching, or studying to teach.

After the conference, I came home and changed out of my skirt, into some shorts, as to prepare for a ride on Keith’s motorbike. We went to eat Pho (fuh) for lunch, and then across the river, to drive to the beach and along the coast. The beach here is along the East Sea, which if you look at a map close up, there is a peninsula jetting out in the north, which is Monkey Mountain. Driving north along the coast, we were heading toward Monkey Mountain and at the base of it there is a very large statue of Buddha facing the water, which was filled with numerous fishing boats at the time we were there. Keith informed me that in a few hours, these fishermen would move to the street we were driving on to sell what they had caught. It smelled very fishy! I hope to go back soon, after the boats are in, to buy some fresh fish.

Today I had a completely different adventure: going to the market. Teresa is the head teacher at the school I work for. She is married to Hai, the director of the school. Hai is the man who I’ve been talking to for the past few months, planning my trip to Vietnam. Hai and Teresa are both very helpful and welcoming, and are doing so much to help me get settled. So today, Teresa took me to the market. This is where Vietnamese life happens. There are booths, carts, tables, mats, and even women just sitting on the floor with their product, hoping to sell. Any type of food you could imagine, as well as anything you might need for cooking, you’ll find at the market (next time I go, I’ll try to take a few pictures—it really is a wonderful sight to see).

So Teresa took me to show me what things were good to buy, helpful to have on hand, where to get one thing over another, and how to ask important questions in Vietnamese, like ‘What is it?’ and ‘How much?’ She also taught me numbers and measurements for quantities and prices. Another important thing Teresa wanted to help me accomplish today, was simply establishing a relationship with the people I bought things from. She said, “Audrey they won’t forget your face, so remember theirs. They will see you and help you. They will remember what you got last time and help you get what you need, and for a good price.” I’m probably one of 3 or 4 white people in my area, and possibly the only one who will be shopping at this market regularly. Teresa explained (in Vietnamese) to each woman we spoke with that I just moved here and that I will be coming by from now on, and also that I don’t know much Vietnamese yet. They were all so welcoming and wonderful! So full of smiles and questions for me. Teresa told me that establishing a relationship with the vendors through these questions and conversations is a very regular part of the market. They want to know you! I love that. The more I learn about this culture, the more I see Ubuntu, and I love it a little bit more.

We left the market with many, many small bags of my purchases (rice, beef, seasoning, lemons, carrots, lettuce, celery, dried mushrooms, garlic, different beans, limes, fish sauce, fruit), and went home on Teresa’s motorbike. It was quite the balancing act. Teresa came home with me, and showed me how to make a meal using a number of things we bought—it was so great! We made soup but putting lettuce into boiling water and adding beef, which we cooked in fish sauce, salt and garlic. It was incredible. We then fried sliced potatoes, garlic, and the rest of the beef, and scrambled a few eggs. We ate the soup, and then put everything else on top of rice. We squeezed about four limes, added sugar, ice cubes and water, and made lemonade. The whole meal was so simple, and SO good! I’m sure I’ll eventually miss some processed and ready-made food; I just can’t imagine when that will be… ☺

More than anything I’ve done in the past few days, I have just appreciated the basic interactions I have had with people. Keith yesterday, Teresa today…amazing. On Sunday I spent the day with three people, just talking, eating lunch, shopping, drinking coffee, cooking & eating dinner and playing Rummikub. People here take time to rest and be together. There is no urgent need to “get things done” and overwork themselves. Family is valued, and time spent together is precious. I truly believe these to be true and it is encouraging to see it cherished in this culture. Hopefully you all are enjoying your lives this week and have the opportunity to appreciate the people in your lives, and can spend time with them for more than a 20 minute meal.
Ubuntu!

P.S. A weird, yellow, jumping worm/grub looking thing just jumped at me…I’m sitting at the kitchen table, so I’m guessing it came from a plate of fruit sitting by me. It just now jumped again, onto my computer screen!

….squish…

I made it

2009-04-03T23:19:00.000+07:00

Ciao from Vietnam!

It's been a long journey this past month, but I made it. I am thankful for the time I got to spend at home with my parents and grandparents, my brother, my cousins, aunts and uncles, and my amazing friends. I also got to spend a few days with my brother and his friends in Vegas, Arizona (Dodgers vs. Mariners!), and LA, just relaxing and having a good time. I couldn't have asked for a better last month in the US. My friends and roommates are amazing, and sent me off with a great farewell party full of love and encouragement :) My parents flew down for my last day and took me to the airport. It was a tearful goodbye, followed by a few tearful final phone conversations with my brother and roommate...but good tears! It's all a part of change and growth and love.

So I arrived here almost a week ago, after about 30 hours of traveling from Los Angeles. The flight was pretty uneventful. I watched a few good movies (including High School Musical 3), listened to some great airplane CDs (including the Across the Universe soundtrack and Britney Spears, Circus) and took multiple awkward naps! Jealous? :)

Once I stepped off the plane into the accordian tunnel thing, I was struck with the hot, thick, moist air of Vietnam. It was shocking. I never imagined air could feel so....heavy. Pretty gross. It really hasn't changed much either--I might be getting used to it a tiny bit, but that doesn't make it any more comfortable! :) It isn't ruining anything though, Vietnam is absolutely incredible. When I arrived, I was taken to the school I will be teaching. I got to meet the super nice staff and have a tour of the school. At this point I was pretty much in a daze from all the traveling and then taking in a new country, but it was all still very exciting! They took me to get a Vietnamese SIM card for my phone so we could be in contact with one another, and then they took me home, where I met my housemate, Dawn, and two of her friends. I literally set down my bags and left with them to eat dinner down the road. I met a lot of people and saw a lot of places and things my first day in Vietnam, and by the time I got into bed at 10pm that evening, I was ready for sleep. I have been sleeping 8-9 uninterrupted hours a night ever since, and I thank exhaustion for that.

My second day here, my boss hosted a welcome dinner for me at his home. A girl from work picked me up on her motorbike to take me to the dinner. EVERYONE drives a motorbike here. Cars are few and far between...motorbikes and bicycles occupy the majority of the streets. So it was quite a thill riding on the back of a motorbike! In the hot weather, the breeze feels very good on a motorbike.

The welcome dinner was really great--I got to meet most of the teachers and some of the staff I'll be working with, as well as some of the children of the teachers and staff. We had a great game of darts after dinner--to my surprise, I was the top scorer!

Monday and Tuesday of this week I learned about my classes, the curriculum, and the school, and I also got to observe a few classes. For each class, I have a TA. The TA has been with the class since it started, so since I am coming in the middle of the courses, my TAs (all four of them, one for each class) met with me to tell me about the class and each individual student. That was so helpful and definitely helped me prepare for my first day of teaching. Wednesday I taught my first two classes, and Thursday I taught my second two; each class alternates every-other-day. M,W,F, and T, Th, Sat...6 days a week! It's nice though, because classes are in the evening, so I have the days to explore and hang out, though right now I mostly spend them lesson planning. Soon, I will get the hang of it and it won't take me so long...I hope!

The Father has been teaching me a lot about relying on Him and communicating with Him. I feel the need to be in communication with Him and reading about Him multiple times a day and it has been so enriching to have that be my number one priority all day every day. Every day that my relationship with Him grows, I am in awe of how deep His love is and how intense His longing to be a part of my life is. He is an amazing comfort and source of hope and provision. He teaches me more and more everyday!

I am learning a lot about being intentional, in all that I say and think and do. I am also learning about using my body language and facial expressions positively, as those do not need translation and is the only thing being communicated to people with whom I cannot verbally communicate. It is amazing how aware I have become of the way I look at and respond to my students--I want to make sure they understand I am proud of them and affirming them, even if they don't understand my words. I am trying to show love in every way I can!

I am also gaining awareness of the impact my actions and words have on others-not because I am great, awesome and important, but because I have the opportunity to help and bless others through serving and edifying them. Living together in community is what we were created to do. I can't imagine living each day for myself and my own forward movement--it would be lonely and unfulfilling. I need others, and I need to be a part of something greater than myself.

.ubuntu.

"One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu - the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can't exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can't be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality - Ubuntu - you are known for your generosity.

We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity."
-Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 2008

Vietnam!

2009-03-01T15:48:00.000+07:00

Some of you may know that a few months ago I made the decision to teach English in Vietnam, starting this summer, for a duration of two years--If you didn't know that, now you do!
A few days ago, the man I will be working for in Vietnam emailed me and the other teachers who will be heading over there in a few months, sharing with us his sudden and unexpected need for two teachers to come in April. Apparently two of his current teachers have to leave due to personal issues. Upon hearing this request, my first thought was "I could go."
I wasn't immediately sure of it, and I wasn't exactly taking the option too seriously. I mean, moving to another country in four weeks? That doesn't seem realistic AT ALL.
But...
I am not in school. I am working at a restaurant, which I am not too attached to. I don't have any responsibilities forcing me to stay in the US. I am ABLE to pick up and go.
With these facts came the other perspectives:
-There are so many people I want to see and spend time with
-I haven't started fundraising yet
-I don't know enough about the culture and place of Vietnam yet
-I haven't been certified to teach there yet
-I haven't applied for my Visa yet

So I was at a point that either way, I felt one decision or the other were both justified, and I couldn't pick either way. After I resolved that it would be too much of a hassle to leave in four weeks, my wise and insightful roommate said to me
"I'm not trying to make you feel bad or change your mind, I just want you to think about this:
"Another disciple said to him, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father.' But Jesus told him, 'Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.'"
--Matthew 8:21-22
Just think about it Aud..."

Oh Ashleigh...

So I though about it, and I realized that the things I thought I needed to do, I really didn't. With perspective, my agenda is meaningless unless it consists of blindly following Jesus wherever he wants me to go. My "earthly" plans or errands are meaningless in comparison to the ultimate Plan and lifestyle of being a follower of Jesus at all costs and extremes.

So after my discussion with Ashleigh I spent the rest of the night in prayer, really listening for God. Looking into my heart and weeding through my insecurities, doubts and fears, I heard God tell me "You are able. You can do this." It wasn't what I thought I would hear, but once I heard it I believed it. God worked on me the whole next day, and spoke to me through a few other close friends, as well as more prayer. After 4 days, a few emails, constant prayers, and many amazing friends and family members praying for this decision and God's will, I have decided to leave for Vietnam in four weeks!

I emailed my "boss" in Vietnam and asked him logistical questions about coming, which I mentioned before (certificates, housing & such). He emailed back stating that all of that could be taken care of quickly and even finished while I am in Vietnam. So that's no worry.

So now, I am planning out the month of March...my last month in the US for at least two and a half years! I need to tie up many things such as bills, loan consolidation, cell phone, etc. I need to plan a trip home to Seattle to say goodbye to my family and friends there. I need to quit the job I've had for only five weeks. I need to move out of my apartment and sell my belongings. I need to raise funds to get myself to Vietnam--something I thought I would have at least four MONTHS to do, not WEEKS!

As a Christian, my ultimate goal is to live out love and share the hope of my faith and Savior. In order to do this, I must constantly strive to be in communion and close relationship with God. Listening to Him is the start of knowing how to follow. I don't know what else God has in store for me, but all I can do right now is listen, trust and follow.

"So Abram left, as the Lord had told him."
Genesis 12:4

A new beginning

2009-02-25T16:01:00.000+07:00

.ubuntu.

Welcome to my life! Not sure what's going on? Neither am I.
I just graduated from Azusa Pacific University with my BA in English Literature. Now...well, now I am adjusting. I am adjusting to life as it is, rather than what I thought it was while held captive (by my own will) in the "APU bubble," as it has been called.

Life in college was great--I learned a lot and laughed a lot, and I plan to continue doing both of those, as long as God keeps me here on this earth. But the thing about college life that still has my mind spinning, is the multiple dimensions it pulled me through. In one respect, I despise the culture of APU life because of the inward focus and self-elevation I witnessed and endured, "all in the name of God." At the same time, I never experienced a closer community and sense of family, than that which I felt by the people who came into my life during my time at APU.

Another dimension of the college life that still gives me whiplash, is the awareness factor. I feel that my first two years at APU and my last year and a half represent the two groups of people on the APU campus: 1) socially (in the larger sense) unaware and ignorant to the reality of what actually happens in our world, and 2) budding awareness and eagar participation in the discovery and action toward social issues, justice and truth. Both have positives and negatives, and without going through the first, the second would have been meaningless.

Being white, a US citizen born in 1986, and a woman, there are certain experiences I will never go through, and can never completely identify with. After spending 4 months in South Africa (actually after just the first few weeks there), I hated the fact that I was white. It took awhile to reconcile that, and realize that God made me who I am and loves me the way He made me, and if our world, our deluded world and culture has placed some obscure priviledge on having "white" skin, then how am I going to use that "priviledge" for Good? Even in saying that I feel elitest and crazy, but I am humbled by an almighty, gracious, omnicient, loving God who is the creater of all things and Savior of all people. I am nothing, and He is everything.

This marks the beginning of my journey, of life--post school, post childhood...entering humility and servanthood. Here I go--ready to endure whatever it is I have coming, but never ready to settle and be comfortable.

.ubuntu.
A person is a person through others.

"A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed."

--Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 1999