Same Same, but Different

Wild Love

ouboomertx — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:32:00 GMT

Ben's last thoughts. So why help send someone half way around the world to dig trenches, deliver gifts and food, and meet and love on people? Why not just send money, or stay at home and do those things here? Well, I think it has something to do with the essence of who God is and what His love is all about. There is a Bob Dylan song that says it in a way that breaks my heart and causes me to cry every single time I hear it (this can be frustrating sometimes). The lyrics go something like this "...I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue. I'd go crawlin' down the avenue. There is nothin' that I wouldn't do, to make you feel my love."

I think people need to know that they are valued enough that someone would go to the ends of the earth for them. That someone sees them as so valuable that they would be willing to sacrifice at great lengths to be a vessel that knows God's love for them and wants to pour it out on them in some tangible way. I believe that this kind of personal touch is the only thing that saved and changed my life. Those who saw my value and the love God had for me and did whatever it took, both small and large, to personally express that love. I have been so moved and changed by these "acts" of love that I am often consumed with wanting others to know that same wild love of God that Dylan sings of. Maybe it is just God singing to me the lines "There is nothin' that I wouldn't do, to make you feel my love" and "you ain't seen nothin' like me yet". That kind of love is the reason to go and the reason to send, it is the reason to sacrifice and the reason to receive, it is the only reason I have found to live.

thank you all so much for loving with wild abandon

Ben

Parting is such sweet sorrow

ouboomertx — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:19:00 GMT

Ah, I have just finished reading Myrna, Howard, Dan, Danny and Heidi's final blog posts. It is wonderful to hear how everyone is processing such an intense, special, amazing trip. I echo in my own heart so much of what each of them said. So "ditto" to those posts!

For myself, I bounce from feeling overwhelmed by the amount of experiences and feelings I had to being able to really zero in on specific moments and just revel in those memories. I am still so overwhelmingly grateful that Ben and I were able to go on the trip in the first place, for a long time that just didn't seem like it was going to be possible. Our hearts were willing but there seemed to be many other things in the way. That God can and will find a way is something I am still learning to trust in. So I am grateful and humbled by merely being present for all of the things we were able to participate in.

The events that stick out in my memory are the rice delivery day and all that entailed, from getting up early and worrying about breakfast, to being delayed waiting for supplies (and Dan riding the Ox cart), to seeing the people who had been waiting and just having this most amazing experience of non-verbal communication with them and hoping and praying that God was showing them in some way the love that was on my heart. The little boy I held at the Orphanage with the genetic disease that caused his head to swell (fluid on the brain) just broke my heart. I just wanted him to feel special and loved and part of all that was going on while we were there. I kept praying God would put in his heart that he was LOVED and MEANT TO BE and I also kept thinking God must have a special place for him in the Kingdom as he is likely to be called there sooner than later. I also really loved just sitting and talking with Myrna and Heidi while we were having lunch (just the ladies) on the day all the men were doing Mrs. An's construction project. Hearing where Heidi's heart is and being able to listen and then share what I believe God was speaking through me was wonderful.

There are so many more experiences I could name. I suppose just the overall feeling of knowing that it was not ME doing anything, but must be God and that all the things that worked out or encounters we were a part of were part of a great plan that I do not know the true scope of was so very, very powerful. I also enjoyed immensely sharing all of this with the rest of the team, you are each wonderful and I love you all!!! As well as our Vietnamese friends (all new friends for me!)

As we continue our journey back here in Portland I think it would do me a lot of good to continue to reflect on these realizations, especially those that remind me God is big enough, capable enough and loves each of us (even me) enough to order and take care of us all.

Thanks to everyone who prayed, helped, supported, read, listened, loved, etc. this trip or anyone on it and anyone in Vietnam. You are wonderful!

Anicka

One of the elderly ladies from the Humong Tribe

ouboomertx — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:56:00 GMT

An adorable little boy from the village...

ouboomertx — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:55:00 GMT

Until next time....

ouboomertx — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:27:00 GMT

Heidi here. Trying to wrap up my thoughts on the trip to Vietnam is like trying to eat a Chipotle burrito in one bite....too much to chew on! The trip was a blessing in so many ways. I think God knew just what he was doing when he made a way for me to go. I needed fresh perspective....to see grace actively working in another part of the world, and to temporarily forget my own struggles while embracing those of someone else.

The orphanage remains one of my top experiences of the trip. I was expecting something different...and was pleasantly surprised. I loved seeing the joy of the workers as they held the babies. I stared and just treasured watching one of the workers make this 4 month old baby laugh...the belly laugh that makes all mother-hearts crinkle up with joy. No, I'm sure the babies aren't held enough..there are not enough arms to do that. But, I could tell that they did the best they could with what they had. Sometimes that's all you can do. Just give what you have and God will take care of the rest.

As I passed out clothes to the workers for the kids, they were laughing and talking and throwing the outfits to the babies they thought would sport them perfectly. They started changing their outfits on the spot and holding up the babies in their cute outfits. It was so awesome to be able to bless them with diapers, formula, and other fun things and to see them excited about it. (A huge shout out to everyone who helped support the orphanage project. I simply could not have done it without you! )All of us wanted to stay longer but we knew we had to leave. I felt like I could have stayed for at least 3 more years.

For me personally, it was just confirmation that there are so many babies out there needing loving homes. Danny and I have been considering adoption, so this took on a whole new meaning for me. If I could have taken some home, I'm sure I would have. There was room in my heart for them all. I was praying that they would find good, cozy homes with loving families. In my heart, I love to think about how God is working in their lives. I like to think that even if things in my world are hard, He is actively in pursuit of wooing their hearts and meeting their needs.

I'm so grateful that I was able to go on this trip. I can't say thank you enough to those who helped get us there. The trip back was long, and we came back to some slight chaos with my sister going into labor and Danny having a bloodclot from the long flight! Thankfully, he is okay and I now have a gorgeous nephew to dote on...praise God that I got to be here for his birth!

Well, like I said...there is no way to wrap this burrito up neatly. So much in my heart is spilling out- I don't know how to put it in words. One of the best parts of the trip was being with the team. Dan- he is so stinking fun to be around. His heart is huge and he has such a kind temperment. Ben and Anicka were my sandwich people- they walked me across the street numerous times in the crazy Saigon traffic as well as just being great, deep conversationalists. Howard and Myrna are my dear friends and two people I would travel anywhere with for any length of time. And then there's Danny- I'm a lucky woman to have a super hardworking husband who is willing to travel to Asia with me and loves the people of Vietnam like I do. Thanks to all of you out there who followed our blog and prayed for us along the way. Until next time...and I do pray there will be a future Vietnam trip...may God enliven your heart with his goodness and bless you for the role you played in this trip!

-Heidi

Family of God

ouboomertx — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:46:00 GMT

Danny C.'s final words on Vietnam 2010...As the saying goes- Same Same but Different- this is how I would describe my second trip to Vietnam. Yes, we did many of the same kinds of ministry as my first trip, but the impact upon myself and the people of Vietnam was very unique. We visited an orphanage, spent some time with the Grace House children, labored through a construction project, distributed some rice in a tribal village, engulfed ourselves in the Vietnamese culture, and God was God.

Through your faithful support God provided a way for Heidi and I to serve the people of Vietnam. His provision continued as we traveled throughout the country; affording us the opportunity to pour out His love and compassion on His people. I witnessed many outpourings of His love from our team, many of which I will never forget. One that really sticks out in my mind was watching Ben and Anicka hold the two children in the orphanage whose heads were too heavy for them to lift on their own. These children were suffering from "water on the brain" (there is a technical word for it but not wanting to butcher it). To see the smile on one of the kids face was priceless, as he was being held- lovingly cared for. I also remember watching my wife as she passed out clothes to the workers of the orphanage, for the children. Heidi is such a giver and to see the joy mixed with sadness on her face is one I will not forget. She had the opportunity to pray over those children (thanks Howard) and it truly was a sweet moment. I am always astonished to watch Howard affirm and encourage others in there giftings, bringing out the the best in all of us. He has a way of opening the door to new challenges and I love that about him. To see Dan experiencing Vietnam for the first time was like watching a kid in a candy store. What a pleasure it was to minister and serve alongside him- Dan always has a simile on his face even in times of discomfort. Much like Heidi, Myrna is quite the giver and its amazing to watch her go. She is so aware of the details and she fills in the gaps that many of us would never notice. She has a knack for treasuring those she comes in contact with and pours into their lives in meaningful words and deeds. I know that what she does comes from a heart of love and compassion and her actions are challenging to me.

Once again thanks to everyone who supported us through prayers and those who financially made it possible to serve the church in Vietnam. I am continually reminded that the church body is not just the folks we bump into on Sunday mornings, but those we rub shoulders with both locally and globally. I was fortunate enough to expand the boundaries of my family-the Body of Christ- during this trip and I encourage you to look for an opportunity to serve your local church body and the church body globally- your life will be forever changed!

Looking Back

ouboomertx — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:15:00 GMT

Dear Friends:

I am thinking about Anna's parting words today. "Thanks again so much for coming! this was a work of great worth. You have made many families happy, families who have dreamed of such doings and who have prayed for many years for this to happen!"

You have to know something about Anna to appreciate the significance of her words. Years ago, when we first began this work, she and the AG church dismissed it. They actually scoffed that such time and money would be put into any kind of work other then evangelism. They just didn't see the value. It was only after they saw the results of our working alongside the Vietnamese, sweating and digging in the sewers, eating with them and doing our best to listen to their personal struggles, that they realized the sincerity of our hearts. They also acknowledged that our willingness to share their burdens and lift them up through prayer and practical application of sacrificial love, created a revitalization of their faith. Those we worked with gained fresh hope for their future, a deeper understanding of God's faithfulness and love for them, and discovered they were not alone but had a family of friends praying for them overseas. It made their faith come alive and it connected them to fellow believers, both there and here. They also found out that needing help was nothing to be ashamed of. It's a credit to Satan that he uses shame so effectively in the lives of believers everywhere to impose feelings of condemnation, hopelessness, powerlessness and remorse.

Today, as we gathered to bless Anna financially for all her hard work, and to speak words of affirmation, comfort and encouragement over her, we ourselves were encouraged to believe that the work we do here is indeed significant. I too then remind you that the Father says, true religion is to care for widows and orphans. It is to lift the burden of the oppressed and the poor and to seek justice [equity for all mankind], to give mercy and acts of kindness and to walk humbly, hand in hand with the Lord and His purposes. Again, I have to thank you because the work we are privileged to participate in remains possible only because of the generosity of spirit you express.

When the trip is over I thank God that He compels me to go places I would not choose myself. The work in Vietnam is not easy. I am not drawn to it naturally. But, to truly become ambassadors of Christ we know we have to rub shoulders with those who rub back and we cannot turn from adversity no matter what shape it takes. I know this, we don't go to feel good about ourselves. We go to serve the body of Christ. We weep with them and work alongside them. And, when we meet walls of exhaustion like all of us did several times this trip, we persevere through it in hopes that the small things we do will have a rippling effect on the family.

As we left, for the first time I could relax, breathe a sigh of relief and let my guard down. I didn't have to worry about being picked up by the police or arrested. And, the people we worked with could relax as well, all for the same reasons. [After returning, I did however receive an urgent email from Anna wanting to tell me the story of how the police came to get me in Saigon when we were up in Hanoi...another story in itself].

I can say that the person who had the deepest impact on me this trip was Mrs. An. When we finished putting in her sewer and laying the cement floor at her site she was so overwhelmed with gratefulness that she began proclaiming prayers of blessing over all of us. Then she was simply so overcome with gratitude that she began to weep. As she did she reached out and softly grabbed the soft flesh of my underarm and began to stroke it like you would a babies. Then suddenly, unable to hold it back any more she buried her head in my shoulder and began to sob uncontrollably. My heart just wanted to console her but I knew my words meant nothing. I could tell that her tears were touching the hearts of every man on the work crew, and although I could not see them standing behind me, I was sure their hearts were being poured out on her as well.

So, thanks again for making this trip possible. We are so grateful for your kindness and generosity. There are so many places to give and we feel privileged that you partner with us. We are headed to Honduras in August to assist Stephen Evans and LOLI Ministries in their outreach there. If anyone wants to help us get there, as always, it will be greatly appreciated.

Howard

Dan's trip summary

ouboomertx — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 03:37:00 GMT

Wow! What a great experience! I am unable to put into words the blessing it was for me to witness first hand the things God did for us on this trip. Looking back over the last two weeks, I will never forget the faces, places, circumstances, and how God showed up in every detail, every plan, every distraction, every minute of every day of our little trip.

Each project had it's challenges, then the blessing of seeing the faces light up. Even in what seemed to be our smallest efforts, we got back such thankfulness. It was amazing to see how God had prepared the way before us.

I learned more about trusting God. I got to know more about my precious friends. I met some dedicated missionaries working as hard as they can to forward the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thank you Lord, for this wonderful experience!

Myrna's Overall Experience

ouboomertx — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:03:00 GMT

After close to 24 hours and 3 different flights, Howard and I (Myrna), Danny and Heidi and Dan arrived home safely around 5:30am. Ben and Anicka should be in the air as I write.

This was my third trip to Vietnam and each time I've been amazed at the increased sense of freedom among the local people of Saigon. There are no longer police stationed at our hotel watching our every move and we are pretty free to travel as a group wherever we go. (In the past, we went two by two to visit our friends or to work on projects, so we wouldn't draw attention and cause problems for those we were helping.) We are still careful not to endanger any of our contacts by drawing attention to what we are doing, but there is a remarked difference since President Bush visited in 2007 (I believe)

The city has become increasingly modernized as well and we are now seeing as many "Highland Cafe" coffee shops as we have Starbucks in America. I kind of miss my 'cafe den' dripping like black sludge into my glass coffee mug filling it about a third of the way. I did have the sludge experience several times, but I was pretty excited when I could treat myself to Hazelnut Cafe Freezes.

It seemed a little harder to find those amazingly good buys at the Ben Thanh market. Increased tourism, I assume, (lots of Australians, Europeans and young people) has driven up the prices. The An An hotel has also risen in price from around 22.00 a night on my first trip to a whopping 40.00 this time. Ah, but the upgrades.

This trip had two focuses for me. Our outreach to the poor and our outreach to one another. I see how our love for one another is just as impacting as our ability to give assistance or things. It is not hard for me to love our team. They each have a special place in my heart and they each have such an amazing witness.

My prayer throughout our trip was that each person we came in contact with or physically touched would be set aside as God's own. That He would mark them and woo them and call them. I prayed that they would hear his voice in the wind and sense His presence and greatness and would be curiously and peacefully drawn into fellowship with their maker.

I always go away thinking, 'Next time, I'll be sure to . . .' It is so hard to anticipate all the various opportunities that may present while we are visiting Viet Nam.

Oh, if I would have thought to bring 'more' candy to the elderly and handicapped. ( I know now that is something they enjoy) Or, if we had known we would be delayed arriving at the rice distribution, we could have brought treats to pass out while they waited. Or if we would have known what that whole event was to look like, we could have had toys for the children etc. etc. etc.

In the end, I am learning that my Father is surely big enough to make up for my lack. My part is just that. Whatever way I can think of to love and show compassion and lovingkindness is pleasing to Him. He is the one who supplies all our needs. All of mine and all of theirs. He is far more creative and reliable than I am to know what that looks like for each individual. I have to say I am grateful for having any part at all in sharing his heart. I felt unbelievably privileged to hold the children at the orphanage and to greet the elderly and handicapped and to interact with the poor village people in The Highlands and to make life easier for an impoverished family and to bring provisions to a small church group in the mountains and to visit the Grace House children and party with them at KFC. Etc. Etc. I love my God, because he so eloquently loves me. Myrna

The eagle's call.

ouboomertx — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:05:00 GMT

It's about to rain and everyone on Bui Vien street is scurrying around trying to take shelter. We're down to our final 150,000 VND (around $8 USD) to get the taxi to the airport and it sort of feels like it's time to go. Thanks for sharing a great experience with us. Please be praying that we get on the plane safely.

This may be more for the team than anyone else, BUT... Ben and I went and had a massage this morning down the street from our hotel. The tiny Vietnamese woman worked Ben over like a greco-roman wrestler. I was next to him and there was a fair amount of grunting and other noises, especially when she was standing on his back and pulling both his arms back! He says he feels great now though so it was well worth the $15 USD each (including tip). My experience was good but not quite so primeval! I guess they take it a little easier on the ladies?! By the way, while we were sitting and enjoying the foot massage/reflexology portion, can you guess what music was playing??? It was the "La Cucharacha" and "Obladi" mix with the eagle's call from the original 2 day van trip! It made us laugh and we thought we had to share with you (esp. Danny & Heidi). Hope you all arrive safe in TX. Lots of love!!! Can't wait to tell you about yesterday's interesting developments.

Anicka and Ben

We need a bigger bus.

ouboomertx — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:11:00 GMT

Ben and Anicka here. Our experience in Hanoi was a little different from the others'. We opted to forgo the tour to Halong Bay and spent the day wandering the streets, shops and market in the old town. The next day the team visited Hoa Lo Prison (aka: the Hanoi Hilton) where pilots shot down during the American War (as they call it here) were taken. The propaganda made it seem as if these prisoners of war were on some kind of slightly inconvenient vacation in Hanoi. Personally (Ben) I found myself feeling very upset and the whole experience in Hanoi felt very oppressive, nothing like our experience in Saigon. I was glad to be back last night to celebrate my birthday with friends at a grill-your-own-meat outdoor restaurant. I (Anicka) definitely felt as though people were not nearly as open and friendly in Hanoi as they have been elsewhere (in the South) on our trip. I was most surprised to be essentially ignored as we walked through the main market. Sure, the people trying to get your attention to sell you something: clothes/taxi/watch/fan/etc. can be a bit tiresome in Saigon, but it is mostly friendly and welcoming. It seemed to also be a point in the trip where I felt more like a traveling tourist and less connected through relationships. Both Ben and I prefer to be engaged relationally with a place and to be doing something for others. It was great to all spend the evening at the BBQ Garden enjoying our food, companionship and stories to celebrate Ben's birthday. Hard to believe the trip is nearly over.

We've put the rest of the team on the taxi to the airport where they await 3 plane changes and a 18+ hour trip. In fact, they aren't even airborne yet, despite the fact that they left 2 1/2 hours ago, ah the joys of international air travel.

The bigger bus reference is to the fact that the 7 of us have regularly squeezed into SMALL SUV-type taxi vehicles on this trip. 3 in the "cargo area seat", 3 in the middle, and usually Dan in the front. However on the last few taxi trips we've taken together the decision has been unanimous, "We need a bigger bus". Perhaps it's just travel fatigue or selfish desire for more leg room, but it has been more comfortable. Thank you everyone who has been supportive in any way. We look forward to the continuation of what was started here. We fly out of Saigon tomorrow evening, back to Portland and ??? Your thoughts, prayers, and assistance have been invaluable and we are very grateful! We hope to post more detailed stories about our last couple of weeks as we get more time in front of the computer. Also we may be uploading more pictures, video and travel tips/suggestions etc. So keep on checking if you're interested.

Anicka & Ben

Foundational Truths

ouboomertx — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:04:00 GMT

Danny checking in once again...we wrapped up our contribution to the construction project a couple of days ago now and I think my body has finally recovered. Our original plan before leaving the states was to build a new roof for a very poor family but due to unseen circumstances we shifted gears. As I mentioned in my earlier blog we were now going to level a floor and lay tile for this same familly. By the way, the roof was completed about a week before our arrival...the rain storms pushed their hand and they acted quickly. Thank the Lord we had already sent the money for the project.

The "Ung" family lives on a piece of land that lies on what used to be a river, but now has been filled in and a community now resides there. Just out back of their dwelling is a river of sorts, consisting of trash and anything else that we would typically discard in a normal day. Yes this includes their waste which is being funneled into this "river". I was taught that Manhatten Island was built on a land fill, and if you can imagine that this community of people live on a similar land fill without the comforts of our American existence. As you could possibly imagine this is a real problem area in times of storm. Vietnam has a true rainy season unlike the drought conditions we typically live in back home in Texas. When the rains comes this river will rise and with it comes all kinds of muck and grime of days and years past.

Here lies the importance of a firm and level foundation in which to bulid a safe place for this family. Ben and I worked very hard digging the trenches for the piping of this sewage and flood protection system. In all we dug approx. 50 feet of trench to a depth of 2-2 1/2 feet. The only speed we know to work is putting the pedal to the metal and that is what we did for 2 days. The work was very physically demanding but in the end also very rewarding. To see the look on the faces of the family that we served was priceless and worth every gallon of sweat.

God enlightened me to the importance of having a solid foundation as I looked upon the work that was being done. It is on this foundation that can be built a place of safety (refuge) in times of storm. For this family and you and I, this is a foundational truth in which to take act. Without God we do not have a firm place to stand when we are facing the raging rivers and the storms of our life. I must go...we are checking out of our hotel in Ha Noi...Blessing!

What is the greatest?

ouboomertx — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:45:00 GMT

Often, the work which is the hardest is the most rewarding!

Today we are at the domestic airport, headed for Ha Noi. I feel like I have a hangover! When I think about the sweat drenching, physically exhausting work we did yesterday, I want to know that it was worth the effort. Ms. Ungh [I'm certainly not sure about the spelling] broke down and wept before we left her home. She was so greatful. After praying for 13 years out of desperation, knowing she was stuck in poverty and could not get out by herself, she finally had a home which did not flood during the monsoon rains, backing raw sewage up into her home. She actually had a toilet of her own.

Jesus said, "What is greater, the gift that is on the alter or the alter that sanctifies the gift?" I am greatful that Jesus takes all we [meaning you and us] offer and sets it apart for his work. As we offer what you gave and what we give to him, he always multiplies it in ways that still truely amaze me.

Thank you for helping to transform lives. Ms. Ungh said she will never forget us. She will always pray for us. Her life will never be the same. Luu, our contact here says she is already witnessing to her neighbors about her Christian family from America who came here to help her. They say, 'is this true. Can these people really be so kind?'

Howard

Off to Hanoi

ouboomertx — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 11:37:00 GMT

Heidi here! We are sitting at the airport waiting for our flight to the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi. We are excited to get the "northern" experience- supposedly it's different, and so this will be a new adventure for us all. The trip has flown by- I can't believe that we only have a few days left until we leave for home. We had dinner last night with Anna, our contact and her family. They were so gracious to cook for us! Everything was delicious and I just felt like such an honored guest. We got lost on the way to her building, and so we were late to the dinner. They had been waiting for us for almost an hour by the time we arrived. The kindness on their faces and hospitality just really blessed me. I have to admit that my mind is elsewhere these days..because my sister is about to have her first baby. She is due any day now and I am waiting to hear news that my new nephew is born...but not yet! I selfishly hope he will wait until I return, but I don't want her to be miserable either. Well, off to Hanoi we go! We will have more updates and pictures to come. Thanks for following our adventures....

Wonderful Birthday!

ouboomertx — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:35:00 GMT

Thank you to my dear friends and team members for a wonderful birthday! While the rest of the team spent July 9, 2010 doing difficult work in diffecult circumstances, I had the honor of spending the day with two of the most delightful women I have ever met. Heidi and Anicka escorted me on a tour of the Mekong Delta.

I honestly felt a little guilty that their husbands were doing dirty nasty work in a place much less pleasant than where we were and I was on this cool tour with their wives. Whenever I said anything like this to the girls they just laughed and reminded me that it was my birthday. How nice!

Once we finished the tour, we joined the others back at the hotel and soon left for dinner together. We went to this outdoor restaraunt where we cooked on the cooking table, told stories from the day, and had a great time. After dinner we went back to thehotel and the team had a birthday party for me. It was great!

For me, this trip is about many things. Not the least of which is following God's clear small voice from deep within and in obedience going and doing what He tells me to do, with no worries of "the plan" or "the big picture" or how things would look once I got where He was leading me. There is complete liberty in that. There is freedom from former bondage in that. There is fullness of joy in that. There is also rest in that. How wonderful that rest is, and how sweet it is to get it from a completely unexpected source on your birthday!

Thank you Lord, for finding a way to express your unconditional love for me in a way that is new and so completely refreshing! Thank you for the work you are doing in this place across the world from where we live, for the deepening of old friendships, and the start of new ones.

You are my Jehovah Nissi! You rein in victory!

Daniel

But for the Grace of God...

ouboomertx — Fri, 9 Jul 2010 20:10:00 GMT

Today I (Howard) traveled with Joshua, Thuy's Biblical name. Thuy is an outstanding evangelist and church planter. He has four cell [home]fellowships that he is presently pastoring. Whenever I come to Vietnam I go with him to the outlying countryside to visit the people who have come to the Lord through our ministry together. I wish I had the time or space to tell you about some of the miraculous salvations that have taken place in the past in areas where I served during the War.

The first fellowship was one he is now presently visiting once a month. It is made up of people who are physically handicapped. We stopped on the way [on motorbike] to pick up some basic supplies like salt, sugar, laundry soap, rice...things we take for granted are always available, but arein extemely short supply for the family we were visiting.

After an hour on the bike we arrived at a small hut about 50 yds off one of the tributaries running into the Saigon River. I gingerly stepped through the mud and rubble and trash that surrounded the first building [if you can call it that] and followed Thuy to the back where an even smaller hut lay perched on top of a swamp. The overhanging bamboo hid most of the surrounding but the putrid, stagnant water was clearly visible and smellable. I could see an older man sitting on the dirt floor, one leg missing. This was the man Thuy had brought me to meet, a ARVN soldier who had lost in leg in 1974 in the fierce fighting surrounding the Hoc Mon District...old stomping grounds for me.

Thuy had communicated to me that we might be able to help this man get a prothestic leg but he didn't want one. What he really wanted was a hand pump driven bicycle. He was presently borrowing one from a neighbor in order to wheel his way into Saigon on Sunday's in order to attend a worship service at Joshua's home fellowship. The interesting thing was we had committed $100 toward the needs of Joshua's fellowships and it was the exact cost of the bicycle. This man, Ngun, had been diligently praying the miraculous provision of a bicyle for the last 6 months and God was now using you to answer this man's prayer.

I wish I had the time to tell you about the amazing renovation that has taken place at the home church in Cu Chi we visited, or the new church that had been planted in the middle of a Buddhist cemetery. Two years ago we replaced the dirt floor that served as both the kitchen and sleeping area for Christians who traveled to Cu Chi for services. Today it looks like a, modern kitchen and it has provided the means of starting a baking business for the woman who was hosting the fellowship.At the new felloship we buried Scripture in the ground and prayed for the area to be returned to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In the past, wherever I had planted Scripture and prayed, a family has come to the Lord. I am expecting even greater things to happen here.

By the time I got back into the city, a horrendous environmental cacophany assaulting your every physical senses, I could feel my throat hurting from breathing in the fumes that hang over the city and when I scratched an itch on my nose it left a black oil underneath my fingernails that later showed up as a black handprint on the cloth I used to wash my face off. Ah, I so fear the environmental impact on people's health as the city swells in number and concrete supplants the lush, green environment that I was so familiar with when I served in the war.

Silent Witness

ouboomertx — Fri, 9 Jul 2010 01:13:00 GMT

A quick word from Danny on the goings on here in Vietnam...We are on the other side of some very jammed packed days, bouncing from city to village. Today was a relaxing day in the city of Ho Chi Minh, taking in the sites and sounds while resting up for another couple of hard working days. It has been quite a ride so far and Ben and I will be starting a construction project in a few hours. Our project is in a home that takes in flood waters during the rainy season. We will be taking up old flooring, leveling out the existing floor, pouring a new floor, adding a toilet, and preparing the floor for tile. We will complete as much as possible in two days and hopefully leave very little to be finished.

It never fails that when I take part in what God is doing in the hearts and lives of others, He continually speaks to me. As I began to talk to God about what I would write today He spoke the words "silent witness". These simple words have a profound meaning to me. So often in my walk with God I am very quick to speak but slow to listen and it's in this area He continues to shed his light and bring revelation. In a foreign land I find myself not able to understand or be understood in verbal language. Often times I end up in conflict due to my lack of understanding or my inability to communicate effectively. Being in this language prediciment I could choose to force my way/agenda or allow God to speak through me in a way that is not always comfortable. I have had many opportunities thus far to speak at times in words, facial expressions and physical touch. In these times I'm not sure if the intended message was received. What I choose to believe is that God is speaking his language of love and compassion through me. As long as my motive is to be loving in all I do, and at times say, then the pressure is off of me and God can translate as He sees fit. I find much peace knowing that God is at work in all things and chooses to use me in the process, what a blessing! Thanks for listening...more to come later!!!

Only Visitors

ouboomertx — Fri, 9 Jul 2010 00:41:00 GMT

I (Ben) have been reminder of an important fact Anicka and I heard from the people at Dry Bones in Denver. "We do not bring Jesus to people as if he where in our backpack and He were not previously there. Jesus has come before us in every place and situation. He has started every work. He does not depend on us to deliver Him to others." I have witnessed many people who come to foreign lands thinking they are bringing some new knowledge or the "right, better, or more enlightened" way. Really, we can only come to join and encourage what God is already doing. This continues to be a very valuable lesson.

So Why Are Oxcarts So Interesting to me?

ouboomertx — Thu, 8 Jul 2010 18:22:00 GMT

There's just soemthing cool about an oxcart. Maybe it's that you don't need to be in a hurry, or dodge the never ending parade of scooters. Maybe it's the idea that they were the very first pickup truck. I don't really know, but it brings out something in me that just feels good.

My son Brady has come up with some great theories on men driving various vehicles. I cannot go into some of them here, but one that stands out is men who drive mini-vans. Brady says if you see a man driving a mini-van it isn't his choice, and he's not happy about it. Check it out, you'll see he's onto something! Eveery oxcart driver I saw was extremely happy, regardless of the fact that they were all very poor.

The oxcart is big in Vietnam, especially in the Central Highlands where we spent much of our day yesterday. We saw them everywhere, and at one point we were waiting for a delivery of food supplies to be brought to us and we had a little time on our hands. Now for most folks that isn't a problem. For guys like me, possibly a different story. For two days I had been waiting for an up close look at one of these fine contraptions, and I finally got a close look, And a quick ride! It was great.

More later on the taped feeding, but here's a video....

Daniel, Danny, Dan Taylor

The Universal Language of Compassion

ouboomertx — Thu, 8 Jul 2010 01:45:00 GMT

Unfortunately, I (Ben) often find myself to be focused on lack. The things that I don't have or the things I don't have to give. These things are not limited to possessions, they are often the less concrete things like love, mercy, encouragement, safety, compassion etc.

There are so many times I want to be something to and give something to those I care about, and yet I find myself lacking in the capacity to match the fullness of my heart. There have been few times where this has been more evident to me than now. The language barrier has made it incredibly difficult to express my heart and communicate with the people we are meeting. Daily this is compounded. Daily the amount of unexpressed emotions seem to pile up and linger just under the surface and behind the tear ducts. Or, the excitement and joy bubble up and come out in awkward bursts.

Visiting the elderly and mentally ill facility yesterday was both heartbreaking and encouraging. I found myself not wanting to be on the outside looking in but wanting to engage in some way that felt relational. So as I said simple hellos and looked people in the eye as I shook their hand I tried my best to communicate that I saw their value and that they were not alone. I tried to give each person my time.

When we visited the orphanage and everyone began to hold the babies I noticed a boy that was left alone in his crib. As I went to see him I was discouraged from holding him because of his condition. The boy's head was twice the size of a normal head due to "Hydrosyphillis" (I think), which causes excess fluid in the brain, enlarging of the skull and various other complications. So the boy's head was very heavy which made it difficult to hold him for any length of time without it becoming very tiring. I spent the majority of my time there tenderly holding this boy, looking in his eyes and trying to communicate that he was valuable and loved. I desperately wanted to see him healed.

Again I felt my lack today as we distributed 2000Kg of rice to a poor village in the middle of the highlands. We arrived late after various complications and there were hundreds of men, women and children crowded around us who had been waiting. So I along with the team jumped into action, physically separating 200 portions of rice, oil, fish sauce, salt, etc. into bags. I felt like the only thing I had to give was to work as quickly as possible and show the people that we did not want to keep them waiting any longer. I wanted to show them that I genuinely cared.

Through all these circumstances I've found that I can choose to be discouraged by my own inabilities or I can embrace my own limitations. I have heard it said "You cannot receive if you don't believe you need." This admitting my need is the only thing that frees me to receive. As I believe I need, I look to God to make up for my lack. I receive compassion because I need it. I give compassion because I have first received it and therefore have it to give. It is the only thing I know that transcends translation. A smile is a smile and a handshake and a hug say the same thing in every language.

I hope you are feeling the heart of what I (Ben) am trying to unearth.