Country/Dates- Vung Tau, Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. December 8th- January 3rd   

Beach at Vung tau

Ministry site/Host accommodations- ATL (Ask The Lord). We stayed in hostels, home stays and an Airbnb.

At a Water Puppet Show in Hanoi 

Weather- we had a little bit of everything. Pretty warm in Vung Tau, hot in Hanoi, cool in the evenings and morning in Sa Pa, and hot in Ha Long Bay and Ho Chi Minh. 

So far from home

Wifi- EVERYWHERE. Literally every little food shack and store had free wifi. 

Food- we ate out most of our meals on the streets or at little restaurants. With a $5 daily budget it was challenging. Lots of Pho, stir fried rice, seafood, and raman noodles. 

Good food! 

Hosts- N/A

Staff- they weren’t staff but people we met along the way: Dan- intern at hostel in Vung Tau, Sir- trek guide in Sapa

Words/Phrases- Well…; Praise the Jesur (Jesus); Why are you not blazing (praising)?; We are praising Yahweh, What the Pho; Where’s Jeff? He’s Jeffing.; 

Ministry- anything from teaching English, building relationships with locals in coffee shops and restaurants, strengthening relationships with teammates, and praying through our trek in the mountains. 

Sapa

Exercise- I went from my most consistent month in Malawi to my most inconsistent month. Because of all the moving around this month, I was never able to get into a routine and a lot of the places we stayed didn’t have a good space to either run or workout. I had a few good runs in Vung Tau along the beach with Tiff and by myself and I did a few BBG workouts in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh on the roof terraces. 

Holy Spirit/The Word- Finished Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, 2 Corinthians, Philippians, and recently started Hebrews. Continuing to read through Psalms. 

Team Sea Salt- it was a good first month as a new team. It was difficult to establish consistent team time and feed back times because of our almost daily changing of locations and schedules. But I think we are off to a good start and we made some really special memories together and have opened the door to vulnerability and selflessness. 

Health- another healthy month! So thankful to not have any stomach issues especially on the many travel days or even blisters during our three days of trekking. So blessed and thankful! 

Defining moment- so many! I will always remember the emotions I experienced on the night of team changes. I will always remember the emotions of missing Christmas. The short relationships made with Sunny and Dan in Vung Tau were special and impactful to me and hopefully to them as well. Experiencing the beauty of creation in Sapa were images I will never forget and the opportunity to worship with local believers in a very closed country was an unexpected blessing. 

The girls in Sapa

Answered prayers- health, good first month with team, opportunities to share my faith, expressions of my emotions in a healthy way

Not what I expected- honestly, I wasn’t excited for Asia. I had a lot of hesitations. When we showed up in Vung Tau, by day one I was sold. The Pho, the beach, the fruit juices, the motorbikes, all of it, I loved it. As far as ministry, I knew it would be completely different doing ATL, but it was even more challenging than I thought. I didn’t expect to move around so much and miss having a morning routine and consistency. I also didn’t expect to be so emotional. I’m telling ya, be careful what you pray for cause God doesn’t play around. 

How I feel going in to month 6- SO ready and excited! I loved Vietnam but I’m excited to have a host again and settle into one place for the month. I am excited to establish a morning routine of working out and quiet time and finding my own space. 

Areas I want to grow in next month- saying goodbye to our ASQLs at the end of Vietnam made me reflect on the past five months and how I could have taken advantage of so much more. I have six months left of my Race and I don’t want to let any opportunity pass me by. I don’t want to have any regrets at the end of my Race or be thinking at my last session with my squad “I wish I had…”. 

Personal realizations- Team Overflow had something even more special than I thought. Saying goodbye was way more difficult and emotional than I expected. Having more communication with my family this month made me more homesick. I never want to miss another Christmas from home. 

Last Overflow picture. 

Face timing with my new little niece for the first time. She hates wearing clothes just like her uncles:) 

The Christmas picture this year was missing one thing but I fixed it with a little photoshop! 

How I’ve changed/grown- I’ve become more independent this month. I found myself wanting to go to a coffee shop by myself to do my quiet time. Running and working out by myself. 

Coffee shop in Vung Tau

Prayer requests for Cambodia- health! Cambodia is the county that most World Racers get the sickest. The water here is not good and we will be eating a lot of street food. Growth as a team as we continue to press into one another. A desire to be humbled and used of God each day to build His kingdom. Intentionality to love my team and to seek transformation by the Holy Spirit. I want to pour into my team, love them like Jesus, affirm them and encourage them in their unique gifting and talents.