One thing I try to do before getting to our next country is write a letter to the country. I want to share a few parts of the letter I wrote to Vietnam that I recently re-read and was shocked at how true it spoke of my experience there.
Letter I wrote to Vietnam:
I want you to show me how to love sacrificially like Christ. I give you permission to wear me out physically, mentally, and spiritually. Show me how to display joy in the midst of sorrow and pain. I want to eat all your food and fall in love with your culture. Strip me of my selfishness and pride and western thinking. May I be humbled by the example of your culture. Vietnam, I commit to you to give every day my best effort. I commit to opening myself to try new things, experience new joys and let myself be poured out til I have nothing left. See my joy and peace in trials. Treat me well Vietnam. Keep me healthy and safe. I’m ready for all the adventures you have waiting for me to experience.
I also looked back on my personal and team goals for the month of Vietnam and was so encouraged to see how several of them had been met or made great progress in. So cool!
After my time in Vietnam came to an end, I felt the need to conclude the month with a summary/thank you letter. Enjoy!
Vietnam, thank you! You brought sweet relief from Africa by not staring at me 24/7 as if I were a movie star walking down the street. You accepted me simply as one of your own. I will forever associate face masks, bare-big bellied men, snot rockets, karaoke, pho, motorbikes, and helmets with your country. I will always remember the feeling of holding my breath as I watched your swarm of helmets flow in and out amongst cars and buses and walking tourists and praying no one gets hit. The word I got from the Lord when praying into this month was “pilgrimage” and boy did I do some pilgrimaging across your lands. From way down south in Vung Tau to Hanoi, to way up north in Sapa, to Ha Long Bay and finally to your capital city, Ho Chi Minh. I saw your beaches and your mountains. I breathed your fresh air and sucked in one breath to many of your polluted city air. I ate way too much pho (and could still eat so much more) and more seafood than I ever have in my life. Thank you for treating my pallet so well! Other than your coffee, which let me down on more than one occasion, I rate your food 10/10.
Vietnam, you were successful in doing one thing Africa never was able to do in my fourth months there. You made me cry. And a lot. It probably didn’t help with having team changes and the multiple other changes at the beginning of the month, plus throw Christmas in there and you get Khurry with multiple days of finding a lump in her throat, unable to speak and tears running down her cheeks. To all the tears you brought me, you also did something for me quit unexpected. You lifted a veil from me revealing new areas of growth I’m diving into this month in Cambodia. You revealed new pockets of selfishness and spiritual immaturity I want to intentionally focus on. Thank you for opening my eyes to my weaknesses and giving me the opportunity to change and strengthen them. You have set the bar high for Asia. Thank you for sharing your beauty with me and allowing me to travel across your lands proclaiming Christ as Lord in words, in actions, in smiles, in hand shakes, in listening ears and in interceding prayers. I can’t wait for what the next three months in Asia hold.
How different our home states and neighborhoods would be if we poured out our hearts to them the same way you did. Praying for God’s protection and for your healing. God bless.
Dear Khurry and team Sea Salt, What a great adventure. I am happy that your Spirit is embracing all the beauty of Asia. My Spirit joins with your Spirit and the Spirit of all those you meet. We are all filled with the same Spirit and are brothers and sisters in Christ. What a great adventure you are experiencing! Today is the 11th of the month and I will be praying you have a burden for the lost. All my love and prayers.
Your letter to Vietnam touched me more than most of the words I have read in a long time. I am in the country of “Caregiving,” and so your prayer is what I also desire, but I had never put it into words. Thank you! Having been in Cambodia, Tommy in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Tommy in Phillipians, Australia, New Zealand, many countries in Africa, etc., it is SOO fun to hear your reactions to the culture and culinary experiences. Following your journey with love and prayers. Will you be home for Blythe’s wedding June 12th?
Grateful you were encouraged by what the Lord is doing in my life. I will just miss the wedding. I will be home around the 20th of June. So sad to be missing another cousins wedding.
God is ready to use us if we are just willing and obedient to His calling. Thank you for all your prayers!
Thank you Grandpa Mike for your continued prayers for me and my team!
Oh Khurry! How precious are your thoughts! You express so tenderly and open?? I am in awe of your courage and can so easily see the Lord’s work in your life. Continued prayers for your daily “work” and safety and health! May the Lord continue to Bless you and everything you are involved in! Love you sweet friend!
Khurry so sorry just getting around to reading your update. But wow how amazing! It sounds like Vietnam was a breath of fresh air after Africa, although still with some difficulties. God is so good and He’s doing mighty work through you! I know you miss home and we all miss you so much. Keeping pressing on for the Kingdom! These months are going to fly. Love you and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!
Great idea with the letters Khurry! I may use that in the day to day around here-
Ahh Vietnam….bare bellies and snot rockets…
Thank you Miss Paddy! Only by the Lord’s strength am I able to do what I do each day. He has been so good and so faithful.
The bare bellies and snot rockets are no joke though;) Miss you guys!
Thank you for the reminder that time flies cause you are exactly right. I’m already halfway done with my race. But I still halfway to go and so much more growth to go through. Hope Baylor is having a good basketball season and no injuries. I loved watching his energy when he played.