Good Morning Vietnam!

with Steve - Sunday 9:30p

We arrived late this morning in Saigon. Ginny and Gary met us at the airport and we quickly crammed into two vans. Which was quite a trick with 20 large suitcases! It was very hot, humid and rainy today. Ginny had flowers waiting for all the teens. We then headed to our hotel and began to set up "shop." We are also being reminded of a key word working in Vietnam - FLEXIBILITY. Over 1/2 of the initial plans have changed for one reason or another and we are scrambling to reschedule events. 

(Shannon, Wes and Taani also managed to secure First Class upgrades on the flight from Hong Kong so they were pretty excited.)

Learning a New Song

At the hotel the teens met up with Summer and Lihn. They are daughters of a pastor  who has been in prison too many times to count and one of the most well known underground pastors in Vietnam. Summer's husband, Gelson, was also with us and he taught the teens how to sing a worship song in Vietnamese. It was a bit awkward at first, but then they really caught on. Tomorrow will be the real test as they have to sing it in front of 100 youth!

We went out to a local soup "Pha" house for some traditional noodle soup. Needless to say most were pretty wiped out and barely ate. On the way home we were met by little vietnamese kids trying to sell gum and flowers. Of course they really came out of the wood work after I began buying from them. Then they were all over the teens. It was historical. I do not think any of them had ever experienced this and they just kind of froze and ignored the poor kids just trying to sell a pack of gum. When we got back at the hotel DJ mentioned that it was a bit "scary." I hope they get used to the kids because our week has just begun!

So far everyone is doing fine with the exception of Jon who was not feeling well this evening. I think he was pretty much just exhausted. We let him retire early and pray he will feel better tomorrow. The day begins at 6:45am with Taani leading devotions. (Wes led devotions today and spoke on worship)

Also Bethany got to attend an unregistered house church meeting tonight. She just came back while I was typing and was VERY excited about the service. I will let her share more when she can add an update. (I think she also was able to try out the new song she had just learned a few hours earlier. Go Bethany!)

Backing up a bit...

I didn't get a change to share the events of the second day of Boot Camp so here it is.

We woke up early, had devotions (led by Brad) and breakfast at the VOM apartments and headed to VOM's warehouse to pack up Bibles and other gifts. Before the packing began, VOM's Executive Director, Tom White was able to share again with the teens. He spoke about how this show (unlike others) will be a "real" reality. It went very well and the teens had a chance to ask questions. DJ wanted to know why Christians didn't just fight back. Yes this is the same DJ who was a bit terrified by the kids armed with gum! :)

After loading up all our bags, we decide to "Shrink Wrap" the kids thinking we can save money if we just mailed them. Willy from VOM's warehouse is writing "Ship to Vietnam" on the plastic.

And after four hours of packing we were ready to go... but not before a quick break.

Lastly I post another picture the kids wanted up on the web from our first day together. I also want to conclude with stating how incredible these kids are getting along with each other and how cooperative they have been with us. Ginny and I used to be youth leaders so we know what it can be like working with teens. But I can honestly say, even with the few hours of sleep we have all been getting, that we have had no issues. Although I am not able to be with my own kids this Father's Day, this is the next best gift. These kids are great!