Vietnam, how I love you

We officially left Vietnam and started ministry in The Philippines!

Leaving Vietnam was actually very hard as I loved the culture and the people there so much! I wanted to share some last testimonies from our time in Vietnam and how it has been going here in The Philippines.

The first story I am going to share is about a boy we met named Dat. We met him on our first week at the english club. He’s around our age and played guitar for the International Church. However he was not Christian. He played there for the community and because he wanted more opportunities to play. On the very first english club two of the girls from my team (Ellen and Brooklyn) talked to him for about an hour or so about Christianity and about Buddhism (as he came from a Buddhist family). Dat seemed interested in what we believe and our values however struggled to understand parts of Christianity. After that conversation we all decided to pour into him throughout our time there. We had so much faith that Dat would turn to Jesus. Brooklyn especially poured out to him and had some very impactful and intentional conversations. He had told her that when he plays at the church and watches us worship he feels this “energy” and feels like we are free. He said he wants that freedom, he wants what we have. We explained to him that what he is feeling is the Holy Spirit. By the end of our time in Vietnam, Dat received a Vietnamese Bible and has since then read the book of John! He told us in a letter he gave to our team that out of his own sincere heart, he wants to learn more about Jesus and read his Bible everyday.

A similar story happened with this girl we met at English Club named Linh. She also played at the International Church and she grew up “Christian”. Her mom is Christian but she didn’t grow up knowing Jesus. She just knew that her mom was strict and she had to follow all of these rules. When we first met her she was extremely shy and timid. By the end of the month she had been completely transformed! She had so much light and confidence in her and she desired to truly know Jesus!

These are just a few of the many people we got the privilege of meeting and ministering to.

The month we spent in Vietnam truly was a sweet season, and one I will never forget. God worked in my heart so much and He really poured out His love onto me. He felt so near to me and I felt incredibly loved by Him! He taught me how to dream again, and what dreaming with The Lord truly feels like. Something that I had been praying for for years was “what are my gifts?” I would tell God, “you create everyone so unique and with such beautiful and different giftings, so what are mine?” and “how can I best steward those gifts for your Kingdom?” And let me tell you, God is so faithful! He revealed to me the gifts He has given me and healed parts of my heart that were still hurting. He showed me what a Good Father He is and how I am a precious daughter. I learned how special and important it is to find that ‘secret place’ with The Lord and spend time in His presence even if you aren’t struggling. I loved my time in Vietnam and I will be back!

Now about The Philippines!
After an unexpected and surprisingly long travel day(s), we made it to Cainta, Philippines. I already love this place so much! We are working with an organization called Kids International. Specifically in the neighborhood we are living in, this organization has or partners with; a feeding program, an elementary and high school, a boys and girls home, a hospital for pregnant women, and a youth ministry. My team and I are on the youth lab team! We get to help out with the different youth events every Friday! We also do a lot of community outreach and help with the feedings. So far this week we’ve done three feedings. We get to share the Gospel and love on the kids, it’s one of my favorite things we get to do here! Jesus is really working in this community and it is so evident in the joy they have and the way they love each other! I can’t wait to see all that The Lord does here! He’s already expanded my heart for worship and encouragement of others! During this season I am aiming to have an intentional heart, and quick feet to move when He tells me to move.

Thank you all, Maleah

first feeding in The Philippines