Day Fourteen – Sunday, 10/12/08

I’m writing this entry in the morning / I just got up. I weigh 185, my last weigh-in before Vietnam. (Was 187 two weeks ago.) Don’t know if I’ll have time the next day or two to write as they will be dominated by prep and travel. TODAY’S THE DAY! Kathy and I leave Austin at 5:30 this afternoon, get into LAX at 7:30 local time, leave from there at 1:15 A.M. local time (3:15 A.M. on our body clocks), layover in Taipei, then get into Hanoi.

You hope for fun and friendship and learning and blah blah blah. But the only thing in my prayers are for safety. Lord, get us back safely home so we can take care of these children. I really and truly don’t doubt that every aspect of the trip will go well. We’ll have a great time and be able to tell many stories. It’s just a little long flight / 2 days of traveling / away from teenagers / separation anxiety.

What I wonder:

What will we see and do? How will we be received? What will the actual travel be like (never been so long on a plane – not even close)? What will the accommodations, the food and drink, the weather, the learning and hands-on as well as other things over which we have no control, be like? Will we have much opportunity for “down time” / shopping, entertainment, sight seeing?

Kathy, Jacob, and I are going to visit the church being held at Bowie, while Rebekah, grandma, and grandpa head off to Bethany – acolyte duty calls. I know today will go very fast and 3:30 departure for the airport will be here in the blink of an eye. So let’s get started. kdl

Days Fifteen & Sixteen – Monday, 10/13/08 &Tuesday, 10/14/08

We’re now on Vietnam time. We left Sunday, touched down in El Paso, and got into LAX. Met up with Bill M. for dinner at the airport. The rest of the group joined us in the restaurant, and we headed over to the gate area in the international terminal. That took us to Monday morning.

The flight was about 13½ hours. Now I know that other planes have experienced turbulence. But I don’t know how much worse it could have been for us.

After about four and a half hours into the trip, it hit – woke me up. The drops were so great sometimes: women were screaming, pieces of molding came off in the passenger area, the flight attendants, who had dealt with this before, were visibly scared to death, and the sound of the wind rushing outside was deafening. Lasted for about 20 minutes. But not knowing that while it was going on caused us to wonder just how much of the trip will be like this and how much can this airplane take? Many prayers were offered up.

Many of us, myself included, thought this could be it. I don’t know when or if I’ve ever been so scared or confronted with thoughts of mortality. The thoughts of orphaning our children just filled Kathy and me. I still don’t know if I’m completely over it, and it happened 19-20 hours ago. I hope to never experience that again.

Landed at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Hanoi time. (We had a brief layover in Taipei, Taiwan.) Where did Monday go? It’s like it got totally skipped. I’m missing a day. But the 12 hour time difference between here and home sure makes converting time easy.

Checked into the hotel, got cleaned up, then went out to a fabulous lunch – big variety: beef, shrimp, rice, fish… It was great. I’ll tell you, if I would have to (and I don’t, it was just fun to try) eat every meal with chopsticks, I’d starve. Finally got it down, somewhat, but still dropped a lot of food on its way to my mouth.

The hotel is simple, but very nice and clean. The atmosphere on the street is very interesting. So much traffic, made up of pedestrians, cars and millions of motorbikes/scooters. We’ve already learned just walk out in the traffic – they’ll avoid you. And the honking of horns – funny, and endless. Every vehicle hits it many times a minute. Don’t know what they’re all communicating, but they seem to know.

While Kathy caught up on some sleep, I took a little walk around the city - interesting place. The shops are right on the sidewalks, they try to lure you in, and it’s all about bargains. Talk them down / offer at most half price of goods. And the things for sale – like 10 shoe shops right in a row, or a silk street. It’s all arranged by product for that area. You know what you need and you go to that street, that part of town to buy it.

Spent the evening having dinner with a pretty large group, but what an interesting start. Rode with JP on his motorbike. Came within inches literally many times of other bikes, scooters, cars, and buses, but that’s how it was for all the travelers. I never was worried as JP knew exactly what he was doing. Was even pretty fun.

Then to the restaurant. What a meal! As far as shrimp goes, ate shrimp cakes (two shrimp battered and joined together) and stir fry shrimp. And when I say you’re eating shrimp, you’re eating the whole thing, head, body, tail. Crunchy and good. Neither Kathy nor I really had any problem eating, even enjoying, it all. There was also soup and veggies and chicken and rice and other good things, and watermelon for dessert. I’ve had no sugar/breads while here and don’t miss it too much. It was a great experience.

The highlight of the meal though was the toasting. Dr. Ngu had a bottle of Hanoi Vodka brought to the table and he toasted all of us – one on one. That man can hold his liquor. I ended up toasting him, Kathy, Bill, Kenton, and someone else – five shots in all. It really was fun. Then back to the hotel, a short devotion, packing – as we go to Phu Tho tomorrow for 3 days, and off to bed. It was a wonderful day.

Don’t see this as a typical mission trip, as I understand mission trips. The pastors and vicar here more or less connect with the community. Don’t have a parish, the communists wouldn’t really like that. They take part in a community church. Won’t be a real hands on trip and that’s okay. It’s important we understand they know exactly what they’re doing and we are blessed to observe. Won’t build houses, lead VBS, hand out flyers, and other such stuff, but will, without a doubt, learn. That is the main focus, after all. So far so good and enjoying myself. kdl

Day Seventeen – Wednesday, 10/15/08

Spent the morning with Dr. Ngu and NIN (National Institute of Nutrition). That’s officially who all our missionaries work for, and they are all government workers, and they actually do a lot to educate Vietnamese in nutrition. But it also just allows them to have an office from which they can work – a “home base” if you will so they can, when they have opportunity, share Christ.

Learned a lot about this mission post. Most exciting was the fact they hope to open a school here in 2010. It would be an international school for all grades – hope to have 1,000 students in time. Followed that 3 hour, very informational visit with another good Vietnamese lunch. We’re eating these huge meals, but it’s totally healthy – veggies, meats, soups, rice, fruits, more veggies, and today – coffee ice cream for dessert – yummy.

Then took a 3 hour van ride to the Province of Phu Tho. Kind of bumpy, but what a great opportunity to see Hanoi and the countryside. What diversity – McMansions next to shacks. Lot of poverty here – it was quite obvious. Like most countries, I would assume, saw some absolutely beautiful parts and some not so absolutely beautiful parts.

We’re staying in what looks like a palace. It’s so out of place for this commune - without a doubt the nicest building for miles around. But once you check in, the luster wears off. Took a minute or two to get used to it. Let’s just say the hotel in Hanoi is a more comfortable setting.

Had dinner with two local dignitaries. Menu was a little more unfamiliar, although I can now answer the question, “What’s the strangest thing I’ve ever eaten?” Chicken blood. Didn’t really eat that much – just not so very appetizing. But there was more booze, more toasting again tonight.

Came back to the hotel and we visited with Dr. Ngu some more. He’s a great and brilliant man. Really enjoying getting to know him. But as for right now, it’s bedtime, and it’s not yet even 10:00. We’re all tired. kdl

Day Eighteen – Thursday, 10/16/08

Need to do a quick a.m. entry. Just want to say I’m a little ashamed of myself upon yesterday. We stayed at this hotel last night, slept well (amazing what that can do for you – my first one in 4 days), and saw this place in a new light.

It’s not bad at all, just different from what we’re used to. I would have no problem if our stay extended here. I’m even very comfortable now. I wonder if my little “homeless social experiment” back home taught me anything about myself, about judging books by covers. I hope our next stays, wherever they are, can be welcomed and greeted by me with more of an open mind.

It’s now night and was it ever a long day; not so much in hours, just in activity. Started the day with a good Pho breakfast, then it was off to the Phu Tho communes (both sponsored by LCMS World Mission). First one had an lively spirit. We were warmly greeted (which was an interesting coincidence, as it was our first real hot day here) and made to feel very welcome.

We started at the daycare – what a treat. They sang for us; we sang for them. Beautiful children – so joy filled; hard to leave. From there we drove around and saw the people’s living conditions – very impoverished. Having a cow or an electric fan makes them wealthy. Animals roamed freely or were penned attached to the homes. Homes were dirty (to us) and cluttered, but the people were happy. It really isn’t stuff that gives you joy; that just masks it.

Then back to the commune center for lunch. Good food and again, so much toasting. Might have had as many as 10 shots of vodka. Got to be quite much, but when they honor you and want to toast you, you accept.

From there it was on to another commune. Took a long car ride, followed by a short ferry ride across the Red River, followed by another long car ride. This place was not so joyful. The people weren’t expecting us (someone dropped the ball) and it raised some concerns with the local officials and local police. Got worked out / no real problem. Saw more homes, looked the same, a tea factory, then back for dinner. Food all starting to feel familiar, often the same. More toasting, this time with homemade rice wine. After about 18 shots for the day, I’m glad we’re done eating. Long, bumpy, dark car ride brought us to our hotel in Phu Tho city. Very nice place.

We began our day with breakfast at 7:30 and got to our hotel at the end of the day as early as 7:00. But it sure was a long day. Tomorrow we check out the university in Phu Tho. I’m sure it will be great, just as today was. kdl

Day Nineteen – Friday, 10/17/08

After a quick pho breakfast in town, it was off to the university. We met Michael, an older gentleman, Lutheran, who teaches English here and is absolutely loved by the university students. He took us to two classrooms, freshmen and juniors, and were we ever greatly greeted! The students were absolutely thrilled to meet us and talk to us in English. They were so kind, so friendly, we could have spent the day with them and it wouldn’t have been enough. We sang for them and they for us, and we broke down into small groups – each of us with 4-5 of them. So much fun.

Then we were taken to a dorm room where 12 girls were waiting to greet us. They showed us around and shared with us how they live and fill their days. Sweet girls – again it was hard to leave.

Then off to lunch. Menus repeating, but we know they are going out of their way to take care of us, so we eat smiling. It’s good food, just getting to be the same. By the way, water buffalo, as we have found out at many meals, is very tough.

From there a three hour van ride back to Hanoi. Kind of long, but all in all, again, a good chance to see the countryside. Hanoi has an old part (where we’re staying, very nice) and a new part (very modern in architecture, much new construction going on).

Off to dinner with Ted, the LCMS missionary here. We had Indian food – 2 things: it was a nice change and it was very good. Kept eating and eating, just because the change was so nice. Was a very relaxed meal.

The night ended, sort of. We were done officially, but it was just kind of early. So, Bill, John, Kathy and I went for a walk around the lake. It’s very pretty and so much activity going on around it: people dating, exercising, visiting, riding the motorbikes – a lot to look at. We eventually found our way to an ice cream shop. It was very good as well as being nice to be able to have cold and familiar food.

Time for the night to end, so it’s off to bed, after a little TV. kdl

Day Twenty – Saturday, 10/18/08

Woke up at 5:20. Proved to be the perfect time, as we called Rebekah just before she went off to the game. We were able to visit for only about 5 minutes, but so good to hear her voice. Then there was a little lull as we waited for Jacob to get home from football. Called him at 6:00 and found him home. Great to talk to him too. We were able to talk with him a little longer.

Then off to Ha Long Bay. Long van ride, 3.5 hours. Stopped along the way at a pottery store – not that big a deal – bought just postcards. I expected beaches, given the name of the place – there were none. It was a boat ride around the bay and we all enjoyed it very much. It was our first relaxed day since being here. The bay is huge, and filled with so many islands with large rock formations. Absolutely beautiful. Also toured a cave on one of the islands. Neat, but really no different from other caves I have seen.

Ate fresh / alive-just-five-minutes-before-we-ate-it seafood on the boat. So good: shrimp, clams, fish, crab, squid, greens, and some kind of dragon fruit. It was such a nice day, may end up being our only laid back day of the two weeks.

Then a long, (what seemed like very long) van ride back to Hanoi. 13 of us in a van can cause for some cramping. But we finally got to the restaurant. Ordered off the menu, it was fine – smoked salmon spaghetti. Then out came the jazz band, set up stage about 2 feet from us, and we couldn’t hear each other any more – kind of funny, kind of too bad.

Melody invited us to go out on the town at about 9:30, but we’re just too tired. We’ll stay in tonight, journal, call the kids one more time (as it may be our last opportunity) and hit it. Again, we’re tired. Tomorrow it’s church and the day in Hanoi. Same for Monday, until we board the night train. Looking forward to that experience. Time to set the alarm. kdl

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