ICM Vision Trips

Finishing Strong: Post 2 of 4

2011-03-02T23:03:00.001-05:00

Next stop was for lunch at a Cu-Chi (area north of Ho Chi Minh City) church, where the pastor told our Partner (see Innerview) of his life that preceded his new life with-Christ, the details which are best not mentioned in an email or blog. During the war, he lost his lower left leg and all fingers but thumb and forefinger on his left hand…. yet he knelt when we offered to pray for him. Following this time in the church, we moved to their simple living quarters for a splendid lunch (see Table Hands) prepared by his wife (see Soup’s On). And then on to the Cu-Chi Tunnels.

These tunnels (see Cu-Chi Coup) were instrumental for the Viet Cong, serving as their base of operations for the Tet Offensive. Much of what we saw was “fascinating”, albeit with a bias (see Watchful Eye) toward one point of view. Our tour guide pointed out (see Sticking To It) the three levels of tunnels that were designed and employed. Fascinating as this was, there’s never anything like taking a test-drive, so on to the tunnels we went. Our next tour guide demonstrated how the soldiers would find the tunnel’s start (from their maps), brushing away the hiding-leaves and then entering (see Going Down) by pulling the leaves-covered top down as they went, totally camouflaging the entry. But again, there’s nothing like a test-drive, so someone had to volunteer! (see Tunnel Vision – In) Fortunately, a flashlight was available, which permitted me to see the bat that flew by me as I crawled through the tunnel, arriving (yeah!) at a larger entrance (see Tunnel Vision – Out) after following some sketchy directions and many loud voices at the finish line.

#3 coming up …

Finishing Strong: Post 3 of 4

2011-03-02T23:00:00.001-05:00

After this experience, we needed fresh air, and felt we could best find it at the Ben Thanh Market, which is inside and takes up a city block, having the full range of ‘whatever you want to buy.’ (see Freezer Fruit, If The Shoe Fits, In The Clutch, Pretty Flowers A-Rose, Something’s Fishy & Anybody’s Guess, for samples) What intrigued me most, however, was the vendors, who came in all styles, from “almost attacking us” to” almost really laid back” (see Nap-ster, noting the young woman in the green t-shirt on the lower right). Across the street were housing options for those who just wanted to be first in line each day for the market’s opening (see Viet Congdo).

Finishing Strong: Post 4 of 4

2011-03-02T22:56:00.001-05:00

Strong finish!? That would have to include another up-town dinner, this time up on a Ho Chi Minh City hotel, which was next to an amazing (can recall the name but see NOT An ICM Church for the picture) government structure. Entering the hotel, we were pleased to see they had expected us (see Dressed For The Occasion … OK, it was a wedding party we had to walk through!). At the top floor, we were again greeted beautifully (see Dragonfly Lady) before being seated for dinner. Of course, my main course was to look over the roof to the action below (see Back-up), realizing our active week was now becoming a blur (see It’s All A Blur).

Having at this point over-extended my international picture-taking limit, I’ll sign off with one more round of thanks to all who prayed for us and to you who sent encouraging emails along the way. Now from back-home, it’s DigiDon signing off (see Don’s Done) … Thanks for traveling with us!

Saturated Saturday: 1st of 4 Postings

2011-03-01T16:13:00.001-05:00

After flying on Friday afternoon to the Highlands (northern point on our map), we spent the night in Buon Ma Thuot, so we could get an early start Saturday morning. This day brought a full range of the ICM work and possibilities here, starting with a beautiful completed (in 2010) church in Buon Ma Thuot (see Taking A-Fence). Always finding time to make friends, we also always find time to take the picture of that moment (see New Found Friend). Driving north, we then stopped at a project under construction (see On The Way, signifying both our stop and the project’s path toward completion). Here we were able to visit their current place of worship (a tin-framed structure) where we saw their rendition of What’s To Be. The new church is expected to be completed by mid-year.

Saturated Saturday: 2nd of 4 Postings

2011-03-01T16:10:00.001-05:00

Along the way and on the bus, being reminded that I had not been in our pictures, I reflected and rectified the situation (see Mere Image). However, the real significance of this picture was not revealed until a later stop (read on). First, however, came our lunch stop (see Branching Out For Lunch) where the picture title, Good Day, Good Meal, represents the thoughts of our bus driver, showing a ‘thumb up’ in this picture and shown earlier in ‘Mere Image.’

Saturated Saturday: 3rd of 4 Postings

2011-03-01T16:08:00.001-05:00

But the best was yet to come, as we moved on to visit a completed church building for a congregation that now wants to build an orphanage (see Cross Cultural, which shows the inside of the church). Here we not only were blessed by a message of singing by the children (see Touching Their Heads & Our Hearts), by the joy of bringing them a jump rope (see Jumpin’ For Joy demonstrated by one of our team members), by spending time with the young pastor and his wife (see Him-posing Pastor), but where we also learned that the Vietnamese conversation with our bus driver during the travel, had been leading him to Christ. Who knew! Thus, his former self, a mere image, was transformed into his new self in-Christ. A cause for joy, this led us to pray for him and the church we were visiting (see Bowed Heads & Hearts).

Saturated Saturday: 4th of 4 Postings

2011-03-01T16:06:00.001-05:00

In the later afternoon, we were taken to Pleiku, where there were two locations where work had been started outside the ICM Partnership, and for which our Vietnamese Partner was now seeking our help. The first of these can be seen in Big Plans, a building started in 2005 and which is the only evangelical church in this city. While there, we inspected the work (mostly laying the floor and finishing the inside and outside walls; see Inside Job) prayed for the congregation and pastor (who shared of his great trials) and could not help but notice the presence of a symbol of that Living Water that gives us all new life (see Bottling PheNAMenol Water).

One more stop to visit another partially completed building (for which they were seeking help to complete; it is not ICM’s position to help finish already-started buildings, but with prayer, cause and counsel, we do make exceptions) and then rode on for dinner on the rooftop of a hotel (see Dining Up and When U Come To a Fork, seen from our dining area) … all before THEN driving to the airport to fly back to Ho Chi Minh City where we checked into our next hotel.

Whew! All in another day’s Vision Trip work. Thanks for traveling with us,

An Inside Look: Email 2 of 2 Emails

2011-02-28T02:35:00.001-05:00

Our drive-time gives us a virtual cultural tour of the country, almost as if watching a documentary. In Ho Chi Minh City, as in so many cities, we are struck by the magnitude of people who do not know God (based on statistics), and on the opportunity the Church has to lead them to faith (see Sea of Seekers).

At all points along this trip, we are presented with food and fellowship opportunities, having to manage our time even as we enjoy the moment of drinking it all in (see The Last Straw).

Then at days-end, whether on the bus or back at the hotel, there is often an opportunity for our Church Growth Partner traveling with us to give us a briefing on the work being done or what still lies ahead in our travel (see Projecting a Good Image).

As this is written and posted on the day of our departure, know that reports will be coming as time allows. Blessings on your day or evening!

An Inside Look: Email 1 of 2 Emails

2011-02-28T02:33:00.001-05:00

While much of our days are spent visiting churches and traveling to see the churches we visit, the before, after and in-between time is also precious. Here are some inside looks at what goes on. These come from an unusual day when, because of our travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Ca-Mau, we visited only one church. Still many elements of a typical day were present.

Each morning starts with breakfast and a devotion. On most days, because of the late night go-to-bed and the early-rise for the new day, we have our quick breakfast and then head out, holding an on-the-run devotion. Vision Team members take turns with the devotion, sharing whatever is on their heart. These are precious reminders of the power of the word and precious insights into the hearts of the presenting team member (see Moving Message). At each of our stops, there is some time of sharing by the church leaders (see Leadership Lessons), as they talk about their vision and what the Church is doing. And at the end of that time, we always have prayer for and with the leaders (see Fruitful Prayer) and their families. Viewing the church building (be it where they now worship before having a new church building, where a new church building is under construction or a completed church building). Of course, this always presents the opportunity for a group photo, which in this case was taken at the foot of the Cross of a very large ICM-partnered church in downtown Ho Chi Minh City (see Foot of the Cross).

One more email this time!

Heading Home - Hearts Full!

2011-02-27T13:43:00.001-05:00

It is hard to believe that our time in Vietnam is coming to an end! This trip has been a compilation of amazing testimonies which speak of God's faithfulness in this country and in the hearts of His people here.
Janice

Onward to the Highlands!

2011-02-27T13:41:00.001-05:00

The team had a blessed time this morning after flying back to Ho Chi Minh City from CaMau...south Mekong Delta! We met with the senior pastor of a city church built by ICM back in the 90's... It is growing and thriving with an impactful ministry throughout the region. The team is now at the airport on our way to the Highlands! God's amazing adventure continues! Janice

Living Waters - 5 of 5

2011-02-25T20:52:00.001-05:00

Still, other memories of the day linger, as our pictures remind us of the privilege we are having. To close out this entry, see some reminders of our amazing trip on the river … a young entrepreneur taking in the view of us (Floating A-Lone), a view of what lay ahead during a trip (Looking Ahead); a couple … reflective of those living on the river … just checking out their laundry and maybe us latest foreigners (see Hanging Out) and others encountered along our way (see River Traffic).

The last picture (whew!) represents what we experienced in all modes of travel, but especially on the boat, … something we now bring together in a phrase representing much of our experience: Phe-NAM-enal Waters!

May your travels be blessed,

Don

Living Waters - 4 of 5

2011-02-25T20:50:00.001-05:00

Stop # 4 was to check on the construction started for a chapel (see Constructive Discussion, where our primary Partner contact is talking with the pastor and his wife). This pastor had lived on this property and had been ill for most of his life. A visiting pastor led him to Christ and that changed his life forever in many ways, including his being healed from his illness. With a new mind-set and heart-set, he studied to become a pastor, started a congregation and gave his land for the church building. Nothing will wash away our sins, … like the blood of Jesus!

This all would have been a full-day, except Janice, Minh (our primary Partner contact) and I dropped the others and rode (the car and on a ferry!) in the dark of night to see a church that had been dedicated in the morning, with 700 attending that service. From our brief visit, we could tell this beautiful church (see Open For Business) would be a beacon of light for the community. We believe someone had given a new dedication-Bible to the church, surrounding it with flowers and elevating it on an unusual stand (see A Bible A-Rose).

Living Waters - 3 of 5

2011-02-25T20:48:00.001-05:00

Blessings abounded as we next shifted to a bus that took us to lunch at a church-orphanage; while the food didn’t please my diet, I could tell from the smile and nods that tasty it was (see So Soy, Don). The main course, however, was the best anyway, as we again were sung to by beautiful children, this time with real, individual stories of what tragedies brought them under the care of the church, and appropriately to the Foot of the Cross. The women in our group took the lead this time, praying for the children and wanting to take them all with us (see Love ‘Em & Leave ‘Em). What you can also see, is the multi-purpose table at the foot of the altar (see Versatile Table).

Living Waters - 2 of 5

2011-02-25T20:46:00.001-05:00

One of our last views as we left was of a grateful congregant (see Smile of a Believer). Back in the boat, we cruised further down the Mekong tributaries (see See Cruise), arriving at a chapel that was recently completed through the ICM Partnership. It’s beauty and the stories of how this congregation has thrived through perseverance and joy in the midst of trials made us want to sing again … Goin’ to the Chapel! As you can see, that ended on a Good Note!

See the full gallery on posterous

Living Waters - 1 of 5

2011-02-25T20:42:00.001-05:00

Traveling in Vietnam is how we gain real insights into the country, and in our case, into the Church Growth Partnership we have. Yesterday (the 24^th here), we achieved the quintuplet of travel (or is it the ‘high-five’?), as we went from start to finish by plane, car, bus, feet and boat, gaining those insights as we went.

What made the day really wonderful was the interaction had along the way, hearing over and over how God has blessed this nation in ways we will never see publically reported (nor would they be in our country). Keep reading for details, noting now that there are 21 pictures in total, broken into 5 separate emails for those on that distribution list, and shown in reverse order for those viewing the blog (sorry I haven’t figured out how to show the picture names with the pictures).

When we talk about this trip-to-date, we might as well say “our plate has been full!” That would cover the early mornings (Out of the hotel at 4:30AM yesterday morning to catch our flight!) and late evenings (Minh, Janice and I returned to our next hotel about 9:15pm), but we might also be talking about the food we’ve been fed…always plentiful, always wonderful. Indeed our plates have started out full at every meal, and yesterday morning was no exception, as we buffet-ed among more food categories than we knew existed (see where we stayed and ate, Overnight & Over-easy).

This day of travel was spent in the Ca-Mau Province, beginning with (after the group picture, of course, this time wearing our new ‘cone hats’; see Get The Point) an hour-and-a-half boat-ride (check out our mode of travel in Rear View) to the 1^st church, a sizeable congregation (180 worship weekly in this thatched structure) that has outgrown its home-and-worship ‘building’ (see Out-Growing People) and will now apply to ICM for a Chapel. Here we also heard the voices of angels, as the children were prayed for and then sang “This is the day the Lord has made” to us (see Got Your Back).

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2

On the Bus and In the Water (4th of 4 picture emails)

2011-02-23T11:48:00.001-05:00

On the Bus and In the Water (3rd of 4 picture emails)

2011-02-23T11:46:00.001-05:00

On the Bus and In the Water (2nd of 4 picture emails)

2011-02-23T11:45:00.001-05:00

On the bus and in the water! [1st of 4 Emails to spread out the picture file size]

2011-02-23T11:42:00.001-05:00

Greeted by an early beautiful day (see Good Morning Vietnam!), breakfast, devotion time (Devoted To Him) and a quick pic (On The Run) on the hotel rooftop, our group was on the bus (see Busing’s In) and underway still bright and early. Over the course of the day, we covered a lot of ground (and water), visiting 4 churches (representative pictures include Well, Aisle Be!, Upper Room, Taking A Bow & Cross-Hold) and seeing wonderful fruit from ICM’s partnering to build these churches. Stories of trials (for a comparison of our living conditions, see Pastor’s Quarters, … er Waters) and victories abounded as the leaders we met were overjoyed to share what God is doing through His Church in Vietnam. Along the way, we were provided with meals (Playing Chopsticks) and rich fellowship time (Meeting Tabled). For the almost perfect day, however, there was one collective sinking feeling (see Water You Doing?!, #’s 1 – 4) as we were crossing the Mekong River. All-in-all, we thank God for the amazing day, …including taking the a-pealing last picture (Chiquita Bandito). Blessings to you and thanks for visiting and praying.