Ready, Set, Go!

We had an amazing time in Yangon, Myanmar.  It is a beautiful country with beautiful people.  We did a little sightseeing to get a feel for the city including the market and Sule Pagoda, which is the Buddhist Temple in the center of Yangon.  It was quite elaborate and covered with pure gold.  Buddhism makes up 90% of the people here in Myanmar.  We spent the other 2 days at the Victory Christian Orphanage which also is the Grace Christian Mission.  A man named Hung Kee Paing and his wife live there with their 2 children and 12 orphans.  He is a strong Evangelist, even witnessing to the taxi driver on his way home last night.  They do not have much but they pray that God will provide.  Hung Kee Paing grew up worshipping nature (Animism) and became a Christian at the age of 16.  He has a Bachelor degree and a divinity degree and started the church there in his home.  He is from the Dialand area and continues to go back there to share his faith.  In 2008, a cyclone (Nargis) hit and he and his wife lost their rental house.  They spent 16 days homeless, so he knows how it feels to not have a home.  He wants to help children in the same circumstance.  He started with 6 children and now has 12.  They do not have much…the children sleep on mats, there is no refrigerator or stove, but they have cared for the children.  We are planning to help.  (Here's Hannah receiving a gift from Hung Kee Paing)

So this morning we headed to the airport.  There were no flights out to Vietnam from Myanmar until tomorrow, so we flew from Yangon to Kuala, Lumpur.  The excitement started to build.  Once there, we transferred to a different terminal to fly on to Ho Chi Minh City.  We will arrive there in 48 minutes.  It will be about 6:30pm when we arrive.  We are praying for daylight and that our luggage will be there as well.  We then have to find a taxi (I have 2 different names to look for) and give them our hotel address.  I’m a little nervous, but I think our excitement will carry us through.  Hannah has done beautifully so far on the trip.  We have had many experiences all ready…like the first night when 4 of us climbed into the taxi and she had to sit on Hung Kee Paing’s wife’s lap.  She didn’t know her, but she did it.  She has embraced the food and tried most everything (If you know Hannah, I know that doesn’t surprise you.)  Obviously we have had many stares from people.  An Asian girl with an American causes lots of attention.  She mostly gets asked if she speaks Vietnamese, which she doesn’t.  Most Asians don’t like that, but Hannah has enough trouble with school.  But we’re prepared for that.  We plan to just explore tomorrow and then head to Vinh Long on Wednesday.  Pray I can find the right travel agent to get us a trusting driver who speaks some English and knows Vinh Long.  I know that is a long shot, but I know our God can provide.  We are still in awe that we are on the plan about to land in Vietnam.  We thanked God and I have tears right now.  I really never thought this would be possible.  We know that God ordained this trip and we plan to make the most of it.  Again, thank you to those who have prayed and helped financially.  God is at work in Hannah’s life, and mine also.  I was reminded of several things while in Myanmar.  I am ready to help the least of these, but through it all, I am learning as well.  God is good! (Here's Hannah and I at the airport in Kuala Lumpur...Ready to go!)