The entire country of Vietnam is an need of God's hands and feet in so many different ways, I can't even express it all here. The predominant religion of Vietnamese people is Buddhism. There is also poverty on a wide scale. Education is limited, and possibilities for work to provide for your family are slim. When Deerhunter first came to Vietnam about 8 years ago, he had to hide. It was illegal. There was a government sanctioned Baptist church (sermons were submitted ahead of time, government operatives sit in the congregation). So much has changed since then. House churches, in most areas, can meet freely. It does not mean they are without persecution, however.

 The area we went to minister in has a strong group of men who oversee one congregation, made up of about 5 house churches. They meet weekly in the homes, then once a month gather in a building together for worship and communion. I know that as brothers and sisters in Christ we have kinship, but I was not prepared for the bond I would feel with these people I have no other thing in common with. They knew no English. Many of them lived in grass huts. Yet, they eagerly awaited our arrival, some even squealing with delight wanting us to jump out of the boat and into our arms. They are very loving and hospitable people. We were immediate family.

  We had prepared 50 sets of food stuffs to hand out. 1 kilo of rice, soy sauce, cane sugar, cooking oil, and some other things. We distributed them among the church families and the pastor also pinpointed people in the 'neighborhood' that he knew were in need and that he and others have been witnessing to. So we set out on the water in the boat-full of rice- to take in the sights and meet the people.

 We were welcomed in, and in most cases fed. Evidently the pastor's home is where Al enjoyed his meal of rat last year. There were plenty of jokes about that going around the table as we ate. At another home we had the 'homemade sprite' thing I mentioned in my last entry. We were offered something at every home, except one..which I'll get to in a moment. Our last meal was served to us by our squealing greeter and 'grandma'. Fish, eel, snails, veggies, and rice...and rice paper wraps to put it all in. We walked in her house and she astounded me. Their families' home is about 12' by 12', sleeping 5 people. It is their kitchen, bedroom, everything...mud floor. We walk into her home and she announces 'my house is small, but my heart is big'..with her signature big smile and expressive way. It was humbling to say the least.

 One stop along the way several church members hopped in the boats and joined us. We were going to deliver food to a family who had recently been saved. As soon as we get there, church members divide up between the man and his wife, talking with them, praying with them, but not so much in a fun, fellowshippy way. I look around inside the hut (it only has 3 sides, and is open to the river) and see all kinds of altars. Someone comes by me and quietly explains that the man has been being bothered by demons. He sees them not just at night, but they torment them during the day as well. They want their home blessed. The church members were trying to explain to them that the altars, to several different gods, needed to be taken down for their blessing to really work. Neighbors came out to hear and see what was going on, since about 20 of us landed upon their residence...which doesn't happen much out there. The babies were scared half to death because there were so many people...and my blond hair served as a distraction for the enemy to maximize upon..for they screamed at the sight of me. I stepped away from their view. It was so good to watch this unfold. The pastor walked the perimeter of their home, praying in the Spirit quietly, and listening to the ministry taking place. His elders really took hold and did their best to explain to the family why. All the while, the neighbors were watching. They could not take down their idols yet. We all prayed for them. We passed out traks to the crowd who had gathered, and went on our way. How we forget in our society about idols. I know we have our idols here..money, power, status...but to forget that so much of the world is still bound by idols, it was a wake up call. It will be exciting to hear testimonies when we return next year...maybe those neighbors will have made a commitment to Christ as they see those idols come down and the peace that will reign in that home.