So I've spent all this time and cyberspace analyzing the food, culture, and reporting on what ministry took place in my presence. I have neglected to mention what part I had to offer, what God had equipped me for in this strange new place. A place where I couldn't communicate. A place where I had almost no clue of the social cues and body language. A big part of my task was to get to know Thuy the best of my ability and to love on her. Other than that, I only had one other thing to offer- my smile. I brought it everywhere I went- the stinky market, the crazy-busy streets, the grass huts, the boat coasting down the river.

  As people stopped in their tracks, stared, and even whispered to others around them, (okay, some did not whisper...some hollered and laughed others pointed or dragged their kids to me), all I had to offer was my smile. That's what Jesus would have done, right? I knew it was better than me being remembered as 'the angry or glum rather large yellow- haired woman who walked through the stinky meat market today'.

  With hard financial times for many, and an election that doesn't seem to be offering anything fantastic, how has your 'ministry of the smile' been lately?