The series ‘I-fall-in-love-with-the-city’, in which I wrote about my very first trip out of Vietnam, stopped at its third ‘episode’. Actually I planned to make the final section of the series more vivid and special than the previous ones, for I wanted to tell you about all the sweet surprises that God gave me throughout the journey. Sadly, however, I could not do as planned. One year has passed but thankfully, His sweet surprises never come to pass.
Now looking back and counting the blessings that He had gladly put ahead of me while I was staying in Japan then, I am awed with joy and gratitude for His ineffable love. 5 days in a foreign country did not make a long journey, but those 5 days, though going by momentarily, gave me every reason to praise and thank Him – JESUS CHRIST, my Lord.
I am awed with joy and gratitude for His ineffable love. Yes, I am. Truly I am proud to be His child.
Today I come back, not intending to carry on with the unfinished series, although it would always be a beautiful memory. I want something fresh and new.
‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[b]
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”’ (Lamentations 3:22-24)
A BRAND NEW EXPERIENCE
This time I particularly give thanks to God for the opportunity to attend SU Vietnam’s annual Summer Scripture Program seminar (SU Vietnam: Scripture Union Vietnam). For those who serve God in children ministries, I am sure that this opportunity was a priceless gift from Heaven.
SU Vietnam is famous for their professionality and their great ambitions. SU Vietnam aims to pioneer in their homeland a native Christian educational program, which will prayerfully realize their desire to reach all Vietnamese children with a rich and solid education whose foundation is God’s powerful book – the Holy Bible.
This year, the seminar is based on a very impressive theme called ‘Biệt Đội Chúng Mình’ (meaning ‘Our Special Team’ in English). This theme conveys a deep message. It reminds followers of Jesus that together we make a powerful special force for Christ, who creates us to be unique and who places us in strong connection with one another. The Special Team is a close-knit community that also has a tight relationship with its GREAT GREAT leader, Jesus Christ, who gives it a great great commission – to be His “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Holy Bible, the Book of Acts, chapter 1, verse 8).
To choose which is my favorite part of the entire program is indeed a huge challenge to me. I love the seminar from its very start to its end. Every minute was treasured. Every minute was invaluable because of God’s presence with us throughout the program. There was a lot going on, and we had little time to rest at lunch break, but beyond my expectation, no one ran out of energy, thanks to Heavenly Father. Every person was so involved in every single section of the whole seminar. Every attendee, young or old, male or female, new believers in Christ or long-time servants of God, was united in a fervent spirit. Oh! This is the most successful and lively seminar that I have attended so far.
Despite that, in the limit of this one post, I can barely put into words all that I learned and felt during this seminar, so I may get to one particular section that touched my heart to a very deep dimension. That was when all of us, in whatever position, attendees or organizers, teachers or coaches or worship leaders, from whatever church, whatever area of Vietnam, literally cried to God because of all peoples and nations that need to be reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ. There were too many tears that dropl! In the room, more than 80 people poured their hearts out to God for those who have never known Christ. What an atmosphere! In no one other than Jesus himself and nowhere in this world other than in the church of Christ can this big big love be found.
I remember a message that Mrs. Esther Phan (this is her English name, but we would prefer to call her ‘dear sister Mẫn’) gave to all teachers and servants of Christ, in which she said, ‘Don’t you only teach your children to look at themselves and their own families alone, but let us teach them to stretch out to all nations and peoples in the world. Let us encourage our children to intercede for them, for even if our generation can do little to serve them, God may very possibly raise up someone among our next generation to do what we cannot do.’
I believe God was touching my heart and speaking to me through what sister Mẫn said. I learned that it was a message for myself too – that I need to broaden my view to what is more global to win more people for Him. When I pray I tend to focus too much on my family and my own life. When it comes to sharing the Good News of salvation, I will think of my parents and my relatives rather than those born and growing up in a different culture. Honestly, this is not wrong, but this will surely be a hinder on my long way to serve God. I realized I had been blocking my own view with comfort zone and current situations. Have I dared dream bigger dream for God? Have I looked at God’s salvation plan as its true size, “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”? Have I ever asked God to reveal to me a larger vision of what He will do and how I can contribute to His perfect plan? Frankly, the answers are ‘No’, which is a sad fact. Moreover, part of discipling children, or leading them to Biblical truths, is teaching them to gaze at the huge plan of the Great Architect for their lives as well as for every other human’s. God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
I thank God for this wonderful opportunity in which I found out more about children ministries. I got to see all the creative and unique visual tools that SU Vietnam produced. These tools are definitely of great help to Sunday School teachers, parents and those who serve God by leading children to Him. Not only could I see the tools but was also able to watch how they might be used in class and was able to practice using them with other teachers. I knew that SU Team had invested much effort, time, love and prayer in these products, and I am thank God for making their ministry available in Vietnam.
I love all the songs that we learned together, all of which clarified the general theme of 2018, ‘Our Special Team’. Music is a powerful tool that helps deliver big messages such as union in Christ’s body – the Church – to children. All the songs were catchy, absolutely rich in meaning and fantastically fine in sound. Thank you, SU Team, for hosting such an incredible training program.
I learned plenty from every brother and sister in Christ, whom I was happy to meet and proud to call family. We enjoyed two days praising God together, learning to sing and dance together, eating together, playing together and crying together. (Someone might say we looked like children in adults’ bodies. LOL) I just love that wonderful union! It is so special, so unique that despite we spent just a little while with one another, we can never forget being together. Not for a moment. Not in the least.
Also I would like to thank Mr. Sơn Nguyễn and Mrs. Mai Nguyễn for introducing me to SU Vietnam. Thank you for encouraging me to join the seminar and sponsoring my course. Thank you Mrs. Mai for accompanying me. You both are blessings from God!
Finally, I love to say this Father God, ‘Father, I am so proud of you! I am so proud to see what you are doing in our Vietnam, my very much loved homeland. I can see that you are calling our generation and the generations that follow to lean in more for your Kingdom. I can see that you are blessing so many young people with talents and hungry hearts for your Spirit so that they are willing to live for you unapologetically. I love you. I pray, Father, that you keep equipping us that we may fulfill your great command – to be your witnesses to the end of the world. I pray that no one will not lock their hearts when they hear your voice. I pray that you will continue to use SU Vietnam’s ministry more fruitfully for your mighty name. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.’
Light I Walk With 