I finally cracked it - Plan and Purpose

After being back for a week now, still trying to absorbed everything that we have heard and experienced, I think I'm beginning to understand an important concept crucial to mission: PLAN and PURPOSE. I actually started to grasp this as a result of hearing the testimonies of people how have partnered with us (through financial support, moral support and PRAYER support) during our journey. Many testified how it felt as if they were physically on the journey with us, and  how close they felt to God as a result. (I guess that is exactly why JP encouraged us to "take others on the journey" with us, but to be honest, I some how doubted if is was possible considering that this was only a short term outreach ....)

So what is PLAN in the context of missions?
Mat 28:19  Therefore, as you go, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Does God really need us to accomplish this task? Most definitely not, remember, He is God, He created the universe by speaking a word.
So why is He then so eager  for us to obey this commandment ....? Because of the PURPOSE of missions....

Why does corporates take there staff on team building adventures like up-sailing and white river rafting? Simply because they want individuals to become a strong team through BUILDING RELATIONSHIP under challenging circumstances. God wants to take every child of His on a journey to disciple the nations, not because He needs our help, but because He is so keen to build relationship with us, a relationship that just goes deeper and deeper how ever far we are prepared to go .....

Does this mean that every body is called to be a missionary in the field ....? Most definitely not! None of our partners left the country, yet by getting involved in the PLAN (the outreach) they experienced the PURPOSE: a more intimate relationship with God.

PS. JP, let me know if I missed something important. I realize that I am only beginning to understand this, but you would not believe how excited I am about this "discovery".

Travel Mercies

We were totally overwhelmed by all the "travel mercies" we experienced traveling back! Everything from Christoph (for the first time in at least 7 flights) not experiencing ear pain when we landed (he even slept through one landing), to getting tickets to go through the express passport control (same as the cabin crew), to all three our pieces of check-in luggage being amongst the first 20 to appear on the conveyor belt . . . and more.

Thinking back at how smooth the entire trip went, I'm contemplating why we experience God's favor to such an extent? Is it because He gave JP "special" wisdom? Is it because of all the payer support? Is it possible the we were in His perfect will? I'm I busy trying to figure out God? How silly!

Now looking forward to take part in a missions exhibition at our local church this coming Sunday. Talk about timing!

Saigon City (Ho Chi Min)

Hierdie is 'n groter toets van geloof en vertroue as wat dit op die oog af mag lyk. Dit is nie toevallig dat my oë toe is nie . . .

Benoude boude in die Cu Chi tonnels. Na die bietjie wat ons gesien en gehoor het is daar geen twyfel in ons gemoed dat Amerika (of enige ander land) ooit daardie oorlog sou kon wen nie . . .

. . . vir die kinders was dit egter 'n "walk in the park"

Die Vietnamese gaan GROOT met hulle (Chinese/Lunar) nuwe jaarsvieringe en is definitief nie skaam oor die feit dat hulle 'n sosialistiese land is nie. Moet se mens kom dit nie regtig agter nie . . . behalwe dat die gastehuise, ens elke aand aan die polisie rapporteer wie by hulle geslaap het.

Marketing . . . Starting Young

Two Cham girls selling their "waffle" cakes.

Cham, Western People Group of Vietnam

We visited a village near Chau Doc this morning where 3500 of a minority group, the Cham people live - own languages and own culture.

(We have since moved on to "Can Tho". The internet here is open, free and lightning fast, yet motorbikes and bicycles are still the primary means of transport!?!?)

Eerste dag in Viëtnam

Eers per minibus en toe verder per boot op die Mekong rivier het ons die grens na Viëtnam oorgesteek. Het die eerste aand in "Chau Doc" geslaap.

"Kyk ma, niks hande". Ons boot bestuurder het darem hande gehad, maar blykbaar is dit opsioneel vir sy werk.

Het gedink die mense in Kambodja kan 'n motorfiets laai, maar lyk my nie of die Viëtnamese een tree terugstaan nie.

Sal liewers nie met die klein mensies van Viëtnam moeilikheid soek nie .....

Christoph het nou die "chopsticks" bemeester. Dit is meer as wat die res van ons (gesin) kan se.

Killing Fields

Absolutely mind boggling that one man in the space of 3 years was able to virtually destroy a country. Pol Pot became leader of Cambodia in mid-1975. During his time in power, Pol Pot imposed a version of agrarian socialism, forcing urban dwellers to relocate to the countryside to work in collective farms and forced labor projects, toward a goal of "restarting civilization" in a "Year Zero". The combined effects of forced labor, malnutrition, poor medical care and executions resulted in the deaths of approximately 21% of the Cambodian population.

Amazingly the new government for the sake of reconciliation decided to only prosecute the leaders of the Khmer Rouge. Many followers were forced to kill (even their own parents) or be killed. I can't even begin to imagine the guilt and baggage that these people carry and live with every day.