Author: David Grisanti

It is now Friday morning at around 10:30 AM, meaning 8:30 PM Thursday on the West Coast. Yesterday (Thursday) I completed the 4 days of teaching. I am thankful for just how well everything went. I felt great throughout and met some wonderful individuals and I wish I knew everyone’s story. I think I had mentioned before about the man who would provide transportation each day to and from the school. 20 years ago he had spent a year in jail for sharing his faith. He had some other great things to say as well, which I will tell you about when I return.

Then, last evening I was picked up at the hotel by Pastor Tung and I rode on the back of his motorbike for the 20 minute wild ride through the streets of Saigon. I wanted to use my iPad to video some of the ride but had been warned by several Vietnamese people to always hang on to cell phones and tablets, as there are many thieves in this area and they will swoop by on a motorbike and take it in the blink of an eye. So, I gently held on to the bar on the rear of the bike but maintained a death grip on my iPad! I wish you could experience what it is like to ride through the streets of this city of 8 million at night. Very exhilarating. Eventually, we arrived at a small restaurant down kind of a back street. We were joined by Tung’s wife and 3 children for a meal of spring rolls and . . . well, some other stuff. I don’t know what it was called but all of it was very tasty. There was a stack of rice paper with plates of ingredients, so everyone made their own spring rolls. After dinner, about 8 others came to the restaurant for the Thursday evening prayer gathering. In fact, Tung’s church meets at this restaurant on Sunday mornings. We had a time of singing, talking, and then in lieu of the prayer time, I was asked to offer a word of encouragement. It all lasted about 90 minutes, then back on the motorbike for the return to the hotel and a good night’s sleep.

So, I will relax today and get ready for the 3 AM checkout and ride to the airport. So much more to say but I’ll save it for later. Looking forward to being home with my wonderful Debbie!

Again, thanks for all the prayers and for reading the blog. Now please remember me in your prayers, that all goes well on the return trip.

Blessings!

Man, I am loving it here with the pastors and leaders. All 3 of my sessions today seemed to connect. That is due in no small part to the translator, a young woman named Bella. She does a brilliant job, and the translation from English to Vietnamese is seamless. After the delicious lunch, everyone took a nap for about an hour on mats on the floor. They set up a couple of cots for us. It was very nice.

When the first afternoon session began, someone brought me a coconut with a straw in it. It was quite refreshing.

Tomorrow’s the final day. I’ll let you how it goes.

Thanks so much for the prayers.

Here’s a pic of the coconut

Well, I am halfway through the final leg of this long trip. Before I know it, it’ll be time to head for home.

I am thoroughly enjoying the experience of teaching through the book of Nehemiah at this conference. I have never had a group of people take so many notes throughout the classes. One woman excitedly came up to me during a break and did her best to let me know how much she is getting from the sessions. She showed me her book of notes and I was pretty amazed at how extensive they were. She said that she is a missionary throughout Southeast Asian countries. What a great blessing to meet her.

We were invited to have lunch with the leader and executive council of the denomination. It was a truly wonderful experience. And, the homemade Vietnamese cuisine for lunch each day continues to exceed my expectations!

The pastor here with me from Texas has been to Vietnam once before: that was back in 1970, so you can probably correctly guess why he was here. It is a real adventure each evening as we head out to find a place to eat dinner. It really is impossible for me to describe what it is like to experience the sensory overload of the thousands of motorbikes, people from all over the world, aromas from all the open-air restaurants, and the challenge of crossing the boulevards. Every time we make it to the other side, I feel an exhilaration that must be similar to how people feel who successfully walk across a bed of hot coals! Wild!

I will not be posting any photos of the people at the conference. I’ll show some when I return.

Keep praying, please.

Love to you all.