So today I have an hour to email, but between an email to Pres Moon and reading emails my time feels like it is gone already, but I shall do my best. Here are some pictures to send your way. I have tons more, but no time or space to send them. Some are from the MTC, one is from the Hong Kong airport the first time I've ever left the country and landed on another and some are from here in Cambodia, the watch line is from just one day in the sun (yikes, but I'll be getting long sleeves today, I hope as well as leggings so I'm not flashing everything to the world ;-) ). Mom I'm glad you share the patriarchal blessing and do you trust me experiences, those are the experiences that are currently shaping my world right now, well that and beheaded frogs that still crawl around, but that is another story for another day.
I love my companion and I love my apartment mates. My companion is Chi Loan from Ho Chi Min city, she served six weeks here before being whitewashed into Hanoi and she served there for 10 months. We have now been whitewashed into the Vietnamese branch number six. Chi Loan is the only member of her family who is a member, she found the church three years ago in Melbourne Australia where she also learned English. As part of her learning the language we try to speak Viet outside and English in the apartment, but I'm trying to sneak Vietnamese phrases inside as well...
I have no idea how to really share about my life here. Pres and Sister Moon are amazing, I did talk to them about all my medical stuff and Sister Moon (who is over all the medical things) has it all arranged, so I don't need to worry about that. I did eat raw salmon on the plane, it was Chi Hoa's birthday and I love her. We have all been split up and Chi Hoa was so excited, she is over branch three far, far away from us. Chi Hien and I actually ended up sharing an apartment she and her companion Chi Huong who is Northern Vietnamese and doesn't speak English are all one big happy family. I have found out my stomach handles Vietnamese food much better than Khmer food so I am thankful both of my companions can cook.
Having whitewashed into the area Chi Loan and I have no idea who the members are or who the investigators are, we managed to get lost every time we've stepped out our door, but I am getting better at finding out where I am and looking for landmarks. We have been trying desperately to find people to help, but it is like looking for a needle in a haystack, but I am thankful for a sister who has whitewashed before and who is ever diligent. We did finally get some help from the elders who dropped us off at a recent converts place of residence ( my idea of home is still adjusting, most places other than our apartment, (which is so nice, clean, it has two fridges, a washing machine and blessing of blessings air conditioning and a water cooler for all our purified water); have a roof and three walls with tile floors and if they are middle income (loose term) they have lawn chairs for furniture). Chu Nee and Co Sau are so kind and loving, we sat with them for an hour waiting for the elders, I had no idea what questions my companion asked so I didn't want to re-ask a question, but I did manage to ask them why they liked church and what their favorite scriptures were. It was interesting going to the branch the next day and having Chu Nee be my third party to make sure the branch president knew what I was saying. I had gone over to Chu Nee and asked him how his day was going, we struggled at first, but as soon as we hit a certain point I could understand him (if he talked slowly) and he could understand me. Friday and Saturday were hard, just getting thrown into the work and having a behind so not used to a bike seat, plus going over a bridge multiple times in a day, but once I started meeting the actual people the work became fun. I'm still not sure how I feel about going to the market, let's just say it is so very different from home, but I love the Vietnamese food and I love the Vietnamese people. There is a work to do here, I have no idea how to do it at this moment, but I know I can.
I have only been here days, yet I am already learning how much we require the Lord in our lives. I think part of the reason I had to come was to begin learning what it really means to rely on the Lord, the Vietnamese are a powerful example of that and I shall do well to emulate them.
Well family I still have a mission president to write and work to do, like buying long sleeves, a smaller bag, water and leggings so I must leave you for now. I apologize in advance for the complete lack of letters, apparently our mission receives pouch mail and packages, but we don't send things through pouch. It costs over a dollar to send things and that is if you go through Charlie the secretary at the mission home. I shall try to spread my time on emails to hit everyone, but for today it is rush rush rush.
I love you all and I am excited to go find my Vietnamese brothers and sisters.
Love,
Chi Dao
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