Good News in a Distant Land

"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land." (Prov 25:25)

Wanted to show you a couple of pics of the good news in a distant land that many of you were a part of last week. It will be refreshment - and warmth - for years to come.

The first pic shows some of our team, some of the students, and some of the blankets and mats that you purchased for the students at Ban Ho.

In the second pic is one of the GVI leaders, Tan, who has led us on each trip.

And then below is a story from Stacey Gaines (which she gave me permission to share), who participated in giving for the students. An awesome story about our awesome God . . . And how we're blessed when we listen to the whispers of His Spirit . . .


Hi Pastor John,
Just wanted to let you know (again!) how perfectly God provides for His children! Last week as I read your blog about the need in Ban Ho for beds, I immediately sensed in my spirit that we were to give $100. Almost instantly, my flesh chimed in wondering how we could afford to answer this need. My husband was laid off last month, and while God has provided for every need, finances are tight and I honestly didn’t know where the $100 would come from. But I knew God was asking us to help meet this need and was obedient to his calling. The next day, I was scheduled to facilitate a session with our new faculty. I had agreed to do the session as a simple service and wasn’t expecting any compensation. When I arrived that day, the person in charge of the orientation session told me that I was being paid $200 for the session! Not only did God provide for the need He had created, but provided abundantly. I am reminded of the passage in Luke where Jesus talks of giving...”Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap!” (Luke 6:38). I am incredibly thankful to have a Father who challenges me to obey Him when it makes no sense...to love Him...to trust Him.

I hope this encourages you!!

November Trip?

There is one more opportunity this year (2010) to go to Ban Ho, Vietnam and serve these beautiful people for the Kingdom.

The possibility is the first week of November and the deadline is closing quickly. I would need to know of your interest THIS week.

Let me know asap.

From Vietnam Team

Just got email from Greg as they head home that he asked me to share with you . . .

Oso Creek!

Don't have much time before we are leaving - but have to say THANK YOU AND Praise Him! It is with mixed emtions that we prepare for the overseas portion of our travels home because we are finding this leg of our journey to be the hardest; the goodbyes.

Our goodbyes began yesterday in the village of Ban Ho and our final goodbyes will be in just a few moments when we leave for the airport and leave behind our GVI friends. We have met so many amazing people in our journey, from Hanoi to Ban Ho & back again, we have encountered many wonderful and special people.

As we travel to our final stop at our HOME (big H up above), we are confident we will see some of them again and we encourage you all to join us as we focus our thoughts on those we may not see again. Your gifts to the children were so much more than beds, blankets and mats, they were individual expressions of love that will we hope will allow the children to feel more and more at HOME (big H!).

We cannot wait to share so many of our relational stories! Please continue your awesome prayer support for out last leg!

From your humbled Vietnam team

Done!

Sunrise this (tomorrow really for us) morning in Lao Cai was 5:42am (close as I could get to Ban Ho) . . .
At 5:51pm (12 hours difference) the final message of $100 was emailed to me from Colorado.

Isn't God awesome! Within 9 minutes of the sunrise we raised the $1,600 to care for children around the world who no one who contributed has ever met! They will now have beds, mats and blankets to be warm & somewhat comfortable as winter comes on. Things we take for granted.

We had people from 8 different cities in Colorado and Texas give generously to help those in need in Southeast Asia - and it all happened in less than 12-hours! Wow!

I want to share with you one message I got from Lynn Floyd. You Creekers remember that Lynn filled in for me the first Sunday of my sabbatical this Summer. Pretty cool that God would have him collide with His need in Vietnam through my blog post as I come back from sabbatical.

Check his message out . . .

John, So, I've been reading "The Hole in Our Gospel" the last week and a half. It's been a major eye opener and no doubt I have personally and led the churches I have been involved in to be guilty of the sin of omission by not being more passionate and active in bringing hope, relief, and aid to those living in abject poverty.
I have resolved for that to change in my personal life, the life of my family and the life of my church.
So as I finished up another chapter last night in the book I prayed something like: "God it seems like such an overwhelming task. The misery is overwhelming and the needs are far too great. What do I do with all of this information?" Then I remembered something Stearns said in the book: "I believed that we really can alter our world, but we can only do it one person at a time. And when enough people choose to do this, even a crisis on a global scale can change." (pg. 163)
I then got out of my bed to check my email and I saw your post about the Immediate Need in Ban Ho and helping to break the cycle of poverty in their life and how by just helping to provide beds and blankets could help meet a tremendous need......I knew it was God answering my prayer and inviting me to join Him in what he was doing over there.
So, praise God for your team. And praise God for the vision that you are spreading to take the gospel to the whole world.
Blessings, Lynn

Kingdom Connections

This is a great pic of the teahers at the Ban Ho school looking at the photo album that Erin Richmond (one of the January trip team members) made for them from our trip in January.

They were in awe . . .

'Go . . . [to] all nations . . . and I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'

Great Connections

Vietnam Team is doing incredible . . .

Today (remember that they are 12 hours ahead) was their first day in Ban Ho and they got to drink the first glasses of water from the new filtration system.

Greg (Richmond who is leading the trip) tells me that the teachers and administrators were so excited to see them. It makes huge impact when you REALLY do come back. It's all about relationships and pouring out the blessing of the Kingdom as eyes are opened.

One story from Greg about small supplies we left last time: ". . . says thank you so much for medical supplies and she is already out of band aids liquid skin neopsporin and headache medicine - great story about how she used medicine kit on a consulate who was hurt in Ban Ho and he asked how she got the supplies so he found out about Oso Creek and GVI."

Audie, Sam, Kacey & Hannah led the first hygiene class and they said that went awesome as well and had great participation.

Check out the videos they are sending back on the front of our web page (click here) . . . and keep going back for new ones.

Travel Envy

I'm finding myself really envious today of our team that is headed to Vietnam . . . For me it's like Christmas & 4th of July all together when you get on that plane headed towards the adventure!

But when someone sent me this hilarious video by Brian Regan it helped relieve my envy by reminding me of some of my flights. Takes a little (just a little) sting out of not being on the trip . . . . :)

Pray . . . VN

One of my primary convictions this Summer centered around prayer.

Prayer is not a program or an obligation.

Prayer is simply the core expression of our dependence on God. Period.

When we have anything in our lives that we don't pray about, what we're essentially saying is: 'I've got this one God. Don't worry about it, I can handle it myself.' 'We really don't need your help in this area, we've got it figured out.'

Really?

I'm going to be leading us and calling us to a deeper commitment in prayer.

So pray with me today for our team leaving today for Vietnam: Greg Richmond, Hannah Richmond, Corey Wigger, Audie Lawley, Samantha Hanson, Kacey May.

Really.
Pray for each one of them to have humility in every situation and love for every person they meet.
Pray that will be teachable as they encounter the Vietnamese culture and people.
Pray that they will be wise in every situation.
And pray that they will be courageous as Jesus speaks to them to act.

Somebody Missing?

Our next group will go to Ban Ho, Vietnam on August 12-21.

We have a team ready to go, but we also have a couple spots open.

I know that there are some of you who have heard about what God is doing there and keep ignoring this inner voice encouraging you to check it out.

So . . . one last opportunity to go and build the Kingdom in August around the world.

Contact Greg as soon possible (email him here as soon as possible to find out more !)

August Mission!

Our next trip to Vietnam is ready to launch! Six Creekers are committed to go to Ban Ho, Vietnam on August 12-21.

One of our great leaders, Greg Richmond, is going to lead the trip . . . And there is still room for a couple of more folks . . . If you have any interest contact Greg (361.443.9991) asap.

The primary project for the Team in August will be the construction of a water line from the nearest source of water (about a mile away) to the City of Ban Ho. A line will then be run to the school where a new container for fresh water will be built and then a filter installed.

The bottom picture gives you an idea of the current water supply. This is the container for all the water at the school. The water hoses in the background are what currently carry the water from the source. Yes, water hoses (full of holes) from a mile away. And then there is no filtration system for the water. You can also notice that they are catching water off the roof and running it in to the container.

The way it works is that we partner with the government, Ban Ho and GVI. Local contractors and laborers are hired to do the bulk of the work. We provide the resources and our team jumps in with labor while we are there.

Here's the cool thing - we can resource this water supply (that will bless about half of Ban Ho) for $6,500! And a Creeker has already committed to pay up to half of the project if we match it!
So, not only can you bless a city half a world away for the Kingdom - but your resources will be doubled!

If you want to be a part of what God is doing just denote on your checks 'Ban Ho, Vietnam.'

And yes, if you can't go in August and still want to go, there's another trip to Ban Ho in October - October 14-23. Talk to me if your interested.

Much Bigger Than We Can Imagine . . .

One of the really cool things about our involvement in Vietnam is the immensity of it all!

We are involved in something so much bigger than us! And not just spiritually (even though that is SO true) . . . But it goes way beyond the 6 folks who just went in January and Ban Ho.

It goes way beyond the 3 0r 4 churches involved in development in the Lao Cai province. Through Glocal Ventures it spreads all over the country in countless domains.

And then through other partners of GVI, it spreads through the entire fabric of a nation in need.

We are not part of a trip here or there. We are woven into a movement that is going to transform an entire nation of people of which there are many cultures!! That's awesome and exciting!

Check out this article on the GVI website written by Kim Lindell that summarizes our trip and shows it in the context of this movement! (Click her for article)

Great job Kim!!

And great job Creekers!

Awesome Team!

I know that I overuse the word 'Awesome!' But this is one place where it applies. We had an awesome team in Vietnam and here's what I mean.

Teachable - Everyone went in with an attitude to learn from our partners and friends in VN. I'm so thankful that no one had the 'arrogant American' attitude that gives us a bad name.

Humble - Again, everyone on our team was willing to put others before themselves. I saw our team serve the students & teachers of Ban Ho and people of Vietnam day after day. As well as serving me and one another.

Faithful & Flexible - Every day we experienced the unexpected. We had 30-min van rides that turned into 1-hour and 2-hour loooong van rides (one of which included wading through the muddy road to help push stranded vehicles out). 8-hour overnight train rides with no sleep. Rainy days where no equipment or people showed up to work. 11-hour layovers in airports. And yet, every single team member was faithful to our task and focused on the Kingdom!

I could go through a whole bunch of other adjectives but ya'll get the idea. Just had to brag on Kim Lindell, Carrie Ruiz, Toby Ketter, Greg & Erin Richmond. Way to go guys, way to set the pace for future VN teams from Oso Creek!

Thought ya'll might enjoy these pics of our team. From top . . . 1) Beginning of trip on top of hotel in Hanoi (w/Tan & Sherman from GVI). 2) Putting our handprints in the new pavement at the Ban Ho Secondary School (w/Mr. Dook - Superintendent of Sapa Schools) 3) On way home @ Narita Airport - Tokyo (you gotta find stuff to do to kill an 11-hour layover!)

Brief VN Summary & Video

It's hard to express what an incredible time that we had in Northern Vietnam both from a personal perspective and in relationships with the people there.

It was amazing all that was accomplished. We set out just wanting to be open to whatever God had for us in helping and loving the people of Ban Ho and we ended up with more connections than we could imagine. And not just at the school but with Commune (City) officials, health department leaders & people from every tribe in Ban Ho (being Tay, Black Hmong and Red Zao).

A verse that encouraged us all week was Zechariah 4:10: "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. . ."

Incredible beginnings we had! I encourage you to click here and go to our website and see the message from Sherman Chau. Sherman is the head of GVI in Hanoi and I asked him to summarize the impact of our trip. Check it out and you'll be encouraged too!

This first pic is a couple of the children in Ban Ho and the second is us with some of our teacher, school admin, student and community friends (the ladies with the red headresses are Red Zao ladies)

Headed Home

Great day in Hanoi today . . . debriefed with GVI staff this morning then to cultural museum (about the minority cultures which we were in the midst of in Ban Ho) . . . then off eating and shopping.

We're about to head out to the Hanoi airport for the next leg of our journey home to Tokyo. Then after a 10-hour layover in Tokyo we'll go across the ocean to Houston, and then home!!

Great trip with a great team!

No video today but more to come soon!

Ban Ho Day 3

Check out the latest Ban Ho videoblog here: www.osocreek.org

We've been learning a lot about how our expectations can interfere with God's incredible plans!

So many things have not gone how we planned . . . but . . .

Delays the first two days in getting workers for the paving project . . . has led to invaluable relationship building time with Ban Ho city leaders, health care leaders and school administrators

No cement truck this morning because of muddy roads . . . led to an awesome kick-ball game with the kids and more encouragement for the teachers.

No time to get back to Sapa for lunch each day . . . has led to incredible times at lunch with the teachers and administrators

And on and on . . . Our mantra continues with more conviction than ever: Your Kingdom come, Your will be done!

Ban Ho Day 2

Finally getting this blog out a little late (wireless here is sketchy, but I'm thankful that we have it!!)

The Day 2 Ban Ho video is up (click here) . . . I tried to give you a little overview of what the Ban Ho community is like.

Because of light rain all day we didn't get any paving project done, but some incredible relational things went on! Erin R. and I spent an hour and a half with their local rural medical clinic 'doctor' (probably more like an LVN in our context). The exchange he and Erin had were awesome and it built for further partnership in the future. (None of this on video as he was reluctant to be photoed 'at work')

We also did a project for them you will see on video of taking pics of all the kids at the middle school for the students 'profiles.' They have no digital camera so they would have to transport the kids an hour a couple at a time on motorbikes to do this.
And this brings up a need that one or a couple of you could care for here in Ban Ho! Buying the school a digital camera. Probably $100-150 and then we could send it to them. Would someone be willing to do that?
It would be great to let them know before we leave that one will be on the way!

About to head out for our third exciting Ban Ho (6:30am here) . . . . so look for another Ban Ho video tomorrow morning.

First Day in Ban Ho!

We had an incredible first day in Ban Ho, Vietnam! (Click here to see video)

The school, town, everyone were so open to us being there. We were even invited to eat with the teachers and administrators on the first day -- very unusual.

We toured the school and needs they have, saw their town health clinic, starting working on the paving project in front of the school . . .
AND I participated in my first international soccer competition! It was their (very young) teachers against our team. For the record I played an incredible game at goalie (had like 13 saves!), unfortunately the rest of our defense was very spotty and the West lost 3-2.

But an incredible day . . . no pics here (tech issues) but check out the 2 new videos on the Oso Creek website plenty of pics there! (Click here to get to website)

A Day In Sapa . . .

It's a surreal train ride from Hanoi to Lao Cai. We left last night at 8:30 pm and the train got into Lao Cai (far northern Vietnam on Chinese border) at 5am. (We've got some video of the train on the latest VN video . . . click here to check it out -- top right 'Creek Videos')

We then hopped directly in a van for about an hour and a half ride to Sapa. Checked into our hotel and then took off for some sightseeing. Went to a beautiful waterfall and then by Ta Phin, the village that I went to last May with Forefront Church. Was very cool to be back.

Been a day of adjusting to the alititude (5,250 ft) and the culture. Have hung around town the rest of the afternoon.

We've been talking as team a lot about mustard seeds. How the smallest amount of faith moves the largest objects (Mt 17:19-20). And how just a mustard seed of the Kingdom has expanding impact beyond what is reasonable or imaginable (Mt 13:31-32).

We can't wait to meet the people of Ban Ho tomorrow . . .

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done . . .

In Hanoi!

We had a loooong day and a half but a great time and God got us to Hanoi!

Today we do a little sightseeing here and then tonight get on the overnight train to Lao Cai and then off to Sapa . . .

Check out the video of our journey on the front page of the Oso Creek website: video. Also, keep with us here or follow me on twitter . . .

This is our team with two of our GVI friends - Tan and Sherman on Saturday morning

Why I'm Going - Kim Lindell

I've asked our VN team to share with you why they are going to VN and what they are asking God to do.

I'm hoping that this well help you to connect with our Team and what God is doing!

As a "stay at home mom" for the past 7 years, my main job has been to take care of my husband, our children, and our home. Because of that role, I have often found myself in this sort of bubble absorbed with my self and “my world”...those things that pertain to us...things we are involved in, our daily needs, etc.

I desire to step out of that bubble and see a “new land” and it’s “people”; God’s creation elsewhere…His provision and abundance elsewhere…His glory.

I desire to experience a new depth in my faith…to be taken out of my element that I might see Him more.

I am taking with me a willing heart…my teaching experience…my attention to detail…and whatever else God pulls out of me on this adventure and in Ban Ho.