Salmon, Salvation & the Sea

A couple weeks ago, six friends stood outside the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels near Assisi in Umbria, Italy. We had just finished a Mediterranean cruise and now we’re standing near a small chapel built in 801AD where Francis of Assisi started his spiritual pilgrimage with Christ. As we pondered his life, it seemed appropriate to ask each other about our own spiritual DNA and journeys, especially since we were all in our 70s and 80s.

We are all created by God, our Father (Eph 3:8-21, Ps 139:1-14) with some mystical, biological connection to Him. It’s coded in something like physical or spiritual DNA, a bit like the salmon.

We grow, learn, mature (“live, move, and have our being” Acts 17:28) and enjoy the shallow, clear waters of our birth. Then, in some fashion, we begin to explore and make our way down descending, widening, rivers of choice and new experiences, until at last we reach the sea—the ocean of seemingly endless size and possibilities filled with more choices and new experiences. There we spend most of our lives, amidst all kinds of creatures and sights—many creatures like ourselves, and many who are not.

We eat, we swim, we reproduce, we look around, we explore—sometimes the depths and darkness, sometimes up near the surface and light.

We wonder, “What could be above the surface, the boundary fixed for our existence?” In our present biological form, we can jump above it a short distance, splash, and play. But we can’t live there, or see much beyond.

Then there comes a time, we know not how, or really why? But something draws us toward the waters where we were born and given life. We start making our way along with many like us, from the ocean of love and choice and experience to the very river from where we came. We know not how? We know not why? But the ability has been given to us at the mysterious and mystical beginning of our journey to finish our journey with some purpose, perhaps, for our lives and existence.

The mystery of how we find our way back home to our Father to the place we began is as strong as the force of the descending currents flowing against us. Indeed, at the end of our journey, the currents are steep and swift, between shallow, vulnerable resting pools of fresh, clear water.

We continue until we are there, or perish in the trying. Mystery, marvelous mystery is the birth, the journey, and the return. The Preacher has called vanity—a shadow, like vapor or smoke. And he has called it, “Eternity in their [our] hearts.” He said also it is a beautiful and multifarious expanse—a time for everything, with everything beautiful in it’s time” (Eccl 3:1-11).

What is the purpose of our journey? It might be to enjoy the gift of life and the gift of choice, and hopefully come to know the Giver—the biggest prize of all! (Col 1:27, Gen 15:1, Phil 3:10).

There are millions of paths in the ocean, with much to hear, see, taste, touch, and feel. But in our heart of hearts, we sense there is more, and that it is real (Eccl 3:11).

I end with a prayer that we find our way. Back to the place we were born, where we’ll die, then stay with the One who gave us life, light, choice, and experiences galore. If we know Him, He will take us above the surface to some celestial shore. There we’ll continue to explore in the presence of this good Father and Creator forevermore.

The End

[I Cor 2:9, Job 19:25-27, 2 Tim 1:12, 1 Tim 1:17]

Wayne and Jackie, I should’ve gotten your contact information. I enjoyed your company very much, getting to know you a bit, and would love to spend eternity with you. It’s my prayer you’ll stumble onto this blog and it will prove meaningful or guiding to you in some small way on your journeys. Wayne, I think it no coincidence that I am reading “Mere Christianity, a Christian classic by C. S. Lewis for the first time. He’s philosophical, not religious, and intellectual. I think it would speak volumes to a guy like you! I would also recommend a book I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed by Eric Metaxas, Is Atheism Dead? Jackie, you are beautiful within and without, with a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4), easy to be with, and a joy to be with. I believe you are also a truth seeker. I pray you find truth, peace, and rest.:):) Shalom.

Discipleship Is The Future

Ron, the leader of our Nehemiah men’s group, chose DISCIPLESHIP as our theme for the fall, and we’re well into it with the THREE CHAIRS illustration pointing to Commitment, Compromise, or Complacency in our walk and relationship with Jesus. Where are you within these three Cs?

Simply said, Jesus calls us to be DISCIPLES our whole life long, daily, and to DISCIPLE others as we go. (Matt 28:19-20) This morning we heard some thoughts on and DISCIPLESHIP practices from Ray Vander Laan and Francis Chan. I noticed the sign on the stage where Fracnis Chan was speaking said, “DISCIPLESHIP IS THE FUTURE.” Probably the Holy Spirit is saying the same thing to the church now, and has been since Jesus gave the command. Can we hear it? Can we do it?

We’ll be discussing and praying and acting upon DISCIPLSHIP this fall and hopefully in a fuller measure for the rest of our earth lives. We heard about the Shema this morning. The first word coming from Jesus’ mouth when asked what is the greatest commandment, was Shema “HEAR and OBEY” the God Who Is One, and show your love for Him in this way–hearing and obedience.

It was pointed out that the word translated “HEAR” in the Bible (Shema, שמע) is translated “OBEY” 90% of the time. Stay close enough to hear, and you’ll have His Holy Spirit whispering to you and giving you the power to act and bring God’s power into situations involving family, work, and play as you journey. Be a DISCIPLE, and by your example, making disciples.

God’s Shalom be yours…

*******************

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).

“Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

I read a post today entitled, “Words Have Wings” by a beautiful Jewish woman we met on a recent cruise. The thoughts and Scripture she shared seemed to be apropos to her point, and to the call to DISCIPLESHIP:

“Moshe, the great teacher and leader, sees his end approaching and perhaps it is for this reason that these messages appeal to people’s hearts? We read:

כִּ֚י הַמִּצְוָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּ֑וֹם לֹֽא־נִפְלֵ֥את הִוא֙ מִמְּךָ֔ וְלֹ֥א רְחֹקָ֖ה הִֽוא׃
לֹ֥א בַשָּׁמַ֖יִם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲלֶה־לָּ֤נוּ הַשָּׁמַ֙יְמָה֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃
וְלֹֽא־מֵעֵ֥בֶר לַיָּ֖ם הִ֑וא לֵאמֹ֗ר מִ֣י יַעֲבָר־לָ֜נוּ אֶל־עֵ֤בֶר הַיָּם֙ וְיִקָּחֶ֣הָ לָּ֔נוּ וְיַשְׁמִעֵ֥נוּ אֹתָ֖הּ וְנַעֲשֶֽׂנָּה׃
כִּֽי־קָר֥וֹב אֵלֶ֛יךָ הַדָּבָ֖ר מְאֹ֑ד בְּפִ֥יךָ וּבִֽלְבָבְךָ֖ לַעֲשֹׂתֽוֹ׃ (ס)
רְאֵ֨ה נָתַ֤תִּי לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם אֶת־הַֽחַיִּ֖ים וְאֶת־הַטּ֑וֹב וְאֶת־הַמָּ֖וֶת וְאֶת־הָרָֽע׃

“Surely, this Instruction which I enjoin upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach. It is not in the heavens, that you should say, “Who among us can go up to the heavens and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?” Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who among us can cross to the other side of the sea and get it for us and impart it to us, that we may observe it?”
No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it.”

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 (Translation taken from Sefaria)

Sons of Korah & Suffering

I had an unusual, disturbing dream last night. It wasn’t a nightmare, but more of an endless chase after something insignificant—a blue colored baseball thrown or hit out of play, that I went to retrieve. I chased it down a swiftly moving brook, jumping on rocks, from side to side, almost getting it occasionally with a stick, but it was always just out of reach. At last, maybe a mile from where I started, it went over a small waterfall not to re-emerge to the surface from deep water. It was either stuck on the bottom or finally waterlogged.

After the unsuccessful chase, I returned to find that we didn’t get to do the activity we paid for with friends and family. Our small group appealed to the owner of the enterprise for mercy, grace, and in the end, just the return of the small deposit ( $2.75 ) I had paid to ensure the return of a metal key. We received nothing. The end.

Disturbing? A bit. Things not going to plan. Some injustice and unkindness in the end. Wasted time. Wasted energy. What did it mean? If anything?

It’s August 2026! Whew, where has this summer and year gone? Time flies. And occasionally time stands still.

The death of a loved one. A season of darkness or depression that challenges hope and causes us to wonder about the value of our very existence. Maybe some nagging pain, sickness, or physical condition that persists without resolution or answers. Psalm 88, the last of the Psalms of the sons of Korah was written in and about such a time of suffering.

Dave, a young, PhD elder at our church spoke about it yesterday at our church’s Sunday service. Suffering is not a popular topic in the affluent West or with people in general. But it’s part of an earth life and can lead to a time of spiritual breakthrough or revelation, seeing God more clearly, and His good purposes for you and for the Earth.

Suffering gives us pause. It makes us still, so as to focus on the moment, or for a moment, on what’s real, and not just on what’s new, shiny, or exciting.

God did not hide from us that suffering would be a part of every human life, even for the upright and spiritual. The oldest book in the Bible, Job, gives important insights into this and sets the stage for why humans suffer and what God intends it to accomplish by it.

Jesus, God in the flesh, suffered horrifically, as the most important and critical part of that plan—redemption and gifting us eternal life as part of God’s forever family. In doing so He demonstrates to Satan, dark and deceiving demons, angels, individual humans, and nations the powerful, good, loving, just, merciful, gracious heart of the Creator. He demonstrates that some humans would choose to love, serve, and know him, even in the presence of suffering.

Dave pointed out that Heman, one of the sons of Korah, is the only author mentioned by name in these beautiful and telling Psalms. In Psalm 88 he begins with a prayer to God for help in the midst of suffering and for an awareness of God’s presence. The Psalm ends with Heman in a dark place—not yet sensing the God of all comfort and light.

Heman is mentioned in the Chronicles of the kings of Israel, along with Solomon, as one of the wisest of the wise. They both attested to the value of darkness, mystery, and suffering in knowing God.

So embrace it, when it comes, as you pray and look for the God of mercy, light, and peace. Godspeed on your journey in suffering and in health; in dark times and in light times. He is good! He is faithful, loving, and true. His shalom be yours.

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.”
(Job 1:1,6)

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death….”
(Paul in Philippians 3:10)

“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison….”
(Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:17)

As for the dream, I’m still meditating on the fuller meaning, but on the surface it suggests we not live distracted by trivial or meaningless pursuits. Rather we should seek the important, live in the moment, and look to know God better every day of our lives and journey—in darkness and in light. Typically, as humans, we see Him most clearly in darkness, when He has our attention. As recommended in my book, God Stays Near, let’s make it our habit to seek Him at all times by being still, and practicing the habits or spiritual disciplines that keep us spiritually sensitive. Maybe the darkness will come less often. At least we’ll be better able to see clearly and listen closely when it comes. Shalom.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
(Psalm 46:10)

“Listen to this, O Job; stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.”
(Job 37:14)

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;  but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract,  and I repent in dust and ashes.”
(Job 42:5-6)

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17)

*********************

Addendum: Although “suffering” isn’t listed in the spiritual disciplines, the ancients and spiritual fathers all attest to its value in spiritual sensitivity, hearing, and knowing God. John Mark Comer, a nationally known teacher, in his series of teachings on the spirtual disciplines addresses “suffering.”

France 2026

You were expecting a post about the World Cup, weren’t you? While I appreciate sports and their benefits to humankind, this blog is about travel and spiritual adventure. :):) My wife and I, along with three other couples and longtime friends, just returned from a Viking cruise on the Rhône river of France from Avignon to Lyon followed by a high-speed train ride to Paris, and three days of walking and touring The City of Light.

Despite the record-breaking heat wave in Europe, we enjoyed our look at that ancient waterway from the Swiss alps to the Mediterranean Sea. The food and wine of the region were amazing as heralded, with Lyon reportedly being the gastronomic capital of the world. The short history excursions tracing the Roman and medieval history of France were insightful and beautiful to view. Speaking of history and beauty, the Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard was my personal favorite—amazing engineering with breath-taking beauty and two-thousand-year-old splendor.

Fun Facts

France is the third largest country in Europe after Russia and Ukraine. It’s almost the size of Texas. Metropolitan Paris has a population of about 13 million people. Yet it hosts about 48 million visitors each year. The Eiffel Tower is visited by about 7 million people each year making it the most visited world attraction where a ticket is required. Five million more visit the grounds and nearby area for photography and viewing bringing the total to 12 million visitors. Nearby Notre Dame hosted an estimated 11-15 million visitors in 2025 after the fire and restoration. The City of Light has many other grand monuments, museums, art galleries, and beautiful city architecture making it one of the great walking cities of the world. One should also mention French cuisine and sidewalk cafes aplenty to relax, refresh, and soak it all in.

The Jews

“The Jews, Your Majesty—the Jews!” That’s how Blaise Pascal, the brilliant physicist and mathematician, responded to French King Louis XIV, the Sun King, when asked for proof of the supernatural or of God. The idea being their survival through centuries of exile and persecution is a miracle. Any serious student of human history would have to acknowledge the same. Especially when you throw in the Biblical record and prophecy about the journey of these storied, ancient people. I’ve included chapters about this phenomenon in my books, A Friend of the King, Puzzling 2020, and God Stays Near.

It naturally interests me when I travel, to see the history of a place or country through the lens of how they treated or interacted with the Jewish people among them. (See Genesis 12:3). France’s history in this regard is varied and nuanced. Do some AI research if you’re interested.

One big surprise and takeaway for me was walking by the Jewish synagogue in Avignon and hearing that one of the popes there had shown kindness and protection to the Jews of the city and region. Pope Clement VI was number 4 of 8 French popes who ruled from France for almost 70 years after the papacy moved from Rome in 1309 due to unstable conditions in Rome and conflicts with the French king. During the Black Death, 1347-1351, Jews were accused of poisoning wells causing the plague and many pogroms broke out in Europe. Clement VI issued papal bulls condemning the violence. He declared that blaming the Jews was the work of the devil and urged clergy and rulers to protect Jewish communities. He provided refuge himself to the Jews in the territories around Avignon.

Spiritual France

A lot could be said because France has a long history since kings began to rule in Europe around 1000 A.D. They were anointed with oil by priests pointing back to the same practice as the kings of Israel in 1000 B.C., symbolizing that authority to rule on earth comes from God. We visited the historic and beautiful Notre Dame, and Saint Chappelle in Paris. All the Gothic cathedrals in Europe say a lot about what was happening at the time. Most people couldn’t read or write, but their spirits would be drawn up toward God by the lofty ceilings and beautiful light filtered through stained glass—stained glass depicting Bible stories and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I read these words about Jesus in my Bible reading this morning: “Jesus traveled all through Galilee teaching in the Jewish synagogues, everywhere preaching the Good News about the Kingdom of Heaven…” (Matthew 4:23 TLB). So it was a thousand years later in Paris, His disciples were carrying on that work in stained glass and weekly preaching and teaching about the kingdom of God.

A short list of prominent saints and martyrs in France would include Joan of Arc (1412-1431), a national heroine and Catholic saint who led French forces in the Hundred Years’ War, guided by visions. Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) was a mathematician, physicist, and philosopher, who had a profound conversion experience and wrote Pensées, defending the Christian faith. King Louis IX, (1214-1270), aka St. Louis, was king of France, crusader, and a model Christian monarch. He was canonized for his piety and justice. Charlemagne (742-814), was king of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor, who promoted Christianity across Europe. France considers him their first king. There’s Louis Pasteur, St. Vincent de Paul, Saint Genevieve, John Calvin, René Descartes, and many other Christian people who have shaped the spiritual landscape of France.

May the Lord remember their lives and prayers, and show France mercy and grace in times of spiritual darkness.

Viva la France! 🇫🇷

*********************

“The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.” (Psalm 145:9-13)

“Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.” — Blaise Pascal

Vietnam 2026—Enigma and Empire

Questions & Conclusions

It’s been a month since I visited Vietnam for the first time and spent two weeks there. I’ve written short blurbs about it and shared photos, yet it’s been difficult to process what I saw and experienced. It was beautiful and complex–but it’s time to try.

I looked at Vietnam’s history this morning. It’s helpful in understanding how they got where they are:
1000 years ruled by China (111BC – 939 AD)
1000 years ruled by Vietnamese emperors (939 AD – 1858 AD)
100 years ruled by France (1858 AD – 1954 AD)
20 years of civil war — North against the South (1954 AD – 1975 AD)
50 years of communist rule ( 1975 – Present)

I try to look at everything through a Biblical lens, because it makes the most sense and holds true in every epoch and age of history. “God is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Heb 13:8, Ps 15:4, Mal 3:6, Isa 46:9-10) “Of old I have known from Your testimonies that You have founded them forever” (Psalm 119:152).

I made observations which raised questions. I asked questions of my hosts and others. Some remain unresolved, but my synopsis is that some big things are going on in Vietnam. God may be coming near (Luke 10:9), and the wind, or Spirit of God, is blowing there (John 3:8), or is about to do so. The country seems in a spiritual vacuum, and the church there has a spark.

I mentioned in my first post about Vietnam that it is open to tourism hosting 22 million visitors in 2025 — about one fifth as many people as their entire population. People interact with each other. And we change each other. Within people is a thirst for wisdom, truth, and understanding. Another characteristic of people is that we thirst for freedom. We are made in the image of a freedom-loving God. The words of the Bible come to mind “It was for freedom that Christ set us free” (Gal 5:1), and “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). The Christ follower can flourish under any type of government. Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom isn’t of this world.” And Pilate didn’t feel threatened by Jesus. But some are afraid of losing control due to this innate freedom-loving quality in humans.

Communism or socialism doesn’t work well historically—men trying to be their own gods. Corruption is a big problem in Vietnam, China, and Asia in general. It’s been said, “Good men can make a bad system work, but bad men can’t even make a good system work.” There are very few good men absent the Spirit and teaching of God. But the people of Vietnam are very pragmatic and saw what wasn’t working, and then embraced foreign trade and private ownership of property. These incentives made the normally industrious and bright people of Vietnam sacrifice and work hard to improve their lot in life and future for their children. That seems to be obvious and working quite well.

I had the impression that the Vietnamese were the Irish of Asia—kind, hospitable, engaging. The country’s most important asset is her people.

The gorilla or elephant in the room, or on the border, is China. Because of their histories, there’s not much trust or love between them, but China can’t be ignored. There’s not room to go into that, but suffice to say, “You don’t want to poke the gorilla.”

Ho Chi Minh

What influenced the man to hold the views he did on the government needed for Vietnam? Was it the neighboring countries, most notably China? The lust for power? The cultures he encountered in the United States, France, and Russia when he visited? I don’t know. I need to find an objective, historically-accurate biography of the man and trace more of his actions. Jesus said, “By their fruits you shall know them [men]. A bad tree can’t produce good fruit, and a good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit [actions].” (Matthew 7:15-17) Actions speak louder than words, and you know a man better by what he does than what he says.

Some of those I visited from former North Vietnam have warm feelings for him and genuinely referred to him as Uncle Ho. Those who fled Vietnam when the communist took over and those who suffered in reeducation camps, have a completely different idea. Personally, it’s a little hard for me to get past the fact that when the communists took over the south, many property owners were executed as their properties were confiscated.

The Future of Vietnam

Two former North Vietnamese friends told me that 75% of Vietnamese would favor doing business with the USA, even after the war, than any other country. The same friends are doing well for themselves and prospering with the prosperity that’s coming to Vietnam. They said they were happy and content living there.

Later in the week, because of something they said, I asked the question “If you had the chance to live in the USA, would you?” They surprised me by saying, “Of course.” It left me thinking, “OK, which way is it? “”

My concern is for the people of Vietnam. They have been oppressed by foreign powers, like China, France, and their own government. Their country was war torn because of it—3 million Vietnamese and 58,000 Americans dead in just the civil war. Yet they’re smart, industrious, social, ambitious, and want to make a go of it—to make better lives for themselves and their children. They seem to be forgiving and want to “Let bygones be bygones.” Diplomatic relations with the US were restored in 1995.

Free markets work. Individual ownership works. But unbridled consumerism doesn’t. It ends up being an idol and a curse on people who worship or serve only money and material possessions. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth” (Matthew 6:24). It’s an ancient proverb that Shakespeare says like this, “All that glisters is not gold.” Tolstoy said, “It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness.”

Nations sometimes look at America and see only the prosperity and benefits of freedom. They mostly don’t see that it was the word of God, and the Spirit of God, in the people of God that brought the blessings of God—the prosperity and freedom. And those same factors allowed the people of God to have wealth to enjoy without wealth having them. So that they could continue living in the power and blessing of God, in relationship with God on a higher spiritual plane, enjoying the blessings while keeping those things in their proper priority.

I had a rare, beautiful opportunity to take a deep dive into peoples lives and the culture of Vietnam. I love the people and their country. I pray God’s blessing and best for them.

“Father God, may Your kingdom come, and Your will be done in Vietnam as it is in heaven. Bless the country and people with Your truth and Your life, as only You can. They’ve experienced plenty of wrath. Please, in wrath, remember mercy. Amen”

*********************

“He says, ’It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’” (Isaiah 49:6)

“Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isaiah 60:3)

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” (Isaiah 9:2)

“Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’”(Jeremiah 29:11)

Vietnam Books — Culture & Country

Books for Understanding—A Culture and a Country—Vietnam

When I knew I was going to Vietnam, I wanted to read a couple of books to get some understanding about the culture and the country, so I could make better sense of what I would see with my eyes, hear with my ears, and notice all around me. I remembered that while we lived in Fort Smith, a friend gave us a book entitled, Where the Wind Leads. She said it was moving, real, and very insightful, especially since a fairly large number of Vietnamese refugees settled in Fort Smith. The book’s author grew up in Fort Smith.

I intended to read it right away, but let it get away from me. Now, I searched for it on my bookshelf and started to read. Timing is everything! I couldn’t put it down, and found myself reading it at 2:30 AM at times. It’s a true, human-interest story about one family of the so called “boat people” who fled Vietnam as the communists took over after the war. It’s the best thing I could have read to understand that chapter of Vietnamese history, the nature and psyche of the Vietnamese people, and where they have come from to this point in history. Even without the Vietnamese connection, it’s a beautiful and moving story about one human family, resilience, God’s help, and providence in their journey through life.

I asked the leader of our group, Pastor Ngoc, what else should I read? He surprise me by suggesting I read, Jesus in Beijing. I thought I should be reading about Vietnam, not China, but ordered the book and started my way through it. Soon I saw the connection he probably wanted me to see. It is likely the most thorough, researched, accurate, credentialed, up-to-date accounting and history, of the underground church in China—probably the largest and healthiest church in the world. Aside from that important insight, it’s also a text book on how the church operates in a hostile, communist environment, being under authority, but following Christ as King. So I now see the connection, and it’s value to the church in Vietnam. I finished it on the plane going over and left my copy with the Bible school in Saigon.

As an aside, I left a copy of my four books with the same school. I told Pastor Ngoc they were about discipleship, the Bible, and knowing God better as we journey, but they are only available in English. He said to sign them and bring them. They would be of value to the young pastors and Bible students. So I did. Thanks, Stan, for carrying them in your checked bag!

More than a decade ago, I was introduced to and read, The Heavenly Man, a biography of one of the leaders of the underground church in China. It was inspirational and eye-opening. Jesus in Beijing is a substantiation and continuation of that story—a story that is still unfolding in our day. So with that information, I can wholeheartedly recommend both of those books for your insight, inspiration, and spiritual knowing about our times and the state of the world in context with the Kingdom of God—especially in Asia.

Shalom as you read, study, and learn more about the Kingdom of God as it ebbs, flows, and grows in the nations of the world. Please pray for the peace of Vietnam, Israel, Jerusalem, and your own city, as the Bible tells us to do.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they be secure who love you!” (Psalm 122:6)

“Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
Worship the Lord with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” (Psalm 2:10-12)

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.’” (Revelation 7: 9-12)

Soup With the Savior-Day 4

Thursday, 2026 Journal Entry — Vietnam, Central Highlands

Today the pace was slower but steady. We didn’t experience the crush of people we did yesterday nor the numbers we expected in this village. But it was important — important to each person in pain with medical needs looking for a little healing, kindness, and hope.

Each person was greeted with gentleness, smiles, and honor…

At the first station nurses, Madison and Myra, took blood pressure, vitals, and recorded those on a dual copy record with the patient’s printed name. They were then seated in a small waiting area by an indigenous helper who spoke the dialect. This local helper, then escorted each to a chair in front of Dr. Ron or one of the two Vietnamese M.D.s and their translator assistants as spaces became available.

After the doctor’s exam, prescriptions were recorded, and the patient escorted to the pharmacy station. They were seated while the pharmacist, Ân, and her team of Linh, Thái, and Dwayne, filled and double checked each prescription. Then each patient was given their prescription with the medicines and escorted to another room where someone explained to them what the medicines are for and how to take them in the proper dosage and sequence.

The process for people needing dental help was similar. Patients were directed to doctors, Stan and Isaac, for numbing, and extraction of problematic teeth. Then they were escorted to the pharmacy for pain meds and antibiotics.

These patients are people who would likely never have the opportunity to see a dentist or a doctor, nor the finances to do so if they could. So, the community of faith is being led to bring those services to them. God’s Spirit is working through people to bring others needed mercy, help, and grace.

Apparently, the only two metal folding tables owned by the church or the pastor were being used for our pharmacy to spread out and organize medicines. So when it came time for lunch, we moved our medicines in an orderly fashion to red, plastic chairs, so our hosts could serve the lunch they had prepared for us.

In keeping with the Vietnamese tradition of hospitality, they served the best they had. It was rice and a little green vegetable soup. It was the most humble, but maybe one of the best lunches we had, depending on how you look at it.

My main memory of this village and these people is their joy and gratefulness for our coming and anything we shared.

There were bent-over grandparents and elderly people from years of hard work in the rice patties, and mothers with young children on their breasts. There were strong, muscular young men and teenagers. You could tell by the way they interacted with each other that they were a tight-knit community of friends and relatives.

In the end, we served about 170 people today. It’s not about the number. It’s about being here, and touching people with kindness, love, and hopefully some healing. I had a sense that Jesus was here with us and among us at every moment enjoying what was going on with His children—those being served and those serving.

“And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
(Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭42‬)

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭6‬)

Say a prayer for the Vietnamese government and people of Vietnam.

“Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.”
‭‭(Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭25‬-‭27‬)

More photos of the Day

*********************

This was day 5 of the mission, since we attended chruch in Saigon, and began the long bus ride to the Central Highlands on Sunday. After we saw the last patient in the village mid afternoon, we headed south to Da Lat, a beautiful resort town at almost 5000′ elevation with an alpine feel. We arrived in time to check in our hotel, take a group photo, walk the town a bit, and have dinner. The next day was to be a recreational day for most of the team, while three of us who came early headed south to Saigon the next morning so we could fly home the following day. The rest of the team enjoyed a day of recreation and rest. We had become really close and it was sad saying good bye, but there was also a smile on our lips and in our hearts for all we’d been able to see and do with old and new kingdom friends–the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. His Name be praised. :):)

“He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters;
He makes the clouds His chariot;
He walks upon the wings of the wind” (Psalm 104:3).

Vietnam’s Central Highlands Day 3

Remote M’nong Village
Wednsday 2026, Jounral Entry

[Before leaving the hotel Dr. Le captpured the photo above on a sunrise walk. Then back at the hotel before our evening meal, we wittnessed a local wedding party preparing for the special day–the sort of beautiful serendipity one often encounters when traveling abroad.]

Today our team of two American Dentists, one American doctor, two Vietnamese doctors, an American Vietnamese pharmacist, nurses and support volunteers served about 200 people with medical needs in support of a local indigenous pastor and his small church.

Our team members are from Fort Smith, Arkansas, Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, Texas, Newport News, Virginia, and Saigon, Vietnam.

At our last stop, we served primarily church members and a few non-churched villagers, at this remote village we served a small part of the church community and a large number of non-churched villagers.

The pastor was genuine, warm, and really has a heart for serving his community and leading as many people to Christ as possible.

A pastor from a neighboring village came to participate and help as needed. He was imprisoned a few years for his faith. He was also beaten so severely that he doesn’t have use of his right arm and a few other physical issues, but he started a church about a year ago with 50 members and now has grown it to 150 members. Church leaders here are very inspirational. They have suffered, and seen a lot of suffering.

The team continues to stay healthy, motivated, and strong with resolve to serve, whatever it takes. It’s good to be a part of a troop like this, and also feel the Lord‘s presence and pleasure as we serve.

The food continues to be a little different in every region, but very delicious with delicate flavors and quite a variety that we are totally not used to. I may send a few photos. The people are friendly, hospitable, and kind.

I sent this journal entry back to our prayer team, along with: “Thanks for your prayers and continued support that the kingdom of God would come to Vietnam and His will be done here as it is in heaven.”

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” ‭‭(2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬)

More of the day’s photos…

Elephants! Day 2

Tuesday, 2026 Journal Entry
Central Highlands, Vietnam

We are leaving the hotel after two nights. They’re bussing our team to a different location today and we’re spending the night elsewhere. The dental team is splitting off from us today, for today only.

In fact, the authorities only let Dr. Stan, Dr. Le, and two Vietnamese dental and medical personnel with American passports work with the dental team today. The rest of us American passport holders were not allowed back.

I awakened this morning praying for the local pastors, and the church in Vietnam, especially the Highlands.

The people of the Central Highlands seem to be much more open to the gospel and come to faith much easier than the populated areas of Vietnam. They seem to have a simple, child-like, faith, and not so much indoctrination as those in the cities and more heavily populated areas.

I had an impression to leave some T-shirts that have Christian messages for local pastors as I go. I asked Pastor Ngoc, and he said that would be fine, but not here, due to the scrutiny. In the next villages it should be fine.

One interesting thing happened at a public restaurant last night. The local pastor prayed over our long table of about 30 people (mission team plus local church members), a long passionate prayer in Vietnamese. A table of men drinking beer at the next table clapped loudly when the prayer was finished. So we did too. One of them looked me in the eyes and said in broken English, “Good prayer!” :):)

That was a new mission experience!

*********************

In the early afternoon our dental team of four rejoined us. We boarded our bus and drove a few hours to our next location.

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” I’m not sure where that pharse comes from, but out leader, Pastor Ngoc, must take it to heart, because at our next hotel in the Central Highlands, we were suprised by two Asian elephants giving rides next door! What a sight, and experience! All this was in the middle of a beautiful agricultural valley on the shores of a very large lake. It was an incredibly beautiful and peaceful setting we were to enjoy morning and evening for two days before and after serving in nearby villages.

*********************

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.”(Galatians 6:18)

More Photos of the Day

Central Highlands Day 1

Monday, 2026 Journal Entry
Central Highlands, Vietnam

Wow! Nice first day in the central Highlands.

We have excellent team chemistry with everyone working together with joy and goodwill. One miscue — the Vietnamese dentists, who were supposed to come, backed out, and they were to bring all the instruments and dental tools. Thankfully they weren’t needed today and will be shipped overnight on a nine hour bus ride from Saigon for tomorrow’s ministry. Our dentists did other things today with Dr. Le doing a good bit of translating for the doctors–our own Dr. Ron and two Vietnamese doctors.

We saw 167 patients today. I worked in the pharmacy with Thai Le and Linh Pham under direction of our pharmacist An Tran from Atlanta. She kept us organized and busy handing out meds that our doctors prescribed in bags with the patient’s name and instructions which were explained by a nurse in the next room.

All this ministry took place in the humble church atop a hill with the Pastor’s living quarters in the back.

Everyone, patients and providers, seemed thankful and pleased with the processes and ministry.

Many of our team simply posed with locals in the waiting shelter outside, who wanted their photos with Americans. There were lots of smiles, laughter, and hugs. “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Pro 17:22).

The movement and actions of churches and Christians are much more closely monitored in the rural, indigenous areas that in the cities. The authorities showed up to see what we were doing. Then they forbade us going to our planned location tomorrow. But they would permit those villagers to be bussed to where we were today.

“Father have mercy on these people we came to serve and help us find favor to do what You have for us to do. Amen. ‘Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; and confirm for us the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands'” (Psalm 90:17).

*********************

Psalm 90:12 was painted on the wall at the front of the church. “So teach us to number our days,
that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”

More Photos of the Day