Vietnam Report - March 18, 2011 (PM)

The Accomodations are Rough (Not Really)

We left Hanoi this afternoon and flew to Hoi An, an ancient city over 1000 years old that survived unscathed the Vietnam War. We arrived just in time to experience the lantern night-time celebration where they turn the old city into a walking zone only -- no cars, mopeds, or buses. It was a beautiful sight watching lit lanterns float on the river.

We checked into the Winh Hung Resort, which is supportive of Binh and COPI and has given us a significantly reduced rate. It is a four-start resort hotel. We definitely are not roughing it. And, we will be here four nights.

I always knew that the Vietnam team stayed in some pretty nice locations, but I really had no idea. My previous point of mission trip reference was Mexico and Russia. The last mission trip we slept on the unfinished floor of a wooden church in a village outside of Yoshkar-ola. Our present accomodations are very nice.

The city of Hanoi is not as modern as other cites further South. Hoi An is very quaint. It is like a Park City. It is a destination sight for tourists and is reknown for its clothing. I am having some clergy-type shirts made here out of silk custom tailored.

Tomorrow we have a full day serving hopefully about 300 children in a clinic in the town of Dai Loc. We leave on the bus at 7:00a. It should be a full day. We have four clinics left before we return home.

Thanks for all your prayers. There is always some background challenges with permission to conduct the clinics. It is a constant struggle. But great things are happening.

P. Jeff