Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

I am thankful that the Philippines Team is now safely in the U.S. and reunited with their family and friends. In a few days they will be recovered from the time change and readjusted to the American lifestyle. One thing is for sure, they are returning never to be the same...with a new zeal and hunger to see a move of God like we all saw in the Philippines. We can't wait to share with the church family all that God accomplished during our short time of ministry.

Robin Rogers and I have moved on to our next assignment. We arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Wednesday afternoon...a city of more than 10 million people. Early Thursday morning we were picked up on motor bikes by members of Agape Outreach Fellowship and were taken to Pastor Vinh's house church--a 45 minute ride through the city. Pastors and leaders from around the city, the Mekong Delta, and the "highlands" (tribal villages) gathered for the Agape School of Ministry. I taught on the topic "Authority of the Believer" with Pastor Vinh as my interpretor. It was great to see old friends as 16 of the pastors began the school with me 4 years ago. It is amazing what they can endure; they remained attentive from 8:00 till 5:00 pm...so intent on learning, taking notes and asking quesitons.

We were picked up again on Friday morning and when we arrived at the training center, everything was buzzing as they prepared for the first ordination service for the 16 pastors completing the 4 years of trainig. A special lunch was prepared, Pepsi was put on ice (a real treat for them), ties were passed out, hair was combed, some even put on their shoes for the service!!! The candidates were invited to share the testimony of their call and I wept as they stood before their peers, expressing the difficulty of serving Jesus in this type of persecuted environment, yet declaring by faith they they were committed to serve the Lord in their new office. They take very seriously the call to the office of pastor as well as the call to the office of evangelist. Each one knew shared where the Lord was calling them to minister...all of them to unreached areas of Vietnam. Some as far as 16 hours away by bus. It was the most humbling experience I have ever encountered, and also the most inspiring. It was truly the book of Acts in "action."

I was given the privilege of sharing the Word of God to them--to encourage them as well as challenge them. The Scripture on the banner you see hanging over the small platform is Colossians 4:17. After the Word, Pastor Vinh and I laid hands on each candidate, anointing them with oil, as they dropped to their knees in submission to the call of God on their lives. Pastor Vinh shared with them at the conclusion of the ceremony, as a true spiritual father, with tears running down his face, as he claimed the unreached in his nation for the Kingdom of God. I can hardly type this testimony for the tears in my eyes now as I recall the day. What an honor that God would allow us to be part of history in the making here in Vietnam. God was faithful to provide the money to sponsor these pastors for this service through Kingdom Builders, and I was blessed to see that Pastor Vinh used some of it to purchase Bibles, tracts, postors, and other materials to equip the new pastors for the work of their ministry. They loaded up backpacks and suitcases with these materials after the ceremony. Some got new helmets and jackets to wear on their motor bikes so they can take the Gospel deep into unreached territory in the highlands. Some of the women pastors got new blouses and were so proud of them.

I pray each of you are inspired and motivated to become actively involved in "preaching the Gospel in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come." Matt. 24:14.

Pictures have already been added to the website to help tell the story.