joy to the world

It hasn't been till just recently that I realized that I am homesick. I didn't know that it was possible to be homesick without knowing it! Homesickness hasn't materialized as crying hysterically or pining to be home...it's materialized as a disconnection. About two weeks (or so) ago, I realized that in the state that I was in, Christmas could come and go and I wouldn't really be affected by it. I wasn't excited for Christmas- I didn't seem to have any interest in decorating the house, baking cookies, organizing a Christmas day celebration, etc. All of that just seemed like work to me...work that I wasn't interested in.

Suddenly, at a particularly low point...I had a multi-fold epiphany. First, it wasn't that I didn't care about Christmas. It wasn't that Christmas could come and go without celebration it and I wouldn't be affected either way...its that homesickness had invaded without me realizing. Like I said before, It materialized in the form of disconnect. It was easier to emotionally remove myself then to acknowledge that I am so far away from home and that this holiday season looks so much different than ever before. It was easeir to emotionally remove myself then to acknowledge that I am so far away from so many people whom I love.

Second-if a change of scenery, lack of tradition and familial presence was enough to make me not engage in the season-not really celebrate the birth of whom I believe to be the Savior of the Universe...what did that really say about what I believe? Taking it a step further....if a change of scenery, lack of tradition and familial presence was enough to make me not engage in the season...what had I been celebrating for the past 23 years?! I would throw around the phrase "reason for the season" and what not..but how much had I really, truly considered what the true reason is apart from the commercialization and tradition? Here, there is no illusion of Christmas- there are some trees and lights sprinkled here and there (apparently a lot more than ever before).

I am grateful that there is no illusion. It has really caused reflection on my part. And that reflection has led me to recommit to what this Holiday season was all about in its inception...recommit to the celebration of God coming in human form!

So guess what my housemates and I are doing? We are throwing a huge party...because you know what? We believe that if any birthday is worth celebrating...Jesus Christ's birthday is most definitely it!!! (I think we are even going to make a huge cake that says "Happy Birthday Jesus" with the numbers 2042 on it :)

Oh and please don't worry-I am no longer homesick. Sure, I would love to be with my family right now...but there is so much joy and anticipation in my heart for next week!

It is my desire that you (whoever might read this) would too know the glorious love, hope, joy and peace that can be found in engaging in the meaning of this season!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Grace and peace and the third way,
Kait

guns and love

This last Saturday classes were canceled so that all of us as a staff could travel to a village in the mountains surrounding Danang. Our mission was to pass out rice and blankets to over 300 families in the region. So, at 7am the adventure began with an hour and half(ish) car ride to the base of the mountain. The car ride was an adventure in and of itself as some of the terrain was pretty rough (there were parts that felt like the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland J).

Once at the base, we all piled out of the cars and onto awaiting motorbikes-I would proximate that there were about 15 motorbikes and drivers waiting to take us up to their village. The car couldn’t go any further, because as rough as the drive had been-from that point on it would be impossible for a car to pass through. So, we all got on motorbikes and started off on another hour-long journey up the mountain. The ride was absolutely nuts, we were all bumping up and down as our drivers nearly avoided 2 feet ditches and mud traps! Meanwhile, we were passing through breathtaking scenery as mountainous jungle passed us by. The guy who was driving me was very sweet-he even provided tunes for the ride J At first, they were his own tunes as he began to sing and hum. Then, he took out his phone, pressed a couple buttons and within seconds we were listening to Nsync and Celine Dion-ha!

Once up the mountain we stopped at a central location where people from all over the mountain region had gathered to receive the supplies that we had brought. Some families walked for as along as two hours from their homes. Introductions were made-and then the distribution began.

After we finished passing everything out-we went to go visit the local church building. To get there we had to wade half way through a stream and then ride the rest of the way in a boat. Up until a couple months ago they had a bridge that covered the water but it is now in the list of things that the typhoon claimed in its destruction.

After a short hike, we reached the church and gathered inside to all eat lunch together. It was there that we learned a little bit more about the significance of our journey. We were fortunate enough to be accompanied by the region’s pastor (he was actually the contact that our school’s director had to the village). This faithful man has been serving that particular community for over 20 years. Its hard to describe but this man’s face literally seemed to shine. I had no doubt that I was in the presence of an extremely faithful and committed follower. Anyways, it was then that he shared with us the meaning of our group’s visit. He explained how incredible of a trip it was as this was the first time that Americans had been to the village since the war. He said, as I choked back tears “The last time Americans were here, they brought guns. Now, Americans are here-but they are bringing love.”

Wow.

I was left speechless.

I feel so honored and privileged to have been able to be in this man’s presence and be a part of such an experience.

Some people in the group began to ask him some more questions. The pastor told us a little bit more of his story. There are too many stories to recount-but in a nutshell, this man has been thrown in prison numerous times for his faith and persecuted in many other ways. Yet, his faith remains. Despite circumstance, his faith remains.

What an awesome example.

Grace and peace and the third way,

Kait

23

I think I might venture to say that I have had the best birthday ever this year-which is saying a lot-trust me. My family has always done a phenomenal job at making my birthday a special day…so its not in the absence of a good birthday experiences that I say that I had the best birthday!

My birthday landed on a Wednesday this year. The actual day was going to be pretty hectic with work and the parent meeting that I had in one of my classes. So we decided to celebrate early on that Sunday. I have never liked planning my own birthday so Christ and Audrey took the reigns completely. All I did was show up J

And so it began. Sunday morning Christ, Audrey, Dawn and I went and got breakfast at a great restaurant overlooking the bay. From there we went to church-afterwards was when I received my first clue. Christa and Audrey had created a scavenger hunt all across the city. So, on my bicycle I went…from clue to clue…person to wonderful person…here was where the hunt led me:

1^st stop: Lunch with two of my friends from church. I met them at a vegetarian restaurant and had a wonderful time eating and chatting.

2^nd stop: Hanging out at a park with almost all the TAs from school. We talked, took pictures and laughed a lot J

3^rd stop: The sweet soup shop (a Vietnamese dessert that I absolutely love) with one of my closest friends (she is another TA from school) and her students (she teaches a few classes of her own on the weekends. Her students are SO wonderful. I hang out with them from time to time. They were some of the first people that made me feel so comfortable and at home). The lesson for that day had been translating birthday messages for me. So, one by one they went around the table and each greeted me with their own birthday wishes- “We wish you much happiness” “We wish you learn Vietnamese well soon.” “We wish you stay in Vietnam long time.” It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful.

4^th stop: Meeting Dawn to paint pottery. She brought coffee-thank goodness, I was fading at this point. We spent a relaxing hour or so, painting and chatting.

5^th stop: Eating at one my favorite places-an Indian restaurant with the APU crew. When I arrived and saw Audrey and Christa…I lost it. They hugged me and I just broke down. I was so overwhelmed. It had been such an incredible day-I felt so so so loved…

So after dinner-around 8pm…I thought the day was over.

Nope.

6^th stop: I had about half hour at home and then I followed my housemates to Dawn’s house. Where, about 20 some others were waiting for me! Once again, I lost it. People from World Relief, people from school, people from church…it was incredible. People had brought all kinds of yummy desserts. We spent a couple hours just hanging out and eating good food.

Then on my actual birthday I woke up early to skype Erin (my friend and HIS years mentor). She had sent a package that I promised I would wait to open on my birthday-and I promised that I would skype her in to experience me opening it. Before I could skype her though, two of my friends that live on the next street over came and sang happy birthday to me as I listened form the balcony. Then, with Audrey and Christa accompanying me, we skyped Erin to find that Becca and Ian were accompanying her! With a group of witnesses, I opened an incredible package. It was full of letters from friends and fun gifts.

Then Becca told me that she was coming for a month in June.

Then there was a celebration for me with the staff at school.

Then Audrey and Christa got me a special dinner.

Ok and that doesn’t even begin to cover the texts, calls, emails, e-cards, the cards from my parents, the cards from my grandparents and the other many gifts that I received. This would literally be too long of a post if I were to say everything that people did for me for my birthday.

I was so overwhelmed with love on my birthday. Thank you to all who were involved! I will forever remember my 23^rd birthday!

Grace and peace and the third way,

Kait

Life

I used to say that I am here in Vietnam for 2 years. I think at least initially, I had to say that. I had to have something tangible to wrap my mind around. As big of a change as an international move creates-I think our finite minds need something sound to hold on to. I have noticed within the past few weeks, that I have stopped thinking in terms of a timeline. I have stopped thinking "I will be here for 2 years." My train of thought has become much more simplistic- "This is my life."

I have finally started to feel settled, finally started to feel like I have found my place here. I don't feel as much of an outsider or stranger. My life is here now...and who can ever predict (but the Lord) what kind of timeline that comes along with.

A lot has happened since I last blogged! Along with settling in has come the grind that comes with the end of the honeymoon phase. I knew that it was just a matter of time till the novelty of a new place wore off-but you know, I am glad that the time has come...because I feel more a part of life here and now-rather than a visitor.

I have continued to learn more and more by the day. Time and time again, I am confronted with my very Western mentality that is based off of entitlement and rights. Day in and day out...I am learning about putting into practice what I studied at the theoretical level during University. Day in and day out...I am learning how much harder it is to put said practices to use rather than theoretically writing about them. I think one of my major lessons could be summed up like this - Jesus' power was not founded on his assertion of rights.

You see, I believe in Jesus. And to the best of my broken ability (and thats a very nice way of saying it) I try to model my life after the person of Jesus Christ. I think regardless of what you believe about him-it can still be acknowledged that he lived a pretty radical life. He lived in such a countercultural way-in a world that almost always paints things out to be black and white, good or bad, right or wrong...he showed us how to live in a third way...in a way that our human minds don't immediately resort to.

I believe that Jesus came to earth and showed us how to use the precious life that we have been given- to the best of its potential. I believe that Jesus came down to earth to show us the intrinsic power of a human life if we are willing to fully commit to our original design and purpose. Tangent! Ok, sorry...sorry...reigning it back in...I have been confronted time and time again while here with the lesson learnt from Jesus' life...that I am trying to unlearn from Western culture...that there is power when we deny the lies of entitlement- these are the same lies create privilege and oppression, the lies that create an "us" and "them", the lies that stratify, the lies that create disparity, the lies that ascribe unequal value and worth among humankind.

Power is not found in rights or entitlement...power is found in love.

I am learning that lesson in a new way right now. I am trying to become a person of love. It is a feeble and failed attempt...but I believe each morning is a new opportunity...and I try to wake up...seeing it as that...

Grace and peace and the third way,

Kait

PS: Sorry if this post is a jumbled mess of thoughts...streams of conciousness-hope you can decipher it :)

Typhoon...check! Parent meeting...check!

Well, this week was comprised of a couple of big "firsts"! The week started off bright and early Monday morning with a text message from Mr. Hai "We will not have class because of the storm that is coming" is how it read. I thought this strange as we have gone to school in some pretty crazy weather in the 3 months that I have been here. Pretty soon though, we got word that this was no ordinary storm but rather, a typhoon!

So, not really knowing what to expect, we made sure that we had enough food and stayed home as the winds began to pick up more and more outside. We were content enough, we hung out, watched movies and cooked dinner. We received different reports-"the typhoon is going to hit at midnight", "its going to hit at 6 am on Tuesday", "its going to hit at 1pm on Tuesday"-regardless of when exactly it hit, we spent 48 hours inside while rain and winds (upwards of 90mph) wreaked havoc all over the city. All in all, our house faired well-our roof managed to stay on, the power was only off for about 36 hours and water leaks were the extent of the damage. Not everyone in the city was so lucky. The streets were strewn with debris from trees and buildings. Many people's homes and businesses suffered significant damages. If you pray-I would ask that you pray for those who are having to pick up the pieces from the typhoon. In addition, there are reports of another typhoon on its way-please pray that the city would be protected.

In a daze, we went back to school on Thursday. It seemed like such a weird transition-to be cooped up at home for days praying that our house would stand-to being back at work- preparing to teach. The TAs didn't seem shaken by the typhoon-although they admitted that the one we had just experienced ("Typhoon Ketsana") was a lot stronger than average-storms like that are just a part of life in Vietnam.

The Typhoon messed with our class schedule-thus I was supposed to have a parent meeting on Tuesday evening-but it got bumped to Thursday. Parent meetings occur at the end of a course (every 10 weeks or every 14 weeks, depending on the curriculum). The meetings are a time for the teacher to basically show off what the kids know-demonstrate to the parents all that their children have been learning. I was quite nervous as it was my first parent meeting-as well as my kids' first parent meeting (the parent meeting was for my youngest class that I have written about before). With a full house- the kids demonstrated very well all that they have been learning. They were all so cute and their parents were all very happy. Phew!

There is just such a different rhythm to life here. I feel really strange posting a blog that talks both of a storm that was devastating for some...and....a parent meeting. But, thats honestly what my week was...held up at home for days and then on the flip of a dime, in performance mode....such extremes! It is such a foreign contrast to me. But the people of this county have seemed to learn, that that is just the way life works here. Life must go on-you pick up the pieces and you keep going. I am inspired by their resilience.

Grace and peace and the third way,

Kait

Kids say the darndest things...

I love all my classes and I love all my kids-truly. However, one class above the others sticks out in my mind. It stands alone because of how insane the class can be and how utterly clueless I sometimes feel teaching them!

Which class? My Potato Pals 1 class (aka the one that I started 8 weeks ago/the ones that I got to name/the ones that are 4-6 years old and are in their first english class ever). So it makes sense, right? They are babies!!! Of course it would be a crazy class!

Anyways, the point of that matter is that that class is SO up and down. I will have a great class and come home so encouraged-feeling like we are getting somewhere. Other days, it will be as if we went back in time. Like we digressed by a few weeks...which leaves me wondering if they are absorbing anything at all that I am attempting to teach.

Last week especially was pretty rough. There was one day in particular that I was feeling rather discouraged. After my first class, I ran downstairs to grab something for the upcoming class. In the process, I ran into a mother of one my Potato Pals students. She speaks some English and thus I was able to converse with her for a little bit.

I told her how I said seen a lot of improvement in her daughter "Karen" (yes mom-the little girl named after you!) as of late and how much I enjoyed having her in class. Karen's mother was so sweet as she thanked me for teaching her daughter and said how much of a difference she has seen in her confidence level!

She went on to tell me how Karen won't let anyone go drink water or go use the restroom at home until they have said "excuse me". You see that is one of our class rules...if they need to get a drink of water or use the bathroom during class they have to say "excuse me" before they are allowed to go.

I walked away from that conversation absolutely floored! Karen understood what was going on in class enough to implement class rules in her home! Ha! What wonderful news (I mean, I feel bad for the family that they now have a water and bathroom passwords...but what great news on the teaching level :)

I entered into my next class at a much better place emotionally. Then after all the kids had gone home for the evening, my TA for the Potato Pals class came into my classroom to tell me that one of my student's mother's had called her. My initial reaction was "Uh oh." But she quickly reassured me that it was a good phone call.

The mother wanted me to know that her son Tom will no longer brush his teeth before he eats breakfast...he vehemently insists that he eats breakfast first and then brushes his teeth...a rather strange message to pass along, right? To me, it meant the world though! You see, the curriculum-the Potato Pals 1A book is called "In the morning". It consists of sentences and vocabulary associated with morning routines. In the book "In the morning I eat breakfast" comes before "In the morning I brush my teeth" and apparently my student Tom really took that to heart :) Adorable. Simply adorable.

Such simple little things...but they were the exact encouragement that I needed. Thank you Lord!

Though a seemingly slow process...my students and I are both learning...and what a beautiful and messy journey it is proving to be.

Grace and peace,

Kait

It was something small but it spoke volumes...

last night Audrey and I capped off the weekend by watching a movie in her room on my computer. After the movie was over Audrey asked "what time is it?" and then looked on my computer's clock. "Wow its early!" She said as the clock read about 7:45..."Yeah almost enough time to get an 8 hour night of sleep before our 5am wake up call" I said. I have been conditioned to read the clock on computer, Audrey had not...you see, my clock was still set to west coast time. Audrey quickly realized that it was in fact 2 hours later than she had at first thought (West coast time is 14 hours behind). She then asked "Why haven't you changed that?" It was a simple question. I had a simple response...or so I thought; somewhat honestly I replied "Well, I don't know how to." Which is true-I am a brand new mac user so I have yet to pick up the little details of the computer...but the other part of the truth is that I more than easily could have figured out how to change the time...I just didn't really want to. Again, though small...the significance spoke volumes...

Perhaps I am being melodramatic (it wouldn't be the first time) but not having the correct time on my computer was an insight for me, into my own emotional state of acclimation. I really do love it here. Vietnam is a wonderful country. Being with and working with kids everyday is such a joy. Living simply is freeing. Being outside of my comfort zone has allowed a lot of room for growth...I could go on and on...I really do love it here, but, I don't feel settled.

I don't feel settled-to the point that I knew where I was in time from referencing some other time zone...ridiculous, right?!

Just look at my room and its easy to see that I am not settled. It is my house but not my home. I have yet to put up pictures...thats typically the first thing that I do when I move somewhere new.

I think settling looks different and takes a different amount of time here. When I immediately think of settling...I think of comfort. I feel settled when I feel comfortable about where I am...living in a different country (at least for me) is full of uncomfortable experiences, its just a part of life in such a new place. Therefore, if I am going to base my feelings of settlement off of emotions...I don't know that I"ll ever get there. I am learning more and more...that feeling settled needs to be a choice. I want to be here and I now need to choose to be here. I don't know if that makes any sense outside of my head. I just think that I am have been waiting to feel settled...and it isn't coming entirely on its own. And before you say anything, I know many of you are probably thinking "Kait, it hasn't even been two months yet!" which I realize and will admit that part of settlement is time contingent, I guess I am talking about a different aspect though.

I love it here. I want to be here. I am realizing more and more that I need to CHOOSE to be here-choose to be here with my everything...not just my physical being.

All that to say, Audrey helped me change my clock that night :) Baby steps.

If you pray, this would be an area that I would appreciate prayer in-that I may daily choose to be here and be now.

Grace and peace,

Kait

It was bound to happen...

I knew it was never a matter of if I make an embarrassing Vietnamese mistake but rather, when...and after last week I can say that I know the when (well, one of the many “when”s to come) :)

Last week was a great week as I began to meet some of our neighbors. One night Robin and I were walking back from school and about 4 of the neighbor ladies beckoned us over to come sit with them. (Something that is so great about Vietnam during the summer time, is that everyone is outside at night. Literally, everywhere you go, the streets are lined with little plastic tables and chairs filled with people chatting and eating.) I was a bit sheepish but Robin encouraged me to go, so we ended up joining them and talking for about 45 minutes. We used our broken Vietnamese, they used their broken English...and we made it work. Meanwhile, they kept buying more and more food from the street vendor to feed us during the conversation. I left that evening, so excited, thinking too myself “gosh, this is what it is all about”.

Fast forward 24 hours, the next evening...Ashleigh and I were walking home from school. I saw that some of the ladies that I had met the previous night were once again out. I couldn’t stay and chat that night but I was so excited to greet them using their names! I eagerly started waving and called out the first two women’s names...and then, I called out a third name. My third greeting was met with fits...no...tantrums of laughter from all the surrounding neighbor children. I think I immediately began to walk a little quicker as Ashleigh and I exchanged confused glances.

Later that evening, I asked one of our Vietnamese friends from school, Xuan, what I had said. She asked me what I thought the neighbor lady’s name was and I showed her how it was spelled (I had had the 4 women write their names in the notebook that I carry around with me). To the best of my ability, I then tried to tell her what I said. She immediately said “oh”...to which I said “crap” :) Xuan went on to explain to me that the tone that I had used to say my neighbors name in fact caused me to say the Vietnamese equivalent of the word “rape”. Yes, ladies and gentlemen...I walked down my street one night last week waving and saying “rape, rape, rape”. Wow. Talk about embarrassing! My face immediately turned bright red. I covered my mouth and tried to recover from the shock of my tonal mistake!

Vietnamese is a hard language to learn! It is comprised of 6 different tones...in other words, the same “word” said 6 different ways, could potentially mean 6 different things. It is amazing to me (in the short amount of time that I have been learning the language) to experience how my ear is just not trained to hear the differences in those tones and my tongue is not trained to make those different tones. It is quite the adventure to learn...lets just put it that way.

The past few days when I have passed by that particular neighbor...I have kept my greeting to a smile and hello...nothing more. But don’t worry...I am working on it :)

Grace and peace,

Kait

"Its a small world after all..."

I just got back from a wonderful wonderful weekend! Hold on to your seats, this is a random happening...so, my mom gets her hair cut in Redmond, WA by a lady named Heidi. Heidi has been in the states for almost 30 years but is originally from Vietnam! As it turns out, Heidi was due to make a trip back home which my mom found out a few weeks ago while...you guessed it...getting her haircut :) My mom proceeded to give Heidi my email address. Long story short, it just so happens that Danang is among one of the many stops along Heidi’s 2 week stay in the country. She was to fly into the city and then drive about 2 hours to a city called Hue. Her cousin (and family) lives there and Heidi was planning on spending 3-4 days doing some sightseeing. She invited me to come along; I at first declined because she was getting in on Sunday morning and I needed to be back Monday evening for class. Heidi and her counsin, absolutely insisted that I come and said that they would love it if I joined them (and that it would be no problem to get me back in time for class)...so I accepted.

Heidi’s cousin, cousin’s husband and daughter picked me up Sunday morning and so the adventure began. We went to the airport to pick up Heidi, Heidi’s sister, a friend from Saigon and then a Vietnamese couple (who were visitng from Renton, WA...crazy!). I was only with them for about 36 hours but we did so much and oh man did we eat! I thought I had been eating well while here (and I have been) but it sure did pale in comparison to the amazing food that we ate (Don Lewis- I totally thought of you, I think your “foodie” self would have been overjoyed by the feasts that we had :) The things that we did and the food that we ate were amazing...but what really made it such a spectacular weekend was the people that I shared it with...

There were multiple times over the weekend that I found myself tearing up at the breath taking generosity that these people showed me. In typical Vietnamese fashion (a “Vietnamese invite” usually means that the inviter pays but I didn’t know that this would apply for the entire trip!), they didn’t allow for me to pay for anything and I mean anything-not the 5 meals, not the countless coffees/beverages, not dessert, not the boat ride, not the hotel room...and to top it all off, they knew that I needed a purse so they took me to the market and had me pick one out and gave it to me as a gift! And just in case there is any confusion, allow me to make it clear...in no way was I just “tagging along” on this trip...they pampered me and catered to me...treated me like royalty! At every meal they made sure that the food was everything that I could eat and my last meal with them was at a special Vegetarian restaurant.

Through Heidi translating I came to understand that this family from Hue wants to take me in as a little sister, that is if I will accept. They said that I could come to Hue any weekend that I wanted...and the thing is, I really do believe that they meant every word! If I were literally to come every single weekend I think it would do nothing but please them...talk about generosity! They also invited me to come and be a part of their family for the New Year celebration in February. This celebration virtually shuts down the entire country. Many people, foreigners and Vietnamese alike have advised me to leave the country at this time unless I have a family to take me in (think, Christmas day for a week straight). All this to say, these people were honestly and sincerely, inviting me to be a part of their family.

I at one point over the weekend I told Heidi “Gosh, I am being SO spoiled” and she replied “No you’re not. You are family, we all love you. This is normal.” Wow.

Heidi and I began talking about the Vietnamese people and how hospitable they are...it was a pretty interesting conversation. She helped me understand that in Vietnam, versus the US...they don’t use a lot of words to communicate care but they sure do show it in their actions. Whereas in the states, sometimes we can say a lot of nice and flattering things...but I don’t know if our actions line up as much. We meet people for coffee, invite them out for a meal...but I don’t think that it is really a part of our culture to open up our homes and families...at least not to the extent that I witnessed within the past 48 hours.

This weekend served as a model for me. I want my life to be characterized by the same kind of generosity...and my hope is that it would flow as naturally and abundantly.

Grace and peace,

Kait

"Teacher, teacher...hot!"

I started teaching this week! My schedule changed since my last entry. They gave me a brand new class to start this past Tuesday (7/20). Here is a little bit more about how it went...

What I planned:

I would go to my "Let's Go" class at 5:30pm. These are the older kids, they are currently working on projects to present to their parents next week. I would observe Theresa (the current teacher) and help where needed. I would leave the class early, at 6:30pm to go to my classroom and prepare for my brand new class at 7pm. The new class is "Potato Pals" class which is the beginning class for our youngest students. (In other words...I was preparing to teach 16, 4-6 years who don't know any English.) I would leisurely print out/review my lesson plan, get the name tags ready, write/draw the rules on the board and compare notes with TA one last time before the kids arrived.

What ACTUALLY happened:

I show up to school and there is no power-which isn't too terribly unusual. From time to time, the power will go out for a few hours to prevent brownouts. We have a generator for these times so, although the power was out-we were still able to have class at 5:30pm. We could only use a few lights and fans but it worked. Meanwhile, we kept being told "They said the power is supposed to come back on at anytime"....but it didn't. Finally, at 6:15pm Ky (one of the school admins) goes around to the classrooms telling the teachers that ALL of the lights are going to go out in 5 minutes. The generator, you see, was running out of gas. He assured us that he was going to go buy more fuel and the generator would kick back on within minutes. This message was translated into Vietnamese so all the kids would be prepared. 5 minutes later, the lights go off-plunging us into a pitch black room. The kids started screaming and running around...no no no, perhaps running "around" isn't a correct description-running into each other. Yes, that is more accurate :) Oh my goodness, talk about utter mayhem! The next 25 minutes were spent with lights coming on and off and on and off. Turns out it was something electrical within the school, not the power company. Theresa and I had to take our kids downstairs as it was too dark and too hot to stay in the classroom. We passed the time fanning the kids with their school books and hearing "teacher teacher, hot!" over and over again. More than once I had to stifle my own laughter as I looked around at how much different my first day of teaching was turning out compared to how I planned.

By 6:45 the power STILL wasn't on and I thought for sure that they would cancel my class...but I was reassured over and over again "the lights will come on". Around 6:50 they finally did and they finally stayed on. In a frenzy, I printed out my lesson plan and got together the needed materials as best as I could. The actual class was interesting. Since they are brand new English students (and super young) most of the class had to be translated into Vietnamese. As a rule, the teachers are to try talk simply enough and use other non-verbal ways of communicating to get the ideas across to the students (they don't want the students to lean too heavily on the translation). For the first day/first few weeks though and exception is made. It is kind of hard to gauge how the class went because I have nothing to compare it to. The TAs told me that it went well. I was just glad to make it through- and glad that I only had one crier (and he stopped after the first 10 minutes).

Teaching is hardwork!!! I never thought that it would be easy, but I hadn't fathomed just how challenging it would be. I am sure that it will get easier with time but for now...it is kicking my butt! I feel like I am learning to speak in another language (and I don't mean Vietnamese). It is an entirely different mindset. The kids are worth it though...they are just so wonderful and I melt every time I hear them say "teacher Kait"

And on that note...I am going to go plan my lesson for class tonight :)

PS: A really fun thing about starting a new class (versus taking one over from an existing teacher) is that you get to give the kids an English name to use at the school. I gave my kids the names of family and friends...so it is quite humorous to me to ask "Randy" to sit in his chair or "Susie" to stop picking her nose, haha!

Grace and peace,

Kait

pictures!

here is a link to some pictures from Vietnam!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2087889&id=56902051&l=1c95b66a13

wonderful Vietnam

Hard to believe but it has been over a week since I left home! I made it here to Danang last Wednesday evening after 24 (or so) hours of travel and 5 plane rides! Though long, all travel went completely smoothly-no lost luggage, no canceled flights. Even the 12ish hour flight to Taipei wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be, I do have to say though that I came up with a whole host of new sleeping positions :)

We were met by Mr. Hai (the director of the school) and Ky (another school admin.) when we arrived at the Danang airport. We loaded up all our luggage in a taxi and made the oh-so-long 5 minute drive to our house. Now, I knew that we were all 6 going to live in house...but I didn’t really know what to expect beyond that. We were all astounded when we saw what we would be living in for 2 years. The house is wonderful. I have my own spacious/furnished room and bath...no complaints here! It is in a great location- a 2 minute walk from the school, 20 minute bike ride to the beach and surrounded by plenty of yummy coffee stands!

The first day that I was here was spent buying various household items. Later in the day I went to school to observe Audrey teach a class. (Side note-Audrey has been doing such a phenomenal job here over the past few months that they decided to make her the director of the younger children’s classes! In other words, she is my boss! You go girl :) It was quite the reality check! Teaching is going to be great...but it will definitely not be easy.

Just yesterday I got my teaching assignment. I will be teaching four classes in total. They will not be new classes as I will be taking them over from two other teachers. The next two weeks will be spent in the classroom observing those current teachers. I will ease into co-teaching during the third week and then go from there. I sat in on two of my classes yesterday and know already that I am going to love the kids! They are so cute and energetic!

My schedule here is rather interesting. Because of the heat, it is common to wake up really early (like around 5am) and go to bed early. There is a break in the middle of the day for lunch (the biggest meal) and a nap. We are very spoiled as the school pays for a lady to come and cook our lunch. She has made us so many kinds of yummy Vietnamese dishes over the past week! Then I observe from about 5:30-8:30pm every night except Sundays. Beyond those two things, my days are pretty open! It has been great because it has allowed me a lot of time to rest, explore, go to the beach, get some logistics situated, etc. Hopefully in the future some of that time will be spent volunteering at an orphanage.

Ah there is so much more that I have to tell you all about, but for now I will keep it at that. Thank you everyone for your prayers for safe travels! I am so excited about being here...and am so excited for what the next two years will bring!

Grace and peace,

Kait

peace out

The day has come. And as I sit here, in my living room in Seattle, words cannot express the fullness of my heart. The past few weeks have absolutely rocked my world. God has showed up time and time again through the generosity of so many of you. Whether it be an encouraging note, a word of wisdom, a cup of coffee, a financial pledge...I have felt completely surrounded by love and support. As I was describing the past few weeks to a friend, I told her how I don’t feel like I am going to Vietnam alone...and I am not referring to the others from APU. The amount of support and encouragement that I have received has been a clear message to me that I am a part of a team...I am not entering into the next two years by myself. It is an amazing feeling.

I was describing all the happenings of the past few weeks to yet another friend and she asked me “Kaitlyn, are you writing all these stories down?” I said that it hadn’t even occurred to me but that I would soon remedy that! It was funny because the next friends that I talked to both asked me the same question. The power of the stories...the power of the support and generosity behind the stories is completely evident to everyone that I tell! I think it is important for me to write them down so that I can come back to them in a time of need and/or a time of doubt. So...it is on my to-do list for the 20+ hours I will have on the plane. Needless to say, I think I will get it done :)

I could write so much more but I have a few more things that need to get done in the next hour before I leave for the airport! So, just wanted to say thanks to all my teammates!

I would ask for prayer in the next few hours as many “see you laters” will have to be said. It is a weird/exciting/sad/exhilirating time. I feel like my emotions are being pulled in all directions. My specific prayer requests would be this:

• for safe travels
• for peace of mind and heart. I haven’t really felt fearful about the trip...which I thought was kind of weird. I haven’t realized till just recently that my fears have taken the form of all the “what-if”s of leaving friends and family.
• for the ability to sleep on the multiple planes that we will be taking! 20+ hours is long no matter what...but if I am unable to sleep, it will seem like eternity!

And...I am off!

Grace and peace,

Kaitlyn

cause I am leaving on a jet plane...

It’s a new day…well, I guess that can be said of every morning but today feels especially different. Why is that? Perhaps…because…I officially have my ticket to Vietnam!!! Yep, yesterday after hours of research I secured my flights (because yes, it takes multiple) to eventually end up in Danang. Talk about a reality check! My mom was there with me as I booked the flight-in fact, I made her hit the “book” button with me :) I will head down to LAX on the 6th and then fly from there on the 7th. I will take four planes in total: first to LA, then to Taipei, then to Ho Chi Minh City and finally to Danang. After about 20 hours of flying time…I will end up at my destination. Lucky for me, I will not be flying alone. I will be with two guys from my group-Robin and Andrew, thank goodness!

People have been asking me how fundraising is going so I figured I would update everyone- I have about half of what I need pledged!!! Praise the Shepherd! I have mentioned this to a few of you in conversation, but it has been absolutely amazing for me to witness how God has provided in this regard. As I reflect on the past couple years, I can see how I have played it pretty safe. I mean, I have gone out on a few limbs here and there…but nothing too extreme. And now, in hindsight, I see playing it safe has provided God with a small space to show up in. That’s the amazing thing about the Creator-He gives us free will and never forces Himself upon us. However, that works against us when we don’t allow Him much room.

Now I can see how I provided God a very small and tidy space in my life. Well that has been blown out of the water to say the least by this decision to move to Vietnam! This decision is the equivalent of me going out on the furthest-out limb yet in my 22 years…and you know what? Going out there has provided a whole lot more space for God to show up in…and it has been truly amazing. Fundraising has just been one of the many ways that I have seen the Lord provide…which leads me to another point…

Fundraising, although great in seeing how God is working in big ways, has been really hard for me. To say that it has been a ginormous slice of humble pie would still be a huge understatement. You see, I am doer to a fault…and I do mean to a fault. All too often I place my value in what I can do and what I can achieve. Asking people for money- not doing anything necessarily in return, not working hourly, etc. is killing me! It is causing me to reassess where I find my worth and value-which is good, but hard.

So to those of you who are contributing (financially, emotionally, through prayer, etc)…thank you. Know that I am extremely humbled. Know that I stand in awe of your generosity. Know that I am uncomfortable and don’t quite know how to express my gratitude. Know that I am so encouraged. Know also, that God is using you to teach me a much needed lesson.

I appreciate all those that are praying for me! Here are some updated prayer requests!
- Please pray that I would be able to get all that needs to get done before I leave. I am finding that there are A LOT of small little details that need to get worked out…trying to get them all done and keep track of them all has proved quite stressful.
- Please pray that my time with my friends and family would be wonderful. I have been finding that my head is constantly swimming with all that I need to get done…which makes it hard to remain in the moment. Pray that my time would be rich, that I would be able to soak it up and practice remaining in the moment.
- Please pray for the 6 of us that will be living together. My hope is that we would be open and vulnerable with each other…able to be cultivated into a beautiful, inviting and tight-knit community.

On that note, I am going to go research international health insurance :)

Grace and peace,
Kaitlyn

Support Letters

Here are the two letters that I have/am sending out about Vietnam!

FIRST LETTER

To my family and friends,

The thought of writing you all this letter has been quite daunting to me. I wish that I could grab coffee with each and every one of you and tell you face to face about what God has been up to in my life. Unfortunately that is rather unrealistic, thus this letter will have to do. Please know though, that this is not a self contained letter…I would like to see it rather as the beginning of a dialogue. So please, if this letter sparks an interest or questions please please please feel free to get in touch with me for more information.

Alright, I suppose I will just launch into it :) Travel back with me in time to this past September (2008). Through a chain of events, an APU program called H.I.S. Years was brought to my attention. It is a program that my school has recently started to help mobilize graduating seniors to serve overseas for two years. Upon hearing about it, I was unsure whether it would be a good fit for me but decided to apply and see where it went. In a nutshell, I was accepted, prayed a lot about it, talked about it with a lot of people and committed.

Fast forward to the present; I am writing this letter to tell you about the amazing opportunity that I have to go to Vietnam for two years. Yep, you heard me right…Vietnam! I will be living in a beautiful city called Da Nang and will be teaching English. I have really come to understand English as the felt need of the community. It is a tool that opens up a child’s world of possibilities and opportunities. I will be teaching part time at a school (Fisher’s Superkids English Center) and at an orphanage. I was first made aware of the school through APU as the director and founder of the school in Vietnam is an Alumni. He is a native of Vietnam but came over to the states to get his Masters and then returned to fulfill his dream of starting up a school to teach English. His name is Hai and he is a gentle and passionate man who is in need of people to help him out with his school…thus enters me.

Logically at this point in the letter some of you might be wondering, why? And again, here is where I wish we could grab coffee. I could go on for hours about “why?” I am leaving to go live and serve in Vietnam for two years because I want to see more justice brought to earth. I have come to understand that if I am to ask God for social justice on earth I better be first in line to participate in the creation of that. I am leaving to go live and serve in Vietnam for two years because I want to develop relationships and in the process, share the hope that I have found in God. The hope that I have found in Jesus Christ has been (and will forever be) my foundation. That hope has carried me through hard times and inspired me in good times. More than anything, I want everyone to know that same hope.

All of this to say, I am writing to you all to solicit your help. Firstly, I would love to talk more about Vietnam and my reasons for going…so please get in touch with me and ask me more questions. Secondly, I am looking for people who will commit to praying for me throughout this entire process. I would love to hear from a minimum of 50 people who will commit to partnering me in this way. Lastly, just as I am looking for people to commit to praying for me, I am also looking for people to partner with me financially.

I will be sending out another letter within a few weeks that will have more information like prayer requests, departure date status, budget needs, etc. My hope and prayer is that you will partner with me…that you would journey alongside me.

Grace and peace,

Kaitlyn Phillips

425-591-9619
kaitlynp@apu.edu


SECOND LETTER

Hello again!

So to recap, in case you have forgotten or in case this is the first time you are hearing this; I am moving to Da Nang, Vietnam for two years! I will be teaching English at a school and working at an orphanage. Now, here are some of the details that weren’t in the last letter. First of all, my estimated departure is the end of June-it’s coming up quick! I am supposed to be there at the end of June to help with the school’s summer camps as well as undergo a couple months of training before school starts in the fall.

Secondly, I will not be there alone…quite contrary actually! There will be about six of us there from my school APU (Azusa Pacific University). Among the other five people going, is one of my best friends Audrey, who is actually already in Da Nang! About 6 weeks ago, we received an email from Hai, the director of the school, informing us that he had two teachers that had to leave early for personal reasons. In other words, he was in desperate need of two teachers at the beginning of April. Audrey graduated in December and was planning on leaving at the end of June but instead chose to help fill the need and start the adventure early!

I cannot even tell you how much more my excitement has grown (I didn’t know that it was possible) over the past week as I have heard from her and found out a little more of what my life too will soon look like! Audrey is staying with another American lady for now, but once the rest of us get there, we will all share a house. I really believe that this will be a good experience and will really help with the transition of living in a different country. We have all acknowledged our need to be intentional in relationship-forming and intentional in not letting our house be a way of staying in our own bubble. I am fully confident that I will learn from just being in Vietnam in general, but also from living in community with these three others.

Thank you so much for all the encouraging words in response to my upcoming plans. I cannot tell you how excited I get talking about Vietnam and so many of you have graciously afforded me the time and curiosity to allow me to share. I think part of me is still in such doubt that this is my reality. I mean, come on…I am having a hard enough time grappling with the idea of graduating college much less moving out of the country :) But honestly, as I have mentioned to many of you, serving abroad was something I always wanted to do but never really believed that I would actually be able to do. I am so overwhelmed that this dream of mine is coming true. Not just that, but I stand in complete amazement at how all of this has come together. I am moving to an amazing country for two years and get to do all of this with one of my best friends?!? God is good :)

As I mentioned in the last letter, I am in need of support in all kinds of shapes and forms! One such way-I am in need of many prayers! There is so much going on in my life right now.

A few specific prayer requests that I have are these:

- Please pray that I can end my collegiate career well. The past four years have been amazing, filled with much personal growth and deep relationships…it’s hard to say goodbye to this chapter in my life.
- Please pray that my spirits and excitement about Vietnam continue to remain high.
- Please pray that I am able to raise the sufficient funds needed to move over there!
- Please pray against doubt. I am a self-doubter…it’s my M.O. In light of such a big life decision, my self-doubt can sometimes get the best of me.

Secondly, it would be of huge encouragement to me that we continue this dialogue. I really see this as the beginning. My hope and prayer is that this conversation and story with all of you will continue even while I am out of the country. I have started up a blog, here is the URL: www.kpworldsapart.blogspot.com I will have this throughout my time in Vietnam and from now on my updates will be online. Also, I will be at home in Seattle mid-May till I leave in June and would love to get together with as many people as possible!

Thirdly, I need monetary support. I estimate that I will need about $10,500 in total for the two years. Broken down this means that I need to raise about $360 per month, plus my airfare there (about $1000), plus visa costs (about $100), plus initial start-up costs (about $550). I will be receiving $400 per month from the H.I.S. Years program to help with my school loans and I will also be receiving a $125 stipend from the school. If you would like to send financial support, you can do so by sending a check to:

Thaddeus Foundation
PO Box 1943
Glendora, CA 91740-7943

Checks should be made out to “Thaddeus Foundation.” Please do not write my name anywhere on the check, but on a separate note, write “For the ministry of Kaitlyn Phillips support.”

Again, thanks. In light of your interest, support and love in my life…I stand humbled. As always please feel free to contact me for more information/questions/just to say hi!

Grace and peace,
Kaitlyn Phillips

425-591-9619
kaitlynp@apu.edu

"Worlds Apart"

Hello friends and family!

So the blog is finally up...amazing, I know :) I wanted to share with everyone the reasoning behind my blog title. I found myself very stuck when it came to naming this thing. Per the suggestion of my friend Audrey, I am using the title of one of my favorite songs. I think it is an appropriate title for a few different reasons:

1. I think this is my life's song. I keep coming back to it-it never ceases to inspire and challenge me.

2. I am entering into a new world-that of post college.

3. I am also entering into a new world outside of the states...Vietnam!!!

For those reasons...my blog is titled "Worlds Apart"


I will leave you with the lyrics from the song:


"Worlds Apart"
by Jars of Clay


I am the only one to blame for this
Somehow it all ends up the same
Soaring on the wings of selfish pride
I flew too high and like Icarus I collide
With a world I try so hard to leave behind
To rid myself of all but love
to give and die

To turn away and not become
Another nail to pierce the skin of one who loves
more deeply than the oceans,
more abundant than the tears
Of a world embracing every heartache
Can I be the one to sacrifice
Or grip the spear and watch the blood and water flow

To love you - take my world apart
To need you - I am on my knees
To love you - take my world apart
To need you - broken on my knees

All said and done I stand alone
Amongst remains of a life I should not own
It takes all I am to believe
In the mercy that covers me

Did you really have to die for me?
All I am for all you are
Because what I need and what I believe are worlds apart

I look beyond the empty cross
forgetting what my life has cost
and wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain
More and more I need you now,
I owe you more each passing hour
the battle between grace and pride
I gave up not so long ago
So steal my heart and take the pain
and wash the feet and cleanse my pride
take the selfish, take the weak,
and all the things I cannot hide
take the beauty, take my tears
the sin-soaked heart and make it yours
take my world all apart
take it now, take it now
and serve the ones that I despise
speak the words I can't deny
watch the world I used to love
fall to dust and thrown away
I look beyond the empty cross
forgetting what my life has cost
so wipe away the crimson stains
and dull the nails that still remain
so steal my heart and take the pain
take the selfish, take the weak
and all the things I cannot hide
take the beauty, take my tears
take my world apart, take my world apart
I pray, I pray, I pray
take my world apart

More to come!

Grace and peace,
KP