Hanoi

Sorry if this is another lengthy one. I have lots to say. We spent the most time in and around Hanoi also. After settling in with our gracious host, we spent the first day downtown to explore the history and culture of Hanoi. A walk around the lake started the day off, and we tried to catch sight of anything close to the lake that was interesting. We found a few stops here and there. Our map was a little old and the proportions were always a little skewed on maps. We would know after getting turned around and lost numerous times on this grand adventure and especially in Hanoi. Hanoi has many windy streets and our map was vague as to which street some places of interest faced. We went in a few circles. After a morning walk around the lake, we headed for the cathedral, but it was closed for the afternoon lunch/nap time. We had lunch and bought some tickets for the regional favorite water puppet show. Then we went back to the cathedral which was now open and free and very quiet. I wasn't supposed to take pictures, but I didn't disturb anyone praying, at least I don't think I did. Our last stop that day was the Hanoi Hilton where captured air pilots were held at the end of the Vietnam-American war. This is the same prison where Sen. John McCain was held.

Our next day was the trip to Ha Long Bay which took some time by mini bus from Hanoi. It was an overnight stay on the boat and somewhat similar sights to the islands in Thailand. The difference was it was colder, it was foggy and mysterious, we saw a lot  more islands, and we did our own kayaking. The boat crept leisurely past the islands and those on board enjoyed the quiet and calm of this beautiful escape. One of the stops was an island with a cave inside. This cave had only been discovered about 20 years ago or so. It's as if you walked into a domed building with a bunch of cool stalactite and stalagmite around you. Impressive sights and cool to see the wonders of His creation! A little farther out, the kayaking took place by some floating houses. Some of the villagers were fishing while we hopped into their kayaks and took a peaceful ride around a big island. The water was glassy and the moment was majestic. The earth is the Lords and everything in it, the world and all who live in it.

The night ended with some fishing and not just any fishing. After supper on the boat the options were: karaoke, overpriced drinks, TV, or squid fishing. This was my chance to go squid fishing for the first and maybe last time. The only thing was, the guide guaranteed that we would catch nothing. It was winter and the wrong time of year for squid fishing. When it is nice and warm in the summer you shine a light out onto the water and use a lot of little hooks to just lift the squid out of the water. They are very small and apparently you could catch loads when the season is right. Peter and I only planned on doing this for 10 to 15 minutes. It was cold and it looked a little ridiculous standing on the back of the boat with a light shining on the water and bobbing our fishing rods up and down. A few minutes in, two Chinese girls joined us and wanted to learn some more about us. They were at the same table for lunch and I don't think anyone said much of anything. It was Andy, Peter, I, the two Chinese girls, and a Korean man all at the same table. They remembered us because we were so quiet - busting their stereotype of loud, obnoxious Americans. They asked us about what brought us here and we explained everything about teaching in their homeland and bringing people to the Homeland. They were very curious about the Book and what we believed so what could have been 15 minutes turned into more than 2 hours of conversation. We were also fishing for some souls that night thanks to this opportunity by the H.S. Only He knows what part we played in their journey for them to know Him. Perhaps it was the beginning of more searching and discovery about all of the grace and love found in the Light of the World.

We awoke the next morning to a misty scene around us. They promised a sunrise, but the fog kept it hidden from view. The rest of the day was just getting back to the city. It was a little long, but the views at Ha Long Bay were gorgeous and the fishing we did was one of the highlights to take away from our short trip outside the city. Our last full day in Hanoi started off at the Mausoleum for "Uncle Ho." They still have the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi. I saw it in this dark, cool room which required a series of checkpoints to go through before entering. No bags, no cameras, no smiles, no phones, no hands in pockets, only respect for the dead leader. It looked a bit fake and waxy because of the re-embalming process. Creepy! After that, we went on a search for a B-52 bomber that was shot down and sunken in a nearby lake. This was perhaps our greatest challenge to find. We found a museum that would eventually be about the B-52 bomber, but this was unfinished. We walked through alleyways and back roads and popped out at the right spot. They just left it there in this lake and (perhaps purposefully) built a school right beside the tiny lake. We grabbed some pictures and got out of there. We saw the water puppet show in the afternoon and walked around the French Quarter before going back to our host home. Doesn't the photo look like it could be in France?

The great thing about staying in Hanoi was free housing. Another teacher spreading the Seed in Asia graciously took us in and spoiled us while we stayed in Hanoi. We had some home cooked food which hadn't come our way in 5-6 months. Oh boy, was it good! Food definitely brings people together. Another thing that brought us together was our Fellowship. The last night we spent in Hanoi, we spent partaking of the Supper that is the foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet. She does not have a lot of opportunity to celebrate the Supper since her school is run by those outside of our fellowship. We all rejoiced in this opportunity and gave thanks for the blessings of forgiveness and this visible Good News to taste and touch our Savior. It was a glimpse of what will happen at the End when all peoples from every tribe, nation, and language will be joined together in the presence of the Lamb! We were all Americans, but far from home, we are always at home with Christ! The Good News is the same message in any language. May He continue to bless the spreading of it everywhere!