Off And Running!!!

   Hey Everyone! Sorry for the late update; it's been tough to find time between making human towers in the pool, watching luke dance in a cow costume, teaching bible study and eating bananas through panty hose. Almost forgot, these kids are big on touch, so whatever free time is left we spend holding hands, giving hugs and giving high fives.... lots and lots of high fives.
    So here's what we've been up to since the last post. After 24 hours of flights, we drove 3 hours into Saigon where we got some much needed rest after an evening walk through the city. In the morning we took off to camp after some fun at the local market. Jackets are half price if you don't mind the fishy smell and everything is same same... but different... don't worry, we were careful. We took off that afternoon for a final 6 hour drive to camp where we organized materials - plenty of peanut butter, vitamins, shirts, crafts, game materials, you get the picture - finished some prep and finally got to sleep.
   Kids began arriving the next afternoon through the evening, which kept things low key. Introductions, a few kung fu fights and lots...  of high fives took up the majority of our time. Our biggest challenge was keeping our Hui's and Hing's straight.... until the storm came. Although it was loud and the power went out a couple times at dinner, it didn't keep us from enjoying a great meal nor putting on some fun costumes for a skit that may have been more confusing than anything. Thankfully there's always redemption right : )
   For the guys, it was up at 5:30 for soccer followed by breakfast and swimming all before 8am. And yes, the vietnamese are usually this efficient. The following day was same same with some twists like worship and a bonfire thrown in the mix. Of course each day brings new games, skits and lessons, but best of all are group meals... that is, if you like finding your bowl full each time you look away for even a second. I hate to say it, but they make southern hospitality look like the north... or even France! I've never seen service or care like it. It's absolutely beautiful.
   God continues to give us energy to throw kids in the pool and continuously break the communication barrier. Language booms are the norm here.
   Please pray for each new interaction we have, for each of the kids and adults that they will walk away with even more than a good memory and that they will ultimately know God more personally through everything they experience here.
   Pictures and hopefully video to come! For now it's time for Lunch! Love. Some. Rice.

                    - Team Same Same... But Different

     Waiting in Seoul for our final six hour flight after an absolutely crazy morning; we've spread out for naps in front of our final gate. Literally half way around the world in one day, it could definitely be worse... even if someone realized their passport was in another city early this morning and had to take a late flight ;) God's sovereign and provides despite all the chaos.
     Spicy octopus on the plane for those who were brave enough to try it and what we think was a music box in the bathroom has already started to open our eyes to the fact that... yea... we're not in Tennessee anymore. From here on out it's peace signs, overly expressive emoticons, and plenty of rice!!! But there's not much battery power left so we'll have to fill you in on that later today... or tonight... or whenever it is... Thanks for the prayers, we appreciate them all!! Tomorrow we head to camp to keep things off, pretty excited!!

Hi Everyone,

        Welcome to our team blog!! We'll be kicking things off in the next couple weeks when we board our plane to South East Asia! We are all very excited to be leaving soon and to discover everything that God has in store. We'll do everything we can to update you all as things unfold amongst getting jumped on by kids, diving deep during discussion times, putting on crazy skits, attempting to sing songs.... I think you get the picture. It's going to be wild trip and we'll need prayer every step of the way! Thank you so much for everyone who is supporting this trip in one way or another. We are all beyond grateful to take on this journey. Let's see what happens!