vietnam adventure Melfer P. Carbonilla

You know you are in Vietnam when you experience its city traffic. Riding the motor bike here truly makes you more prayerful.

Xin Chao!(Hello!)

I've been away from the Philippines for 12 days now. It feels like months already. I will only be here for 90 days but I feel like its a long time. I know it's nothing compared to those who have stayed to a foreign country for 12 months or a decade but this is me, this is my journey. Every person has a unique story of their own.

This is their version of Turo-Turo(Karenderia). If you knew me well, I am choosy in the place I eat. But here in Vietnam I have to learn to adjust specially when I am with the students. If that is what it will take to relate to them so be it.
Like Filipinos, Vietnamese love to eat outside (sometimes literally along the street)
One of the major things I need to adjust to is the Vietnamese Language ofcourse. Many of our activities here must be in the local language because many of them don't know English that much. So as a foreigner in this beautiful nation, I have to accept the fact that many times I will be needing an interpreter or I must be creative enough to communicate to them or to simply understand what they are saying. I need it when I buy food, when I ride the bus or any transportation, when I ask for direction or questions, when I go around the city, when I request water in the hot hotel. Oh well, just continue to pray for me as I slowly learn the basics.

For me, being in a different country will taught you a lot of things. It will make you think and evaluate yourself in a much deeper way. It will push you to learn things you never imagine you will need to learn. It will make you change your practices and mindset so you will be able to adopt to the new environment and culture. It opens you up to a whole new perspective in life. It will makes you appreciate the little things. You learn to adjust to people and things to be able to relate and make yourself open to the new experiences this life offers. And most importantly, it makes you realize that God is the only refuge that can sustain you specially when you are alone.

Why Reach the Campus?
Highlights
English Club
English club is one of the main activities we do here to engage new students and to develop english skills.
English Club

The girl in black(right) don't believe in God. When I was talking to her, I feel sad for her. She represents many of the people here. They look fine on the outside but they are dying on the inside. The only reason they are attending the English Club is because they wanted to develop the skill. I wanted to share the gospel but usually they don't immediately share the gospel right ahead here. They must build relationship first and get their trust. It's by the grace of God that some of them get to become a follower of Jesus. Pray with me as we reach out to the lost.

Can you Imagine a greater opportunity?
Mini Service

Once they are able to build relationship to those new people who are attending the English Club, they bring them to the Mini Service. This is also where those under one-2-one discipleship and members of their LifeGroup attends.

Discipleship and English Training with some of the Dream Team

They call their core team of leaders here as "Dream Team." I am assigned to train and teach them about Evangelism, Discipleship and English so they will be more effective in reaching to the students in their own campuses.

Campus

Getting out of my comfort zone is not easy but by the grace and favor of God I am loving this season. Every day is a proof of God's grace & favor in my life. Thank you so much for being one with me in this amazing journey. I hope you know how grateful I am that you are praying for me and partnering with me in every way you can. Thank you for believing in the vision that we can change the campus and change the world!

I hope you are encouraged and inspired today!
Yours truly,
Melfer P. Carbonilla

CONTACT ME: melfer.carbonilla@everynationcampus.org

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