Last night Jan and I hosted two young couples who have, like us, lived in HCMC for less than a year. The husbands are pilots flying for a local airline. I asked what they had most enjoyed about living in Vietnam. One answer was that life is relatively inexpensive here. Another answer was - "just the experience of living in a foreign country".
I liked that answer given by the 32 year old pilot who had never before lived outside of the USA. In fact I have sometimes said that I wish every Christian in North America could spend one year living in another country and one year in Bible College. The year in Bible College would provide the biblical knowledge and Christian theology that most Christians never seem to gain from "once a week" church attendance.
The year in a different country will greatly expand anyone's knowledge and world view. (It can also make us more sensitive to immigrants, minorities, poverty, justice, etc.) Short term mission trips are great, but they are no substitute for actually being immersed in life as a foreigner for a year or more. Jan and I have always been thankful for the year we spent in Japan at the beginning of our married life.
Some of you wonder: could I ever arrange to live overseas? The answer is "yes, you could!" Last night's guests responded to a job opportunity with a company hiring a number of pilots from the USA. Numerous expats here teach in one of the many international schools (Canadian, Australian, American, British, etc.) Others teach English at one of the many private schools offering English instruction.
Right now English is the most popular foreign language to learn. For many decades, with the French occupation, the most popular foreign language was French. For a decade or more after 1975, I have read that Russian was the most popular. Right now, besides English, Korean is quite popular. Koreans are presently investing a lot of capital in Vietnam. I think they are the most numerous of all expats in the country at present. The great thing about this is the high percentage of Koreans who are Christians. There are many Korean congregations in our city.
But speaking of job opportunities overseas - as I was: I recently had my prescriptions renewed by a French doctor. A number of Canadians are here with a Calgary oil company. One friend from England teaches physics and math in a local university; another works for Habitat for Humanity. A Chinese - Canadian dentist opened a dental clinic that services mostly expats. There are many opportunities in Vietnam and other countries for people to use their skills and training.
Don't think that only believers "in ministry" go to other countries. Maybe you should be praying about working in another country for a year or a decade! You could link up with an International Church when you arrive and make an impact for Christ while expanding your life experiences and horizons.
Jan and I will be travelling into central Vietnam for the next eight days. We are joining a tour group who have arrived to join in the 100th anniversary celebrations with the Evangelical Church of Vietnam. We look forward to seeing new parts of the country and learning more about the growth of Christianity in Vietnam.
So please excuse me if I miss a few days of blogging. Time and internet access may be limited.
I liked that answer given by the 32 year old pilot who had never before lived outside of the USA. In fact I have sometimes said that I wish every Christian in North America could spend one year living in another country and one year in Bible College. The year in Bible College would provide the biblical knowledge and Christian theology that most Christians never seem to gain from "once a week" church attendance.
The year in a different country will greatly expand anyone's knowledge and world view. (It can also make us more sensitive to immigrants, minorities, poverty, justice, etc.) Short term mission trips are great, but they are no substitute for actually being immersed in life as a foreigner for a year or more. Jan and I have always been thankful for the year we spent in Japan at the beginning of our married life.
Some of you wonder: could I ever arrange to live overseas? The answer is "yes, you could!" Last night's guests responded to a job opportunity with a company hiring a number of pilots from the USA. Numerous expats here teach in one of the many international schools (Canadian, Australian, American, British, etc.) Others teach English at one of the many private schools offering English instruction.
Right now English is the most popular foreign language to learn. For many decades, with the French occupation, the most popular foreign language was French. For a decade or more after 1975, I have read that Russian was the most popular. Right now, besides English, Korean is quite popular. Koreans are presently investing a lot of capital in Vietnam. I think they are the most numerous of all expats in the country at present. The great thing about this is the high percentage of Koreans who are Christians. There are many Korean congregations in our city.
But speaking of job opportunities overseas - as I was: I recently had my prescriptions renewed by a French doctor. A number of Canadians are here with a Calgary oil company. One friend from England teaches physics and math in a local university; another works for Habitat for Humanity. A Chinese - Canadian dentist opened a dental clinic that services mostly expats. There are many opportunities in Vietnam and other countries for people to use their skills and training.
Don't think that only believers "in ministry" go to other countries. Maybe you should be praying about working in another country for a year or a decade! You could link up with an International Church when you arrive and make an impact for Christ while expanding your life experiences and horizons.
Jan and I will be travelling into central Vietnam for the next eight days. We are joining a tour group who have arrived to join in the 100th anniversary celebrations with the Evangelical Church of Vietnam. We look forward to seeing new parts of the country and learning more about the growth of Christianity in Vietnam.
So please excuse me if I miss a few days of blogging. Time and internet access may be limited.
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