Vietnam – The Unexpected Journey

“Sometimes the most unexpected places become the ones that stay with you forever."

If you had told me I’d one day lead a humanitarian team to Vietnam, I probably would’ve smiled politely and said, “I doubt it.” It’s not that I was new to international service; I’d been to many countries and had led teams before. I’d seen joy and hardship in so many corners of the world. But Vietnam? It just never crossed my mind.

So, when I was asked to consider leading a team there, I was surprised—and a little apprehensive. Despite my previous experience, something about Vietnam felt unfamiliar. I wasn’t sure what to expect or whether I was the right person for that particular place.

But then, conversations began to shift my perspective. Justin and Jordan took time to talk with me, sharing their deep love for Vietnam and the impact it had on them. Others reached out as well, offering stories and their love for Vietnam. The idea started to feel like an open door I was being gently invited to walk through.

Instead of saying no, I accepted, and I gave myself space to explore. I began reading books about Vietnam’s history and culture, trying to understand more than just the basics. As I endeavored to learn, something beautiful started to happen—opportunities to connect with Vietnam began showing up in unexpected ways.

One evening, I was eating at a Vietnamese restaurant when I struck up a conversation with the owner. We talked about the food, the traditions, and the places she still called home. Her stories made the country feel more personal—less like a faraway location and more like a place waiting to be discovered.

Then, just one week before departure, while riding an airport train in Phoenix, Arizona, I met a veteran who had recently returned from Vietnam—his first visit back since the war. He shared openly about how healing the experience had been for him, how the people welcomed him with grace, and how much peace it brought him after all those years. That brief encounter was powerful. It added another layer of depth and meaning to the journey I was about to take.

By the time I said yes to leading the trip, there was a growing sense of purpose.

Once we arrived, I fell in love—with the country, the village we served in, and most of all, the people. Their warmth, hospitality, and quiet strength were inspiring. I grew to admire their customs, found deep joy in their food (so much good food!), and felt honored to be welcomed into their community.

One day in the village, I was walking a path carrying two large bags of eyeglasses for the health fair’s eye screening. A local man, who I came to think of as the gardener, saw me and pointed with a smile to the glasses, then made the shape of glasses with his fingers around his eyes. I smiled and motioned for him to try them on.

He came to the health fair later that day. I watched him as he tried on pair after pair—setting one down, picking up another—until he found the one that helped him see clearly. The joy on his face in that moment was absolutely priceless.

On our last day in the village, I was the last to leave. I walked behind the group, watching our team from a distance, trying to soak in every detail of this place, this experience, and all that it had meant to me. As I lingered, I felt a hand on my arm. I turned—and it was him.

Without a word, he gently guided me back to his home. His entire family was there, waiting. We couldn’t speak each other’s language, but somehow, we understood one another perfectly. I smiled. They smiled. I had tears; so, did they. They thanked me again and again and then walked me back to the village, fanning me the whole way. (It was hot and humid)

That moment—simple, human, profound—will stay with me forever. Their love, their gratitude… we spoke the same language that day.

Serving in Vietnam wasn’t just meaningful—it was transformational. Even with my past experiences, Vietnam taught me something new: the power of stepping into the unfamiliar and the deep, unexpected beauty that comes from saying yes.

What began with uncertainty ended with deep appreciation. I went in as a leader, but I left as a learner—with a full heart.

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"We couldn’t speak each other’s language, and yet we spoke the same language that day."