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Wednesday night I had the privilege of being invited to the 15 year anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam.  It was a great event.  Ambassador Le Cong Phung, Senator McCain, Senator Kerry, Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, and President Bill Clinton were all there and spoke.  It blew me away that it was in 1995 that we began going to Vietnam on a regular basis - the same year we began diplomatic relations with them.  I had never realized that.  I held my flip cam and thought NorthWood - you’d really like hearing this.  Forgive the quality, etc.  The speeches were incredible - and I’ve got to tell you President Clinton gave a fantastic speech.  You can listen to them, NorthWood - I was there because of you and all you do.  There were diplomats, politicians, military, news, businessmen - and one pastor from Texas.  It was really funny as I was asked by many I didn’t know, who I was, and what I did.  Upon telling them - everyone was intrigued.  “A pastor from Texas, My, what is that about?” one lady asked.  Too long a story to tell her.  God has used Vietnam to shape us as a church unlike anything else.  We have preaching, worship, discipleship, ministries - but what we have done in Vietnam is what sets us apart and has made our church what it is.  Some people in their ignorance view it as “social work.”  It is far more than that. 

It put us outside our box of western church, into an eastern communist government where we became friends of people that most Christians don’t ever relate to.  We learned about how societies operate instead of just doing religious work. 

It forced us to examine our own faith closely - why do we do what we do and how do we do it.  Is the love of Christ in us strong enough to love people that may not love us back or even agree with us? 
It pushed many of us into relationships that got us in trouble with our own tribes and families.  This was my first foray into the reality that our media may get a lot of things right - but not all things - there are many different perspectives and narratives based on who’s telling the story. 

It became a second home to many of us that welcomed Vietnamese Exchange students into our homes so that we are forever tied to families in Vietnam.  Ti certainly changed the Roberts’ family.
I love Vietnam.  I love the people of Vietnam.  They are one of the most noble of all peoples of the world.  From being enemies - we are now allies and it will only continue to grow.  Senator McCain said he wants to be there one day when the carrier named for his grandfather goes back to Ha Long Bay - but not as an enemy, as an ally.

When Jesus said love your enemy - he knew that deep down, we really have no enemies - only differences here and there.  There is something admirable in all people to respect and build relationships with.  When we love others outside our context and borders and serve them with expectation of nothing in return - in that context we are more like Jesus or “missional” than any other time.  It isn’t about class, education, training, any of that - it’s about loving and relationships.

I love you Vietnam - thank you for all you have taught me, all the friendships, all the courtesies and kindness’ you have shown me, for your incredible food, music, smells, sights, mountains, ocean, for your deep honest conversations when no one is around, your willingness to critique yourself.  You are all that and more!