GlocalNet

I’m packing.  In about 8 hours I jump on a plane with Niki and head to Hanoi, Vietnam. I’ve not been there for several months--been all over the place, but not there. However, a couple hundred people from NorthWood have been on many different projects, etc. I’m ready to see the green rice fields, the smells, the graceful people on bicycles, the cyclos, the food, my friends (some pastors, some communists, some villagers, Ti’s family, my motorcycle driver!) all of it.  I’m ready to see it, feel it, experience it. I’m ready for my cell phone not to work! So is Niki!

This won’t be a relaxing trip.  Upon arrival, I’ll have 3 hours to regroup, clean up and tackle a lot of meetings with key leaders in Vietnam from government, to religion, to business, to education--checking on projects, initiating other things. Introducing some pretty significant American businessmen to leaders there in Vietnam. We will get to spend some time up in Sapa one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth--maybe catch a couple of treks.

The whole “community engagement” thing is driving so much of NorthWood, and my life. I’ve recently turned down some speaking events not because I was speaking somewhere else, but because there were projects in which I had to be involved. I love it--speak less--do more. Let my talk be the story. not the theory or ideas. “Show me whatcha got” in religious circles has come to speaking ability--not fruit bearing.

I’m going to try to blog daily. Keep in mind it may be 36 hours until my next blog because of flight, etc. I’ll be checking this for about the next 6 hours then packing and heading out.

Soooooooo, with that in mind, ask me anything you want.  If you could ask a typical Vietnamese a question, a diplomat, a pastor, a tribal person, whoever--what would it be that you’re curious about? If it’s too sensitive I won’t post it - so feel free to ask anything, you’re safe and so am I!