Vietnam Mission Trip - Orphan Voice

What involves a 23-hour flight, humid 90-degree weather, and interacting with kids who speak a language I've never heard? You guessed it - a mission trip! From August 1 - 12, I'll be traveling to Da Nang, Vietnam to support the work of Orphan Voice. This ministry serves orphans, children with special needs, and other at-risk children (visit www.orphanvoice.org for more information).  Nine people from my home church and other area churches comprise our “friendship team,” as we’ll be called in-country.

While in Vietnam, our anticipated activities include the following:

· Spending time and facilitating activities with children at the Promise House Orphanage
· Teaching practical life skills to those at the orphanage (and possibly teaching English)
· Painting and decorating rooms at the orphanage
· Interacting with children at a school for the deaf and a therapy center for those with cerebral palsy

At this point, you may be thinking, “Okay, Heather. Why Vietnam? Why a short-term mission trip?” You're in good company - I asked myself the same questions while considering this opportunity. Prayer and insight from our trip leader led me to answers like these:

· God has previously grown my faith through situations that put me outside my comfort zone.
· Telling others about the trip may lead to new opportunities for spiritual conversations.
· Our efforts won’t stop when we leave: supporting the Orphan Voice staff while we're in-country will help equip them for their continued ministry in Vietnam.
· Our purpose on the trip is to worship God and bring Him glory; cost and location are secondary factors.

So, how do you fit in to all this?  I’d love to have you as part of my support team. Most importantly, our group needs your prayers for our safety, God’s guidance, and the Holy Spirit’s involvement both during our preparation phase and in-country.

You can also be involved through contributing financially. The trip cost is $2,000 per person, the majority of which will cover airfare to and from Vietnam. Please be aware that money raised will go toward the team’s expenses as a whole, so your contribution may go toward costs for another team member. Donations made through the GoFundMe page will be channeled directly to the church's Vietnam Trip fund. 

Thank you so much for joining me in this spiritual adventure!

Heather