Vietnam - Day 1

As many of you are aware, I recently spent a couple weeks in Vietnam on a United Methodist Mission Trip. Over the next few weeks, I will attempt to share some of my experiences and a few photos. So, let the journey begin...

Day 1...



Wednesday April began around 5:15 am. I had spent the night at my son Ben's condo in Mason, Ohio. I was soon on the road, arriving at the Cincinnati airport around 7:00 am. Surprisingly, security was routine and quick, and so we had a bit of time before we could board our plane. We were off the ground and flying north by 10:00 am, arriving in Chicago around 11:30 am. After a four hour delay in Chicago (due to mechanical difficulties), the team members board a United 747 bound for Hong Kong. If you've never flown that far before in a single hop, believe you me, it was the longets and most uncomfortable flight in my life...15 1/2 hours in the air!



Since we spent so much time in several airport lounges and and long flights, I found the opportunity to meet a few of my fellow travelers. For many, this was not only their first mission trip, but was also their first time overseas. We shared a common curiosity as to what we would find half-way around the world, but all of us had placed our trust in God that He would not only keep us safe from harm, but that He would open our eyes and ears to His Will.



Much to my surprise, we fly almost straight north, over Milwaukee and up over Canada. The plane looped over the top of Alaska and finally began to venture south somewhere over Siberia. We crossed over much of central China, finally arriving in Hong Kong around 9:00 pm local time. After another 1 1/2 hours of waiting, we once again boarded our 747 and took off for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. We arrived at Tan Son Naht Airport at 11:30 pm local time, finally arriving at the Kim Do Hotel in downtown Ho Chi Minh City around 1:00 am. Needless to say, no one was forced into a bed for some much welcome sleep. By the way, it was 84 degrees in Ho Chi Minh City at 1:00 am!



We have arrived. Our Mission Team is comprised of 30 individuals, some United Methodist pastors, some local church lay people, and a few brave souls from the West Ohio Conference office. We have barely met each other, and here we are on an adventure of a life-time. Tomorrow our journey begins... can't wait to see what this country looks like in the daylight!!