the Glocal Trekker Blog

I’m so proud of NorthWood. Not many churches would be willing to do what you guys do!!!!!!! Whether it’s starting churches here in the U.S., working in the innercity, working in Puebla, Mexico, or sweating in Hanoi, you guys simply rock. Some people talk about just doing stuff and have tons of ideas--you guys do it. Your credibility is your fruit. That’s what John said it should be.

This entire month has been surreal--seeing and hearing from people directly affected by what you’ve been doing in low places and high alike. Whether it was all of us being moved to tears by Olga from the Academy at West Birdville, or ready to storm the gates with Gary Haugen for justice, or being thanked by Dzung Tran and Chris Seiple (globalengage.org) and challenged to move it ahead in Vietnam--WOW!!!

While in Vietnam, Bush spoke about the future of Vietnam being bright--and it is. But, while he was speaking, my home was filled with exchange students who are now in college that had lived with our church members--who were engaged with Dzung and Chris. I was with the future of Vietnam. It is very bright.

Thirty years ago, what Dzung, Chris, and I did on Sunday would have been unheard of--if not rare today. But thank God, times are a chang’in. I wonder what Vietnam will be like thirty years from now? Here’s some predictions of the kids you see in the picture:

Our Vietnamese exchange student son Ti will invent the first gasless car, become a millionaire and build us a villa on the Red River north of Hanoi!

Dang, will become the General Secretary of the United Nations, and redistribute nations according to tribes.

Chi, will become the first woman President in Vietnam!

Liz, will build hospitals throughout Vietnam and improve health 100%.

Hein, will sell her grandfather’s sculptures, become a billionaire, start the Art Institute of Vietnam.

Tuan will found Macro-Hard communication modules, making computers obselete and will single-handed end world poverty!

All of you will do something significant--I believe that.

The parable of the talents in the kingdom is what’s happening. But, with impact comes more opportunity, and with that comes more sacrifice, giving, and investment. Let’s stay on our knees, our faces toward heaven, our hearts soft for God and people, our sleeves rolled up, and see what God will do.

I heard this guy saying something at the board meeting of the Institute for Global Engagement where Chris Seiple is President, "First, do what is necessary. Second, do what is possible. Then, expect the impossible." I like that.

Look forward to sweating with a bunch of you this Thanksgiving Day at The Christiasn Center in Haltom City to serve over 1,000 meals to homeless and needy people. We’ll be working from 11am to 1pm. Contact Chuck Langford at 817.808.0713 if you can help.