I still remember my first Sunday at the River. Everyone was so welcoming and loving. It was what church should feel like. I was happy to know that everyone was enduring some level of adjustment, not just me.
My first Sunday in Vietnam was only the third week that the River had a permanent building. All the floors were fairly empty. It was the shell of what I knew was going to be an amazing project.
Almost a full year later, the renovations are almost complete and this building is no longer just a shell. It's a fully functioning fellowship, filled with families with many different backgrounds. It's a place I like to call home. I was here and endured all the blood, sweat and tears. I can't even believe that day is almost here the renovations are almost complete. This journey has not been an easy one. A lot of doors have been slammed in our face. We are in the final stages of being a fully functioning Life skills/coaching center. We will be teaching the arts and offering parenting classes, etc.
I was here for the hardest stretch of this project and it makes my heart hurt a little bit knowing that I won't be here to see its door open to many families who don't know Him and through these incredible programs will have the opportunity to be exposed to a God who loves them.
Growth is amazing but it doesn't come without getting bumped and bruised a little. I'm so grateful that I could take some blows to help pave the way for the people that will fill my shoes and lead and teach these children.
It makes my heart so touched to think of all the kids that will fill the classrooms and people that will fill up our service level one day!
