"Chuk Men Nam Moay"

This new year greeting in Vietnamese has been ringing in my head since last night. After mastering the intonation and sharing it with almost 50 of our vietnamese friends, I gained the confidence in broadening my vietnamese vocab. Learnt some words from those whom I have befriended. They did laugh at my attempts but in an encouraging way.

Warm and friendly sums up the description of those whom I've bonded. Exchanging names was quite a challenge hence I resulted to the name 'Yun'.. Now, I have so far remembered 5 names and matching them to a face - Hua (excitedly shook my hands as I recalled her name), Manh, Tuon, Nhan and Herng. Oh, actually 6 - Lics (souding like A-lex). :)

The TET new year celebration started with dinner - vietnamese cuisine. Loved the spring roll, despite my itching, sore-ish throat, I had no qualms to second helpings. Tried vietnamese bak chang - was alittle bland and tasted somewhat different but nevertheless it was quite a dish. We, then congregated at the sanctuary - singing songs of praise and worship in one voice and clapping rhythmically together. Truly encouraged by their burning desire and unreserving ways. Then came the message on 'Being born again'.. Many came to know the Lord and accepted Him - a little apprehensive but deep down in my heart, I do believe that a seed has been sown. Particularly, the man who sat at the row in front of me. He was wearing a shirt (branded Skulls and Bones) - the image of a skull and two hands signalling the bad finger is still vivid in my head. He raised his hands and stood up when invited to accept Jesus as his personal Savior. Amazing!

We finally bid farewell but with expecting hearts to meet again on Sunday. Indeed. Can't wait to use my elementary vietnamese and to learn more... :)