October 20,

I got up at 0600, but had been awake for an hour plus before that. We finally got around and had our Javas, and simple breakfast of yogurt and some puffed rice cracker- type snacks (with PB). We had bought them on our way here to Hanoi. Then we readied and went to a church Jeff had found online. It was Hanoi International Fellowship (HIF).
Jeff booked a Grab taxi and we went the five miles… it took 30 minutes on a Sunday Morning!! The traffic here is crazy – busy all the time, with hectic to nonexistent flow at times. We arrived at 1048 for 1100 service. The meeting place is on the 17th floor. As soon as we got out of the elevator it was an onslaught of sounds and bustling of people: kids laughter and running about, and people mingling and talking. It was Great! All here to worship God, I know He had to be smiling and pleased!

The service started on time. We sang three songs, but the praise service lasted 20 minutes! Then the lead pastor gave announcements. It seems this church just went to a second service and are going to go to a third service starting November 3rd, in anticipation of Christmas and incoming worshippers! Online it stated this church started in 1998 due to expats wanting an evangelical approach instead of Catholic. Then they had an offertory, an intercessory prayer, and intro of new people – we were given a welcome bag after church.

Then the lead speaker, a guest speaker, was introduced – Dr. Rev. Brian Stiller. He is Canadian and spoke on, “Envisioning the next decade of God's Global Church”. He based it off of three snapshots stories in Acts – each story requiring Faith: Ananias with Saul; Peter, a Jew, with Gentiles; and Paul (that was Saul) moving to Greece to spread God's Word. Then he finished with Hebrews, defining Faith.

After service, we went down to the main level. While waiting for our Grab taxi, we were able to briefly talk with the guest speaker. He will be going to HCMC for a Vietnamese conference or assembly tomorrow. Interesting! But more interesting was the vibrancy of this church. It is good to see God moving here in Vietnam!

Now we went to the big supermarket– we had been here before when we were in Hanoi. We bought most of the things on our list. We booked a Grab back to our place. We unloaded and changed out of church clothes to shorts… because it is humid.

We walked for our splurge today– Don Duck, a Michelin Guide recommended place, last year and this year. We heard about it from OTR on You tube. We had a salad – Roasted Pumpkin and Chick Pea Salad with Duck Confit. Then two mains – Duck Breast Steak, pan-fried, with crispy basil leaves and au jus, served with mashed potatoes, steamed veg, and asparagus; and Red Wine Braised Duck leg with mushroom and sauce served with same sides. WOW!! Soo Good! We also had a La Joya Reserve Merlot Wine from Chile. Then we completed the experience with a fantastic little apple pie – actually like the size of a tart. Then Jeff actually made reservations to come back! This was one of our best meals in awhile. We enjoyed it immensely!!

After we finished we went back to our place and had a siesta. We Zoomed with our church back home. Then realized I did not call my mother – will do first thing in the morning. Bed by 2300.