September 8,

Jeff awoke me by 0715 and we readied; had our Javas and breakfast of an apple with PB &/or Nutella, and a yogurt; and went down to catch a Grab taxi by 0830. We are going to a Christian church, The River Church. Jeff had contacted the Pastor – she's from Texas! The church beginning just this month has gone to two services – 0900 and 1100. We chose this one because they had a 0900 service! That's a God thing!

Anyway, we arrived by 0845 and the pastor introduced herself. The whole service was great! The worship leader was enthusiast, in a good way, and the three man band was invigorating! Then the sermon was based out of book of Habakkuk, titled “Climbing out of the Dip.” It was about 1) Remembering What God Has Done (i.e. miracles with Israel); 2) Accept What God Is Doing – even when it is not want we want!; 3) Trust What God Will Do – our future is thankfully in His Hands and Care. The Pastor was a very dynamic speaker (without a Texas twang even, HA HA🤣). We both appreciated it quite a lot! If we end up here… we could see ourselves coming to this church full time.

After service, we had to leave. Jeff booked a Grab, which was right out front of the building that is the church. [It is not noticeable as a church from the facade, but when you walk in you feel the Holy Spirit! Do they have to hide the fact it is an assembly of Christians? But we have seen crosses above other churches? Questions??]  Anyway, we arrived back at our place. Jeff went right out and grabbed us a light lunch of street food. It was an small assortment of one egg wraps filled with a meat paste X4, two kinds of meat sausages, a dumpling-type-thing of just tightly wrapped ham(?), and a breaded piece of something or other. Then we finished our packing. We have until 1300 to vacate the apartment. We were done by 1230 and just relaxed/cooled off.

At 1255 we went down and sat in the lobby, awaiting our prebooked 1500 taxi to the airport. I blogged and Jeff read. Our taxi arrived early at 1435. We loaded up and got to the airport at 1455. The flight originally was scheduled for 1730, but was changed to 1800 and then to 1840 . (Vietjet has changed both times on us so far, which is okay I guess. As the flights are our end destination.)

At the airport, we were able to check-in our bags thru early!  Then through security (with our water as this is okay for domestic flights here.) Arrived at the Le Saigonnais Business Lounge and parked ourselves at a table. It is a better lounge than at the Phu Quoc airport. We both had Quang Style Chicken Noodles and a Greek Salad with a red Chilean Wine to start. Then I blogged and Jeff read. The ambient music in the background was great. Since we had so much time on our hands, it was a nice place to be! We tried Coffee Jelly, which was like Jello mounds (I liked the coffee flavor, but I dislike/can't do Jello); Sweet Mung Bean Pudding, which is like a lentil size bean, that was similar to salted, buttered hominy for me, but the thickened transparent pudding was just a hint of sweet; and Dragon Fruit and Sweet Green Jujube (like a very small, green, tasteless apple. I liked the pudding the most… it was a nice contrast and pleasant.

We left the lounge at 1755. Arrived at gate, sat for maybe 10 seconds, and they opened up boarding! Of course, that is boarding a bus to the tarmac then on the plane. The plane loaded quickly and backed up at 1841 – one minute late from already late time. Vietjet's theme song(?) “I can fly” played. I forgot to mention this taking off on our last flight. I only mention it because when we landed in HCMC – HCMC songs played one reminded me of a pirates/drinking song.

Anyway, it was a 35 minute flight to DaLat. As we started descending & I saw lightening! Just let us land. We touched down at 1927. By 1940 we had retrieved our bags from the belt and were out of airport to our prearranged taxi to our new place for nine nights/eight days.The temperature outside is way cooler! Driver is a horn honker. By 2030 we were checked into An Nam Hotel. We unloaded and found a convenience store for some water/breakfast stuff for tomorrow.

Plan on getting with our church back home, then bed!