lindsey.

Today is October 1.  Today, a ten-day celebration, culminating on 10-10-10 (heyo!), will begin.  It is a celebration of 1000 years of Hanoi.  Two days ago, I went to the city center (Hoan Kiem Lake - aka “lake of the restored sword”), and it was nuts.  Stages everywhere, laser beams coming out of the lake, fog machines (?!? defintiely the most puzzling)…it was just insanity.  While I live roughly 10km from the lake, the national football stadium is much closer, a 5 minute walk, and there will be many ceremonies happening there.  It is a crazy time to be here (some might say auspicious and/or suitable), and I feel grateful to be here during this time; i mean, it only happens every 1000 years, right?

After walking around the lake this week, I went to see the water puppets and it was such a moving experience (i know it sounds ridiculous, bear with me).  there was live traditional music, instruments that i have never heard of, and people practicing a folk art form that has been around for centuries.  it’s heartbreaking to me when entire people groups are forgotten, or exploited, or placed beneath others.  the richness of this culture is rooted in the Father’s creativity

It’s so interesting to be a part of a culture that has its roots that deep.  In America, we painstakingly preserve things from 50 years ago, and feel deeply connected to a history that is only 250 years long. This city has existed for 1000 years.  Can you imagine all the things that happened over the past 1000 years? This culture has had ONE THOUSAND YEARS to be shaped and molded and changed.  It puts things in such a different perspective.  It’s so hard not be offended because of some cultural issue that, in my narrow perception, is just wrong (example: yesterday my taxi driver just pulled over to go in to a shop.  that, to me, is annoying and rude.).  Instead, I want to see the beauty of the Father in this culture, for however long He has me here.  There is a depth and richness that I can either cast aside in my arrogance, or learn from in humility.