Leaving for Vietnam!
This is for my supporters–I’m so thankful for all of you!
Clayton, Evangeline, and I are leaving for Vietnam tomorrow morning (leaving our house at 3 am!!) and will be traveling for around 31 hours, including travel to and from airports and layovers (21 hours and 40 minutes in the air). We’re so excited! Our first layover is in Seattle, where I went to college, so I’m excited to peek through the airplane window at the place I love so much. Our second layover is in Seoul-Incheon, Korea, where we’ll meet up with the rest of the team coming from Knoxville. Then we’ll head into Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)! We will arrive around 11 pm Vietnam time, which is conveniently 12 hours difference from our time, so it’ll be 11 am Tyler, Texas time!
We would love your prayers while we’re there! I’m including our schedule with prayer requests below–written by another member of the team. We return July 21.
Prayer requests already answered:
- I finished writing the four lessons.
- Our visas were granted.
- I know God has been preparing my heart, and hopefully He has been preparing my kids’ hearts, as well!
Thank you so much for your support! It means the world!
Vietnam Mission Trip Prayer Guide
July 10-21, 2025
Thursday, July 10 – Journey Begins
Team Schedule: We have 3 different travel groups- 2 from Knoxville and 1 from Texas to all meet up in Seoul and travel on to Ho Chi Minh City Travel Time: 28+ hours
Pray for:
· Safe travels through airports and international flights
· Protection from illness, delays, and lost luggage
· Unity and patience during the long journey
· Smooth customs and immigration processes
· Rest and energy despite the exhausting travel schedule
Daily Focus: Traveling mercies and team preparation
Friday, July 11 – Arrival in Vietnam
Team Schedule: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (12-hour time difference)
What We’re Doing: Landing, customs, transportation to hotel, very late check-in
Pray for:
· Safe arrival after 30+ hours of travel
· Quick adjustment to the 12-hour time difference
· Restful sleep in a new environment
· Health and energy for the days ahead
Daily Focus: Arrival safety and cultural/time adjustment
Saturday, July 12 – First Day in Saigon
Team Schedule: City tour, lunch, dinner, team meeting
What We’re Doing: Exploring Ho Chi Minh City, getting oriented, fighting jet lag
Pray for:
· Alertness and good health despite jet lag
· Eyes to see Vietnam through God’s heart
· Cultural sensitivity and humble attitudes
· Safety during city exploration
· Good team dynamics and communication
Daily Focus: Cultural immersion and team bonding
Sunday, July 13 – Worship & Travel to Camp
Team Schedule: Church service in Saigon, then 3-hour road trip to camp
What We’re Doing: Worshiping with Vietnamese believers, traveling to ministry location
Pray for:
· Meaningful worship experience with Vietnamese church
· Language barriers to dissolve during fellowship
· Safe travel on Vietnamese roads
· Preparation of hearts for camp ministry
· Good first impressions of the camp facilities
Daily Focus: Cross-cultural worship and ministry preparation
Monday, July 14 – Camp Day 1
Team Schedule: Team planning, families arriving, camp kick-off
What We’re Doing: Final preparations, meeting Vietnamese families and translators
Pray for:
· Wisdom in final preparations and logistics
· Safe travels for families
· Instant connection with Vietnamese translators
· Servant hearts and joyful attitudes
· God’s blessing on the camp opening
Daily Focus: Camp launch and relationship building
Tuesday, July 15 – Camp Day 2
Team Schedule: Early soccer, pool time, two teaching sessions, crafts, games, bonfire
Pray for:
· Clear communication through translators
· Children and families to understand their worth
· Honest recognition of human brokenness
· Energy for the full day of activities
· Meaningful connections despite language barrier
Daily Focus: Truth comprehension and heart preparation
Wednesday, July 16 – Camp Day 3
Team Schedule: Early soccer, pool time, two teaching sessions, crafts, and games
Pray for:
· Participants to feel love
· Breakthroughs
· Healing in broken hearts and difficult life situations
· Wisdom for team members in conversations
Daily Focus: life transformation
Thursday, July 17 – Camp Farewell & Travel
Team Schedule: Closing ceremony, helping teeth health, goodbyes, 3-hour trip to Nha Trang
What We’re Doing: Saying goodbye to camp families, traveling to Nha Trang
Pray for:
· Meaningful final conversations and lasting connections
· Work in the lives touched at camp
· Emotional processing of the camp experience
· Safe travel for our team and families going home
· Smooth transition to the next phase of ministry
Daily Focus: Lasting impact and safe travels for all
Friday, July 18 – Home Visits
Team Schedule: Visiting Vietnamese families in their homes
What We’re Doing: Entering homes, meeting extended families, seeing the work of Homes of Love in the homes
Pray for:
· Opportunities to show love practically
· Safety in unfamiliar neighborhoods
· Hearts prepared to receive and give love
Daily Focus: Home ministry
Saturday, July 19 – Home Visits & Return to Saigon
Team Schedule: Visiting Vietnamese families in their homes, travel back to Saigon
What We’re Doing: Visiting homes, traveling, processing experiences, preparing for final days
Pray for:
· Opportunities to show love practically
· Safety in unfamiliar neighborhoods
· Safe travel back to the city
· Good processing time for all they’ve experienced
· Emotional and spiritual health of team members
· Preparation for the final worship
· Continued unity and encouragement
Daily Focus: Processing and reflection
Sunday, July 20 – Final Ministry & Exploration
Team Schedule: Church service, explore, dinner, team debrief
What We’re Doing: Final worship with Vietnamese believers, cultural exploration
Pray for:
· Powerful final worship experience
· Safety during city exploration
· Wisdom in cultural interactions
· Good team reflection and processing time
· Grateful hearts for the entire experience
Daily Focus: Worship and cultural appreciation
Monday, July 21 – Journey Home
What We’re Doing: 25+ hours of travel back to Texas and Tennessee
Pray for:
· Safe travels through all airports and flights
· Smooth customs and immigration processes
· Minimal jet lag and travel fatigue
· Protection from illness during travel
· Joyful reunions with families back home
Daily Focus: Safe return and family reunions
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” – Ephesians 6:18
We’ll be praying!
Thank you so much!