Vietnam on God’s Heart
Jan 15th, 2008 | By art rogers | Category: Church, Missional, Vietnam
Getting ready for my church’s preliminary trip to Vietnam in just 7 weeks, I got a series of 5 shots yesterday. Several of them are pretty painful, but they are necessary. I even got a flu vaccine, which I never get, because I will be in a plane for the better parts of 1 1/2 days – each way.
Traveling to Asia, I got MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), Twinrix (Hepatitis A & B combo shot), Typhoid and the aforementioned flu shots today. Both arms feel stiff and I am sure to dream that I am a pin cushion tonight. She said to move my arms a lot, as it helps keep them from getting too stiff.
I went to the Tulsa City/County Health Department for my shots, which totaled $121. That’s pretty cheap, actually, though I have two more Twinrix shots to go at $49 per shot.
I also have to get a prescription from a Dr. for malaria. There are three options for this. Doxycycline is an antibiotic that was recommended by the former IMB Missionary who is coordinating our trip through Glocal Ventures. GVI (Glocal Ventures, Inc) is the LLC set up by Northwood Church in Keller to coordinate such mission efforts.
I’ll be letting you know more about our trip to Vietnam in the coming weeks. We leave on a Tuesday, so I will probably update you on Tuesdays from now until the trip. As you can see, I have a theme for these updates:
Vietnam::on God’s heart::my destination
Of course, whenever we discuss our purpose, we realize, it is God’s purpose for us. We go about it because of our love for Him and His desire that people from every tribe, tongue and nation belong to His Kingdom. Also, as I grow closer to Him, my desires become shaped by His desires. Hence, Vietnam is my destination, because it is on the heart of the God I love.
I am getting excited.
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
Art,
Blessings on you as you prepare to travel to Vietnam. I trust that the feeling of being a pin cushion will pass quickly. I’ve had all of the series that you mentioned above plus yellow fever. We weren’t in a malaria-prone area so didn’t have to worry about that. The one thing you’ll discover if you haven’t already is that you aren’t eligible to donate blood for up to a year if you’ve traveled outside the US to certain countries, and I’d almost guarantee that Vietnam would be on the list.
I trust that the Lord will richly bless your efforts as you go.
Gary,
I hadn’t thought about that, but it’s a good word. At least I’ll know that I can’t give blood when we host our next blood drive. The only shot I didn’t get is the one for Japanese Encephalitis, which is something that the CDC says is prone to where we are going – but not during the time when we are going. That is also a three shot series that I hear is pretty expensive. I will probably have that series when I come back so I will be good to go again regardless of the time of year I go.
Art,
Good to see you on Wade’s blog. Sorry a guy jumped on you. Hope you have a good trip and Jesus will be lifted.
A pin cushion huh? No fun in that. Maybe I’ve been lucky or foolish, but I’ve made 18 trips (about a month each) to Japan, Israel, and Afghanistan without any shots. My last trip was in 2003. Sometimes I think Doctors are over precautious.
Since my spleen has been removed due to a fall, I’ve been thinking about getting a flu shot as at 75, my get-up-and go has about got-up and went.
Rex,
Don’t think twice about me being jumped – especially by him. I’ve been swimming in the deep end for a long time now.
Sorry to hear about the spleen. You need that somewhat. A flu shot might be helpful to you. I never get them because I never get sick. Well, rarely get sick. Even though I shake hands all day at least twice a week.
Thanks for the well wishes.
Montagnards, remember the Montagnards.
cb