When I was living in Bangkok this past summer, I had the opportunity to visit Hanoi, Vietnam.

So I woke early on a Friday morning to hop on an Air Asia flight.

As I was waiting in the airport to board the plane, a 40-something-year-old Vietnamese woman asked me to carry one of her bags.

Trying to be helpful, I politely obliged.

Then I reached down to pick the bag up and to my complete shock…THE BAG WAS FREAKING HEAVY! Not just sort of heavy…REALLY HEAVY!

In broken English she told me that the oversized duffle bag was stuffed full of books. Big, heavy books!

So here are a few things I learned that morning about helping people carry their bags. But also some truths about helping people carry their burdens.

1. CARRYING PEOPLE’S STUFF IS HARD
When I first said “Yes” to the lady, I thought it would be a simple task. No big deal and no sweat off my brow. I WAS DEAD WRONG! It was a big deal and it was heavy. At first it felt like I had been the victim of a con. Maybe I was. I broke a sweat, my arm hurt and getting the bag into the planes overhead compartment safely was a monumental task.

2. WE WERE CONNECTED
This agreement to carry her bag connected us. I was now with her and she with me. We walked together. We rode the shuttle bus to the plane together. I needed to keep her in my sights…and she needed to make sure I didn’t run off with her bag of books. Carrying someone’s load is a bonding experience.

3. CRITICISM IS PART OF THE AGREEMENT
As I was struggling to get the bag in the overhead compartment I could feel the glaring stares of people on me. I was holding up people in the aisle way as I struggled with the bag. I was awkward and clumsy. I accidentally bumped the guy next to me as I did my Olympic dead lift to get the bag properly stored overhead.

I could just imagine what people were thinking. “Why didn’t that dumb American just check that bag at the gate? He is holding us up! He is going to hurt someone with that bag!” I wanted to scream out, “IT’S NOT MY BAG! IT’S NOT MY BAG! IT’S HERS!” But I kept my mouth shut and just dealt with it.

4. BREAK THE RULES
So technically I should NOT of been carrying her bag. It’s an airline safety rule. But she needed real help and I wasn’t going to ignore her need because of some rule. I knew it wasn’t a bomb…it was books. Too many times we are guilty of following the rules instead of just helping.

5. SHE WAS UNABLE
When I picked up the duffle bag I instantly realized she was completely incapable of doing this on her own. Ain’t no way she is going to be able to carry this! She was helpless without some sort of assistance. I’m a 6′ 3″ male in fairly good shape and I struggled. Physically, she was just the opposite. She was small and more on the frail side.

Sure, maybe the Air Asia staff would of helped her but no one was stepping up to solve her problem. It was just me and her. Together we could do it. Her doing it alone? No way!

6. ALONG THE WAY YOU WILL WANT TO BAIL
So was my attitude perfect? Was I the model good Samaritan? Unfortunately, the answer is, “No.” At moments I got a little irritated. A couple times I just wanted to give the bag back to her. I had done enough. Someone else could take it from here. When helping people carry heavy loads, frustration and the desire to give up are a reality. But don’t give up. Don’t bail on them.

So what have you learned lately about helping people with their heavy loads?

Posted by Mike Foster:

I want to show you 2 photos where I am scared.

On Monday I had the chance to snuggle up with a couple of 500 pound Tigers.

In these photos I’m about to pee my pants. My heart is racing 1000 miles an hour. I’m frightened like a little school girl. (Though I think I’m hiding my fear well.)

This is 100% legit. I faked this photo but not these.

These Tigers are comfortable around humans but they are still completely wild.

Trust me. I saw them flash their fangs and shred a play toy to pieces minutes before I laid down on him.

I know this is totally crazy stupid but guess what?….I’VE GOT PHOTOS OF ME LAYING ON A TIGER NOW!!!

Plus a great story to tell!

So have you done anything crazy stupid lately?

Posted by Mike Foster:

The photo above is 100% fake. I am pretending that I am playing Rugby. The tackle I am making is completely bogus and totally staged.

The people who play “real” Rugby are tough, strong and can take a hit. I’m not one of those people.

The guy I am pretending to tackle is actually a REAL rugby player. In fact, he had a black eye from being kicked in the face on a play. He is also a giant and could snap me in half if he wanted to.

SO LET ME TALK ABOUT WHAT IS REAL AND GENUINE!

2 weeks ago I spent a Saturday with the Nak Suu Tigers. It is a rugby team based here in Bangkok and is part of Ark International.

But the Nak Suu Tigers aren’t just your typical rugby team. They are part of a rugby academy lead by Sopo Fakaua, his wife Nicole, and a bunch of incredible volunteers.

Sopo is a New Zealand-born Samoan who felt called to help at-risk children here in Bangkok. (Btw, I wish I had a cool name like Sopo!)

The goal of Nak Suu Tigers Rugby Academy is to have a lasting impact in the lives of young people through rugby training and life skill development; building trust, hope, self-esteem and courage to impact and better their future.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NAK SUU TIGERS HERE.

So I got to participate and help out with the practice and skill training. I let kids tackle and run into me. I fetched balls. Got nice and dirty. And sweated like a dog on a hot and humid day in Thailand. (Btw, I did the skills testing too. Here is PROOF! )

The kids in the program had a blast. I even took my son Jackson with me and except for the fact that he almost passed out from the heat, he is now a huge rugby fan.

That Saturday I watched Sopo and his team of volunteers encourage, teach, love and open the door to a better future for these precious children.

Though the photo of me playing rugby is fake, the Nak Suu Tigers and the ministry of Ark International are the real deal.

YOU CAN FINANCIALLY HELP THE NAK SUU TIGERS AND ARK INTERNATIONAL HERE.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY PHOTOS FROM THE DAY.

VISIT THE ARK INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE.

Posted by Mike Foster:

Crossing the street in Hanoi, Vietnam is an experience. Just watch me demonstrate in this video.

Cars don’t stop. Taxis don’t stop. Buses don’t stop. And the 5000 mopeds coming at you don’t stop.

So you could stand on the side of the street and wait. And wait. And wait. Hoping that their might be a good time to cross the to the other side.

If that’s your strategy…you will be waiting a long time.

The key to crossing to the other side is:
1. STEP OUT INTO THE STREET
2. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE OBSTACLES COMING AT YOU
3. DON’T LOOK BACK
4. CELEBRATE WHEN YOU GET TO THE OTHER SIDE

This is a simple strategy for crossing the street in Vietnam.

But more importantly….apply these 4 steps when pursuing your big dreams too.

It is time to go for it!

Posted by Mike Foster:

Tomorrow marks the 3rd week my family and I have been in Bangkok. 5 more weeks to go. Here are some things I’m learning:

1. Skype is a beautiful thing. 5am meetings on Skype…not so much.

2. The Thai people are amazing. Generous. Kind. Full of love.

3. If you’re not paying attention to what’s happening in Asia, you should start today so you’re not left behind.

4. Fox News and MSNBC are embarrassingly irrelevant here. CNN and BBC actually broadcast what I consider to be REAL news.

5. It’s better to follow your heart and passion then follow the “rules.”

6. I got a haircut today. I told the stylist I was from the United States. I think she thought I said UNITED STATES MILITARY! Holy cow they cut it short! Well I guess my hair will eventually grow back…by January. (See pic above)

7. My wife and my kids are studs. Took them about 48 hours to adjust to a completely new way of life. Btw, Thai women are seriously crazy in love with my 8 year old daughter. It’s fun to watch.

8. Excited to be connecting with so many great social justice organizations doing incredible work in this city.

9. In September we are traveling to Chiang Mai to meet Kirapaw. She is one of the 4 beautiful children we sponsor through Compassion International. I’m super excited!

10. Bangkok is a city of extremes. You can buy a $250,000 Lamborghini at the most beautiful mall I’ve ever been in. Then you walk out of that mall and see a Mom and her newborn baby begging for spare change.

11. I’m worried that I’m not going to see a NFL game until I get back.

12. I have very little to offer the Thai people. That’s why I listen intently, watch closely, and take good notes.

13. It is true that Bangkok has evil and darkness in it. But it is also true that this city is full of light and life and great hope. We sometimes can lose sight of that truth.

14. I’m very thankful to work with such an incredibly talented and capable team back home.

15. Everyone has a cell phone. And I mean EVERYONE! A lot have 2 phones. Forget E-commerce. They are going to go straight to Mobile Commerce.

16. Heading to Hanoi, Vietnam next week for some meetings, learnings and to speak. Then to Beijing in 2 weeks.

17. I’m 6 foot 4 inches tall. Nobody else is. So I work hard at being a gentle giant.

18. Respect for others translates in every culture. So if you are not familiar with that idea, you better learn it.

19. The Newsong Bangkok community has been great for my soul and restores my hope in the future of the church.

20. Thai portions of food are smaller than the US. That’s probably why we are fat and they are not. Also, no free refills on drinks.

Have a great weekend!