December 2005
Lessons learned in a Vietnamese barber's chair

Hoi An, Vietnam is a small town just south of Danang, bordering a river about five kilometers from the coast. Hoi An is primarily known for its architectural beauty, mostly Chinese, its high-quality fabrics, and its talented tailors. But we were totally unaware of its multi-talented salon specialists.

Since leaving for Asia in mid-July, I had been without a haircut for a couple of months and was looking increasingly unpresentable. Fortunately, I was able to find a barber shop, without much difficulty, not far from our hotel. The place was a little corner stall with two wooden chairs and a single electrical outlet. I didn't see any professional certificates posted on the wall, but that didn't concern me much.

It didn't take long to agree on a price of two dollars and for me to take my seat. After sitting down, the whole procedure got started pretty quickly. I was a little surprised that my barber friend was able to proceed with such little information. He looked at my head, muttered, "Shorter?" I nodded, and he was off. He clipped and cut and clipped some more. He even got out a straight razor and shaved the side of my head and the back of my neck. I was a little nervous wondering about the history of the razor he was using, but remained composed and was satisfied with his work once he finished.

I was just about to get up and reach for my wallet when he adjusted my wooden chair into a reclining position and sat me back down in the chair. I was a little curious about what was to follow, but I remembered hearing how some barber shops not only cut your hair but also massage your scalp as an added bonus. That sounded good, so I relaxed. But it wasn't time for the massage, at least not yet. It was time for the total face shave. And I mean total-forehead, eyebrows, eyelids, cheeks, nose, ears-everything. Instantly I was glad I had agreed to his initial price of two dollars and hadn't upset him by bartering for a lower bid.

When he finished, I had just enough time to breathe a prayer of thanksgiving before my barber friend slipped on a forehead lantern and set a handful of metal dentist-like tools on my chest. I wasn't about to open my mouth. Then I realized I didn't have to.

He focused the lantern on the side of my head, pulled out a long thin metal tool, forced it into my inner ear, and began to scrape away. I winced and tried to pull away, but my barber friend grabbed my forehead and pulled me back into position. He used some other tools in addition to the stainless steel scraper, but I was too focused on mentally retreating to some internal "happy place" to notice.

When he finished, I was eager to leave, but his hand against my forehead was unrelenting. My friend forced open each eye, dropped a few drops in each eye, and then reached for a tube with which he squeezed multiple puffs of air into each eye. After he finished, he helped me relax by putting a cold, wet washcloth over my face and slapping my forehead with his palm.

Finally, he allowed me to sit up. I put on my glasses, but it was time for the "massage." He grabbed my chin with one hand and stabilized the back of my head with the other, yanking in one direction then the opposite. I heard a flurry of snaps and cracks and was happy to realize I could move my toes.

He finished by punching my back about two dozen times with both fists. The relaxing part was being fairly certain that we were nearing completion. I was right! I jumped out of the chair. We chatted for a few minutes, I paid the bill, and was free to leave.

Andrea said that she liked the new style-even with the trimmed eyebrows-so I guess it was worth it.

This entire experience has served as a reminder to me about life in the Kingdom of God. When I chose to trust in Christ and follow him, I had certain expectations-inner peace, purpose, forgiveness, etc. God, for the most part, has fulfilled these expectations. However, I was largely unaware that he had more planned than I could have ever imagined. Much of this has come in the form of unanticipated blessings, as surprising as my experience in the barber's chair.

At other times, I have found myself wavering in faith, thinking that the pain or discomfort I was feeling wasn't part of the original agreement. But, through this entire process, I have come to trust him more and also to realize that his plan is much better than my expectations.

And while I'm not sure what is coming next, I know that God is more qualified than my Vietnamese barber friend, and that, ultimately, it will all prove to have been worth it.

-Scott Sward. Scott and Andrea Sward visited Hoi An, Vietnam, this past summer en route to Cambodia. Scott ministers to a Cambodian congregation in his work as Assistant Pastor of Long Beach Friends Church (CA). Through an unexpected cultural experience, Scott learned lessons which have impacted his spiritual walk.