Reflections

• Inspiration - We were inspired by the Joma Bakery Cafe people who started their Starbucks-like business in Laos, expanded to Vietnam and are headed to Cambodia. They hire rescued girls from human traficking and provide good jobs for them. Our hats are also off to Tim and Toby who have opened a Hanoi restaurant with good food (even by our standards) and have hired kids coming out of orphanages. Both of these organizations have established quality businesses with a vision to minister to people physically and spiritually. The folks at Glocal Ventures (NGO we work with in Vietnam) go the second and sometimes third mile to assure we meet with who we need to, set up Hanoi transportation which frequently means going with us, and are a liaison with SS3, monitor the use of donated funds to assure they are spent as designated, and guide us to safe and good places to eat. We are also inspired by people working cheerfully and without complaint in conditions that most Americans wouldn't like.
• Laos - The opportunity to help start care for the elderly. The high numbers of English speakers, reducing the need for translation. The fact that they have identified a need, but don't know what it is... The rural challenges of accessibility and lack of infrastructure. We spent enough time (approximately 54 hours) to know we need to spend more time there. Their desire for improvement.
• Vietnam - The meeting with DOLISA, their preparedness for our meeting and the open door for the first annual Elderly Care Conference in November. We expect 7 volunteers on that trip, which is exciting. The visit to SS3 and the seeing the pigs project which is enhancing the diets there, growing kids and expanding vision. The almost overwhelming needs in the existing facilities...SS3, Agent Orange/orphanage, and the realization that these are some of the best in the country.
• Encouragement - We were encouraged along the way by divine appointments on airplanes, restaurants, and knowing that there were family members, friends, Sunday School classes and even some folks we don't even know who were praying for us. It was humbling to be in meetings with top level officials in a foreign country and knowing we couldn't have set up those meetings on our own.
• The Opportunities - are everywhere. We need wisdom in taking the best steps to help meet the almost overwhelming needs. We need like minded volunteers who are willing to join us on these trips so that we can begin to develop continuity and make faster progress. We need for God to open the doors that He wants us to go through and continue to give us vision. Upon our return, a business friend commented, "it looks like you could have another full time job." He's right, and like Paula said, "this is a job that costs money rather than pays money." Maybe it doesn't make financial sense, but this is some of the most rewarding work we do. Two verses offer guidance...the first is: Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. -James 1:27 The second one is found several times in the New Testament and simply says Love your neighbor as yourself.
• Donations - We haven't solicited and aren't asking for donations, but are frequently asked about it. Since we're volunteers, any donations go straight to what we're doing. We are in the process of establishing a not for profit corporation which will allow volunteers to have a tax deduction for their travel expenses and allow people who desire to donate, to receive a tax deduction. Feel free to contact us about that. Our desire isn't to become fund raisers or lay guilt trips on anyone.
• Questions??? - We're an open book.

Beach Balls, Pigs and Turkeys

This update is coming during our layover in Tokyo. Our last official visit, before picking up a couple of kilos (of coffee), was to SS3, the half orphanage, half elderly facility we've been working with for a couple of years. We wanted to monitor the donated animals and see our friends there. The pigs have grown and they are eating about one per week, which is a significant improvement in their meat consumption. They have purchased a few turkeys and will be buying chickens in the future. There are 91 elderly and almost 60 orphans. Since our first visit in 2008 we are enjoying watching the kids grow, and working to facilitate improvements at the facility, in both services and buildings...the pictures demonstrate the need.

Agent Orange Facility

This morning we visited an Agent Orange and orphanage facility in Bavi Province. Our visit was apparently a special event as the local TV station was there for the ceremony and speeches, which we had no idea about until the cameras started rolling. Fortunately I stay ready to talk about issues we're passionate about. Be sure and catch us on the local Bavi station...just kidding. We took numerous photos as we fought back the tears...here are a couple, then some of life in the countryside. Today was a draining day.

Saturday in Vietnam

A bonus photo for you Apple/Mac lovers. Heavythunderstorms kept us inside this morning, so when it cleared off we got a tour unavailable to most Americans...We got outside Hanoi and had our first water buffalo experience and stopped near freshly cut rice. These were new sights and smells for us. Many people did double takes as they saw their first Americans. We rode by an army base and saw soldiers taking rifle practice in a field. That made me a little nervous as I realized a few years back we would have been their targets. When Steve and I went to dinner our waiter came over and asked us if we were Christians...he had seen us praying before our meal. When we said yes, he told us he was a Christian, too. He goes to a house church. Christians here have a commitment not often found in the U.S., it typically means they are not promoteable and the best jobs are not available to them. While not huge by U.S. standards, he got a tip that equals about 2 weeks pay for many Vietnamese. They treat us like rock stars at the Hilton (our last stay the front desk told me I was a favorite or favored guest). When we got back to our rooms last night, the housekeeping maid had folded my dirty laundry and put it in a tidy stack. They must have me confused with someone else... Thanks to those who are praying for us...today we are visiting victims of Agent Orange...not sure we're ready for that. P.S. When my son Dan saw photos of us on the "girls" bikes he said he wouldn't tell any of my "biker" buddies.

DOLISA Meeting

The meeting with DOLISA went very well this morning. They extended an invitation to conduct an annual conference on caring for the elderly. The first conference will be in November and include approximately 200 participants from the five local Hanoi facilities which care for the elderly. Just think, a city of 3.5 million with 5 facilities that care for the elderly. They want each participant to receive a copy of Dr. Nguyen's Caring For The Elderly. This represents a significant undertaking for our volunteers. We are honored to receive the opportunity.

Laos Reflections and Back to the Comforts of Hanoi

We made it from Laos to Hanoi late yesterday afternoon. The lady at the front desk at the Hilton recognized me and we were quickly ushered up to the executive floor. They treat us like royalty here although we're staying on HHonors points. We walked 4-5 blocks to a restaurant I have a frequent diner card for. If someone would've told me that there would ever be a time in my life I would be comfortable in Hanoi there would've been a strong argument...but now Hanoi is in our comfort zone. Dr. Duc Nguyen, a geriatrician friend, has written a book called Caring For the Elderly in Vietnamese. He called from Texas to let me know someone would be bringing me some copies for meetings we are having with government officials today, and he gave me the guy's phone number so I could contact him. Assuming he knew English, I called...we had a most interesting non-communicative phone call, but fortunately the guy at the Executive Desk at the Hilton bailed me out by calling him back. The books arrived just as we got back from dinner.

I awakened in tears thinking about the plight of people in general in Laos. This poor country has needs everywhere. We went to a training center for women where they were sewing on the manual foot pedal machines like my grandmother had. People in the rural areas are especially isolated. Everywhere we went we were asked for help. We will assimilate our visit and consult with some others to develop a plan for our next visit. The 54 hours we were in the country were really not enough...but we were made to feel very welcome and we were given access to surprisingly high ranking officials. Dr. Intong and Sensack (Tui) did an especially good job of making sure things went smoothly and that we ate extremely well. How many of you have eaten fish from the Mekong River?

Good Timing (or maybe I should say God's timing)

Last night we enjoyed fried chicken tendons and other delightful dishes at a restaurant overlooking the Mekong River and Thailiand. Dr. Intong Keomoungkhoune and a friend took us there. Dr. Intong is a Nutrition Officer for unicef and very knowledgeable about nutrition needs throughout the country. He also knows many of the needs of the elderly and is making himself available to us in the evenings. This morning at our meeting with Dr. Nao Boutta, the Deputy Chief of Cabinet at the Ministry of Public Health, he told us that they have had no program for the elderly in the past and have recently recognized the need, due to industrial development, more mobile society, etc. They recently established the National Committee for Elderly Care which had its first meeting last week. A complicating factor in developing a national policy is meeting the needs in rural villages (1,200 of them with as few as 20 households) which have transportation issues. Some of them are only accessible by horseback or boats. We also visited the National Rehabilitation Center this morning. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has graciously sent a representative to accompany us to meetings. We have been very pleased with the openness of the people we have met with so far. We are semi-adjusting to the 12 hour time difference, but almost fell asleep in our plates at dinner last night. The photo is with the Deputy Director and the Director of International Relations of the Lao Women's Union. The Deputy Director has family in Ft. Worth and may visit in June, in conjunction with a trip to Washington, D.C.

Bangkok Airport and Arrived in Laos

This photo was taken at Bangkok airport. Last night from Hong Kong to Bangkok a lady wanted to sit next to her friend so I gave up my seat. My new neighbor was an attorney based in Hong Kong but from California. His dad was the planner who designed Westlake Village, California, where LTC Properties is based. He is also involved in Laos with the major hydro-electric project there. He's a Christian and prayed for our project and amazingly offered to give $2,000 for the work we are doing, even after I told him we aren't presently soliciting donations. How humbling... We are now in Laos. There is no extra charge for the steam sauna present everywhere. The gentlemen Vilat arranged to meet us did an excellent job of helping us confirm our appointments and we are meeting with a nutrition specialist later this afternoon.

Interview by Maniphone for Laos TV Show Prior To Trip

Our Schedule

We leave DFW Sunday, May 9, around noon and arrive in Vientiane, Laos (via Tokyo, Hong Kong and Bangkok) around noon on May 11.

• May 12 we meet with the Deputy Chief of the Ministry of Public Health, and an official from the Lao Women Union.
• May 13 we meet with Chief of the Secretariat of the Lao National Committee for the Advancement of Women. We have other Lao contacts to visit with, time permitting.
• On afternoon of May 13 we fly from Vientiane to Hanoi, Vietnam. Lao Airlines has recently approved the purchase of its first jet...doubtful that it will be ready yet. Staying at the new Hanoi Hilton.
• May 14 we meet with officials from DOLISA (Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs)
• May 15 an adventure in Hanoi with friends from Glocal Ventures, Inc., an NGO who helps us greatly in setting up meetings with Vietnamese officials and assures donations are used for their intended purpose. More on this adventure later.
• May 16 we visit Mr. Than, a very successful Vietnamese businessman we met last year thanks to the Nguyens. Mr. Than has been to our house (Hemingways) in Texas and we are returning the visit.
• May 17 we visit SS3, the half orphanage, half elderly facility we have been working with. We will get to see the pigs and chickens donated late last year. We leave Hanoi around midnight to return to DFW.
• May 18 we arrive back home, kiss the ground and our wives.