SS3 Visit

It's always a highlight to visit our friends at SS3, the 1/2 orphanage, 1/2 elderly facility in Hanoi that we first visited in 2008.

These new rocking chairs (compliments of two generous donors) will enable little old ladies to rock the babies...kind of an adopt a grannie program.

I didn't want to put him down. Yes, he's a boy. When I commented that in America boys wear blue and girls wear pink, the reply was "here too, but this is all we have."

Some things just transend little obstacles like language.

Pigs and chickens...the gift that keeps giving... 2 years of improved diet so far.

Halong Bay

Freshest calamari ever...Squid was alive just minutes before. John (pronounced Jow) lives in China and travels all over the world with Sony. We were kayak buddies and pals for the day. I hope to visit with him when he travels to Texas.

Photos don't do the beauty justice. $40 for transportation from hotel, lunch and boat ride...12 hours in all. Folks from Bangkok, Saigon, Australia, China, Japan and America enjoyed this day to remember.

Sunday in Vietnam

The only recognized Vietnamese Protestant church in a city of 7 million. The first song was Hark The Herald Angels Sing and the service closed with O Holy Night. Both were in Vietnamese of course, but fortunately the young lady sitting next to me gave me permission to "sing in your language." Partaking of the Lord's Supper was the highlight for me. Language and cultural barriers were transcended... I was the only non-Vietnamese there that day and it is very unusual that non-Vietnamese are invited/allowed to attend. Ate lunch at Thai Express with Tan and family, then rode the electric cart through the old quarter. What a great day!

DOLISA Meeting

Yesterday's meeting with DOLISA (Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs) exceeded my expectations. We gave them a DVD from last year's conference. They were very complimentary about our contribution to elderly care and actually want to formalize the relationship with us and have requested additional assistance as well.

It has been exciting to watch the relationship develop over the last four years as it has grown from cordial yet somewhat distant, into one of trust and friendship as they have seen our ongoing commitment. When the meeting was over we lingered and walked together like friends not quite wanting the meeting to end. What a blessing.

Lunch with GVI Staff

Met with staff of NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) regarding meetings with government officials and SS3 (elderly/orphanage facility). It was great to hear that they had used our pig/turkey/chicken program as a model for a chicken program in a Lao Chi Province orphanage. Tan also shared a personal story of a stroke victim who responded to therapy taught in last year's CARING FOR THE ELDERLY conference in Hanoi and use of the transfer vest. Huong and Bich said that throughout the year they had continually looked at the schedule calendar for our visit and were concerned when they didn't see it. They are more than people we work with when we come to Vietnam. They are friends. It is a blessing to know them. Left to right...Tra, Bich, Thanh, Mark, Tan, Huong and Thao. We shared a great authentic Vietnamese meal.

Eager Anticipation and Thanks

It's almost time to leave DFW and the comforts/familiarity of family/friends/co-workers and Tex-Mex. ...to Hanoi via Chicago and Tokyo. While awaiting the first flight I'm flooded with emotion. I'm the beneficiary of so many words of written and spoken encouragement from friends and family. People concerned about my safety (hopefully unfounded), praying for the people I meet and that the trip will be successful and even a teenager wanting to buy chickens or a goat for the elderly/orphan facilty. ...thoughts of sadness at being away from Paula. The overpowering emotion is a combination of eager anticipation and enthusiasm!!! Seeing Vietnamese friends from the previous four trips, visiting the orphans/elderly...so excited about the rocking chair/adopt a grandma program...meeting with government officials regarding further endeavors to improve care...on and on...and of course a bowl of pho for breakfast. I land there Tuesday night Hanoi time/Tuesday morning Dallas time, and my first appointment is about 7 hours after my anticipated arrival at the hotel. 12 hour Iime zone difference. I bought a 6 pack of 5 Hour Energy, just in case! Thanks for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. They lift me up.