Hello everyone. Back in Vietnam. We are approaching TET (Lunar New Year), an exciting time for the locals. A time where many return home to visit families. It is also a time that I like to visit our kids with baskets of goodies. It is also an opportunity to visit our partners and govt officials and thank them for the past year and look forward to the next. More on TET in next few days.
Erika and Shane Boa and their 2 daughters came and saw. They have been partners /donors in the past. Erika also came to experience our heart program. She's is making a presentation to her company, that they too will be part of our heart program. If all goes as "we" hope, MANY more kids will have the chance for a full life through a heart surgery. Please take a few minutes to read Erika's Journal. Hear a little of what they experienced. I hope one day you too can carve out some time to come and see firsthand. Heres Erika!
We are just wrapping up our trip to Vietnam with GIBTK and we are so impressed and emotional about the whole experience. It far exceeded our expectations and there were different aspects that made an impression that we did not expect. We came here to see how we were helping the people of Vietnam, but we were the ones who benefited most from this trip.
We knew through the newsletters and reports that GIBTK sends that they were doing great things and definitely changing lives. It wasn't until we came and saw firsthand that we realized the true impact this organization is making. It was impressive to see how well they used and managed the donated funds.
It was eye opening to see firsthand what a donated gift means, and allows a family to do. Donating a cow or a pig to a family isn't just a one-tiime gift, it's a gift that continues to give to them throughout their raising and ownership of the animal. One donated animal can completely change the entire living situation and future for a family. The same can be said for the donation of a surgical procedure. That recipient's family will now be able the thrive because they no longer are burdened with the medical expenses of caring for a sick child. The siblings of the child will be able to go to school because unburdened parents are now able to work more, earn more, and pay for school tuition. The ripple effect that one gift has on an entire family was very surprising.
We were very impressed with the relationships that GIBTK builds with the community and the people who receive help through the organization. This seems very different from the aid and assistance in the US. The dedication of the GIBTK staff in following up with donor recipients every six months allows them to build lasting relationships. We were personally able to meet and speak with some of these recipients who received surgical procedures over a decade earlier.
One aspect of this trip that truly rattled us was the selfless hearts of the staff at GIBTK. Seeing the way they work together, help other people, and pour into others transcends a job title and responsibility. We envisioned Lighthouse, Carmela's, Mary's and Hal's Home to be similar to our foster care system in the US. That is the farthest thing from the reality. The kids feel privileged to be in the care of GIBTK staff, and treat each other like family. There does not seem to be a feeling of bitterness and abandonment, but a feeling of love, acceptance, and gratitude. This is entirely due to the staff, the house moms, the environment created, and the way they all treat eachother. The manner in which the staff views their "job" is something that I so rarely witness in the US and is something that will stick with us.
If we view every interaction we have with others as an opportunity to better their life, love them, and spread joy, and not focus on ourself, how different would our lives look? This is the invaluable lesson that the entire experience with GIBTK has taught us. We are certain this wouldn't be possible unless you see these people face to face, hug them, hear their stories, and see with your own eyes what selfless love looks like. I pray that we keep that in the front of our hearts and the minds when we get back.
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| With another family who will get a much needed heart surgery for their daughter | ||
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| a cow they donated to a needy family | ||
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| Erika holding one of the babies the Bua's funded with a life saving heart surgery! | ||
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| Erika and Shane visiting A Mother's Love program. a place were single mom's of the local community can come and learn how best to take of their babies |
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| Erika with Chip Chip from Mary's Home | ||
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