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As I type this journal my trip is coming to an end. By the time you read this I hope to be home safely with both my kids. my son is home from Baylor for spring break.
Looking forward to hugging daughter. Telling my dog to quit barking, and oh yeah that cat..... Gotta crazy craving for Kettle potato chips. FYI don't eat chips usually but need something American.
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| Just a VERY small representation of New skyline of Saigon |
Change is my "topic". Please don't stop reading with till at least past the next paragraph. I've spoke of Change often. Every time I come to Vietnam I am constantly amazed at the change in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang. Skylines have changed. Speaking with the GM at the hotel I stay in Danang, we talked about all the new hotels that are being built and he told me, "just this past year 15,000 rooms were added in Danang, with thousands more under construction. . The airports are busy, there's tour buses all over. There's change from people needing a bowl of rice to now dealing with social issues. But Oh 30-45 mins out of town not much has changed.
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| Just a bit of new hotels and skyline in Danang, these only along coast. They stack up behind these all along streets, then there the offices and condos, not seen in this photo |
Yet...That's not the change I want to talk about today. This trip was amazing for me in many ways I know you hear that often for me. I learned some things watching the Pfleger family and the continual caring they show and relationships they continue to build. I learned, LOL maybe to be a little more generous with the people that help us from doorman to team members. Today I want to talk about three changes I've seen. The addition of a new staff member totally a God thing.
The first is about a young girl staying at The Lighthouse, our college dorm for girls her name is Vui. Honestly though I knew her well I never knew her name. I lovingly called her "always". Even as I type I smile big! You see for past few years she was one of those that sorta hung out in the back as the kids greeted me and guests, all looking for their hugs. "Always" aka Vui would just stand in back hoping and not hoping to be seen. I call her "always" because I "always" have to hunt her down. Vui is a 2nddegree black belt in taekwondo who teaches our kids in our homes as well as Dorothea's Project Legacy.
Vui was left by the former organization in one of the building which now are home to Project Legacy, Lighthouse and Carmela's Home. The building we sorta abandoned. The previous org thought all the kids had been sent away. But 3 girls were left. It took some time 1 ½ - 2 years before we received permission to take the building girls. I found out the mom at Hal's Home (men's college dorm) had been feeding them and watching over them. Thank God!
Well this trip, "always" came right up to me! Asked you remember me? I smiled of course! She said, "I want to tell you I'm transformed!" my name is Vui and reached in for her hug. Yup those who knows tears are filling my eyes as I type. Yup! Her name is Vui, but to me she will always be my "always!"
Next is Vien. She's' currently living. Yes there was supposed to be a period there. You see about 7 Years ago on of our friends / partners funded a life-saving heart surgery. Today not only is she "alive" but a 1styear student at University. Studying to be a kindergarten teacher and Living at The Lighthouse, our Girls dorm!
I've asked both if they would write their life stories. Speaking to Vien, I asked "would you mind telling us what it might have felt like before her surgery, seeing her parents, worry. Her eyes flooded with tears at just the thought. As are mine!
The last is an amazing no totally amazing true story. One of our friends, past donors had it on her heart to talk to the company she worked for about funding heart surgeries. They monitor heart surgery patients after surgery in the US. Talked her boss and the CEO. They were interested in doing MUCH MORE then she dared hope. But wanted their financial dept to check us out and also check into me and GIBTK. The only part that scared me a bit was the one about me. As many know my much earlier years were how should I call it... "checkered?"
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| Erika and her family were sent by her company to come see GIBTK heart program in person |
We passed. The publicly traded company. They committed to funding 200 heart surgeries in 2019. They have funded the first 50 (1stquarter) Which are now done! Amazing huh? Totally amazing! Thank you Erika!
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| Erika inspected all parts dealing with hearts in 2 of the hospitals gibtk uses |
But wait God was not done.
I told our team we need more staff to make sure we handle everything with this number as we handled our past heart surgeries. We began our search. Funny thing is someone reached out to me on Facebook. They messaged me in Vietnamese. Tam our SE Asia director told me its someone looking for a job.
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| Newest team member Anh, showing mother of infant which recently had heart surgery her own scar from her heart surgery done as child funded by a charity. Gods fingerprints are ALL over!!! |
She speaks good English. Had attended 2 years of University. Decided that was not where her heart was. And reached to us. She wanted to help the poor and most in need. She came from a poor family. But WAIT! Guess what God brought us? When she was 12 she had heart surgery and a Charity organization funded her heart surgery! She is now 23 and full time gibtk team member assistant to Tu of Heart Program director.
Coincidence? Or God working anonymously? Way too much for chance. I hope these stories touched your heart as much as they do mine. Come and see, join us on a trip. Stories are good but seeing,.. now that may just be life impacting to you and those you visit!
By the way I don't think God is done yet!
COME and SEE!!!
><((((º> BBlessed
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