Oh My God!!!

Greetings from Vietnam! Another amazing day which I was gifted! The plan was to visit our homes. 

Our last stop first, was Mary’s Home. Oh My God!!! And to use OMG would be a huge understatement. As we pulled up and I began to walk which quickly turned in a jog towards the girls running toward me. Two of the first were twins. 

Those who have read some of my past journals may remember the story of my experience being there when their father dropped them off to stay. Honestly, I was angry! How could he… Yet I knew or at least worked to convince myself that it was for their best… He could not take care of them. The birth mom had already remarried and had two other children.

I so remember and have photos of these beautiful young girls hiding behind doors and under the bed. Crying and withdrawn. For months they would try to climb the fence to get to the street to find dad again…  Today (yup tears of joy as I type AGAIN) they were the first ones to reach me, hugging and laughing. So, so different. Thanks to Lanh who is in charge of our Emotional Health program and a special shout-out to Huy Lam and Hoa Vo from PsyWicV based in Texas!!!! With their training, she has been doing one on one counseling with my twins and so many others! 

All the kids were laughing and enjoyed Ice cream! Preparing for our pizza party they were showing off some dance moves. Some teaching me a new dance move. I threatened firing our team member who began to video it. LOL! All in all, a joy!

Our visit to what we lovingly call our compound, which houses Carmela’s boys home, Lighthouse - our girls college dorm, and Hals Home - our college boys dorm. Again, the reception was wonderful. We also have Dorothea’s Project Legacy as well as Mother’s love programs here. A Mother’s Love is a place for single moms who have a place to live. Mothers love program is a place for them to come and learn about raising their babies as well as taking care of themselves and their unborn babies.

Such an overwhelming show of affection. Kids calling me father… Honestly don’t know where to put such affection. I love seeing how the kids have painted the walls with murals. Many with slogans reflecting what they are living and learning at GIBTK.

No trip would be, unless a visit to The Father’s House! For those that don’t know it is our home for unwed pregnant girls. According to Wikipedia, Vietnam is one of the highest abortion rates in the world. 40% of all pregnancies are terminated!!! Yikes! I have to wonder what if they were not rejected by family because of shame, would they make the same decisions…?

At The Fathers House, we invite girls and ask they commit to stay for 6 months after birth. During this time, we do our best to counsel and lead them to pursue an education or higher-level vocation, so they can raise their child with some financial dignity as well as emotional. No matter where they start or how long it takes. One young mom who came to us shortly after her 15^th birthday. Today she is in her second year of university! Majoring in English to be a translator, her son will start his 1^st grade in Sept this year! 

(Mon will be in grade 1 in Sept)

To date we have had 90 babies born at TFH!!! About 90% have received some form of education!!! A good start!!!!

By the way some of our kids and moms do not have sponsors. If interested let me know. We also have a friendship / pen pal program which cost nothing. 

Robert Kalatschan

Giving it Back to Kids

www.gibtk.org

robert@gibtk.org