I wonder

 

   I wonder? Do others complain about daily activities and "chores?" Or do things come easily, enabling them to breeze through life?  I wonder do others ever question their work or calling? If so why don't I hear about? Am I not looking in the right places? I think that maybe it. When I stop and think, I do hear others sharing of their struggles of daily life. But... lol

 

Nhung with girls who grew up at Hai Chau home

   We took the kids from Hai Chau to eat Ice cream. It was fun watching them order seconds and thirds! I was full from my first order of durian Ice cream! I first walked around. Giving extra hugs to kids finally settling down to sit with several of our girls. I began to ask how long have you lived at Hai Chau? The answers though I should have known them, surprised me, 11 years said one, another 10, another 8. They came to us when they were 5, 6 and 8.  I sat and spoke to them, yes in English! How can this be? Past years I would always need staff to translate. Yet these young ladies were conversing with me clearly.

 

Huong, the "coffee ladies" daughter

     I looked to my side and there was Ali Pfleger talking and joking around with Trang. ALL IN ENGLISH! And it wasn't just simple jokes; they were teasing each other in depth! As Ali put it with "American Humor." At times laughing to point of tears. I have to stop and recognize GIBTK has made a difference! I was looking at transformed lives. Generational poverty for the first time having Hope to change.

 

Ali with Trang who's dream has always been to come to the U.S. to study

  Earlier in the day,  this time at the Lighthouse. We were talking, again all in English. When the girl next to me, not really in conversation, sorta lowered her head shaking it back and forth, said mostly to herself said; "Because of GIBTK everything has changed" This young lady? She is Huong daughter of the "coffee lady".  A few years ago we met the family. Struggling to stay alive. Living in a shack. Mom had a stroke paralyzing half her body. Father abandoned them taking their son.

 

  Today the "coffee lady" Cuc has a thriving business selling coffee in her own convenience store. She renamed it "Dorothea Kalatschan Coffee" in honor. Her son returned, oldest daughter is majoring in English at the Danang University, living in our Lighthouse! Does it get any better? Life change! Hope for the hopeless! Our new mantra is "Hope Peddlers."  Can you think of something more valuable then hope?

 

When we first met the "coffee lady"

  The next day we went out to the countryside revisit the Chen family whom we built a home for. We also delivered a couple of wheelchairs. It is at one of those homes that my attitude got corrected. Yes, but the problem is not to forget this.

 

   You see I have a God given gift of a beautiful daughter. She is 15 now.... And Honestly I have had major bouts of complaining / joking about being her personal Uber driver. That "MY" life revolves around her. (Honestly as it should) Thinking poor me! HA!!! When we visited a home to give the wheelchair I was struck (Not so softly ) with the concept of perception. Mine specifically.

 

Spending a little time with a CP case whose getting a wheelchair

  Her was this mother of 3 children. The oldest attending University. The second in High school and the 3rd lying on a well-worn rug on the floor. The third has CP and is totally dependent on his mother for everything!!! Now I consider myself intuitive and perceptive. As I looked at this loving mother taking care of her son. I saw no wear or complaint from her.

 

This mother's life became a little easier with a wheelchair for her son

 Yet I dare complain about driving my healthy dear daughter. I mean really. Is it just a matter of perception? Do I need a new pair of glasses in order to see life more clearly? To have a more authentic prospective? I often have used this quote; "Grateful people are happy people, those that aren't, aren't! Perhaps time for me to listen to what I preach? Lol!

 

   Perhaps it would help to stop and ask the question, Why do I do this... The answer may often be very simple. To offer a better life. To be a "Hope Peddler!"