Hello and please forgive me for sending double photos yesterday. Opps!. So much for my thinking I was a good multi-tasker

Today as I walked through this family’s house I was surprised by the rush of emotions that hit me. I have walked through literally hundreds of poor families’ homes in recent years. Today I just looked around and the poverty of this family and so many others hit me. Maybe it’s the book I recently read. “When helping hurts”.

  That book put into words much of what my wife and I have felt from the beginning. It also helped me to understand that poverty is not just what it seems. So often we walk into situations like I today’s, decide to build a house, buy a pig or cow and send the kids to doctors and funds for school. Walk away feeling good about myself and our work.

  What I am realizing that poverty is not only the lack of funds but is also Spiritual and emotional. So often I have seen that there is no hope. And who authors Hope, my God. How often do I see that those we come into contact with dare not hope or dream? Brings me to tears thinking of the lack of hope we so often find. The Spiritual dilemma is a whole other thing.

  Today’s family was missing all the elements I spoke of. The boys were sick, and since they had no funds for a doctor they were being treated by a “fortune teller.” The mom was living with her 2 sons in her grandmothers “shack” with her 2 sisters and needed to move out. They said grandma was mentally ill and was kicking them all out.

  What did catch my attention was that this family had tried hard. They had pigs and rice from someone that they were reselling to earn some extra money. They had saved for years to buy a piece of land (it cost about $600 which they still owed about $200). So maybe they had a foot up on this hope thing….

  So we begin by building the house and getting the boys to Danang to be seen by doctors but that is where it only begins. The work comes later. To build relationship. My old way; buy some pigs, and give funds for school. Now I think wouldn’t it be great if somehow we come alongside and yes give some financial support perhaps in the way of a loan to begin a business? But to let this mother earn self respect and instead of learning to receive handouts to receive “hand- ups”

 When we told her we were going to help her build a home. She first smiled graciously and then the tears broke, she wept. And I don’t mean a few tears. I mean cried. Saying “I thought this day would never come!” It is has arrived and more I am sure!

Here is a story from Jennifer Miller. I have had it for a few days now but sure you will enjoy…

Jennifer Miller 20, Newport Beach, Calif.

 I’ve always thought of myself as a well traveled person, but upon my arrival to Vietnam, I’m starting to think I have much more exploring and learning to do through my journey in life. I wish I could explain my first day in Vietnam, but all I can remember are muffled sounds and foreign smells. All just a blur in my head.

But I do remember the crazed excitement I felt when I stepped off the plane and felt the first wave of muggy hot air. I was so anxious when I first arrived at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City; all I wanted to do was venture out. I wisely listened to Robert’s warning and stayed in.

       My second day, though I remember very well, as it is still fresh in my mind. As I sit in this hotel writing the entry, I can’t help but wonder how the children in the Hoi An orphanage are. So, earlier this morning our group went to visit the kids. Now, I will be honest, I’m not one much for children. Though, I was excited to visit the children here in Vietnam.

Once we arrived, we immediately began to hug the children and laugh with them. Though bubbles are not a big deal to me, once I started blowing them with the children, it became the world. I forgot how the most simplistic things in life are the ones that mean the most. For instance, sitting down with the children and blowing bubbles with them. Or just being there for them to hug and hold.

 I grew a liking to this one boy in particular. If I remember correctly his name was Mehn and he was so sweet. He came up to me and we blew bubbles together and he ended up spending most of my time there either in my lap or in my arms. It was very new and strange to me to have these children crawling all over me, but when I saw the huge grins on their faces, my apprehensions and OCD took a back seat and I just let my love come out for these kids.

It was a little hard to leave these kids, almost saddening. Though I know I have many more days of this feeling to come. Just the thought that I’ve had everything in the world I could ask for, and these kids don’t even have a real bed to sleep in. It just broke my heart. Though I know those things didn’t matter because once we stepped foot in the orphanages and sat with the children, all that disappeared and all they know at that moment is someone is here and they love me.

><((((º>  BBlessed