Today was an awesome day. We were in the mountainous areas of Dai Loc. We visited a beautiful area without electricity or running water. This is also where our Staff brought relief after the recent typhoon. The river had risen well over 75 feet. Flooding the homes and washing many away. GIBTK was the only team that came this far out.

    In many ways GIBTK has been in transition for some time now. Going beyond what I call triage. Today’s area was an example of it. I couldn’t help wondering how we can impact this area for the long run. Yes the rice  is a welcomed gift but will be gone soon. The few pigs will make a difference to a few families but what about the entire area?

   One thought was what if the hamlets each had a boat to take their pineapple and sugar cane crops to the city themselves and get a higher prices,  instead of relying on the city middle men to come to them and purchase their crops at low cost.

   Then I began wondering what kind of problems this may bring, maybe even violence. One more time I realized I was trying to find a quick answer to something that only spending time and building relationship and getting to know these people could we come up with a plan that saves and transform lives.

Here is today story from my wife Dorothea;

 WHAT A DAY!!!!!!  It all started at 7:30am this morning from the hotel, we drove a couple of hours out to the countryside to pick up 10 pigs and 86 – 22lb bags of rice! Let me tell you about these pigs! They were anything but happy. The 1^st 6 recipients of our piggy friends were some local people down the road. The pig farmer is a wiry, muscular man, who I’d call the “Pig Whisperer”.

He wrestled those pigs into what ever the people brought to carry them home in. These pigs could squeal, especially when someone was trying to put them in a sack! I am definitely NOT a girl from the country, so this whole deal was outrageously entertaining! I am loving this. 

Next we boarded these incredible river junkets and road down the river, deep into the mountainous region of Dai Loc. The trip down the river takes  about an hour. Not many NGOs travel out here, and my  guess is that this place is not in the tour books for Vietnam. The pigs and the 86 bags of rice had their own boat!  Chugging down the river we passed water buffalo, boats brimming with pineapples headed to market, and some of God’s finest colors of green. I am thinking about how very beautiful the scenery is, yet how very poor its people are. I am eager to meet them!

We arrived at our 1^st stop. All of our group disembarks, readying ourselves to unload a bit of rice and one pig. On the other boat the Pig Whisperer  is taking the pig for the family out of the bigger pen and putting her into another. All of the sudden the pig takes a dive over the side, right into the river and she’s off! WHAT? This was great! The pig escaped! Just like in the movies.  

  I had a sudden urge to dive in after her. Did you know that pigs swim??? That little piggy was swimming for her life. People were shouting trying to get help from another junket passing by, but our girl eluded them! She kept swimming across and finally made foothold on the bank. She was tired so she just stood there. Meanwhile 2 of our staff and the pig farmer took the smaller boat across and up river a bit from where she stood. They ran down the bank, through the lush grass, and scooped her up by surprise! Soon the farmer and staff made it back across with the wily pig.

    The farmer carried that pig all the way up the hill and down the little hamlet road until we got to the destination. You know that pig squealed the whole way!  We passed through the hamlet, all the villagers watching the parade of pig farmer, staff, and these Americans, squealing pig in tow! When we arrived at the home of the family who would receive this pig, we noticed that her arrival (the pigs) was anticipated. The family had lashed some logs together and poured a little cement pad for the pen.

    These female pigs are just a few months old. They will be artificially inseminated twice per year. The litter can then be sold, helping earn a living for the family. This family is so grateful to receive this kind of hand up. So many families in this area were poor to begin with, but have been left with absolutely nothing after the flood caused by the recent typhoon.  Many homes here have been washed away. As they spoke to thank us, grateful tears flowed. They explained how this pig could supplement their meager earnings of about $30 per month.

  They have 2 children, one school age boy and a 4 year old daughter. They work from 6am to 6pm gathering wood in the areas around them to sell. I was humbled by their strength, courage and sacrifice. Most of what they earn goes to pay for their son’s schooling! Looking around at the struggle that these people have just to survive, made me feel very spoiled. I am reminded of our purpose. How can we help them to help themselves?  I am awed by the people, their endurance, and their courage increasingly at each new stop along the river!

At the last little hamlet we gave away the last pig and all the rice. Looking into their eyes, handing each of them a bag rice was a precious moment I will never forget. The connection and hope was incredible.    Robert thanked them for letting us come and encouraged them. He told them we would work with the local authorities to find ways to help them develop their hamlets. Their gratitude was so sincere; they gave him a round of applause! They lingered a while and waved as we boarded the junkets for the journey back. What a privilege to bring hope to some of God’s kid’s way out here. HOPE LIVES!

 What a day! My favorite so far!  I want to come back here, without a doubt! I love the PIGS!

><((((º>  BBlessed