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Hello to all and please READ THIS ONE. My lovely wife wrote today and was able to verbalize a scene that is played over and over, not only in Vietnam but in so many parts of the world. As you prepare for the long holiday can I ask that we all thank God for what the 4th of July stands for. Independence Day! I am forever more and more grateful to be from the country I am from. I am more and more thankful to the fathers of the nation of the USA and for the independence they fought for! Yea God for the USA!
I am sure a few of our team could use a BBQ, hot dog, or burger or some simple potato chips. Ali and I marveled only today at the assortment of Pringles here, we had choices of sea weed, soft-shell crab or shrimp! Some interesting choices for sure, but a bag of good ol' Lays BBQ would be welcome! So as you enjoy the usual summer fare, think of the teams in VN!
Kristina and Diep
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Here is the note from Dorothea! A great read for sure!
The nine awarded for excellance
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We have been here just a bit over a week, but I think we have covered a lot of ground so far, as you've been reading! What is really most different for me this trip is that we've really had some time to get to connect and get to know these kids at Hai Chau. Usually, it's a quick dinner, ice cream and some hugs and then off to the next project! The kids at this orphanage have studied to raise their grades over this last year, in conjunction with a tutoring program. It was a great honor to go to their place and watch as 9 of them received a gift for their hard work! What a testimony to praise and appreciation being good for growth! I loved hearing the cheers and excitement coming not only from our team, but from their peers! Thank you for making this achievement possible! This is what GIBTK is all about! Helping them CHANGE, takes building relationships and time.
The hurting mom in the background
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In the midst of all this celebration, there was quite another story going on..... On the other side of the room, half hidden in the doorway was a mom whose face showed the pain, wear, and anxiety that is so common place here in Vietnam. Her expression screamed" I cannot take care of my children! As hard as I try, there is NO WAY I can do it! This is my ONLY recourse, I must leave yet another of my children here!"
The first son left...
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Several months ago she had to leave the 2nd her 3 children here at Hai Chau. Today with a heavy sorrow in her face, she was here again to leave the youngest. He was having no part of this, clinging to her, knowing that he would not be sleeping next to Mama tonight. As a mom, this was a painful scene for me......a scene that was most likely a repeat scenario for many of the 27 families who have had to leave their children here. What a painful choice, and how painful for the child who is left, while his or her siblings get to stay with Mama!
Being left by mom...the second son...
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Sometimes words are not needed to express love. I walked over and squeezed her hands softly in a knowing way. I hope she could feel my heart. I hope she slept that night knowing that this child, her youngest would go to sleep next to his brother, with a full tummy and in a bed! I'm hoping it was the thing that brought her some comfort.
I must think about one project; one child at a time, for it could really overwhelm me to think of this happening in multiples, in the thousands of cities, towns, and hamlets all over the world. I think about being the hands and feet of our Lord just for today, just for those He's placed in our path. There is so very much to do.................
There is Hope, 1st son after some loving and fooling around
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Thanks for your prayers and for reading!
Blessings and Love,
Dorothea
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