We started the day out early today by getting the opportunity to go out to a remote village. The drive was absolutely stunning. Lots of beautiful mountains, river and rice fields, old small villages and small dirt roads. Never in my wildest dreams had I ever thought I would be driving in the countryside of such a beautiful country.
The people of the village were amazing. I have never seen people be so excited to receive something so simple as rice, noodles, oil, a little sugar and a small gift. What a blessing. We passed out some candy and lollipops to the people, they enjoyed "american candy". Simple blessings in life.
This little girl became my friend. I had a plasic little ring from the candy bag I was passing out. I got down on one knee and placed the ring on her finger, just wanted her to feel like a princess like many american girls get to experience every day. Sometimes all these people want is to be treated special for once in their lives. Every team member has had someone they made feel special. This little girl blessed me more than our supplies blessed her family, I know I said that before, but thats the reality. We headed back to the orphanage to "reload" our bus with supplies, we are heading out to a second village another hour away. The second village was going to be a little more "challenging" to hand out supplies. You see this village was people who were homeless. The homeless back in the states usually sleep in the streets or under bridges or if you are lucky enough maybe a homeless shelter. Here if you are homeless you are a scavenger in the truest sense of the world. Your diet might consist of some old fish bones, a little dirty rice, whatever you find in the trash near the beaches nearby. We again were blessed to give out supplies for another 100 families or so.
I posted yesterday about the woman who cut hair of the disabled children because she felt that was her only gift to give, well this is her on the right cutting the finger nails of the poorest of the poor. There are absolutely no words I can ever use to describe her love for God to do this act.
One of the things we try to do after we hand out food is to get in a circle and "hacky sack". Its the little thing you kick and try to pass it using feet, head only. Well here it is called a "GAUW" or "CAUW" not sure been told both, Its made differently but same game. You want to get the attention of anyone in Vietnam, get a game of "Gauw" going.
"Get your Gauw on!", "Get up stand up come on get you Gauw up", Everybody wants to play the Gauw!... Ok Its late, I will stop. I have to admit, I stink at soccer but my Gauw game is getting better each day! Thinking of going pro one day!
I will close with this, We finished the day with some dinner back at the orphanage, the nuns made us a "thanksgiving dinner". They purchased some fresh crab and fish when we were near the beach, I didn't eat everything as right now my taste buds are all jacked up, but I have a feeling they just wanted to say thank you for serving the people of Vietnam. Now I want to say thanks to all of you who help provide funds for me to take this trip as well as the countless friends and family who are praying for us. Without you I would have never been able to experience this blessing. I look forward to tomorrow as we get to spend the day with the children, medical checkups and record updates and lots of playing karate and games. I am looking forward to getting to love on these guys all day. Goodnight from the South China Sea!
To be continued....
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