10 December 2009
“… We started with a 2h bus ride to Bac Phu Elementary School. The school is packed with 819 children from the village and farms around. When we had time to chat with the principal, her sharing left a deep impression in my heart. She shared very plainly and sincerely throughout. Having served for 30years, she was near retirement. Her one wish for the school was for the students to have a playground…
How often have I taken fun for granted?”
……
“Our visit to the orphanage in the twilight was rather stark.
As we were walking in, a child grabbed me by my hand. I froze. The callused fingers struck fear in me with their unfamiliarity. I could not command the courage to love.
Helped by the looming darkness of the evening and the smell from the poorly sanitated surroundings, I started wondering if the child had lice or if she had very dirty hands. Couldn’t wait to run… I felt a painful stab of shame…
… a toddler-girl came up with her arms outstretched to me. I reached out to carry her. At first, I held her at a distance. She looked really uncomfortable. But, when friends came to offer to take her, she still chose to be held by me. I finally gave in and held her to me.
Amazingly, she actually seemed comfortable to be held by me. When I could finally hand her over to her more permanent caregivers, she broke into this very sweet smile. I was glad I held her. To give her a smile for a moment.”
……
“I asked the mother what she wished for her family. Her reply was that she wanted the children to have an education. She wanted to be healthy again so her children won’t feel pressured to give up studying to care for her.
The heartrending story was echoed by other families. One was a single mother raising 5 children. Her condition was worse than the previous. But, that lady struck me because her gaze held no self-pity. Her situation was hard. Her husband had passed away. But, she pressed on for her children. And, there was the grandma who helped to take care of her 2 grandchildren after her son, their father, had passed away. The neatness of the house and her pleasant smile concealed their poverty. Of the 3 houses we visited, this was the most empty, the only one without even a tattered a mosquito net over the bed…”
