Back in Hanoi

The group is back in Hanoi. They have a mostly free day, and then head to the airport for a departure of noon our time Friday. Be sure to check with American Airlines for arrival information. They will have to clear Customs, so it will take them a little longer to hit the meet and greet area.

Some Pictures from Sapa

From Bac Ha

Kathleen H.
After a Health & Hygiene training class, I had a Vietnamese lady come up to me and tell me through an interpreter that "the world is round and I will see you again"...meaning that she had seen me in 2007 and now she saw me in 2009 and she believes that she will continue to see me again". This was very impactful to me to show me that, by following Fathers desire for me to teach health/hygiene in Vietnam, I am having people see me (some new, some several times), and I am building those relationships that hopefully will have some come to know Father as I do.

Niki R.
While on our trip and in Sapa, I had what can only be described as a "Divine Appointment". I was in the market and had a H'Mong lady come up to me and in English say "I know you...you were here about 10 years ago and I met you then". I spoke with Mo and learned that she had met me on one of my first trips to Sapa many years earlier. It amazed me that she would remember me after so long. This really lifted me up and reminded me that Kingdom work is really about relationships.

Andy W.
As the trip leader (and a "get-r-dun" type of guy), I have found myself becoming frustrated at times on this trip. However, through the Word, and Fathers love, I was reading in my quiet time that I am to "rest and trust" in Him. As I turned to my daily reading, I was given this same message. And then, as I began to be still and and listen, I again heard the same from Him. As I stopped and let the Spirit speak, I was reminded that "rest" does not mean not working, but to give it all to Him and find rest, trusting that He knows far more what I need than I, and will supply it!!!

Mexico - GRINGOS ON PARADE

Day 7 (Friday, July 16th)
Because we are such a large group (35) of Americans, we have to take a bus around town. Whenever we get dropped off somewhere, the tourism factor is very obvious. We like to call it the "Gringo Parade." We have to walk single file down the narrow sidewalks. We don't dare step off the curb, as the traffic signs here are merely polite suggestions. There are many looks, a few whistles, and some honking of horns. You get used to it after awhile.

This morning, we visited the boys' home at Casa Juconi. They have an amazing program for working with street children and reintegrating them back into society. If you're interested check out there website here: http://www.juconi.org.mx/english/index.htm

The boys were happy to see us one last time, as were we. Of course, we had to have one last game of soccer out on their sports court before we left. The boys were wearing their camp t-shirts, and they wanted for all of us to sign. When we visited some of their rooms, we saw t-shirts from the camps of past years being used as pillow cases, and photos of us and them. There is much hope for them in this house, considering that many have come from a fairly hopeless situation.

After leaving Casa Juconi, we went downtown for lunch and shopping. Jonny was insistent for McDonald's, but Susan's team and my team opted for more local fare. We had delicious sandwiches and smoothies. My personal favorite is the avocado, tomato, and chicken sandwich. Actually, add avocado to just about anything, and I'll eat it.

We returned to the hotel this afternoon. Some are resting, and some are shopping just off the main square here in Cholula. We just had a brief shower, but the clouds are passing now.

Tonight our friends, Tom and Sandy Basile, are graciously hosting us at their home for dinner. Following dinner, we will have a share time, and a special communion service together. I forgot to mention that Omar, Gordon, and Rick arrived on Wednesday for some meetings about the future of the Mexico ministry. Omar is handing the ministry off to Rick's very capable leadership. Omar will be leading us in our communion service tonight.

We'll be leaving the hotel around 9:00 am tomorrow in order to make our 2:00 pm departure in Mexico City. Our flight returns to DFW around 5:00 pm, and we can't wait to see everyone at church Sunday. The team will all be wearing their camp t-shirts to celebrate the great things God has done here in Puebla this week.

Vietnam-Sapa

The group made the train and van ride to Sapa. It is rainy, which makes things fairly muddy. Since they did not receive approval to complete any projects in Sapa, they hung out and continued relationships. The were able to make it to Tavan and Taphin and spend quality time with friends there. They will cut the Sapa portion a day short and move on to Bac Ha to begin their projects a day early. Things are going well. Walking through open doors.

Mexico Days 5 & 6

Day 5 (Wednesday, July 15th) GOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The theme of camp this year is FILL IT UP. We are all empty without Father. Today we focused on forgiveness - the forgiveness we receive from Him, and the forgiveness we need to extend to others. This is a very crucial point because many of the orphans come from homes where there has varying degrees of all different kinds of abuse. Also, some of the boys who have been living on the street have done things that fill them with shame. Our prayer is that they choose to receive Christ's forgiveness and give it to others.

We had many games and much swimming today, and we ended the afternoon with a soccer tournament. The color teams all took on each other, with equipo verde (the green team) and equipo azul (the blue team) making it to the final. Unfortunately, it ended in a tie, but Emily did score the goal at the end for the green team to even up the score.

Our nightly fellowship broke out into Spanish and English speakers singing in each other's languages. It was a beautiful thing to hear. We switched the iPod over to dance music, and everyone had a great time dancing the night away. It was a late, late night, but a wonderful night.


Day 6 (Thursday, July 16th) TEARFUL GOOD-BYES
Today was the day we all knew was coming, but we were sad to see it arrive. We knew we had to say goodbye to the kids this afternoon, and a spirit of melancholy pervaded the camp all day.

The big morning activity was the all-camp obstacle relay race. We pulled it off, with a little confusion, but each team ended up making it to all nine stations. We had our last free time of swimming and waterslides, and some were busy making necklaces and bracelets for each other as going-away presents.

We celebrated our fifth anniversary of camp after lunch with two beautiful cakes of chocolate and tres leches. Tres leches is a very rich white cake with fruit and white frosting. The chocolate cake was dark chocolate and walnuts.

Popo (the volcano) sent us off from camp with a large plume of smoke and ash that was very beautiful to see. There were many tears of goodbye, and many promises of "see you next year."

With sleeping in tents for three nights and going from sun-up to long after sundown, the team was exhausted tonight. We stopped by a great Italian restaurant on the way back to the hotel in Cholula for pizza, pasta, and, yes, even salad! Lori, Christi, Jamaka, and Shelley were especially excited to order salad.

Tomorrow is the tourism and shopping day. First thing in the morning, however, we will visit the home for boys (Casa Juconi) where street kids are rescued, and, if possible, reuinited with their families.

Vietnam-Water Trip

Everyone and their bags arrived in Hanoi as scheduled. Already on train to Lao Cai. Should be arriving in an hour or two, then van ride to Sapa. Will post as I hear something.

Fun, Games, and Swimming

Everyone enjoyed movie night last night. We ended up watching "Kung Fu Panda," but we didn't get the movie started until after 9:00 pm. The little children were especially tired, but they brightened up after we got out the snacks and candy. All campers bedded down for their first night of sleeping in a tent, and most were fast asleep. Some awakened in the night to a rain shower - fortunately most of the tents held, and we had little, if any, flooding.



It was rather cool this morning, but quite clear, and we had an amazing view of the volcano with its plume smoking out the top. "Popo," as the locals call it, is over 17,000 feet, and ringed by snow at the top. The air is fresh and clean, and, because of the recent rains, everything is very green.



We had our three game rotations this morning in our color teams: azul (blue), rojo (red), amarillo (yellow), morado (purple), naranja (orange), and verde (green). Everyone enjoyed the friendly competition. Afterwards, many were quick to jump in the still-quite-cold pool and enjoy the waterslides. Soccer and card games were also breaking out.



Those who brought snacks were very happy because lunch is not served until after 2:00 pm everyday. Fortunately, we have a morning and afternoon snack of fruit and anything else they can cover with hot sauce. We had an incredible all-camp soccer game with an enormous soccer ball. We divided everyone into two teams, along with cheerleaders, and had a great time. We are going to attempt s'mores again tonight after dinner since we did not get to it last night.



So many are renewing friendships and the new Northwood team members are building new ones. The team and the children are bonding beautifully, and it's wonderful to watch an expression of Father's love for the world as we love one another. Like always, there is no conflict or division on the team, but we are serving and caring for each other. Please continue to pray for good weather, good health, and safety for the team. Thank you!

Mexico Pictures

Mexico Trip- Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Day 1 (Saturday, July 11th)
Everyone met early at the airport, and we made it through security with Tracy and Clay pulling up the rear. Our flight was delayed about 45 minutes, so we didn't end up taking off until about 10:15 or so. We arrived in Mexico City around 12:30 and lunched on Subway and McDonald's in the airport. Everyone got to experience changing dollars into pesos, which made them feel rich because you get about 13 pesos for every dollar.

Our bus ride was uneventful except for Shelley gasping in horror and closing her eyes every time we "almost" hit another car, truck, bus, or person coming out of Mexico City. We were glad to escape the smog of Mexico city as we went over the pass in the mountains. It is so cool here. The highs are in the 60s or 70s and the lows are in the 40s. Many are throwing on long pants and sweatshirts at night. Sara is freezing, as always.

With a late arrival at our hotel in Cholula, we finally sat down to dinner around 8:30. Most everyone was starving and tired. Jonny ordered chalupas, which turned out to be five small corn tortillas with hot sauce. He was quite disappointed, and hungry. Most everyone had to run to the OXXO (Mexican 7-11) to have a late night snack. We met for worship with HollyAnn on guitar and devotions out of Colossians 3 led by Scott. We finally got back to our rooms around midnight.


Day 2 (Sunday, July 12th)
We had a delicious buffet breakfast with eggs, pancakes, fresh fruit, cereal, and all the fixings. We stuffed ourselves and headed off to spend time with like minded people to spend time with Father. Tom spoke in Spanis. Fortunately, for our non-Spanish speakers, we had headset-translation courtesy of Azalia. It was a 2-hour event, beginning at 11:00. We did not leave for lunch until after 1:00, so our team was starving, especially Chase, Michael, Cory, and Troy.

We had a wonderful lunch downtown, just off the square at Tacos Tony. Pulled pork tacos, quesadillas, fresh limes, and drinks. We consumed about 6 kilos of meat. I think that's over 13 pounds, but I'm not up-to-speed on my metric conversion. The main square of downtown Puebla resembles a plaza in Spain. It looks very European. We prayer-walked through the plaza where bands and clowns were performing. Of course, we could not resist walking through the artisan's market for a preview of our shopping day on Friday. Some took advantage of the preview and made a few purchases of backpacks, bracelets, and assorted knick-knacks.

It was then time to go visit the children at Alto Refugio. The kids were standing outside the dorm waiting for us as the bus pulled in. Since many of our youth and adults are returning from previous years, the children went running into their arms. They were inseparable for the next hour. Of course, after a tour of the dorms, we commenced our annual futbol (soccer) game. This year, it was the men vs. the women, with the men overpowering the women, 7-1. Karina put in a nice goal for the girls, and Cory, Chase, and a host of others put in goals for the guys. HollyAnn proved herself more than worthy at goalie, stopping the men on their many chances. It was then a sad time for good-byes because many of the kids are now old enough to work and go to summer school, and they cannot come to camp this week.

After the orphanage, we made a trip to Wal-Mart for camp supplies, and everyone took the chance to buy some pillows, gifts, snacks, and goodies. We returned to the hotel for another late dinner of steak, chicken, and tacos arond 8:30. Aubrey and HollyAnn taught us "I am a Friend of God" in Spanish ("Yo Soy Amigo de Dios"), and Sara led a short meeting on 1 Corth 13. Tom Basile gave us an overview of his work and Northwood's work in Puebla, and he then reviewed some cultural faux pas to avoid. Off to bed at around 11:00 - another late night.


Day 3 (Monday, July 13th)
Justin convinced some to do an early run up to the cathedral on the hill at 6:15 am. When we all (about 8 of us) arrived in the lobby, he was nowhere to found! We had to go wake him up, and he returned the favor by beating us up the hill. We had a good time with Father and watched the sunrise.

After another delicious breakfast, we loaded up to bus with all our gear and all the camp supplies, and left Puebla around 10:00. It was a beautifully clear morning, so we stopped on the way to take a group picture in front of the volcano on the way to camp. We arrived at camp around 11:00, unpacked the bus, and proceeded to put up tents. We have about 16 tents set up at camp. The waterslides and the pools are quite cold, but many could not resist jumping in. After all, we were so hot after putting up all the tents!

The children from both orphanages arrived around 2:00. There were many smiles and hugs, for many of us have not seen our friends in a year! We handed out nametags and divided into color teams, each team having to create its own cheer. We had a short lesson focusing on our camp verse: Jhn 10 10. We want the kids to know that they can have a complete and full life, and the hardships of the past can disappear with the tremendous future he has for them.

Everyone is now swimming again with all the floats and rafts, having a great time. We'll probably eat around 7:30. After dinner is s'mores and a movie, "WALL-E." Even the locals were surprised to find out that the camp now has wireless Internet, so I am writing to you from Azalia's computer. Brittney just strolled by and said, "Why didn't I bring MY computer?"

Three more days of camp and then back to Puebla. We are excited, having fun, and loving on these kids!

Last One

How about a video?

Few more pics

Everyone Made it Home!

Flying home

The group is heading to the airport to fly home. They are scheduled to arrive at DFW on Thursday, July 9 at 9:15 am, Terminal D. American Airlines Flt #176 from Narita Japan. They will need to clear customs first before they can join their awaiting families/friends. Check with www.aa.com to confirm flight arrival time.

After 5 years

Craig McFadden

The 3rd and last day at Do Son started early for me (5:30am). As I was walking down the steps, my friends from Birla exited the hotel. We walked down to the beach, took a few pictures and walked back. When we were washing our feet, one of the house mothers came a grabbed the oldest child in my group, and hurried off in the direction of the beach. I didn’t think much of it, so one of the boys and I walked back to the hotel. I was talking with Kevin Mabry, when his son came running up to let us know one of the girls fell and hit her head on a rock on the beach. I ran to get a first aid kit while Kevin ran to get a translator. When we both got back we found out the child had already been taken to a clinic. At that point Cynthia led 5 of us in talking to our Father for the healing and safety of the child and the situation. One of the cool things was one of the kids stood with us while we talked with our Father. After this adventure we left for breakfast. I had some pictures from last year that Susanne and I hand out. During this time, one girl asked me about our faith, because she saw us holding hands talking to our Father. How awesome and a great opportunity. I was able to explain a little about it. I asked the translator if I should talk about it more, and she said this is good for now. After 5 years, this is the first child that asked about it, what a joy.

Birla & SS 4 Orphanage

Mary
My mother-in-law said to me the day before I left, "This trip must be pretty important to you, for you to leave Zerrin" (my 16 month old son). She was right, this trip in important to me. Leaving my family for this long is by far one of the emotionally challenging things I have done. Its okay, because I was called to leave everyone I love and cherish to travel completely on the other side of the world with strangers. Come to find out no one was strangers at all and we formed our own traveling family. We sang together, we laughed together, we prayed together and we cried together. Everyday, I am amazed at Father's ability to bring people close to one another. He has done some pretty amazing thing on this trip and I am so blessed to have witnessed them. Each day he shows us constant reminders of how we are to love others. Father is very direct about is command for us to love the children of the world, and that is what we have come to fulfill. We have visited two orphanges thus far and will visit a third one tommorrow. It is my prayer for the third visit be just as successfule as the first two. The children here often have little to no opprotunity for indivdiual interaction with adults to love on them. Just them, one-on-one, there are not enough house moms go to around. How wonderful it was to bring love around the world, to see that one child smile. Thanks Zerrin, for sharing your mommy to love the children of the world.

Bryant
I largely saw my trip to Vietnam as an extension of the social-orphan work we do at home with children in foster care. Though admittedly, I did not see how we could make much of an impact upon the children of three orphanages in just 12 days, much of which would be spent in transit. Yet Father continued to draw me to Vietnam.

What emerged when we arrived to this developing nation was a beautiful, warm and welcoming people. Although this was my first trip, as I opened up the children were quick to embrace. What an amazingly different culture where those who laid the groundwork over prior years of relationship building truly had set the foundation for those of us who followed, even for the first time. Father even used lost luggage to start a new relationship.

Then Father impressed upon me with great clarity that the foundational work we do here to help others and establish relationships was in fact so much more significant. I hadn’t really seen it before. Through these orphans and others we reach, this is about transformation of an entire region. Not having been before, I had not truly connected these concepts without the context of experiencing this beautiful culture.

Yes, it was hot, humid and uncomfortable. My luggage was lost the first three days (other lessons in that), but it wasn’t about my comfort. And yes, I hope to return –but with my whole family next time.

Wednesday Afternoon

Aubrey
Oh where do I begin? The squid tenticles, or teh goat, or the fish thats just chillin on the plate, or that brown blob thats the nights mystery meat? One things for sure: half way around the world is really half way around the world.

Father has taught me so much on this trip. He's taught me to certainly be more thankfulfor what I have and to not surround my life with my own creature comforts. It's hard, but He is really opening my eyes to a world way beyound my own. He is showing me that I can do so much more with my life than simply surround myself with things that I want. The kids here are so precious as well as have big hearts. They are all so special and have taught me their compassion and love for one another.

Everything really changed for me though on the first day at Do Son when we took the kids to the beach. I was spinning around in the water with my girl on my back and all I could hear was her laughter. It was at that moment that made every single hour on the plane, in the airport, and on the bus completely worth it. These kids are truely God's children. It only takes a second with them to truly see that, by the grins on their faces.

First Timer

Lois

How does a first-timer like me even begin to describe this experience? I'll start with WOW.
My time with the kids at Birla is something I will never forget, especially the two days at Do Son.
With one of the translators, I had the privilege of teaching two boys how to swim. Never could I have imagined that Father would use my old swimming experience for something like this. I befriended these boys- I don't know their history, but I loved them instantly. That's just how it is with these kids. Saying our goodbyes to them was very emotional. Now I understand why so many people come year after year.

Visiting the SS4 orphanage at Dam Long was new for all of us. It was fun to give these kids two days to forget their circumstances and just be kids.
Our evening at Ming's mother's farm was an unexpected morale boost for all of us. We were treated like royalty -it was a great time for our group to recharge and enjoy each other. It was a true Vietnamese party experience and we were blessed by her graciousness. We came here to share love with another culture, yet in so many ways we are seeing the love reflected right back to us.

Coming here has helped me better understand the intended purpose of these trips. The relationships formed here are obviously divine appointments, and I am honored to have been a part of it.

But when I get home, I do not intend to eat white rice and water spinach for a long, long time!

More Pics from Do Son

Tuesday from Hanoi

Cathy
Visiting Vietnam has connected me with the past and future. The past because it is the place where my dad died 41 years ago as a pilot. The future because connecting with orphans, exchange students, and young people is the hope of tomorrow. Before the trip, GVI was just a phrase I heard at Northwood. Now I can picture the importance of Glocal Venture, Inc. and put names and faces with our work. Even though our family has been involved with local work through home makeovers, feeding hungry children in Haltom area, I now have an expanded global vision through trips to both Mexico and now Vietnam. I had been skeptical how a few days could make a difference, but seeing joy, appreciation, and friendship blossom, I was profoundly impacted. At first, an encounter with a 14 year old girl who seemed distant and forlorn. I wondered if I would see her smile? After a quick exchange of names at our bus rest stop, our paths quickly intertwined at Do Sonand I quickly saw a bond form and grew to love both she andher sister (and many others). Through prayer, physical labor, affection, and monetary support, I can stay close to them and the heart of Father. And who knows-maybe a trip back sometime.

Debbie

Before I left home for Vietnam, I had invisioned what this trip would look like. I would be seeing the sites of a different country and I would be helping out with some kids at an orphanage and maybe pick up a souvenir or two. Well I have experienced an amzing country and I have bought probably many souvenirs, but what I expected to happen with "working" at the orphanage just is not exactly what I had in mind. Isn't it amazing how Father works? Instead of me doing something for the children, they did something for me! They gave so much. From kids who had so little material belongings, they had such big, giving hearts. They gave with their joy, smiles, touches, hand holding, hugs, and happiness they showed from the simplest things that we did for them. These kids who had nothing, even gave tokens of their love, whether it was a flower, or a small toy they recieved from the carnival. Or maybe it was in the way they served me at meal time.

It encourages me to stop and examine my own life. How did I appreciate and share with others? What makes me smile? Who do I care about enough at home to share my Father's love with? These children gave us their hearts and they stole mine. I will forever be changed!

A Part of Somethng Bigger

Kyle

This is my 3rd trip to Vietnam to spend time with the children at Birla. Every year is full of new experiences, new adventures, and new relationships. I went into this trip feeling like I had to be some sort of expert. As if going on 3 trips would make me an expert. However, Father quickly showed me that nothing goes as planned. And as much as we try to keep things under our control He shows us how things bloom when they are under His control.

Last year I met a girl from Birla who quickly attached herself to me. Wherever I went, she was there with me; whatever I did, she did it too! This year we began to continue that relationship we had built, but I was quickly asked by the house mothers to watch over some of the younger boys. While I began new wonderful relationships with these other children, I was sad that I couldn't spend the time I wanted to with the girl I was with last year. But Father quickly taught me that this trip is not about me. This trip is not about my feelings, or my heart being filled with love, but it's about pouring out the love He has provided for us onto others. Father also taught me that all the relationships he had used me to build in previous years would become useful.

The sweet girl I watched over last year hurt herself the last day we were in Do Son. She needed to get stitches on her forehead. It broke my heart to see her hurting, and embarrassed, and scared. She didn't come out of her room for the rest of the trip and said little more than three words to anyone. But today, as we spent our last amount of time with the children at Birla, I was allowed to go up to her and her friends' room with other members of our team. This girl who has felt like an outcast for the past 24 hours still had tears in her eyes. I took out a toy I had brought her and handed it to her, hoping it would help cheer her up. It had little effect. Then I took out some markers from my backpack and my journal, I tore a page from my journal and drew a picture on it of a flower. She added on to my picture by drawing a stem and leaves. Slowly I saw her energy come back as I was spending time with her. I knew she trusted me and slowly she began worrying less and less about the bandage on her face. Father showed me how a horrible situation can be alleviated by the love He provides. A love that began last year, and I selfishly wanted to push this year, but Father showed me that his timing is perfect and I was able to impact the lives of several young boys and cheer up one sad little girl because I did not get in the way of His plan.

How amazing and blessed I am to be allowed to be a part of something that is so much bigger than I am.

Many Blessings

Maddie

I love the moments in life when Father reveals the purpose of trials and situations and even just little frustrations. For me, this trip has been filled with realizing the purpose of many events, all of which have just made me in awe of His greater plan for my life. The struggles and illnesses have allowed me to understand the desire just to be close to someone. These kids would just cling to us and I just know that is why we are here. It may seem like such a small thing to give--closeness and love--but it can move mountains and change hearts. The language barrier brings you to such simple terms with the kids--name, age, brothers/sisters--yet a strong bond is still formed that tugs at all kinds of strings in your heart. It's something far beyond anything I could do on my own plan or my own strength. The kids have such joy in their eyes with what little they have, it just changes the way I look at my life and the blessings I have been given. I have been blessed so that I can bless others, because seeing that joy in their eyes is worth more than anything of this world.

Some Pics from Birla

Two Orphanages Down and One to Go

Aaron

Throughout this trip, Father has showed me that everything isn't all about me and my wants. Once I knew I was going on this trip, I knew I was going to have to drop myself for the kids for the time I am here. But I had no idea that after seeing just the first orphanage, I now do not want to turn back to my fleshy side. At home I have all my neccessities for life. But when you see these kids, it just breaks you down. No matter what they have gone through, they are way happier with what they've got than I was back in the States with what I have. I now realize how blessed I am to have a home, great clothes, and a family that loves me so, so much.