The harbor
Neighborhood Street
A sure sign the rain is leaving--laundry hanging outside!
Jillian and I near the harbor--I am hoping to replace my baggy clothes soon!Hello, all--
I am not sure if I mentioned that I, too, was blessed with a bicycle for Christmas. With the rain subsiding over these past three days, Jillian, Anna Mei, Elizabeth and I have taken to our wheels and started riding around our neighborhood. Since our taxis mostly come and go on only one or two streets, we have not seen some of the smaller streets behind our house, or those that shoot off the main streets.
I am so thankful that we did not move. The streets around here are very quiet, and much wider than the street where we had planned to move. So, I feel better about riding with my five travellers. When all six of us ride, we head to a nearby harbor. There is hardly any traffic on the street there, a large sidewalk and a view of the water. Today, with the "older girls," we looked for new avenues. Little businesses are everywhere. Several little "quick marts"--some that are so small that all their merchandise fits on a counter at the front--no need to go inside to shop. I know enough Vietnamese to ask "How much is this?", to understand the answer and say "thank you." I can also tell people that Jillian is from America when they look perplexed about her not conversing with them in Vietnamese.
The homes of most families here are very small. There are many windows and doors to allow air circulation, most have no glass, but shutters close at night or for the rain. One house we passed today had a piece of chain link fence at the window. I'm sure it is very serviceable for hanging things---like clothes that need to dry.
We tried to ride by the harbor on our way home. We didn't stay long--the smell was overpowering. It's not the freshest aroma on a good day, but today it was stifling. The stench of fish was everywhere. There was a strong breeze that seemed to carry the smell and drape it around like a blanket. I felt so sorry for the people who live and work there. Many of them live on their boats, which are small. One end of the boat holds nets and a scant supply of equipment. A plastic tarp makes a tent over the other side of the boat. Usually a change of clothes hangs inside the tent and there is a stool or two for sitting underneath. Not everyone who works there lives on their boats. Some of the "boats" look like large round baskets, about 4 feet in diameter. Unbelievably, they float and the fisherman stands in the middle and guides the vessel with a long pole. Our neighbor told me that it is very difficult to balance in these boats. No kidding.
On our way home this afternoon, Anna Mei's pedal came off. We were ready to dismount the bikes and walk them home, when a man stopped on a motorbike and offered his help. He tried to repair it right there, but needed some tools. So, through pantomime, he said he would take the bike to his house (nearby), fix it and bring it back. Of course, a crowd had gathered to watch the proceedings. So, off he went. We wondered if he would return, but I told Jillian that all the ladies standing there to observe would probably be upset if they thought he was stealing the bike. Sure enough, in a few minutes, he returned with the bike and we rode home. It touches my heart that people who have so much need all around them still reach out to help others. Living here, we are well aware that we are "ripe" to be taken advantage of. But, the Lord brings people along who want to help. This fellow refused any money. He just wanted to help a child with a broken bike pedal.We have had our share of people trying to increase prices, take too much money, give back too little change--but we've also met so many people who are kind and helpful, shy and reserved, yet eager to communicate. Everywhere we go, we are greeted with "Hello!"--the only English word that many people here know.
So, that was our day (other than school, of course). I have to say, it was a good one. I am grateful to the One who gives every good and perfect gift. He pours joy on simple days like syrup on pancakes--how sweet it is!
Grace and peace!
