Catching Up

Happy Birthday, Anna Mei!
Servicing the air conditioner

Hmmm, where to begin? Writing has been one of those things that I mean to get around to, then run out of steam and leave for tomorrow. Of course, with each passing day, a few grains of regret pile on, too. So, today I am breaking the cycle. Let’s catch up!

Orphan Voice has been busy! We’ve had a couple different groups of teams or individuals spend some time with us. Some have been our guests at the house. We have been blessed by each one. What a joy to share our work with visitors and partners! Seeing the children firsthand has changed all our lives.

School is marching right along. This past week, the girls surpassed their cumulative reading goal for the year of 8,000 pages. We currently stand at just under 8,200. We may make it beyond 10,000 pages by the time we finish our work for the year. Awesome! I am busy ordering next year’s curriculum because of the gracious generosity of a team from Massachusetts. They will save our family several hundred dollars in shipping charges by bringing the books with them this summer. The abundant kindness of our friends is touching, humbling and inspiring.

Two weeks ago I had the privilege again to share the message at the Danang International Fellowship. My title was “The Forgotten 50”—focusing on the days between the Resurrection and Pentecost. I will attach some notes in a separate email, so this won’t get too long. I did want to say that we feel a genuine, fresh move of the presence of the HS. Our fellowship together is sweeter, more anticipated, more dynamic, more tender, than ever before.

Tony, Jillian, Anna Mei and I are all officially studying Vietnamese. We take classes at a language center here in Danang. The girls and I study there four hours per week. Tony, Marissa and Enoch, along with a new Orphan Voice staffer, Audrey, study about 9 hours per week. It is very challenging.

Last Sunday we celebrated Anna Mei’s 10th birthday. It was also Mother’s Day. What a special reminder of God’s gift to our family! Anna Mei is a smart, creative, beautiful bundle of energy. Recently, Jillian got a skate board. Anna Mei attacked the art of rolling in a circle with the determination of a Gold medal athlete. She was undaunted by slips, spills, bobbles and mishaps. Before long, she was rolling along at a surprising clip, turning on a dime and continuing on. That spirit of perseverance is a wonderful thing to behold. And, when Anna Mei repeatedly expressed an interest in learning to play the flute, we decided to make that her birthday gift.

It was a household affair. Linh started the search in Danang for a flute. Not only could she not find one, stores that carried trumpets and saxophones told her that they knew of no place in the entire city where we could find a flute. Then Marissa and Linh started looking on line. A store in Danang said they could order a “flute”, but when Marissa (an accomplished flautist) went to look at it, it wasn’t a flute at all. Then we thought of Quyen (“Quinn”). Quyen helps us with household chores. Her boyfriend is a music major at a university in Hue (“whay”), which is about 3 hours away by motorbike. After a few calls, Marissa and Linh drove to Hue and were able to purchase a good quality beginner’s flute. Anna Mei began lessons with Marissa this week!

The Birthday Party was at a local pool/resort. We invited some friends, enjoyed swimming, and cake, ice cream and presents. It was a great time.

Monday morning, we were back to school. Our schedule has been a little relaxed. Our helper Chau had a motorbike accident last week. Nothing terribly serious, but she has some nasty scrapes. We’ve tried to accommodate her healing by going a little slower, giving her more opportunities to sit, etc.

Yesterday we had the air conditioners serviced. Like in the US, filters need to be changed/cleaned, and sometimes Freon added. For about $15, a repairman serviced 5 units. There is no such thing as central air here—every room has its own air conditioning unit, usually mounted at the top of a wall. The fellow who came stood on tables, chairs and desks. In the school room, he climbed the iron scroll work on the windows that is there for security purposes. As a last resort, he brought a ladder, borrowed from Mr. Bo. Afterall, how can you carry your ladder when you travel by motorbike?

We are thankful for protection and health. This past week, someone on a motorbike whizzed past Enoch and Marissa as they were driving and tried to grab the strap of Marissa’s purse out of her hand. (Wisely, she had the purse between her and Enoch on the bike.) Instinctively, she jerked back on the strap and was able to keep her bag. We are told this is not uncommon, and that sometimes people will try to pull off necklaces and bracelets as you drive as well.

Of course, the summer is upon us as well. We have seen a noticeable upturn in temperatures over the past couple of weeks. The peak is still ahead of us.

Our hearts’ desire is that we would faithfully fulfill everything He has put in our hands. Good things are happening here in the lives of our family, co-workers, and the children we endeavor to help.

May you, too, experience the deep joy that comes from a never-ending need to depend upon the One who never fails!

Grace and peace!

Happy Birthday, Tony

What a gift! A bucket of peanut butter!
And the prize for "Crazy Cake Creativity With Numbers" goes to...

We celebrated Tony’s birthday today. The girls got up early in an effort to fix their Dad breakfast in bed. But…Tony was up early, too. So, they surprised him with breakfast any way, since he was busy on the computer while they were in the kitchen.

After breakfast, the girls and I gathered around Tony for each of us to say a birthday prayer for him. Very sweet. Anna Mei said, “And Lord, please let Daddy go bowling for his birthday.” So, at 10:00 am this morning, her prayers were answered! There is a small bowling alley here in Danang. During daytime hours, a game is less than a dollar. Of course, the shoe sizes are limited, shoe rental is a bit extra, and you must buy socks if you do not have your own with you. Still, it’s a bargain. No bumpers on the lanes, and no alarms for crossing the line (most everyone we saw there today slid a few inches down the lane.

Tony helped Faith and Joy score their first points—Faith riding on his shoulders while he bowled for her; Joy having him help push her ball down the lane with a little speed and force. A few frames into the game, Anna Mei said, “Dad, you’ve bowled your age!”

The girls all made Tony cards, which were delivered in a steady stream throughout the day. Tonight at supper, we had 18 folks around tables as our staff and families joined us. Really nice time.

Tony received some nice gifts: after shave, a tie, a birthday cake, a shirt, and a bucket of peanut butter! The thing is huge and I guess it to weigh over five pounds. Someone knows how much peanut butter Tony eats!

Just a great family day. I am more thankful than ever tonight for this man that we are blessed to know as husband and father. The greatest gifts that the Father has bestowed upon me have been delivered in the person of Tony Brewer.

This past Sunday I was asked to share a brief testimony about our “love story.” I thought some of you might not know how we came to be a family.

Tony and I met at Asbury College in January of 1979. I was sitting next to him the first day of Philosophy class, when the professor opened the session with a time of individual prayer. Because I was sitting close, I could hear Tony pray. I told my suite-mates in the dorm on that day that I had either met the man that I wanted to marry, or I wanted someone just like him.

Seven years later we had our first date. Yep, you read it right…7 years to the first date. We had both left Asbury (I transferred; Tony graduated). We wrote for awhile, then lost touch for about 3 years. That’s when the Pastor of the church where I served on staff asked if I could locate Tony and see if he was interested in a teaching position at the Christian school begun by our church (Tony’s bachelor’s degree is in Education). He did end up coming to the school, and months later we had our first date on April 17, 1986. Although Tony was gone for most of the summer to graduate school in Virginia, we called and wrote letters. He proposed during a phone conversation in July and we married after he came back from his summer classes, on August 23, 1986.

Wow…the years have flown by. How glad I am that the Lord has led my path in just this way. I hope as you reflect on the journey of your life, you also see evidence of the goodness of God. Even through hard places, maybe especially in hard places, or in times of waiting (like…7 years) He strengthens and upholds; He shapes and molds.

Wishing you many tender joys from His hand this day…

Grace and peace!

Makes Me Chuckle...

Here are a couple of things that made me smile this week...

This is Joy in her Easter dress...


Our friend Linh took Joy to shop for shoes to wear with her new dress. Here is Joy's selection...she could not be talked into the pretty buckle shoes!

And, lastly, forget "Two men and a Truck"--this is furniture delivery Danang style. He is bringing a new mattress for Jillian's bed. :)

Quang Tri

Another highlight of February was the visit of a good friend from the US. A retired Marine colonel (and Vietnam veteran), he now frequently visits Asia as part of his work. Our family is always delighted to see him! On this brief visit, we took a couple days to visit some of the places he knew as a soldier. One of those places was Quang Tri. As the northern most province controlled by the Republic of Vietnam (the South Vietnamese) during the Vietnam war, Quang Tri was the location of brutal battles as both sides fought for control.

We traveled northwest of Danang to Quang Tri Province. We spent a little time in Hue (pronounced “whay”), where emperors ruled for centuries. The palace is now a tourist site, offering elephant rides, gardens, and ornate gold covered thrones. It is reminiscent of The Forbidden City in China: expansive grounds with many buildings. Some housed the emperor’s wives. Linh told me how favored wives were in danger for their lives, especially if they became pregnant. If the child was a boy, there was added jeopardy to both their lives. Women taken to be the wife of the emperor never again left the grounds. I could not help but think of women of poor means whose selection to that elite group meant trading the freedom from poverty to having no freedom at all. What a choice.

The battle site of Quang Tri is now also a tourist area. There is a small museum, largely intact bunkers, and a US helicopter and plane. I tried to imagine how it might have been for the brave men stationed there. I thought of my own brother, a Vietnam vet (now deceased). Wish I could ask him if he had been there.

A few people wandered the grounds, selling dog tags from American and South Vietnamese soldiers. I held them in my hand, but they held my heart. Names after name, home states, religious beliefs, blood types…I was keenly aware that each of the cold metal rectangles stood for a living, breathing human being. Part of me wanted to buy all the dog tags, and part of me wanted to make them stop selling them. It seemed profane to me, to sell the dog tags in the face of the sacrifices made on that hill.

Any way, if you are veteran—or if you love someone who is, I just wanted to say thank you. I appreciate your service. I wish my own brother were living so I could tell him.

With Good Friday nearly here, I am thinking about another sacrifice willingly made. I am thankful for that one, too. May we all live lives worthy of what has been given to us and for us.

Grace and peace,
Cindy

Shopping Spree

I have been promising the girls (and most specifically, Joy) to go shopping for Easter dresses. Today was the day. Well, at least tonight was the night. Shopping here poses many possibilities. We can go to the market and bargain for each and every item we buy (which I find exhausting). We can go to Big C, gather an entourage of on-lookers who follow us throughout the store, right through the check-out. We can look for a small shop and risk higher prices. Or, we can go to our friend, who sells children's clothing out of her business office.

Tonight we visited my friend. She buys clothing at outlet centers in Saigon, most likely where the clothing is made. There are many namebrands: Gymboree, Gap, Old Navy, Children's Place--even some Ralph Lauren. Other brands are Australian or British. We arrived about 6:15pm, after the office was closed. About 15 plastic bags of various sizes were in the middle of the floor, and we were invited to plunge in. Every bag was packed full of new clothing--from fancy dresses to sundresses; pants; shorts; tops; even some hats, house shoes, and underclothes.
The girls loved it. They used an empty office as a changing room and had a grand time trying on different styles.

Of course, at the end of the shopping session, we had a big job folding and returning the clothing to the bags. We all came home happy. The girls have a total of 4 dresses, 2 skirts, 3 pairs of capris, 6 tops and a cropped denim jacket. Dad and Mom are happy, too. All 16 pieces came to a grand total of about $55.

Life is full of exchanges. We shop from bags in an office instead of at a mall. But the tag on Faith's Gymboree pants says they will cost about $30 in the US. I paid about $3. There are limited sizes and no "restocking." Still, to find the right dress in the right size brings some big smiles. All in all, a very good night.

Grace and peace,
Cindy

Back in the Swing

Wow! After a long absence I hope I am back for the "long run"! Computer/server problems have prevented me from accessing the blog...very frustrating. But, thanks to Enoch, all is well once again!

Now for catching up...

February was eventful. The lunar new year holiday, Tet, was February 14. That meant that the city effectively began shutting down on February 7, and by the 12th, schools and businesses were on holiday. Tet is beautiful...flowers everywhere, colorful lights up and down all the streets at night, lots of cleaning and sprucing up with painting, etc. Looking at a very full schedule over the next weeks, we took a few days off for vacation at Tet, spending a few days in Hoi An, a quaint tourist hot spot about 45 minutes from home.

The weather was spectacular. The girls went swimming three times a day, and enjoyed riding bikes and a trip on jet skis. They loved it! Jillian rode with her Dad, Anna Mei and Elizabeth each rode with an employee from the rental place. Anna Mei's "guide" let her drive. He was Vietnamese, but got plenty of practice on one English word during his outing with Anna Mei: "Slow! Slow! Slow!"

For the Vietnamese, Tet is also a time of focus on family. It is the time of year when everyone travels home and there are frequent visitors. Children receive small red envelopes with gifts of money. Everyone is expected to have two new outfits. "New" is the operative word for everything, which makes the time leading up to Tet a time to be especially watchful against theft. One teenager we know had his own new jeans stolen from his clothes line at home while they were hanging out to dry!

Incense is everywhere, altars for ancestors are heavily decorated and supplied with food, money, and other valuables. It is not uncommon for people to build small fires on the side walks or roadside to burn items that are then "transported" to those already in the afterlife. Bicycles, clothing, furniture, even money--anything may be burned that a person thinks his departed loved ones may need.

For us, though, February's greatest event was not Tet. It was the opening of Promise House! Seven children arrived on February 23. Since then, the number has doubled, with more children expected over the next few months. Eventually, Promise House will be home to thirty children. The children come from tragic backgrounds of poverty, hardship, neglect, grief, and hunger. What a wonderful blessing to know they are now eating well, attending school and experiencing the nurturing love of dedicated caregivers.

You will be seeing more of these precious children on the blog!

Of course, when good things are happening, the enemy of our souls seems to get into gear as well. There have been so many challenges, mostly cultural and political. Daily life here sometimes seems to be similar to waltzing on a tightrope, without a net. Many have felt changes here. Some are having to leave, others are dealing with close scrutiny, many questions, investigations.

In the end, we entrust our lives and activities to hands stronger than our own, a mind abler than we can perceive, a heart of limitless compassion. And we find joy.

Grace and peace,

Cindy

Anna Mei's Day In Pictures

" Okay, Anna Mei, here is your math problem..."

"I'm thinking...I'm thinking...."

"It IS the right answer ?????? Whoa!"