Tuesday, September 8, 2009

August

August was a busy month for us! We had two visiting teams: a group from CBN was in Danang to film some of Orphan Voice’s projects, and a second group from Ohio worked with us at our school in Cambodia and an orphanage in Vietnam. We had a lot of fun with both teams and were blessed by their visits.

We have been encouraged to see the Spirit working in the hearts of people here. Earlier in the summer, a couple of us had the opportunity to pray for a sick girl. The girl was healed, the healing being an act of love that has produced much fruit. As an example, a few days ago the same girl was sick with a headache. She asked her caregiver to call Duc and Marissa so they could come and pray for her again.

Last week, we took several children from the Dai Loc orphanage to an eye hospital in Danang. Though the purpose of the visit was to determine if the children needed glasses, the tests revealed a more serious problem with one child. A teenage girl named Hanh was diagnosed with glaucoma. She has already lost some vision, but we’re praying that it will return. Hanh is taking prescription eye drops and will return in three months to be reevaluated.

During the course of her tests, Hanh spent a night in Danang with Enoch and me. Because she is shy and speaks little English, Hanh wanted her friend Tu to stay as well. The four of us had lots of fun—we took a taxi ride around the city, looked at pictures, painted fingernails, and ate pizza. Over and over, Tu said, “I love it here”. She asked again and again if she could come back. Despite a leaky bedroom, roaring wind, and pounding rain, the girls seemed comfortable and totally content.

That night, I was touched by two especially sweet gestures. Early in the evening, Enoch had to run out. I left the girls in our kitchen and hurried upstairs to grab some fingernail polish. When I returned, the girls were smiling broadly and giggling softly. On our whiteboard, they had written, “I love you. I want to kiss you because I like you.” It is still there, because I just can’t bring myself to erase the board.

The same evening, Tu showed me her rings. On one of her fingers, she had two matching bands. Tu slipped one band onto my finger and kept the other. I wear it constantly—it reminds me of her beautiful smile.

I don’t think the rain has ceased for more than a few hours since the night of the girls’ visit. The monsoon season has started full force, and there has been a considerable amount of flooding in Danang and in the Quang Nam province. I am told that 9 people in our area lost their lives to the rising water yesterday. Please pray with me that the waters recede and that the people of Danang and Quang Nam are protected.

Also, please remember the Brewer family. On Sunday, they headed back to the States for a two month visit. Pray that the Lord will anoint their words as they share about the needs here in Vietnam and about His work.

Thank you all for your love and continued prayers.