Visiting Joseph Thien's Parents

Each year, I get a chance to visit Joseph Thien's parents. They live close to the cathedral, only about a 10 minute motorbike ride.

The is the old house, the one that Joseph's father first built. It is of traditional design, even down to the professionally thatched roof. The beams inside are beautifully carved and the stone for the front steps are hand chiseled. The house itself is worth a great deal of money.

 Joseph's father buys duck eggs then incubates them until they are the right age for boiling and then eating. This vendor brings the eggs just after they are laid and then collects them ready to sell. He's packing dozens into a basket that sits on top the back wheel of his motorbike. Talk about a balancing job!

Most everyone with room on their property has chickens and a rooster. Joseph's parents are no exception.

Here is Joseph's father, Joseph's nephew, and Joseph. The entire landscape of the grounds was done by his father. That is a statue of Mary behind them.

On the left, Joseph's sister-in-law, his mother, nephew, father, and Joseph.

And finally me with the family. The first time I visited here the first time I was in Vietnam, 2007. It is my pleasure and honor to meet each year with these good friends. I am blessed to know them.