On Saturday I moved from the cathedral to the seminary, about a mile or two. I found the seminarians busily getting ready for the 300+ elementary and high school students who will be coming to study music, sewing, and English.
Beds needed to be moved from the classrooms, then across the campus, and up to the second floor. In other words, it was hard work. There is much new construction and even a building half torn down. Things are moving in Phat Diem.
Four of the seminarians are taking a quick break on the stairs in the new building. This is a minor seminary, which means that the students are here for two years, preparing for the major seminary examination. That includes theology, philosophy, literature, and English.
These guys will also help teach English and music in addition to supervising the students. There are some young ones from very far away who will stay overnight. Fr. Vong says that may be as many as 100.
These rooms are getting a full cleaning, floors, walls, and closets. This building is slated to be renovated, but will do for the summer.
Some of the pathways are muddy around the campus, so a wagon is the best way to cart things around.
The worst to transport are the cabinets for clothes. It takes brute strength and teamwork to move these big boys. And not only do they need to be taken across the campus, but they will go upstairs.
Even though he is in charge of all the music teachers, while they are playing soccer, he is washing fan screens. That's the true dedication of an educator.
Here is Nam Vu working his keyboard. Now entering 8th grade, he is quite the conversationalist. It's hard to believe that I have kn...