Morning Chores

There are many children this year who are spending the summer in Phat Diem. They are housed and fed, and are given keyboard lessons in the hope they will play for the choirs in their church when they get older. This program is for those who have very little. Many come with only the clothes on their back. You would be surprised how happy they are...well, I guess most children who are loved are happy, no matter how much money they have. After mass in the morning, the students work at small jobs around the grounds. Here, some are pulling the long grass that grows in the middle of the short grass. As there are no lawnmowers here, it is manual labor that makes things look beautiful. Naturally, the boys work separately from the girls. I think it has something to do with cooties.

The Garden

Around the museum at the cathedral is the garden. It is truly beatiful, a place of quiet and meditation, perfect to walk around when you're stressed or just want time alone. Here are some pictures to show just how beautiful it is.

The New Bishop of Phat Diem

Well, it took a while, but Phat Diem finally has a new bishop. He is Rev. Joseph Nguyen Nang. We have dinner every evening and he is well-read on politics and theology. He also makes really bad jokes, so we get along well. Here I am presenting him with a set of Magnificats for the priests and seminarians, compliments of the wonderful staff at Magnificat. The priests practice saying mass in English and all of the prayers are in each month's edition. Thanks to Magnificat for helping us spread the good news.

The Retired Priests

Each year I visit the retired priests of Phat Diem diocese. Here are two good friends of mine. Father Joseph Sinh is on the left. He is 93 and spent 16 years as a prisoner of the government. On the right is Fr. Peter Vong, 92, and the historian for the diocese. He wanted a book for a present this year and I brought him one in Vietnamese on Mother Theresa. Priests here do not retire early, just like in the U.S. These men are truly holy and being with them is a blessing.

The Pre-Seminarians at Work

So, here I am, walking around the bishop's house the first morning of my visit, and I run into the pre-seminarians "at work." Oh, yes, I truly need those quotation marks, They are typical guys, and like to take it easy when they can. Here is the bunch pulling weeds in front of my room. As you can see, it's all about sitting down and having a good time. I can't say I blame them, as it was about 85 degrees by that time of the day.

Here is a video of the guys working on a classroom. Please note the same thing happens.

From the Airport to Phat Diem

At Ha Noi airport I was picked up by Tan and Khanh, two of my students.They had been at the airport early and were tired and exhausted, so we hurried back, picking up some bread along the way from a street vendor. Well, actually, we stopped on the shoulder of the freeway. It was so cool. Then we decided to stop for a late lunch in Ninh Binh city, the capital of Ninh Binh Province. It was at a restaurant we had been at before so I knew the menu. I have to say, I ate a lot. Here is a picture of me next to an advertisement for the restaurant. Yes, that is Arnold in all his glory. No one here knows who he is, and that's just fine with me.

Next is a picture of Tan, Khanh, me, our waitress and our driver. We left shortly after that and I slept like a baby until we got to the bishop's house.

It's That Time of Year Again

This is a picture of Gate A9 at Taipei Airport, and I'm getting ready to board China Air Flight 9025 to Ha Noi. I'm tired from the 12 1/2 hour flight from SFO, but happy to be almost there.

After the long drive to San Francisco airport (and a fun dinner with Patricia that almost got us kicked out of Mimi's), I boarded the huge 747 and got a great aisle seat. Who should be seated next to me but Mike and Chris from Lodi. Mike was in the service doing intelligence and Chris just retired as a sixth grade teacher. They are on their way to Japan to vist and also going to Okinawa where Mike was stationed. I also found out that Mike was stationed in Viet Nam in the early 60's, before all the mess. We had the best time together and promised to chat more when we get back.