From Trang's we journeyed under the Can Tho bridge   (a beautiful structure!) to the home of the "three sisters." They are Hien,Thuy and Thao (pictured on the left). Their parents abandoned them when Hien was four and they have lived with their great grandmother (on the left) and grandmother (second from right) ever since. They attended the riverside church English school. Nhanh noticed how ragged their clothes were and when Steve Hawley came he gave money for new clothes for them. The three sisters ride their bicycles (they have two and one "doubles" the youngest one) to the assemblies. Dad bought one bicycle and another was furnished by Amazing Grace. These are impressive young ladies. They never miss church and they have the most wonderful smiles.

           Near the end of that part of our visitation we stopped at the home of this little guy, Hong (5 years old, in kindergarten). He is pictured with Nhanh on the right. His parents passed away three years ago due to AIDS. He now lives with his grandparents and his grandmother stays home and cares for him and his cousin who was also abandoned by his parents. His grandfather works as a brick layer. He was recommended to Amazing Grace by Uncle Ten.

            I should explain a bit about the numbering system. First off, Dad had a tough time remembering names - especially since they seldom sound like they are spelled ("Thuy" is pronounced "Twee" for example). So he gave pet names to everybody. Mrs. Eight is the eighth child in her family. Uncle Ten is . . . the tenth child. I decided I would learn the real names for everyone when I got there, but the "numbered" names stuck. Everybody uses them.

          





         

The most emotional visit for me was to this building called the "riverside" church (above).  Uncle Seven and his wife and daughter stay there and take care of the building. Dad originally built it so that the church would have an alternate meeting place if the main building was closed down. It is on the edge of town, kind of in the country, and provided more privacy.  Unfortunately, it was the first operation the government closed. They forbade us to use it for any gatherings at all, but notice the pulpit and assembly hall is still there as it was when Dad was there, ready to be used when the time comes.

            "Ray" (pictured standing below) is one of the church members and she teaches English.  She owns her own home and teaches there.  She encourages all her students to come to church. Unfortunately, so many visitors went to see Ray's school that the government became suspicious.  They did not make her close the school down, but left her with the impression that they might do so if she kept having so many foreigners come.  We decided it might be best if only one of us visited her school and Jerry Canfield was elected to go (he is pictured with the students below).  He spent that afternoon teaching English.

             My space for this issue is about gone, but the story is far from over.  I will have more stories of the children who are "Tom's Kids" in the next newsletter.  Since my return to the States, I've been conducting a Bible class via the internet each Sunday morning in Vietnam.  The brethren gather for Bible School at 8:30, have worship afterward, and then stay for my Bible class.  We use "Skype," which allows us to see and hear one another.  As I write this, we have had eleven lessons.  I've entitled the lessons "God Loves His People Forever" and it is, fundamentally, a walk through the Bible.  I'm introducing them to Old Testament characters and stories and connecting them with this thought of God's unfailing love.  In a few weeks, we will move into the New Testament with the goal of finishing the story of the Bible before the end of the year.  I will return in January.

            What are the needs?

            There are three: First, we need your prayers.  These are young churches in hostile territory and need the protection and guidance of the Lord.  Second, we are always in need of more tuition funding for Tom's Kids.  This year, we are about $3500 behind in funding.  Third, Dad had great supporters who generously funded the purchase and building of buildings.  As you know, however, all buildings need maintenance.  We need to paint them inside and out, and do some repair work (plumbing specifically).  We also want to install air-conditioning in the assembly center of the church building.  If we are going to have to meet with the doors and windows closed (and we are), we need to have a way to cool the air.  Fans are better than nothing, but not much.  All of this will cost about $5000.