Hanoi update 9-4-11

Hi All,

Yesterday was water park day for the girls at the GFH. They had been there once before but this is a really big deal for them. The four girls, Linda Bui, Trang, the temporary house mother, and I went. I had never been to this water park before and was very pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. There were many different pools and slides for every age. There was even a wave pool. The place was very clean. There were a lot of people there but the facilities handled them very well. There was almost no waiting anyplace. Everybody but me went into the water. I was going to go in but thought it might be too distracting to the young ladies to see my buff body walking around in my Speedos.

Our participants were in the water for almost five hours. Going every second with huge smiles on their faces. Hau, the nine year old, would come up to me every half hour or so and say "very happy" and then run back into the pool. That was precious. Although I was sitting on benches for almost five hours it was not that boring. It was fun watching the girls have a great time and knowing that HSCV was helping to dramatically change their lives. But without a doubt the most entertaining feature was seeing the various swimming attire the Vietnamese people chose to ware. It ranged from street clothes, to pajamas, to under ware, to the occasional bathing suit. Our girls fit in just right. Three wore shorty pajamas and Mia wore caprinos and a tee shirt.

Mia's grandmother went home yesterday. Mia wanted to stay at the home by herself. She says she likes it, which is a good thing in that there is nobody to care for her if you returns home. The other three girls have been wonderful to her. But I keep thinking she must know what Alice felt like when she fell down the rabbit hole. A totally new world. She had never been to Ha Noi even though she only lives a couple of hours away. In fact, her grandmother had never been here either and she is seventy-two. Mia had never used a flush toilet, had a shower or ridden in a car. The culture shock must be overwhelming.

We will now try to make Mia resident number four at the GFH, but it is not easy. First, we have get permission from her local people's committee and police department for her to move. Then we have to get the same permission from both of those parties here. We also have to find a school to admit her. There are nearby schools but they don't have to accept everyone. We had trouble finding schools for the other three girls but finally worked it out. Hopefully, we will do the same for Mia.

Since I have been here and been around the girls they have always been bundles of energy. Anxious and enthusiastic for everything. But as we were exiting the water park their walking was slow. (Although they did accept a sausage on a stick.) (Mn State Fair anyone.) When we got back to the house, about 6:00 PM, your trusted reporter excused himself and retired to his bedroom. Down and out in about five minutes. However, up and about about midnight. I just love this jet lag stuff. If you need me during mid-day in the west I'm your man. I'm likely to be up.

School starts Monday. Should be easy, but this is Vietnam and something tells me it won't be. Stay tuned.

Chuck DeVet, President