Hanoi update 11-13-11

Hi All,

Today was wedding day. Hau, the nine year old living at the GFH, father got married. Her mother died four months ago of breast cancer. Her father, who is mildly retarded, wanted to remarry and that's what happened. HSCV provided Hau with a very nice present to present as a gift but she was not included in the ceremony, other than one group picture at the end. The newly married couple seems to have little interest in her and in my opinion her best interests will be served if she continues living in the GFH. We love having her there.

This was my first rural Vietnamese marriage ceremony. It was very nice. First, guests met at the grooms home for lunch and, of course, much rice wine. Everyone was very nice. Then it was about a five mile trip to the bride’s home to gather her up. Many more guests were there. The wedding took place there, a few snacks were served, and then everyone back to the groom’s home for dinner. We could not stay long so only wished everyone well and took off.

All eight girls living at the GFH are great. Very polite and friendly. But Hau is very special. She is as sweet a little girl as I have ever met. When a new girl comes to the home she is the first to greet her and give her a hug. She is also very smart, tops in her class at school. I now refer to Hau, Thuy, 10 and Phuong 7 as the three musketeers. When you see one of them you see them all. They all sleep in the same bedroom and go to the same school. I suspect that this is a friendship that will never be broken. I think that's a very good thing. HSCV feels very fortunate to have found them.

And just on a personal note: It was about a 45 minute ride back from the wedding to the GFH. I sat in the middle of the back seat with Hau on one side and Thuy on the other. For those of you that don't know, the Vietnamese are the greatest sleepers in the world. In two minutes they can fall asleep sitting on a rock. But I had these two beautiful little girls snuggle up next to me in the back seat and they were out for the full trip with my arms around them. I was a very happy man.

Hope all is well,

HSCV President, Chuck Devet