Tây Nam YaYA Deepening Nights recap + next steps

Dear everyone,

Hope this email finds you well as we near the Feast of the Sacred Heart on Friday! Thank you to everyone for your presence through the past two evenings, whether in person or in prayer. The truly palpable sense of journeying together in community was very much felt throughout, from all the yummy food (thanks O Hoang!) to all the memorable sharings.

Below you'll find a recap as well as what we are looking to in the near future. Those present in-person included O/Chi Hoang, Anh Binh, Anh Thai, Eric, Phi, Anna, Thu, Tammy, Hugo and myself.

1. We reviewed the graces from YaYA Ministries National Summit, and looked at grace and invitations in our own lives at this time
2. Rather than re-hashing the definition of "What is YaYA Ministries?" we asked "What can/does YaYA Ministries mean for me and my community?"
1. The top 3 that came up were enjoying each others' presence/community, space to be myself and accepted as myself, and life-giving (full list below)
3. The second question to explore was, "What characteristics would help shape such an atmosphere?"
1. The top ones here were openness, honesty, vulnerability; Christ-centered; presence to self, God and others; and relationships before and with work (full list below)
4. We looked at where each of us are re: involvement in the Regional Team.
1. From this an interesting development has arisen, a flock of "Stand-By Geese" otherwise known as SBG. While SBG's may not be able to or feel called into planning on a regular basis and related items, they have a willingness to stay involved whether it be through helping at an event or likewise. What it means is still to be further hashed out. To spark your imagination, I've attached a few logos that Anh Thai came up (so SuperCool! =D) with to get us going. =)
2. "SBG" includes Tammy, Hugo, Phi, and Anh Thai. Woot woot! err should I say honk honk!
3. Regional Team includes Anna, Thu, Eric, and myself.
4. There are additional people in the community who have expressed interest in being involved, who we will connect with soon.

Next steps - we did not feel that within these 2 nights it was enough time yet to elect a new coordinator from the new Regional Team. This will happen next Thursday, June 21st @ 6pm at Thu's house: 10300 Cunningham Ave. Westminster, CA 92683. From here will also include an additional representative to have 2 from Tay Nam for the National Team.

In His love,

Nhi

+  +  +

 FULL LIST OF RESPONSES

What does YaYA Ministries mean to me?

-          Enjoy each others’ presence/community

-          Spaec to be myself/be accepted, not judged

-          Life-giving

-          Place where unique gifts are nurtured

-          Companionship

-          Support in faith

-          Co-creators with larger Dong Hanh/Catholic family

-          Family

What characteristics would help shape such an atmosphere?

-          Openness, honesty, vulnerability

-          Christ-centered!!!

-          Relationships ~ work (self-growth) + (work)

-          Presence to self, to God (inside ourselves), to others

-          To be supportive – to be receptive, engaged, active, encouraging, affirming, empowering, respectful

-          To help each other grow and space to grow

-          Enjoyable and “fun” will prevail

-          Energy and love

-          Freedom of involvement “please don’t leave without saying goodbye” / open door/welcoming

-          Accountability (ownership) and awareness

-          United

-          Peace – without, without, with God

DONG HANH-CLC YOUTH and YOUNG ADULTS MINISTRIES SUMMIT

Date:
April 26-29, 2012

Start: Thursday evening 7:30 pm
End: Sunday afternoon 2:30 pm

Location:
Anh Quang Chi Tuyet's house, Denver, Colorado

Objectives

1. To deepen our bond and friendship in the Lord as we are called together to serve God in the youth and young adults
2. To share and dream as we strive to clarify and come to a better understanding and embracing together the current vision and mission of Dong Hanh-CLC YaYA ministries as well as its identity
3. To collaborate and strategize together, along with the Dong Hanh BPV and Formation Team on a structure and strategy of growth in the next 3 years, in spirituality, community, missions and services
4. To elect and empower the Regional Teams, Regional coordinators as well as the new National coordinator

Who? Scope?
In hopes to accomplish the above objectives, we envision a summit gathering a maximum of 45-50 people.
The attendants:

1. The current national and regional YaYA ministries team
2. Religious, adults, young adults and youth who hear God's call to serve the youth and young adults in the next 3 years, especially the ones who are currently journeying closely with youth and young adults groups.
3. Cha Tuyen Uy and representatives from the following:
   a) Dong Hanh National and Regional BPV (1 representative from each region)
   b) Dong Hanh and CLC-USA Formation Team
   c) CLC-USA youth and young adults representative
   d) SEED Team
   e) Family Ministry

Registration process?
The attendants can register through the regional BPV. The regional BPV can send the final list to chi Tuyet Tran.
The communication between the regional BPV and the current YaYA ministries core team is highly encouraged in order to discern together to find, confirm, and send people to the summit.
Here are the suggested communication channels:
     BPV Canada - David Pham (david.pham@gmail.com)
     BPV Tay Nam and Bac Cali - Nhi Ngo (quyengo@gmail.com)
     BPV Trung Tay - chi Tuyet Tran (kaitykttran@yahoo.com)
     BPV Dong Bac - Thai Son Tran (sonny_tran2003@yahoo.com)

Registration deadline:
In hopes to have the necessary amount of time for the pre-summit preparation and for the hosting of this event,
We aim for the registration deadline to be on February 20, 2012.

Or,
The registration will be closed when there are 50 people registered before the deadline

Financial support?
We will have support from YaYA ministries and Dong Hanh national. We also hope to have support at the regional level as well.
You can request the financial support by writing an email to your regional BPV and cc to:

An Mai: anmai53@yahoo.com (Representative of National BPV)
Quynh-Huong Dao: quynhhuong@cox.net (National treasurer)
Thai Son Tran: sonny_tran2003@yahoo.com (National YaYA ministries team coordinator)

On behalf of Dong Hanh BPV and YaYA ministries,
An Mai
Thai-Son Tran

YaYA and SEED FORMATION SUMMIT

Kính Thưa qúy Cha và các anh chị,

Trong tinh thần nhận định và quan tâm chung, Core Team của YaYa & SEED Formation đã họp với nhau và chia xẻ những Objectives của mỗi ban cũng như những khía cạnh Muc vụ khác biệt của nhau... Và đi đến một nhận định chung là sẽ tổ chức hai SUMMITS riêng biệt với thời điểm và địa điểm khác nhau.

• SEED Formation Summit sẽ được tổ chức tại Phoenix AZ vào 29 tháng 3 đến 1 tháng 4
• YaYA Summit sẽ được tổ chức tại Denver Colorado vào 26-29 tháng 4

Cộng đoàn ĐH xin cảm ơn AC Quang Tuyết và AC Tom Mai đã rộng lượng mở rộng vòng tay và rộng cửa để đón tiếp mọi người về tham dự hai Summit nầy. Cảm ơn các anh chị trong Ban Tổ Chức bắt đầu những bước chuẩn bị cho Summit nầy.

Trong những ngày sắp tới Chị Kim Anh và Thanh Dung với SEED Formation, và Thái Sơn, & AC Quang Tuyết sẽ gửi đến quý anh chị chi tiết đầy đủ hơn về Objective, và đối tượng của mỗi Summit là gi, những ai nên được mời về tham dự..

Xin quý anh chị trong BPV các Vùng sẵn sàng để bắt đầu tiến trình DSSE nhận định và gửi ACE về tham dự hai Summit này nhé!

Xin quý Cha và qúy anh chị cùng hỗ trợ và cầu nguyện cho các anh chị trong ban tổ chức được nhiều ân súng và đầy Thánh Thần trong những ngày tháng sắp đến.

Hiệp nhất trong Tình Yêu Chúa.
MHA

* * *

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In the spirit of caring and discerning, the core team of YaYa and SEED Formation have come to a consensus that Each Summit will be held separately, due to the differences of Objectives, and of the nature of each Ministry.

We ask that BPV in each Region get ready to go thru DSSE process to discern, invite, send and support those people that involves in each Ministry; and support the core team of both Summits.

More details of each Summit will be sent out in the next few days.

We ask the whole DH community to support and pray for all people who are in charge of organizing these summits, and who will come to summit.

Thanks God and thank you, AC QUANG-TUYET of Denver CO, and AC TOM-MAI of Phoenix AZ, for your great love, generosity, & willingness to offer your sweet home for our Summit.

In God's love
MHA

YaYA ministries summit and SEED Retreat Training/F​ormation

Kính thưa quý Cha và các anh chị,

Thái Sơn và Ân xin cảm ơn Chúa, cảm ơn các Cha và các anh chị đã cho TS và Ân được cơ hội được cộng tác với các Cha và các ACE để cùng phục vụ Cộng Đoàn ĐH trong ba năm tới.

Trong Đại Hội DH vừa qua, trong tinh thần cầu nguyện và nhận định của cả DH, và sự cộng tác thật tích cực của các ace Đại Biểu các nhóm, chúng ta đã đúc kết đuợc 7 proposals cụ thể cho BPV cũng như cho cả CD trong ba năm sắp tới.

Hai trong 7 proposals này là YaYA Ministries Summit và SEED Retreat Training/Formation. Đây là hai lãnh vực đang cần được quan tâm và hỗ trợ của BPV DH chúng ta trong thời gian sắp tới. Cảm ơn Kim Anh và Thái Sơn dù bận rộn với những công tác chuẩn bị cho DHDH vào cuối tháng 12 vừa qua, vẫn dành thời giờ để hoạch định và bắt đầu những bước cụ thể để giúp việc chuẩn bị được tốt đẹp.
Với sự hỗ trợ của Cha Tuyên Úy của chúng ta, chúng con xin thông báo đến quý Cha và các anh chị:

1- YAYA MINISTRIES SUMMIT: được tổ chức tại Denver Colorado, từ 26 - 29 tháng 4, 2012, tại gia cư của anh chị Quang Tuyết. Cảm ơn tình thương và sự hỗ trợ của anh chị dành cho chương trình này.

2- SEED RETREAT TRAINING/FORMATION đã được chuẩn bị để tổ chức cũng vào cuối tuần 26 - 29 tháng 4 tại Nam Cali, nhưng với tình thương và lòng rộng lượng của các anh chị Diệu hợp, đã quyết định thay đổi về thời gian khác, nhường thời gian cho YaYa Ministries Summit, để tạo điều kiện thích hợp hơn cho các anh chị và các ban youth and young adults có thể tham dự cả hai khóa này. Do đó, hiện tại SEED Retreat Formation vẫn còn đang đợi để có thời gian và địa điểm thích hợp, và sẽ được thông báo đến các cha và ACE sau. Cảm ơn Kim Anh, Thanh Dung và các anh chị đang giúp chuẩn bị SEED Retreat Training/Formation.

KA sẽ gửi đến các cha và các ACE chi tiết về SEED Retreat Training/Formation khi đã có được thời gian và địa điểm.

Sắp tới đây, Thái Sơn và Kim Anh sẽ gởi ra thêm chi tiết về những objectives và projected scopes của YaYA Ministries Summit và SEED Retreat Training/Formation. Xin các anh chị trong BPV Vùng assess những nhu cầu và ao ước hiện tại của Vùng, đặc biệt về 2 khía cạnh này, để có thể giúp nhau quảng bá, chọn đúng người, và hỗ trợ những anh chị em, các bạn trẻ về tham gia YaYA ministries Summit, hoặc là/và SEED Retreat Training/Formation.

Hiệp nhất trong tình yêu Chúa.
Mai Hoàng Ân
Trần Thái Sơn

YaYA Tây Nam new coordinator: ALEX PHAN

Xin chào gia đình Đồng Hành,

Chúng em trong ĐH YaYA Ministries TâyNam xin mọi người chung vui với các em; thứ bảy trong cuối tuần vua qua chúng em họp lại với nhau trong một Deepening Day để coi lại những hoa quả của YaYA Ministries từ tháng 10 năm trước tới bây giờ, và cùng cầu nguyện chung cho những gì sắp đến.... những, needs and desires.... where does God want to lead us next...

As part of the fruits of this Deepening Day we would like to share with you the little journey that was taken, and some new developments:

We reflected on the roots (our foundations, what has given the ministry strength and life) and the fruits over the past almost year. Please see attached for a picture from an activity we did related to it... the tree represents Jesus, the Vine.. and on this tree we cut, pasted, glued the fruits that we saw, and where we saw the roots deepen.

We prayed to discern the needs/concerns/desires for vung TayNam YaYA Ministries at this time, as well as what gifts would be ideal in the next coordinator to meet these needs (please see attached document for the list of these).

We transitioned older members of the team who are now feeling called in a different direction their lives, as well as welcomed new members to the team to the "honking geese flying V". :) Finally, we "took our position in the community" and elected and are now sending forth our new coordinator.
On the third bullet point specifically, who are these people and this new coordinator, you might be wondering. :)

Firstly, we would like to thank Martin Ngo, Megan Lynch, and Quang Vu who have so graciously journeyed with the ministry team since last fall, and now are being called to serve more deeply in other areas of their lives. May our Lord continue to bless and guide them on their journey, and to know that they will always be welcomed and a part of the Dong Hanh family.

There are also some new members recently... please join us in welcoming Annie Dang, Thai Nguyen, and Minh Nguyen to the ministry team. You may remember them most recently from Project Runway and famous MC's at HMV/Emmaus TayNam over the past Labor Day weekend.

Last but not least, *drumroll please*........... we elected our new coordinator..... *more drumroll please*..... Alex Phan! :D Please join us in congratulating Alex as part of God's invitation to him to draw closer to Him through this role, and for the team as a whole... with the whole flock honking loudly from behind! ;) You might remember him recently at HMV/Emmaus TN with some cute bumblebee wings. :D

It was quite a packed, intense day.... very grateful to BHL and BPV and everyone in the DH family really, for their guidance, presence, and prayers for such a fruitful day. "What you dream alone remains a dream. What you dream with others can become a reality. What you dream with God indeed becomes reality. When you dream God's dream it is reality." Yay, we are dreaming and flying together!! May God's love through the Spirit continue to guide and strengthen us to grow deeper in community and more fully alive each day. :)

United in prayer and, as Cha Tri often says, looooooove,

Nhi and all of us in DH TayNam YaYA Ministries.
(*honk honk* guys, please feel free to add anything else... :D)

Nhi (Quyen): A little deep, deep thank you - HMVTN 2009

Mến chào gia đình Đồng Hành Tây Nam, dearest Dong Hanh Tay Nam family,

First of all - I am sorry if I missed anyone on accident (kind of tired, but wanted to write this tonight while things are still fresh), can you please forward onto anyone I may have missed? I will try to keep this one short.... :)

I know that much of this has already been said as the weekend came to a close, but I just wanted to echo again how deeply grateful and joyful I am from this weekend's Emmaus gathering...words cannot really express it, but I'm going to try a little anyway. :) For me, that is what remains as I am settling in at home now. Thank you for everything! The gentle nudging, supporting, "honking", energy, spirit, presence, joy, laughter, and looooooove between all of us... also, when some of anh/chi mentioned how this new collaboration between BPV/BHL/YaYA Ministries/cac nhom, is the first step (well not first, since it has been a desire for years... but hopefully you know what i mean :D)... I keep having the image of a baby taking its first steps... maybe a little wobbly but sooo wonderful and it's a big deal nonetheless!

There is a sentiment that Bac Giao shared earlier today during Open Space that to me seems to really echo the Spirit working right now in our community... he mentioned that he felt like he had nothing to offer but love when taking on chuc vu truong vung (please correct me if I'm paraphrasing wrong Bac Giao!) ... and if "faith, hope and love remain, but the greatest of these is love" then wow! seems we are in a good spot then, since isn't that what it all comes down to? If we have love.... and God is love.... we have everything!

...so once again, thank you - or rather God reward you (that's what the Carmelite sisters say in place of thank you :D) - for creating such a wonderful space and also allowing me to journey with you. It is truly an honor, blessing, and very deeply humbling. Whatever happens next, I know we will always be close together in Spirit. Besides, see you all very soon in prayer!

In His looooooove,
Nhi
p.s. Open Space documents to come soon. :) ... and I heard, there's a possible DVD or video postings online coming from this weekend's events.... ;) please stay tuned!

Reflection of a young person going to VN on a mission

Các anh chị mến,

Có một tâm tình thật đẹp của một người bạn trẻ vừa mới trở về sau ba
tuần đi phục vụ thiện nguyện tại VN. KA có cảm nhận rằng, reflection
của cô phần nào đó phản ảnh thật về Christian identity trong mọi người
chúng ta. Mời qúi anh chị kiên nhẫn đọc qua một chút nhé. Nếu có thể xin
chia sẻ và cho các cháu đọc cũng hay lắm.

KA

* * *

Going to Vietnam this year with Frere Phong has been extremely exciting, inspiring, and eye-opening. This three-week trip brings strangers together and allows them to explore why they are proud to be Vietnamese and Catholic. I found that although the bus rides were long, the meals predictable in a certain region, the bug bites irritating, and the trains disgusting, I found that it was well worth. Through intriguing conversations with peers, natives, and children, I learned a variety of things about my roots, and even though I was not looking to learn anything about my faith, I walked away with a better understanding of what kind of Catholic I want to be.

I know what it means to be a Vietnamese American since I have grown up in the United States. I know that Vietnamese families can be quite large, parties usually consist of eating all day, there is some form of starch in every meal, and that 6 o'clock dinners mean they are starting at 7. Although these are a few details about being a Vietnamese growing up in America, I have to admit that my American identity is extremely dominant. I talk back to my parents, I want to move out of my parents' house before I get married, and I come home past midnight. In this sense, I could say that I am more American than I am Vietnamese. It was not until this trip that I understood the meaning of being Vietnamese, not Vietnamese American. Seeing the natives of Vietnam among other things really helped me see that our culture is tremendously deep rooted.

The H'mongs, Bahnas, and Jarais all have a beautiful way of life. Their smiles are so pure and they are never ashamed to show their colors amidst the poverty and oppression they live in. Seeing these people helped me really appreciate the history of all of Vietnam, not just what is displayed in textbooks or travel brochures. The natives of Vietnam are looked down upon as people of backwardness, lacking culture, and lacking sophistication. I did not see any of these when I talked, danced, and sang with them.

One of the most memorable events among many that helped me see where I come from was eating with the H'mongs at their one church. This meal showed me that we are very much connected and equal. Although the kin of the area marginalize the H'mongs, I hoped that sharing this meal with them showed them that we share a common background. It helped me see why we, as Vietnamese, are taught to be appreciative and humble. The H'mongs never once complained about the flavor of the food we ate, the amount of food provided, or the hot weather that for some of us, deters our appetite. They waited to be invited to eat and even then were very shy about reaching out for anything on the table. We are taught as Vietnamese to be humble. The H'mongs smiled with a pure appreciation for life and everything that was good in their lives. They thank God for everything they have even though it is not much. They do not complain about the 15-kilometer walk from the mountains to attend mass. We as Vietnamese are taught to be appreciative of what we are given in life.

I am proud to say that I was able to eat with them and I want to thank them for teaching me more about our culture.

Most people are comfortable with saying, "I am Catholic" and fully believing this statement blindly. For me, this has been a reoccurring internal conflict. I am not comfortable with saying that I am Catholic without having my own personal reason about what it means to me to be Catholic. It is not good enough for me to say that I am Catholic because my parents baptized me or because I was raised that way. I do not feel at all connected to my faith in church every Sunday or through reading the Bible. I went on this trip thinking I would have fun site seeing and that I would be doing community service by helping those less fortunate. I am leaving Vietnam surprised that I feel somewhat more confident about why I am Catholic and what kind of Catholic I want to be. I want to be the kind of Catholic that feels for people and wants to do more than send money to various charities or to attend church every Sunday. I want to go out of my way, away from my comfort bubble, and immerse myself in a community where they praise God every day for simple things like a piece of bread. I want to see firsthand God's love for all of humanity. It amazes me that some of the natives in Vietnam praise God willingly even though they have been pushed into to the outskirts of society and have very little to survive. These people worship God with their voices, bodies, clothes, and they celebrate with passion. I want to celebrate with passion and I intend to do this by immersing myself with the people of God.

It was exciting when we hiked up to the beautiful waterfall in Bac Ha. It was inspiring to see my parents so active with their faith. It was eye opening to see all the ways God shows the world that he cares and that we are all equal in his eyes.

Nói chuyện với Martin Ngô về YaYA Ministries

An Introduction to Mustard Seeds CLC

by Kim-Anh Vu

Mustard Seeds (Hat Cai in Vietnamese) is a Dong Hanh CLC group that has been formed since 1985 within the campus grounds of the University of California, Irvine. The idea of having a Dong-Hanh group within a university originated with a few students attending a weekend retreat that was adapted from The Spiritual Exercises by Fr. Julian Elizalde, S.J., who was a Spanish Jesuit who could speak Vietnamese fluently. For more than twenty years, this group continues to have an active presence within the Catholic community of the university. Embracing the Ignatian spirit, they meet weekly to pray and to live community life, as well as to help each other integrate different aspects of their busy student lives. They participate in service projects in Tijuana, Mexico, and music ministry on campus, as well as Dong-Hanh activities.

Recently, the members of Mustard Seeds were invited to prepare a retreat for young children ranging in age from six to fifteen, by the parents of the Dong-Hanh Christian Life Community®. It was an invitation that followed —CLC, Our Way of Proceeding. Five members were missioned from the group to carry out the retreat with the full support from the group as well as from the Southwest Dong-Hanh Region.

It was a collaborative effort of the parents and the students to bring the S.E.E.D. Retreat to thechildren. This came from the many months and years of the parents asking the questions: “How do we begin introducing the Spiritual Exercises to our young children as they are also considered members of our family community? How do we introduce to our children a personal God Who loves and cares for us unconditionally?”

Many were the questions that led us to the first S.E.E.D. retreat on September 20-22, 2006, in Flagstaff, Arizona, amidst the pines and ponderosa trees. There were twenty-two children and five retreat leaders, with the support of all the parents and one priest.

Those were wonderful days of blessings. Beginning with orientation, the children were led into the retreat with the dynamics of different activities: the treasure hunt; interviewing the saints; learning about God, each other and self in nature, morning prayer with music and songs, evening Examen with some quiet moments for gratefulness; and entertainment night where the parents, children and retreat leaders put together their talents in skits, dance and music. The parents marveled at the children’s ability to translate biblical messages into today’s circumstances. The children laughed at their parents’ silliness. We all enjoyed God’s presence among us. Truly, we were living the Ignatian CLC Way of Life –spirituality, community and mission.

Upon reflection, the Lord has blessed the Mustard Seeds with so much during the last twenty years. We were given a spirituality that has brought us close to God and to each other. We found ‘home,’ where we truly belong. In service to each other and the community at large, we understood more deeply the meaning of our lives. I was once a Mustard Seed, when it started in 1985. How the Lord labors to form and guide the group! How He has journeyed with us thus far to provide all of our needs and more!

“Take, Lord, receive…
You have given all to me, now I return it.”

When I graduated and it was time to leave the Mustard Seeds, I prayed this prayer. I did not know then that twenty years later, it would be the Mustard Seeds’ members who would be giving a retreat for our very own children. Indeed, in receiving what I was giving back to Him, the Lord gave back to me even more than I could imagine. His love and grace continue to overflow into the lives of our children, gifting them and blessing them. Yes, He has given back to us so much more than what we have offered to Him. Indeed, ‘our cups were overflowed” when we witnessed the joy and peace in the smiles of our children. We thank God deeply for sowing seeds of love in their hearts. May He continue to receive them and give them back to the world with hearts anew more and more each day.

YaYA Tay Nam Summer Service Series

Chao Cac Anh Chi Em Than Men & Friends of Dong Hanh Tay Nam,

I would like to introduce the Summer Service Series, organized by DH YaYA Ministries Tay Nam and run by all the wonderful volunteers who will be attending (this might include you!). If you participated in the previous Lenten Volunteer Series, you've already had a "taste" of what is soon to come. :) Please look out for the following events, and let us know if you'd like to help! [ Space may be limited, so sign up quickly! ]

SSS I :: Hunger & Homelessness @ L.A. Food Bank
Saturday, July 18, 8:45am - 12:00pm
[ Package, sort, and assemble food containers that feed needy individuals, families, seniors, and children in the L.A. community. ]
Contact Mister Martin Ngo / 714-890-2158 / martinhngo@yahoo. com
Sign up by Wednesday, July 15th at the latest!

SSS II :: Environmental Awareness @ Huntington Beach
Saturday, August 1, All Day
[ Make gifts for the Elderly Care service and bond with other volunteers. ]
Contact Miss Thi Tam Ton / 310-878-7800 / thitamton@yahoo. com
Sign up by Wednesday, July 29th at the latest!

SSS III :: Elderly Care @ Garden Grove Convalescent Home
Sunday, August 30, 9:30am - 11:00am
[ Accompany the elderly with games, activities, and entertainment. ]
Contact Miss Bao-Chau Nguyen / 714-683-3867 / nguyencsuf@yahoo. com
Sign up by Thursday, August 27th at the latest!

SSS IV :: Youth Interaction @ L.A. Family Housing
Saturday, September 12, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
[ Assist in carrying out activities with children ages 2 to 5, including a main project and some free time to play games, read stories, etc. ]
Contact Miss Annie Dang / 908-812-8399 / annie_dang@hotmail. com
Sign up by Wednesday, September 9th at the latest!

SSS V :: Community Involvement @ O.C. Red Cross Blood Drive
Details TBA
[ Donate blood to the American Red Cross to help those in need. ]

We would like to invite anyone and everyone in the Tay Nam (Western) Region to participate in these opportunities. May God continue to guide & bless us all in our ongoing service to bring others closer to Him.

In His Love,
Miss Quynh (Phi) Ngo :)
[ on behalf of Dong Hanh YaYA Ministries Tay Nam ]

P.S. Please feel free to forward this message to your group/friends/ family and help spread the word!

YaYA member helping VN orphanage

Dear family and friends,

I hope you are doing well! It has been almost 1 week here in Vietnam. I have been staying with the sisters of St. Vincent de Paul in a small town called My Tho. They spend their time teaching children that are deaf and mute between the ages of 5-14. Some of them have one parent, some do not have any. Some of them are scared to go home as well, due to past experiences. When they are here, they seem to have a blast though. They are very good kids and pretty impressive too (ex: in the photos attached, there are two photos of teenagers dancing mu'a - they cannot hear but use the vibration they feel to dance). Now if only I could learn their sign language...




Some interesting tidbits that some of you may already know, that I have learned more about while here - most people make less than 100 US dollars/month - and the ones that make close to 100 are those that have gone to college &etc. Many simply cannot find work, because there is no work available. Yet those that are rich, spend money like drinking water, a few hundred dollars a night is nothing to them... and the gap is just getting wider, from what I understand. There are many stories people have shared about their lives or others they know of, but that would take too long to type here... but I love to hear their stories.

From a religious perspective, the nuns here have told me about how even just 10 years ago their religious "freedom" was not as it is now - at least now, they can go to Mass freely. Before, they would have to hide in their own homes, or in the gardens in their homes, when the police came looking for them. Today, even though they are nuns, they have to tell the government that they are teachers so as to not get into more trouble. They also can't teach beyond a certain age - after that only the government schools can teach (unlike in the U.S. where there are private high schools and colleges, etc.).

Despite the hardships that people have to bear physically and secularly, I find they are very rich in spirituality. I attend Mass at 5am with the sisters and the church has a pretty good crowd - and there are a few Catholic churches in this town. There are also so many nuns and priests! The sisters wake up at 4am to start their morning prayer before Mass, but I haven't been able to make it up that early yet. :P

I've attached some photos to share - they include photos of the building and room I am staying in, the sisters and kids, and so on. Yesterday one of the sisters also took me to a more rural area, which are the photos you see of the fields and home and such. It's about 80-90 degrees here and luckily has barely rained since I got here, although I have 11 bug bites now (but still in good health otherwise).









Well, I could go on and on but just wanted to share a bit. Take care!

Cheers and love,
Quyen (Nhi)