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Hello all!
I'm writing from Laos! Yup some maybe be asking the same question I've been asking myself. "What am I doing in Laos!" As GIBTK has continued to mature so has our vision for S.E. Asia. We're here on a scouting mission so to speak. Meeting officials, pastors and Other NGO's working here. So far it has been a bit exhausting. 3 days 3 flights, 3 hotels! And has been interesting.
Laos look similar to Cambodia but seems a slower pace. A gentler place. A taxi we ordered missed communication so the manager of our hotel took us to our meeting! At dinner we asked to waiter / owner to call a taxi. He asked for the address where were going. Next thing he has a friend of his give us a ride! I almost had to arm wrestle him to accept a token tip. Where does this happen?
We'll be visiting a remote area in another day. Last summer we participatde in a medical out reach to Salavan Province where we identified 4 kids needing heart surgery. Our focus is to meet with foreign affairs dept. to complete process of bringing them to Danang for their much needed heart surgeries.
Our Annual Gala funderaisers date is Nov. 9th! The "theme" is transformation. Today I'm including a letter of thanks written by a past heart patient. She was our 16th surgery done in 2006. At time of surgery she was actually older then what we normaly accept. But I sure am glad donors stepped up and funded her surgery.
Dearest Robert,
My name is Huong and I am 34 years old now. I got married and have two children . My first son is 4 years old and my youngest daughter is 2 years old. As you know, we all desire happiness and health which help us enjoy our lives completely. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease and at that time my family was too poor to take me to hospital for having regular checkups.
I was not able to do heavy work because of my health condition. Until I was 21 years old, my heart disease got much worse so my sister took me to a hospital for examine. Doctors said that it was very important for me to have a surgery as soon as possible. Actually, my family life was very impoverished so my parents could not afford to pay for a surgery which was far beyond their ability.
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Before surgery
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Luckily, I was introduced to Ms. Tam and she gave me a chance to see GIBTK's Donors who didn't hesitate to donate to a stranger like me. From the bottom of my heart, I highly appreciated their kindness and generosity. I have never forgotten what GIBTK's Donors have done for my life. I've recalled the most meaningful moment in my life, I am truly blessed because GIBTK has brought new HOPE and CHAPTER for my life.
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After surgery
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It has been 13 years since I last met Robert. Today I was so happy to meet him again in a heart meeting at GIBTK's office. His smile and caring were the same as the first time I met him. This makes many parents who were present at the heart meeting feel special and warm. When Robert announced that GIBTK would donate to their children to have a heart surgery, I could feel their real happiness on their faces and eyes. In fact, my parents experienced this special feeling when they attended a heart meeting many years ago.
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Huong speaking to families hoping to find funds for their kids surgery
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The presence of him and GIBTK's Donors during the heart meeting were so great. It was a wonderful day for me. I had a great chance to share with families whose children suffer from a heart disease about my own story. I do hope that all parents would have hope and believe in a bright future. We need to nurture HOPEbecause there are many good people in the world to help and encourage us to overcome our most difficulties. And hope carries us forward through the difficult times of life.
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Huongs wedding
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Therefore I have learned "Never give up". I have become an optimistic person and seek out the good things for my life. No matter what we do, always trust ourselves, and always believe in ourselves. We will succeed.
I would love to give my special thanks to GIBTK's Donors for transforming my life. I am so lucky and happy to receive love and care from GIBTK's Donors. Since I underwent a heart surgery, my health has recovered remarkably. Now I have a happy family and have a stable job like other girls.
Sincerely,
Huong
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