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Giving it Back to Kids

How can it be?

How can it be?
On our earlier trips to Vietnam, I’d ask guests not to ask about kids’ past. Not so much for kid’s sake but my own. Honestly, I did not want to know the trauma and hurt so many had or have. I didn’t want to allow myself to feel their pain.
 
(Four siblings living together at Mary's home)
 
As time has gone on, at first by chance I learned about their struggles. Then I learned or maybe better said learning about empathy! It’s hard to feel my own pain much less open myself up to try and feel others pain. To practice empathy can and will open doors of healing.
 
(Tho would not let go of me)
 
A favorite song of mine called “how can it be?” by Lauren Daigle. If not familiar with it find it and listen. The words have been going through my head. How can it be that a broke down pizzaman who fished a lot with a PHD earned on streets. Truly a questionable past, have such an amazing opportunity to serve and yes lead such a miraculous team. How can it be!!! 
 
This trip has allowed me to learn more about the kids in our homes. My visit to Mary’s home brought many hugs as usual. We have several new girls here. One little one came running up, soon as she got her hug, she would not let go of me. She took me by hand and led me upstairs to show off her wardrobe closet and her bed. Then I was introduced to her 3 siblings… Birth Mom has some “issues.” This little one I dubbed “magnet”, since she would not let go of me, leaning in again and again for an unconditional father’s hug. When other girls came for a hug, she would cling even closer. Often pushing gently, the others away. 
 
At our dinner gathering for all our homes, another young lady, 2nd year at university, a past heart recipient came up to me asking “you remember me”? I sorta did, I was rescued in that she had cut off her hair. Our team learned that she will probably eventually lose her eye sight due to retinal pigment degeneration. Our remarkable team pivoted and has her enrolled learning to read braille now! She’s learning to type as well. What a character she is. Laughing and joking. Tam shared she has been through much and has made so many changes.
 
Another young man at Hals home. Who was one of the dancers at our dinner, I know when he came in was very quiet, Autistic, and now such a different young man studying to be an IT!
 
(The young man in black shirt to the right)
 
At our dinner gathering for our homes. One young man. Whom I first met about 15 years ago, lived with us. Now in second year university. Took the mic and began to express his gratitude for all the GIBTK has meant to him, how it’s changed his life, given hope. AND then he began to thank me personally. YUP your right even now I’m fighting back tears!!!
 
(This young man has been with us for 15 years)
 
Another young mom from The Father’s House, our unwed mom’s home. Came up to me and said this may be last time she will see me and wanted to express her gratitude at which point tears flowed. I shared with her that much like my own daughter she too is family to us. Though she moves, she still is not only welcome but even expected to come back and give me hugs. To come back and encourage the new moms! Yes to give back…
 
How can it be? So many lives have been transformed and continue to be. In an earlier note Tam, our SE Asia director and GIBTK VP, mentioned our $80,000 a month budget that covers our homes, team and every day expenses! I still say YIKES!!! How can it be? And that doesn’t include our other program like surgeries, bikes, livestock, wheelchairs, clean water etc. I want to thank each and every one of you, yes, the donors, and those who read our journals,” like” us on social media and tell friends and companies. 
 
I hope you can plan to “come and see” all your part of! I promise there will be laughter, happy tears and a ton of memories. Planning on group trips; January, March / April. Then again June/July.  COME AND SEE! 
   
I Dare I say we have only begun! How can it Be? For me it’s all of you and Irrefutable evidence of a living God.
 
"We highly appreciate you and thank you for transforming lives"
 
Sincerely,
 
Robert Kalatschan
Giving it Back to Kids

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