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You had to be there!!!
Last night we gathered all the kids of our homes together for GIBTK TET party. We invited parents of our staff to join as well. But you just had to be there! In no way could I ever begin to share the emotions , happiness and work these kids and gibtk team did to make it happen.
As I think back over joy I saw still brings up a flood of emotions. I was beside myself as I saw these kids and young adults having the times of their lives. The homes each had choreographed dances. From cultural to Hip Hop. Many sang solos and a few group songs. My buddy Paul said he couldn't believe how confident the kids were on stage!
Seeing these kids interact with each other and the gibtk staff was amazing. Not like kids from several "different" homes but as a family. In fact a few of the acts had kids from different homes singing and dancing together.
I am not sure why this seems so unusual to me but it does. I guess as I stop to think about it I "preach" relationships. That we at gibtk are all about relationship. But gosh this thing called GIBTK is really working. Kids, many orphaned now connected and loved and loving each other. Huh... Go figure.
As I type this I am once again.... Caught up in emotions, tears flooding my eyes realizing how much my loving God is doing through GIBTK. Honestly and I really don't want to sound weird about it. But I just am not this smart. Oh well I guess one more time the "undisputable evidence of a loving, living God!!!
We had 3 moms and their kids from the earlier days of The Father's House join us. I had to wonder what if we didn't have an unwed mother home? What would have happened to these precious children... Good chance they may have not been...
To dates 42 babies have been born there! And what about these precious girls who became moms and were equipped to raise their children with some financial dignity.
The night was overwhelming, but the amount of photos I had to smile for had to be in the hundreds. I'm not sure if I'm bragging or complaining. One thing for sure I give all the Glory to God!!!
This GIBTK year-end party did help me to feel better about not being home and lesson the concern I am carrying for not being with my family at this time. Dorothea is doing well and has a host of friends and family around her making sure I am not too missed.
Yes this Tet is a good thing and so glad I am part of it. I don't think I will ever fully comprehend the importance of TET, (lunar New Year) in Vietnam. Over the past handful of years I have gotten a glimmer of it but honestly I think I just accept how important it is to the Vietnamese. This year the National Holiday break is 9 days!
It is a time to end the previous and begin the new. Custom is for families to reunite. Many come home for abroad. It is a time for eating, sharing and much laughter. But there is so much more. This past week I have been visiting partners and govt officials. Honestly at time the "hours" in the van have been a bit tedious. But GIBTK is about relationships and that is what we are working on building. (I hope to write more on this latter)
><((((º> BBlessed
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