CORE stands for Community Reconciliation and offers American veterans and civilians opportunities to learn ways of reconciliation and peace from a country that has endured decades of war. The friendliness of the Vietnamese people and the Buddhist principles of simplicity, forgiveness and "letting go" permeates the culture and opens the way for healing.
Our team is comprised of veterans, body workers and civilians. While in Viet Nam we'll be hosting clinics in several locations including an orphanage and a home for the elderly as we make our way from Hanoi (in the north) to Ho Chi Minh City (in the south). We'll also be presenting scholarships for children to attend school, purchasing ceiling fans and medicine for a home for the elderly, and gifting a cow to a farmer who struggles to feed his family.
The other important aspect of this journey will be to accompany veterans to the places they need to go for reconciliation and healing. I'm amazed at the courage of these vets and feel honored to support their healing process. When one human heart heals we all become more whole.
My greatest joy in preparing has been your extraordinarily generous response to the request for donations for the Surgery Project. You far exceeded our expectations by giving a total of over $16,000 ....enough for 12 reconstructive surgeries for children! This will help ease the burden of 12 extended families whose children will now be able to lead more independent and productive lives.
My greatest joy in preparing has been your extraordinarily generous response to the request for donations for the Surgery Project. You far exceeded our expectations by giving a total of over $16,000 ....enough for 12 reconstructive surgeries for children! This will help ease the burden of 12 extended families whose children will now be able to lead more independent and productive lives.
Your gifts also send a message to the people of Viet Nam that there are Americans who truly care and want to help relieve suffering caused by the war our government engaged in almost 50 years ago. You've shown that out of war can come gestures of generosity and peace. So thank you from the depths of my being for caring. And a special bow of gratitude to a dear friend whose huge heart and generosity put us over the top! You know who you are!
So today as I'm getting ready I feel myself letting go. Letting go of lists of things at home that need my attention, letting go of my concerns about traveling so far from family and friends, and letting go of expectations about what this journey will bring. I'm learning that when I'm able to "let go" it's easier to recognize and celebrate the mysterious and unexpected miracles along the way, and there will be many!
I'm grateful to each of you, to John Fisher, Lindsley Field, my fellow travelers, my very supportive family and to the people of Viet Nam especially the children.
Much love, and more to come,
Paula
So today as I'm getting ready I feel myself letting go. Letting go of lists of things at home that need my attention, letting go of my concerns about traveling so far from family and friends, and letting go of expectations about what this journey will bring. I'm learning that when I'm able to "let go" it's easier to recognize and celebrate the mysterious and unexpected miracles along the way, and there will be many!
I'm grateful to each of you, to John Fisher, Lindsley Field, my fellow travelers, my very supportive family and to the people of Viet Nam especially the children.
Much love, and more to come,
Paula
