Gifts Flow Both Ways
My intention was to write a second blog post during our free day yesterday, but instead found myself going with the flow of life around me so I enjoyed riiding a bicycle in Hoi An, visiting with wonderful Vietnamese friends and climbing beautiful Marble Mountain. Another full day!
Under the great leadership of John Fisher and guide Vu Duc Anh (Anh) we've managed to pack a lot in, and each experience deserves much more than a mention, but time is tight.
On Saturday, We held a simple, but moving Memorial ceremony at the feet of the beautiful 40 story white marble Quan Am near Da Nang for 4 veterans who've recently passed, all due to cancer caused by agent orange.
The team's humanitarian work has included gifting a cow to a very poor woman who was so happy to hear she would be receiving a cow that she wasn't able to eat or sleep for 2 days. Through a translator she said she kept thinking it was a dream!
In Hue, The team also presented scholarships to 22 students enabling them to continue their education. In VN children receive free education through grade 5 and after that families must pay for them to continue making it impossible for many. These students are all very hard working, but without the scholarships they could not afford to continue their schooling or pursue their dreams.
We've held two of three clinics so far. The first was at Friendship Village, a facility started by an American veteran, where young adults affected by agent orange are taught a marketable trade, and also a place where Vietnamese veterans can go for respite and treatment. The second clinic was held in Hue at a home for the disabled and elderly.
During clinics participants are first anointed with essential oils made possible through a very generous donation given by Young Living Oils. Several drops are placed in the palms which they rub together and then inhale. The healing properties of the plants in the oil help to relax, calm, and release tension, clearing the way to receive healing through touch. Each participant receives a chiropractic adjustment from John Fisher followed by body work from one of our 3 very gifted massage therapists, Tonya Mayes, Valerie Broas and Michael Broas. Time passes quickly, as veteran Ray Cocks plays his guitar and sings for those who were waiting.
The effects of war on clinic participants are obvious and numerous. Missing and deformed limbs, faces holding years of tension from pain, and scares of bullet wounds provide blatant reminders of the toll of war on the human body. Despite the physical residue of war the Vietnamese people posess a mysterious inherent joy, most likely the result of their willingness to forgive.
Before we began the clinic at Friendship Village, veteran participants were asked where they'd served during the American war. Almost all responded the Central Highlands region highlands, which happens to be where 3 of the vets on our team served. This created a swell of energy as we all sat with the likelihood that former enemies would soon be giving and receiving healing from one another through skin to skin touch. There's not an ounce of doubt that during clinics gifts run both ways. There's a palpable sentiment amongst the team, that we receive much more then we give. That's the healing power of love!
After the clinic, veteran Michael Boras shared the story of asking a VN veteran about what appeared to be a bullet wound in the middle of his back, to which the man responded "American". Then the man proceeded to lay face down on Michael's table in total trust, an amazing gesture of forgiveness!
Memorial Day love from Viet Nam, Paula
