The past two days were spent visiting the village communities around the remote areas of Pleiku. Their simple way of life is a lesson not only for me but the sisters too. Fr Theng, a redemptorist priest living among the ethnic minority people here is also remind each time he steps into their homes here to first greet the Master of the house before greeting the owner of the house. Also, the ethnic minories don't use words to greet people. All they need is a smile.
The simpler life becomes, the more you remember what is important.
That's what big sisters are for!
Outside Fr Theng's hut.
Inside Fr Theng's humble abode.
Some of the other communities within the town areas (still pretty remote BTW) were mostly on a touch-and go-basis. The political movement is very strong within these regions and it's not good to be seen in a large group visiting these places.
Our day ended at a the Plei Chuet Church in Pleiku built by the ethnic minorities.
Fr Mau celebrates a 5-day Life in the Spirit Seminar with about 400 ethnic minorities.
Things I was reminded of today...
1) Live your freedom to practice your religion.
These sisters live in a remote area with a strong political influence. They have to hide the Eucharist each time they're not around in case the authorities decide to pop by.
2) Kampong days.
My first attempt at cutting off a dragon fruit.
Every food item came from the farm house we visited.
3) Chance on each opportunity.
Last night around 8:45pm, the Hua Hwin (not sure of spelling and English name) bloomed. Once every lifetime!!
Up, up and away!
(Ha ha... I just had to for the title!)
After a 9 hour journey on two mini-vans, we (32 aspirants and I) are finally here in Pleiku. I'm not too sure about how high I am, but I love the weather here - at least a cool 18 degrees celcius right now (9:15pm).
It's awesome to be able to spend a great deal of time in prayer. And it's even better to be in the company of people who do so. Although communicating with my fellow sisters can be a tower of babel at times (trying to crack it with tongues), it is through prayer that everything becomes clear.
"Sailing... sailing home, sailing... sailing home.
Trung Long - The Vietnamese have this for a snack too! The last I had was 21 years ago in the Philippines!
Gotta sign-off now, you know the drill. 5am tomorrow morning. Do email me if you have any prayer intentions. Your gift for reading this post! ;p BTW, I still can't view the front page.
Speaking of signs... here's one I took during the last leg of the journey today.
It's like being in a musical! I hear beautiful singing all the time. From five in the morning until 9:30pm when everyone goes to sleep.
Left wing, right wing & centre aisle practicing a recessional hymn
Another light-bulb moment for me when some of the (join-the) dots from my past were connected last night. I was asked to teach the song "Give thanks" to at least 100 sisters in the chapel. Who would have known that my minute knowledge in choral conducting would come into play? Also, a group of aspirants learning Chinese, wants me to teach them the Our Father in mandarin. Now I know why I had to struggle in Maris Stella Jiang-Hua-Yu High School for five years! It doesn't matter if my Chinese sucks, all it matters is that I know that prayer by heart. (But the thought is simply amazing, isn't it?)
I met someone special today - Huy. He's four years old and really tiny. Sr. Nga tells me Huy was born not being able to walk. Now, he prances around at a community for disabled kids about an hour's journey from the Mother House.
I could probably pack him in my camera bag!
Tomorrow I head south to the highland region of Pleiku. It's half the distance from Hue to Saigon. There I will continue classes with the aspirants and do some locational filming of the communities there with the ethnic minorities.
Y'know? I have been using many gifts that I have been blessed with. It's very reassuring that I'm part of an exciting plan that continues to unfold!
I chanced upon a Lotus pond on my way back from Nuoc Ngot.
