KidsBuildingHope

After travelers visit a different place - it may tempting to make broad statements about the people, the culture, the overall experience -- but in the end, the trip boils down to moments, details, exchanges -- puzzle pieces that help to create the big picture. So for our last blog, we thought it would be fun to demonstrate the value of seeking detail while appreciating the larger picture... as neither perspective can stand on its own. (There are 2 pages of pictures). We really appreciate all of your well wishes and prayers for us as we travelled. We thank you for joining us on this journey -- and for supporting Kids Building Hope.... read more

Day 2 in China. Itinerary: Go to Great Wall of China (such a small sentence for such a big part of China's history); Visit Jade Factory Workshop; Have another enormous meal; Tour Olympic Park; Try 4 different kinds of Chinese tea; Skip Dinner because still full from lunch; Sit in gargantuan traffic jam; Sing Karaoke; Mime way through ordering at Pizza Hut because now you are hungry and it's 10pm ... read more

So - we wound our way through a hilly and sparse region of Vietnam that we had never seen before. Homes were not lined up in a row along the road -- but were dispersed throughout coffee plantations and red clay dirt mounds... We bounced and turned and climbed through the cool sunshine until out of nowhere appeared a grouping of yellow buildings and some colorful flags blowing in the wind. We had arrived!! The scene was much more tentative than our first dedication in Southern Vietnam 2 years ago - and definitely more calm and controlled than our revisit to that same school just a few days ago. These Churu (ethnic minority) children appeared shy - and were interested in having the celebration, but not so interested in meeting our eyes. We were informed by ... read more

So here we are in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. This area was developed by the French in the late 1800's -- as a getaway of sorts because of the oppressive heat of Saigon (HCMC). The French government used to move their whole operation up here in the summer months - built a golf course, villas and put a dam in the river to create 'the Grand Lake' in the center of the town. The French left after the Treaty of Geneva in the 1950's, but the area continued to draw government-types. Amazingly the area hosted military officials from opposing sides during World War II and the American/Vietnam War - who would play golf and chill out together before going back out to battle against one another. This area of the Highlands was least affected by ... read more

We got up early this morning to travel to the first school that Kids Building Hope helped to build - the school we dedicated 2 years ago. The trip from our hotel to the school was 7 miles ... it took us easily 2 hours by bus -- some of it pretty rough. (I would ask Helen her opinion on the road conditions but she was asleep for most of it -- due to her affinity for car sickness -- she slept with a barf bag in her lap). Sadly, the sites along this road were not to be missed -- so she'll have to read about it and see the pictures just like you!! What kind of things did you see drying on the side of the road? Jake: rice (lots of rice), fish, fruit ... read more