a family in touch - summer mission july 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Heather Houchens - Henderson, Nevada
My name is Heather Houchens. I live in Henderson, Nevada. I have been a Junior High School choir teacher for 10 years. I spend my free time in the outdoors. I pretty much love anything outdoors: skiing, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, etc. The list never ends. I also just completed my first IronGirl triathlon sprint in May and am looking forward to the next one. I love spending time with my nieces and nephews whenever I have the chance. (That is one of my nieces in the picture with me.) I love traveling and the opportunities to learn about new cultures. One of my goals is to travel to all seven continents. I will help with the entertainment, guitar, face-painting, and anything else. This is my first time to Vietnam and I'm looking forward to meeting you and serving the people of Vietnam.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Comrade God
“Long
flights over the big pond” is what I called the trip between USA and
Taipei. Since it can be unpleasant, I
had created a routine to occupy the 12 or 14 hours productively and restful. I would watch a movie during the first 2 hours
and sleep for the rest of the flights. My choice
of movies has always been “International Best”, films are often a reflection of
real life, I want to catch a glimpse on how the rest of the world turning while
entertaining my brain.
The
flight in from Seattle to Taipei in July 2012 has a movie called “Merry
Christmas, North!”.
The description caught my attention; it has something to do with children in North Korea. The children in South Korea decided to use hot air balloon to flight gifts and toys to North Korean children during Christmas. North Korean is communist and they do not – absolutely do not allow any expression of faith practicing in North Korea.
One of the balloons got caught on a tree. A 10-year-old little boy saw gifts12 falling down and he climbed the tree to get the rest of the toys. The big toy happened to be a robot cop. The boy became famous at school and he would allow his friends to see the robot if they would pay him food. He lied to everyone that his grand father, a very poor farmer had bought that toy for him. He had to take the toy home to show grandpa.
The description caught my attention; it has something to do with children in North Korea. The children in South Korea decided to use hot air balloon to flight gifts and toys to North Korean children during Christmas. North Korean is communist and they do not – absolutely do not allow any expression of faith practicing in North Korea.
One of the balloons got caught on a tree. A 10-year-old little boy saw gifts12 falling down and he climbed the tree to get the rest of the toys. The big toy happened to be a robot cop. The boy became famous at school and he would allow his friends to see the robot if they would pay him food. He lied to everyone that his grand father, a very poor farmer had bought that toy for him. He had to take the toy home to show grandpa.
Old
grandpa looked at the back of the robot and found out that it was made in
Seoul. Everyone was panic. Seoul is where the “enemy” live… how did his
grandson got this toy?
Grandpa began to explain about the story of Christmas:
“The biggest Comrade of all Comrades is Comrade God. Comrade God has only one son and he named him Comrade
Jesus. Comrade God had prayed to have a
son for so long, when Comrade Jesus was born, Comrade God has a huge
celebration, and they called it “Christmas”.
Instead of accepting gifts from everyone for his son’s birth, Comrade
God decided to give out gift to every good boys and girls in the land. Comrade Santa Claus was the person in charge
of giving out gift for Comrade God.
Grandson, you received this gift from Comrade God because
you are a good and tender-heart little boy.
I believe this is true and this gift belongs to you. No one else in this region had received a
gift. I am very proud of you. And I think the story about Comrade God is
true.”
I have heard God being called many names, but never Comrade God. I can’t help but believe that God must be please to be called Comrade God. The children in this film suffered all sorts of predicaments from the regime, and at least one grand father was able to convince his grandson that Comrade God is real.
You and I, the people of the free world, we have freedom to believe and practice our belief. I wonder why we keep waiting for miracles before we would simply believe. I have been haunted with the images of the children in the film. I pray that Comrade God will have mercy on all of His children.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Terry Gesulga - Near San Francisco
(Brian) (Maya) Terry Gesulga and (George)
My name is Terry
Gesulga (guess-soul-gah) - I am half Filipino. We live in Marin county
near San Francisco and first met Co Binh in Utah. I have been an RN for 34
years: Medsurg , ICU/SICU, Pediatrics, Director of RN Program, RN
educator-mostly with training as a cardiopulmonary clinical specialist (1984)
and a pediatric nurse practitioner (2001). I presently teach Pediatric
nursing part-time as needed and I look forward to retiring to focus on
our home and family more. As I back off in teaching and taking care of
children in the hospital, I truly enjoy caring for the COPI children and
adults. I do my best to care for each person as if they were my
family. This will be my second trip with the group. My husband,
George cannot join us this year, but our daughter, Maya, is excited about
working and helping again. Maya (13 yo), was adopted from Good
Shepherd Orphanage in Saigon in 1999 with Co Binh's help and blessings.
Life is good... Be well, Terry
Peg & Roger Nyffeler - Kearney, Nebraska
Peg and Roger Nyffeler

Miss Maya and Mom Terry Gesulga - Greenbrae, CA
Miss Maya (right) & Mom Terry Gesulga (left)
I’m Maya Harris. My mother is Terry Gesulga, who is also on the
trip. I live in Greenbrae, California. I am 13 and in the 8th grade. I do
ballet, contemporary/modern dance and hip hop. I also play piano. One thing
that I really like to do in my free time is paint and draw. I was adopted from
Vietnam through COPI in 1999 to a loving family. I have my mother Terry, my
father George who went on the last trip, and my brother Brian. This will be my
second trip with COPI. My first trip was very life changing and I decided that
I had to go again. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and seeing
everyone!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Ba Gay, Nevada & Jackson, Wyoming
binh and Gay summer 2009 at Preston & Shannon's wedding
Preston & Shannon are living in Saigon, Vietnam for the last 7 years.
I am a retired senior - my husband and I spend eight months in
Henderson, NV (by Las Vegas) and four months in Jackson Hole, WY. We
really do have the best of both worlds.
I am very active - love tennis, hiking, Frisbee golf and I work
out daily with weights and treadmill. I have three adult daughters and
two grandchildren that are 20 and 22 years. This trip to Vietnam will be
my 7th mission. Over the years I have come to love both the people of
Vietnam and the beautiful country. And of course Children of Peace is so
very close to my heart. What our "leader", binh rybacki does
for the people of Vietnam is so amazing. She is so deliberate and so
hands-on with how the organization is operated - that is truly the most
efficient "non-profit" that I have ever been involved with, and
believe me - I have been involved with 40 years of volunteering in Jackson Hole
and have even been employed by non-profits, and Children of Peace is the
best! And that is why I just keep going back each year.
Binh and I have grown very close over the years - the photo I
have submitted is of binh and I at her son's wedding in August 2009.
I look forward to meeting all of you very soon - Look for me at
the International Terminal in LAX
ba gay
Friday, July 6, 2012
Megan Martinez
Hello Everyone!
My name is Megan Martinez, and I am a high school English teacher from Greeley Colorado. I have happily been married for two years. This will be my fourth trip with COPI. I have no medical expertise so I will be running the hygiene station. I am so excited to meet you all!
My name is Megan Martinez, and I am a high school English teacher from Greeley Colorado. I have happily been married for two years. This will be my fourth trip with COPI. I have no medical expertise so I will be running the hygiene station. I am so excited to meet you all!
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