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.

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
We have been married for 38 years and have resided in Nebraska the entire time.  Peg is a retired college health nurse but has worked in a variety of settings over the years.  She enjoys traveling, reading, cooking and walking for exercise.  Roger is a retired elementary school principal and currently works at our local university in the College of Education.  He enjoys his work at the university, motorcycle rides in the sand hills, mission trips, good       food and good company !  We have traveled to Haiti and Mexico on medical missions trips, as well as several other countries.  We have 3 adult children - ( daughter - a speech therapist and married son - a graphic designer) live in the Denver area and the other (son - a photographer) has recently returned from living in Europe the past 6 months.  We became interested in the COPI trip through our good friend Kathy Moll and traveled on our first mission trip with Kathy and her husband Lee, Jim and Barb Munter. Kathy and Jim are COPI board members. 

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!