countless individuals there, loved by God. All of
them are struggling to live their lives, working, caring
for loved ones, etc. From the bus window, whether
crawling along or stopped, I could see mostly motor
scooters, also crawling along or stopped. I could see
faces up close. Every face was different. There were
young faces and old faces, and care-worn faces filled
with worry or concern. Each face represented a story.
Each face was sacred. We are all sacred. “Beloved, we
are all God’s children now….” (1 John 3:1).
Walking the narrow alley-like streets of the mar-
ket place area near the house where Br. Daryl and
Fr. Peter live, I met many people during my days
there. One night, while Br. Daryl and I were heading
for the house after getting off the bus, we came across
a young mother tending her little store. She was hold-
ing a small baby as she greeted us warmly. She smiled
at her baby, and talked to her in Vietnamese, holding
the baby’s tiny arm and waving it as if they were both
greeting me. She kissed her baby, and we parted ways.
She and her child were sacred.
We celebrated the Definitive Incorporation of four
new members of the Missionaries of the Precious
Blood on Saturday, April 7 th , in the large chapel of a
community of religious sisters (they were so gracious
and welcoming to us). Many Vietnamese priests from
the city attended, along with over 400 other people,
family and friends of the new members. While living
in a communist world, they have maintained their
faith, seeking to live it and pass it on to their children.
They sang and sang, with fervor, courage, and hope.
We felt so very welcomed as they folded their hands
in the Asian gesture of friendship offered. They were
all sacred.
Our candidates cooked meals, always welcoming
us warmly to their tables, and they prayed with great
care and devotion, offering us faith and friendship.
They all came to the air