Members of the vietnam Mission. All images are from the Annual Meeting on August 13 th .
Summertime Ministries in Vietnam
by Br. Daryl Charron, c.pp.s., Vietnam Mission Director
August has been a busy month for the Vietnam
Mission. The beginning of the month marked the
conclusion of Summer Ministries for our candidates
in formation. Pledged candidate Dung Nguyen and
Initial Formation candidate Tinh Cao spent the sum-
mer in our rural ministry at Tan Thanh Mission. The
two of them joined our members there to continue the
renovation and development of our properties there.
One could probably call both Dung and Tinh “Jacks
of all trades.” They have done electrical and building
construction before in their previous working experi-
ence. Gardening was also something they were well
familiar with previously. These skills came in handy as
they went about improving the buildings and grounds
of Tan Thanh Mission.
Dung and Tinh enjoyed working the land, making
a compost hole, planting grass and plants, and lay-
ing a paved street in front of our property. They also
helped our neighbors, The Le San Sisters, make a new
4 • The New Wine Press • September 2018
house on their property. In addition to all this work on
buildings and grounds, Dung and Tinh found time for
teaching and visiting shut-ins from the local parish.
They struggled in the transition of having a new pastor
at the parish and witnessing many parishioners not
accepting the change in pastors. Reconciliation was
definitely something they worked at throughout the
summer as they stood in solidarity with the parish-
ioners in their time of need. Their hearts went out to
them, and both Dung and Tinh felt powerless in being
able to do much about the situation. Nevertheless, they
were compassionate listeners and peacemakers to the
best of their ability.
Pledged candidate An Nguyen and Initial
Formation candidate Khuong Nguyen did their
Summer Ministry at Suoi Sao Youth Center in Dong
Nai Province. An and Khuong taught and cared for
26 children, especially from two ethnic groups of the
54 different ethnic groups in Vietnam. These children