community building that happened as a result of doing
common projects together.
from the Ro Ngao and So Dang groups came from
very poor families. There were an additional 20 chil-
dren who came from the surrounding neighborhood
to the youth center just for the day and went back
home at night. An and Khuong taught them Math and
English as well as played soccer with them and sang
songs with them. Khuong was especially challenged
this summer with having to spend a week in the hos-
pital with one of the boys who had an injured leg. An
and Khuong also enjoyed getting to know and work
with the Servants of Jesus Sisters who had a youth cen-
ter for girls next to their youth center for boys.
Blir Ntor, an Initial Formation candidate, spent
his summer working at Son Ky Orphanage in Saigon
teaching Math to the boys living there. He enjoyed
working with Ky Phung, one of our members, who
taught art there this Summer. They enjoyed working
together at the orphanage and building community
and teamwork with each other. An and Khuong said
the same thing in their relationship this summer.
Dung and Tinh likewise were appreciative of the
Upon completion of our summer ministries,
the members and candidates came together for
our Annual Meeting of the Vietnam Mission on
August 13 th . Br. Manh Nguyen, Director of Son Ky
Orphanage, was our guest speaker as those of us in the
Vietnam Mission discerned our future involvement
in the ministry to the youth in Br. Manh’s orphanage.
He gave a very informative presentation on orphanage
ministry. Our members and candidates felt inspired
and better informed by his talk and compelled to com-
mit themselves to future ministry in this apostolate.
We found it helpful to use the criteria for accepting
a common ministry as Vietnam Mission given to
us by our Moderator General, Fr. Bill Nordenbrock.
Following these basic questions of criteria led us to a
14 to 1 vote of sentiment to continue supporting this
ministry we have been in the past two years.
After an intense morning of discussion about
orphanage ministry, we then enjoyed a nice meal at
a local restaurant. The all-you-can-eat buffet left us
satisfied and energized for the business meeting of the
afternoon which included reports about Tan Thanh
Mission, Vocations, Formation, and Finances. The
reports proved to be necessary and informative as the
Vietnam Mission strives to be transparent and inspira-
tional in our ministries. This full day together proved
to be beneficial to all those involved as we worked to
build Community with each other through prayer and
discussion throughout our time together. Our busy
August then continued as our members and candi-
dates in formation left on retreat August 16-22.
continued on page 6
September 2018 • The New Wine Press • 5