One of the more recent Congregations cooperating with the Hong An is the Association of Sisters of the Witness to Faith. Their mission is to give special services to the ethnic minorities in Lam Dong, central of Vietnam. Although these Sisters are the newest addition to work of the Hong An Association, the Sisters have always worked enthusiastically with the poor. We invite you to read and view the photos sent to Hong-An by the Sisters:

           Dear Sister, thank you very much to you and the Hong An Association for trusting us and transferring the money so that we can send it to the poor, especially the sick old people. I tried to do it as quickly as possible, and now it is done. Thanks be to God!

           I am the “middle person”, so I understand both sides: the givers and receivers. The hard work from all the benefactors of the Hong An Association is a noble act, a valuable job in the presence of God and has saved many poor people and their challenges in life. The recipients, the poor in Lam Dong, were happy and  touched, because they have rice and the food to feed their family. When they receive the gifts, they are so grateful. Currently, the economy is in a period of crisis so the assistance of the Hong An Association is like a life preserver saving them from drowning. Covid-19 has recurred in some places, so we are worried whether we are safe or not. But we can only trust in God, right Sister?

          Dear Sister, on my part as I bring the gifts from Hong-An Association to the poor, my heart is also full of happiness. Thank God, for you and everyone far away because you have a giving hearts, regardless of race or religion. Therefore, I have learned from you and everyone what love means. Despite the difficulties, I still find ways to share.

           Please see the pictures and reports. If there is anything missing, please let me know. Once again, I would like to thank you and Hong An Association. May God bless you and the Association on our behalf.

          Especially from my Congregation, we thank you very much. Through you, we can participate in missionary work in the most practical way.   Every day, we embrace our mission; one that is not for everyone and ask for the grace to accomplish it.  It is also a blessing for the Church, of which I am part, to bear witness to the Lord. 

          As soon as the "social distancing" restrictions for Covid-19 was loosened, the Sisters of Mary Queen quickly made a "relief" trip to the ethnic minority villagers in the area of the Ta Lung Commune, Meo Vac District, Lang Son city.

      The sisters’ journey took ten hours on winding and dangerous roads up the steep mountain. When asked about the winding curves the driver explained that the road can only have a slope of 8 to 10 degrees so that trucks with cargo and buses with passengers can travel safely. Although a straight line would be shorter, the zigzags and curves are necessary on a steep road. So, drivers are constantly making left and right turns as they travel. 

         These road sections with dangerous sharp turns are called “the sleeve bends.”  There are hundreds of “sleeve bends” so everyone on the journey, not just the driver, is prone to stress and fatigue.  They have to make many stops to rest in order to stay alert and continue on the journey. The Sisters’ love for these people gives them the courage to make such a dangerous trip on these winding roads.

       On both sides of the road, people live with harsh weather and barren land. Because this is a mountain region, people are scattered on the top of the mountain or on the high hill. The elderly rarely leave their homes because the way up and down is dangerous and difficult.

        When they arrived at the destination (Ta Lung Commune, Meo Vac District), the Sisters saw many people waiting. Just seeing the delegation coming, everyone rejoiced with joy. The Sisters, along with a few volunteers, quickly unloaded the gift boxes and divided them evenly. Each gift includes: 10 kg of rice, 1 box of instant noodles, 1 kilogram

of dried fish, half a kilogram of dried shrimp, 1 bottle of fish sauce, half a kilogram of longan cake and a few other candies.

     After distributing gifts to everyone the Sisters were instructed to visit a few nearby houses. Everyone had a chance to climb the hill again! Most of the bungalows do not have electricity, so the houses were dark even though it was noon.

         On returning home, The Sisters shared that after seeing see the poor people's lives like that, they all hope that there will be a day they can return, even though it is a 10-hour journey.

          Since the “Hearty Soup for the Children" program was introduced at the end of 2019, we have had six villages accepted into this program, serving a total of about 1,820 children.  Every week is an opportunity to meet, chat, and eat congee, or rice porridge, with them.  Young mothers carry their babies, so all eat together. Both mother and child eat! The mothers eat while taking care of their children, so attendance is encouraged no matter what!

          The Sisters said that each week, when it was time to eat, the children happily invite each other to eat. They are so loud and happy, bringing joy to the whole village!

          But other villages look at this program as just a dream. The Sisters in charge of these villages repeatedly asked Sr. Y Lan, the nun in charge, "When will the children of our village get this porridge?" Poor Sister does not know what to say!

       When the Sisters in Vietnam send updates about the poor, the Hong An Association finds it almost miraculous that these poor people can live through such difficulties.  Despite having no family help, struggling with illness and a lack financial support, these poor families still survive.  It is hard to live, but they are still living! There are mothers and sisters who are sick and weak but are taking care of their disabled children and siblings. This care is a very exhausting job even for a healthy person. Countless times the Sisters heard the elderly mothers say, “If I die, who will take care of my baby? What will happen?”

       Please join us as we look at some photos and stories of the people helped by the Dominican Sisters of Thai Binh. Each one of these people has a heartbreaking struggle.