Hi
I had one slight problem with my luggage. Delta was supposed to take care of the overweight - but Korean Air did not want to collaborate with Delta and Delta did not want to vice versa -- so when they said my bag of 73 pounds would cost me $360 I am sure they could see the tears in my eyes - and reduced the cost to $50 which was OK with me just to get it over.
I have almost sorted everything out and delivered most of the stuff.
Spent a few days in Kon Tum after flying to Pleiku and then a car to the various orphanges.
It was such a joy to see the children at the computers - and we have promised at least two more plus a printer.
Quang - who is the person who helps me so much was able to buy hundreds of paperback books for the children - most of them history and science in Vietnamese. I passed out the Dooley kits and candy (they still love the M&M's) and then toured the orphange.
The bathrooms we put in are in a separate building. The vegetable gardens are flourishing and now they have lots of little piglets and a couple of big one which reminded me of our pig named Alice - which we had to give away when we moved to Seattle. Pigs are a huge way of making money and food so it is good - all the children help in the feeding, cleaning and gardening.
In the other building are the handicapped. I saw the little boy in one of my first pictures a few years ago. The scars are still there on his face -- his one arm is gone - but he does have a new (artifical leg)... he was doin math and very good too.
There were a room full of deaf children - I took out my own hearing aid and put it into one of their ears and their eyes lit up....if only I could get someone to come up here to fit these children.
Yesterday I spent the day at a home for HIV babies and children. Oh my - there is no hope but we can get medication to at least halt the disease but there is no cure. Two newborns were there - motgher had HIV - now they do.
I can't spend too much time here but will be able to write more when I get home. There is too much to say. On Sunday i go to Bao Lam for the day. There we have built a school and starting on the 1-6 grades soon.
Thanks for all you help -- Vitamins are needed too. Lots of love Betty (I used to be called Co Betty (Miss Betty) now the children say "Ba" which means Grandmother -- ah me, how time flies.
Love Betty