Maria Nguyen Oanh

Sunday, April 14, 2024, volunteers and our team carried out an apostolic mission for the poor in Ta Nang, Duc Trong District, Lam Dong Province.

This apostolic mission had been long prepared by various groups. The members and groups made significant efforts in various ways to raise funds for the mission, as well as to invite the collaboration of benefactors. This mission included helping a family in extremely difficult circumstances rebuild their house, which could no longer provide adequate shelter for seven members, as well as organizing activities for children and visiting families.

At exactly 4:40 AM, everyone gathered at the community, loaded the supplies onto the vehicles, and began the journey. After a three-hour drive, at around 7:30 AM, the group arrived at Ta Nang Parish Church, Duc Trong. The team was then divided into three groups: one group stayed to organize activities and distribute gifts to approximately 300 children from the parish. The children received breakfast and gifts tailored to their needs, expressing great joy for the gifts they received. The other two groups, under the guidance of members from the Red Cross, went to visit four villages within the parish and delivered gifts to 30 families in difficult circumstances. Despite the challenging roads and the summer heat, all members expressed their enthusiasm and joy in embarking on the mission. Along the way, they offered smiles, handshakes, or anything they had, no matter how small, to those they met. The locals were very friendly and expressed their appreciation and gratitude for everything they received, willingly sharing their lives with others.

We thank God for such a meaningful day. A day when we truly felt God close to us as we opened our hearts to others. A day when we lived wholeheartedly, overcoming challenges to bring joy to others. As we encountered them, we asked God to transform our hearts, so that we may learn to give thanks to Him and live better with what we have received.