Chuc Mung Nam Moi Party at Andre Dung Lac Church
This afternoon a Vietnamese Catholic Church here in Lincoln had their Vietnamese New Year party. It was my privilege to be able to join them for their special celebration. It started with the Lion Dance to welcome the New Year. The Lion was decorated in bright colors of red and gold. We stood in the hallway together to watch the Lion Dance.
After the Lion Dance we went into the party. There was plenty of delicious food to sample and some fun entertainment. The lunch began with presentation of the flag of the U.S. and a Vietnamese flag with the National Anthem of the U.S. playing.
The entertainment included some singing and also some dance routines to music. It was great to see one of my former students in a dance portraying Vietnamese farmers. There were a few dance routines of children. The entertainment started with some men dressed in traditional Vietnamese clothing making what seemed to be some proclamations. One of them seemed to be humorous based on the response of the audience. I only know a few greetings in Vietnamese, so I am not sure what they were saying, but it was a lot of fun anyway.
Performers of Vietnamese Dance about Farmers
cute kids 
more cute kids
The entertainment was wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but the highlight for me is always being able to see my friends and students and in a small way bless them in their lives here. I try to remember when I go to special functions that it is not about me at all. It is about my friends and students and being a blessing to them. It is about trying to reflect the love of God to them and others gathered for the occasion. One thing my father instilled in me was “be nice to the older women and help them”. It was meaningful to me to be able to greet some of the senior citizens with Chuc Mung Nam Moi, Happy New Year, Chuc May Man, Good Luck, and Chuc Vui Ve, Be Happy. It was meaningful to me to do so since I am very aware of the fact that they have lived through the horrors of war and lived through the refugee experience. If my simple greetings can bring a smile to their face, it makes my time worthwhile.
When I see my former and current students with their families, I like to share my simple greetings in their language to show my respect and admiration for them. I also try to take a little time to express to their families how proud I am of my students. It is a blessing for me just to be able to see them have fun, laugh and smile. With all of the stress they have in their lives, I am glad for them when I can see them experience a special occasion with their families.
Today is the last day of Tet, Vietnamese New Year, and I am blessed to have been able to spend time with my friends and their families. I would like to say CHUC MUNG NAM MOI to them and all my readers
Kim Bop- Lunar New Year Gift of Korean Food from Vietnamese Students :)
One of my friends from Vietnam in my Saturday group has some Korean friends. Linh and I have shared about out mutual appreciation for Korean food. She has been able to enjoy some Korean food with her Korean friends. For three years I helped with a Korean church on Sunday afternoons. I would teach the children bible in English while their parents worshiped in Korean. Afterward we would sit down together to dine on various Korean dishes. On Saturday after our study group Linh told me she had made some Kim Bop for me.
my three chefs
Linh told me the Kim Bop was from her and our friends Thao and Tram. The simple gifts made by hand many times have the most meaning. It was a blessing to receive Kim Bop because I love it, but even more so because my friends took the time to make it for me.
Kim Bop is made of of rice and vegetables rolled in seaweed and cut into small round pieces. Some people will put fish, meat or egg inside. I tried to make some once myself when I was at a Korean friend’s house, but it fell apart. My Kim Bop chef days lasted all of 10 minutes as my friends and I laughed at my inept chef skills. I was proud of my friends Linh, Thao and Tram for being to make Kim Bop.
Kim Bop
Thanks for the Kim Bop Linh, Thao and Tram. Happy New Year to all of my friends from China, Korea and Vietnam. Or as they say in Vietnam- Chuc Mung Nam Moi, in Korea- 새해 복 많이 받으세요, in China- 新年快乐.
Vietnamese New Year Party with my Saturday Group- Chuc Mung Nam Moi
our group today
This morning in my Saturday group we celebrated Tet, Vietnamese New Year, for our class. My Saturday friends all come from Vietnam. I appreciate them so much that I wanted to try to bless them a little for their biggest holiday of the year. They are diligent with their studies and in building their new lives in America, so I try to find ways to create some fun for them and give them a bit of a break from life.
We had pizza, tiramisu, and ice cream cake. Chuong one of our newest members brought the gift basket of snacks. It was a blessing to watch my friends laugh and have some fun. I know how hard they work in school and to learn English. That was why I wanted to surprise them with a cake. I went to the bakery in the HyVee store and asked them to write Chuc Mung Nam Moi in red and yellow on the cake. Chuc Mung Nam Moi is Happy New Year. The colors red and yellow are for Luck and Money, so I asked them to use red and yellow, closest to gold, for the cake.
I also bought some special envelopes at the Vietnamese Market to give them Lucky Money. The idea is to put some money inside and expressing wishes and blessings when giving the envelope to the person. I put a $2 bill inside each envelope and one by one walked around the table to say to them Chúc Mừng Năm Mới -Happy New Year, Chuc Vui Ve – Be Happy, and Chúc May Mắn- Good Luck. I also shared with them what I pray for when I pray for them and wishes for them to grow with God.
some of my friends with their Lucky Money
Being a blessing to my Vietnamese friends at Tet is something I look forward to each year. I was glad to share Tet with my friends a little this morning. It actually begins on Monday January 23rd this year, so if you have any Vietnamese, Chinese or Korean friends wish them a Happy New Year. I would like to say to all of my Vietnamese friends Chúc Mừng Năm Mới
2011- New Friends at Ministerio Manantial de Vida and a New Hobby
I celebrated New Year’s Eve and early New Year’s Day last year with a Hispanic Church Ministerio Manatial de Vida. I had never been there before, but was invited through facebook, so I joined them in their celebration. That night led to meeting many new friends at la Iglésia Ministerio Manatial de Vida. I also bought a new camera last year that allowed to me to explore my new hobby of photography. My new friends and my new hobby combined for some memorable moments in 2011.
my friend Fidel at Father's Day celebration with his family
My camera and I were able to join in on some holiday celebrations such as a Father’s Day lunch, Labor Day Buñuelos party, and Christmas Day services. Perhaps to the relief of my friends at my weekend group I had a new outlet for my fun with photography. It has been a joy to be able to snap some photos for my friends at Ministerio.
1st worship service at their new location
It was a meaningful moment when my friends at Ministerio were able to celebrate having their own building to worship in and no longer need to rent a facility.
Pastor Rogelio teaching before baptisms at the lake
My camera and I were able to join in on some events that were celebrations for the church such as a baptism celebration at a Wagon Train Lake. We were also able to join in on some salient moments such as a Quinceañera, 15th birthday party, for a young lady at the church.
My new hobby led to me being asked to take pictures of a wedding at Ministerio Manatial de Vida. That has led me to another new hobby which is using my iPhoto to produce slide shows etc.
It is my belief that we are never too old to try new experiences and to meet new people. In 2010 it was studying Español. In 2011 it was meeting my new friends and my new hobby. I look forward t seeing what 2012 brings. In 2011 my camera and I had many fun moments with my new friends at Ministerio Manatial de Vida. This next picture that I end with shows how much fun we had. I helped to make buñuelos and my assistant stood in awe of my ability lol.
me with my assistant buñuelos maker Ely
Christmas’s Past- Sharing a Living Nativity with Friends
My home church used to have an event for Christmas called Once Upon a Village which included Bethlehem shops and a Living Nativity. One year stands out in my memory because it was a year that friends from Brazil, Belgium, China, Germany, Japan, Peru and Vietnam joined me for the Living Nativity. It was a blessing to spend time with my friends and to share the Living Nativity with them. For some of them it was the first time they had experienced a Living Nativity while others were happy to be able to experience one here in Lincoln too.
The Bethlehem village area included some animals such as sheep and goats. We walked through the village which had people dressed as shopkeepers and Roman soldiers. Then shepherds came in and announced what they had heard from the angels and how they had seen the baby Jesus. Then we walked to the Living Nativity.
After out time at the Living Nativity, we went to another church that was having a concert. Once Upon a Village and the concert at New Covenant Church were part of a collaboration called Christmas on 84th Street. The concert included some brief dramas, Christmas music, and readings from the bible about the birth of Jesus.
After the concert, we were invited to go to the home of our friends from Germany, Jochen and Julia. We enjoyed some good food and great company. It was a great way to cap off the evening.
This Christmas memory is special to me because it illustrates to me what Christmas is all about,which is a time to remember God gift to us the first Christmas – His Son Jesus- and spending time with friends and family. May you have a truly blessed Christmas this year and experience the love of God in your lives.
Christmas Past- Sharing Christmas with My Friend Trang
with Trang at Christmas Eve Service
In the story A Christmas Carol by Dickens the character Scrooge is visited by three spirits, Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future. The visits change Scrooge for the better. I would like to share the next few days about Christmas’s Past that have been meaningful to me and have helped me to grow as a person.
It seems fitting to begin with my friend Trang. She came here from Vietnam with her family. She had not experienced much of what Christmas is about before coming to America. I met with Trang, her brother Trieu and three other young men from Vietnam Dnag, Do and Tu at the library to study English for a few years. We had a lot of fun at times and I would share with them about American culture especially when we had a holiday coming.
Trang, Trieu, Dang, Do and Tu came with me to church to experience a Christmas Program that we used to have called Once Upon a Village which included a Living Nativity Scene. They also came with me to a Christmas Eve Service to see what it one is like. We took pictures in front of a Christmas tree in the church. We held candles as we sang Silent Night. Trang sat next to me which gave me a chance to share with her about why we held candles when we sang, who Mary and Joseph are and who Jesus is. She asked why we had Christmas Trees and why we had a big Nativity Scene. it was an honor to explain such things for her. It was the first time Trang had been to a Christmas Eve service and it was my privilege to share it with her and the young men.
I learned a lot about teaching young people through our weekend classes and will always appreciate Trang as a special young lady. One of my fondest memories is the Christmas Eve Service we shared and sitting next to each other, so I could explain aspects of the service to her. Such moments should be embraced and valued because they may be our only opportunity.
Sadly Trang passed away a few months ago in September. I am grateful that I met her and that she was my student and friend. I am even more grateful that I was able to share what Christmas is really all about with her. How it is really about God loving us so much that He sent His Son Jesus. That Christmas Eve Service will always be a special memory for me. One that I will always treasure.
Thanksgiving Day with Friends from China
Alex, Nancy and Huiyuan
I celebrated Thanksgiving Day with my friends from China, Alex, Nancy and Huiyuan. I told them I would prepare dinner for them and bring with me. The preparation consisted of buying the food from HyVee Deli. I promised them a taste of an American Thanksgiving, so we had Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing and Pumpkin Pie.
Thanksgiving is an American Holiday, so it does not have emotional attachments for my international friends. For them it is nice to have time off from classes or work depending on their situation in life. Alex, Nancy and Huiyuan were glad to have time off from classes at the University of Nebraska. They have holidays that are important times to be with family and friends in China such as Chinese New Year’s or Fall Moon Festival, but Thanksgiving is mostly time to relax or travel for international students. Some may feel lonely if they are stuck in their dorm rooms with no one around. Many travel to see the USA.
Nancy getting her food
They were curious about why we eat certain foods for Thanksgiving, so we talked about the first Thanksgiving and what the Pilgrims ate such as Turkey, Cranberries, Pumpkin etc. We also talked about why Thanksgiving is a Holiday and the meaning behind it.
Huiyuan getting her food
In a way it was a fitting way for me to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. The first Thanksgiving the Pilgrims, who were new to America, had a celebration dinner with the Americans living here who were the Native Americans. Likewise I was the American having dinner with newcomers to America. The difference was that I prepared the food for them. Another difference would be the fact that there were no Delis to buy food from at the first Thanksgiving. The main similarity was that I had a chance to share with my friends and show my appreciation for their friendship
4th of July Fun with Friends from Many Countries
me with our host Aynur
On the 4th of July I was invited to a party hosted by my friend Aynur from Turkey. It was fun to meet a lot of people and eat some good food. It was also a blast-pardon the pun- to watch people take turns lighting off fireworks. I met people from several countries at the party. People from Afghanistan, Bosnia, Colombia, India, Iraq, Kurdistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Uganda and a few Americans as well.
Garret at the Grill
Aynur’s husband Garret was a chef at the grill. There was plenty of good food that people brought such as some curry chicken and rice, Turkish potato salad and much more. We had fun mingling and meeting each other. Aynur’s dog walked around to greet everyone and managed to get some food from a soft-hearted little girl.
It was then time to light off the fireworks and there were plenty of them. Most of the guests are Undergraduate or Graduate Students at UNL. As they lit off the fireworks the young adults turned into little kids for a while. It was funny as I watched a friend from Colombia who is working on her PHD get excited as she prepared to light a firework.
Jihan with her firework
As we were watching the fireworks, I met a group of Undergraduate students who are from Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Kurdistan, and Sri Lanka. I asked them if they knew the famous words from the Declaration of Independence. One said “liberty and freedom” and I then shared with them “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights….. the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
After the fireworks were finished we had some spontaneous entertainment. Aynur’s two little nieces sang some songs for us. I taught one of them to say, “thank you, we will sign autographs out back”.
It was awesome to spend the 4th of July with new friends from all over the world. During the evening I thought about how what began on July 4th 1776, the cause of freedom and liberty, has spread throughout the world.
Weekend Fun with my Hispanic Friends- Father’s Day at Ministerio Manantial de vida
On Father’s Day I joined my friends at Ministerio Manantial de Vida for their worship service and a potluck dinner afterward. The worship service was full of poignant moments as the church celebrated Father’s Day or Día de Padres. Women in the church came up and read from the bible in español to the congregation. The children performed a drama that the church created. At the end of the service fathers came forward to the front and their children prayed for them. I got a kick out of the message by the Pastor’s wife. She shared about what it means to be a father and a man from the bible while using a tool box and tools as props. I listened with a smile while I wondered how often she used the tools.
the women reading
the children's drama
fathers being honored
After worship service we had a potluck dinner at the church. There was a lot of delicious food such as barbecue chicken, papusas, barbecue ribs and much more. During dinner I sat for a while with a family that has three girls who go to an elementary school where I teach Family Literacy. Then I walked around and took pictures for families. It was a wonderful way to cap off my weekend of fun with my Hispanic friends. I also had a chance to go for ice cream with Pastor Rogelio, his wife Chayo and daughter Jezharela in the afternoon.
The day reminded me of how important family is for our Hispanic friends. The weekend was full of fun, food and friends and also gave me many opportunities to practice my español, see how former students are doing, and appreciate the diversity of God’s creation especially when it comes to people. God loves all people of all cultures. I had a chance to observe that at different Hispanic churches this weekend.
Mother’s Day Picnic with my Hispanic and Hearing Impaired Friends
On Mother’s Day I had an opportunity to share a picnic with my friends from Ministerial Manantial de Vida and Spring of Life Deaf churches. Ministerial is a Hispanic church I attend on Sunday afternoons. Spring of Life Deaf church meets at the same time in the same church. The pastors of the two churches are related to each other. It was an unexpected blessing to share a picnic with them. Pastor Rogelio explained to the congregation why Mother’s Day is on the 2nd Sunday of May in the U.S. which contrasts with México which has Mother’s Day on May 10th every year. During the service members had the opportunity to share about their mothers and at the end Pastor Rogelio prayed for the mothers in the church. We then went to Peter Pan Park for a picnic.
My friend Chayo
It was fitting that Chayo was at the picnic. She is Pastor Rogelio’s wife and in fact they co-pastor together. Her son is the pastor of Spring of Life Deaf church. Chayo is like a mother to many of the people in the church. I appreciate her sense of humor. I was telling someone a story from my life in español and Chayo told me it would be faster if she translated. We both had a good laugh. It was great that she could have a blessed Mother’s Day.
my friend Celia
It was also great to see Celia enjoy the picnic. She is a sweet retired woman who makes everyone feel welcome when they come to church. She greets everyone and prays for many of us. I look forward to seeing her when I go to Manantial on Sundays.
Pastor Rogelio with his daughter Jezharela
The food was delicious. We had barbecued meat, guacamole, salsa and rice along with tortillas. Just writing abut it makes me hungry again. If I could eat like that each day, I would be quite happy. Pastor Rogelio tells me if I keep eating their delicious food my español will be perfect. That is a study plan I like lol.
Pastor Jonathan with members of Spring of Life Deaf church
I enjoyed trying to throw an American football with members of Spring of Life church. My throwing arm is not what it used to be but we had fun for a little while.
Each week it is wonderful to see the two churches and how they relate with each other. I have learned a few words in sign language. I have learned much more español. Best of all I have made some friendships with people I respect and admire. The occasional meals are a nice extra
About
I teach English Second Language and have a ministry for internationals at my home church First Evangelical Free church in Lincoln Nebraska. I have had the pleasure of traveling in Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Mexico, Romania and Switzerland. My hobby is to learn words and phrases from other languages. I have learned how to greet people in 30 languages.
My blog is about my experiences with international friends, my travels, and people I meet along the way. My international friends’ stories are fascinating to me. Experiencing other cultures makes life rich for me.
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