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
Christmas Present- Christmas this year with 2 cultures :)
This year was a wonderful Christmas time for me with my friends from Vietnam and my Hispanic friends. Celebrating Christmas with people from other countries makes me think about the beauty in what Jesus said in John3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” God loves each person in each culture equally and being able to spend time with my international friends is a blessing at Christmas.
My Christmas Eve started with going to Christmas Eve service at my home church First Evangelical Free Church Lincoln. I was supposed to meet some of my young friends from Vietnam, but they had a flat tire and ran late, so I began by sitting with a family from Honduras for the beginning of the service. It has been great to watch as their lives have improved over the years. Then my friends from Vietnam came and I moved over to join them. One of them was a 5 year old girl who I had the privilege of taking to the front to children’s story time. I gave each of my young friends a candy cane before they went home.
Next I went to a Christmas play at a Vietnamese Catholic Church to see some of my current and former students in their play. One of my students played the role of Mary. Another one played an angel. Three of them sang in the choir. I also saw some of my other former students there too. I did not understand the language, but I understood the meaning of the stories in the play. It was great to be able to wish them Chuc Mung Giang Sinh- Merry Christmas in Vietnamese.
On Christmas Day I went to worship with my friends at Ministerio Manatial de Vida. It was awesome to sing Silent Night in español One thing I especially appreciate about Ministerio is how they provide children opportunities to grow and develop in their skills. The children came up front to sing a song. I was able to give out some more candy canes to the children.
It was a meaningful way to celebrate Christmas and cap off a year of fun adventures with my international friends. I look forward to seeing what next year brings
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.
Goodbye Week for Uncle Yoshio- Moved Back to Japan
Goodbye Lunch
After 6 years in Lincoln Yoshio returned to Japan last Saturday. He leaves having made many friends here from many countries. His nickname with the young people was Uncle Yoshio. Some of them would call him when they needed help to go shopping. He was always willing to help with driving people to activities or class. His goodbye lunch had people from America, China and Vietnam. At the airport he was greeted by people from America, Belgium, China, Japan and Vietnam.
at the airport with Thuy's family
Thuy came with her family. Thuy and Yoshio were together in a class of mine about 5 years ago. Yoshio worked with Thuy’s husband. They were like a family away from home for Yoshio.
with Brigitte at the airport
I went out to the airport to say goodbye Yoshio. He was the last of a a fun group. The others have moved back to their countries. It speaks well of him that people from diverse places wanted to say goodbye.
When I meet a new friend from another country who is here working or on a student visa, I know the time will come we say goodbye. The times between initially meeting someone and saying goodbye make it all worthwhile though. Our friends had a lot of fun with Yoshio such as trips to the Omaha Zoo, Mahoney State Park and for lunches. I am sure Yoshio will make new friends in his new city in Japan.
In Loving Memory of Tydin
my friend Tydin
Tydin is a friend of mine from Vietnam. She was adopted by a family from Ohio and came to America for her new life. I met Tydin at the library where I used to teach her “sister” English. I write “sister” because Tydin lived in a house with some friends from Vietnam who were like her brothers and sisters. The first time I met Tydin I was impressed by her bright smile. When I talked with her or chatted with her on facebook, it was obvious how much she cared about other people. She worked for a while at a home for adults with Alzheimers and found joy in helping the people there.
I also noted her faith in God and how that helped her to overcome obstacles to be able to go to college in America. She moved away from Lincoln and got engaged. I thought I would hear occasionally about her married life. I first wrote about Tydin in November 2009. This picture was one she chose for that first writing. I was proud to write about her. Today I am saddened to write about her. That is because Tydin passed away after the car she was riding in was hit by a drunk driver this week in Ohio.
Tydin’s bright smile now belongs to heaven. I am certain that she is dancing on the streets of gold in heaven in the presence of her loving Savior Jesus. She now has eternity to dance in joy as she waits for her friends to meet her there someday. Her life here was cut short by our standards, but in her short life here she touched many lives. She touched the lives of many friends here in Lincoln, in Ohio and in Texas. She touched the lives of her patients where ever she worked. She showed God’s love to others. Now she shows her love directly to God.
Many people will miss her. Many people are saddened by her passing away. One thought that I have is that Tydin is not sad. She is experiencing the fullness of joy that comes from being in the presence of Jesus. She is dancing on streets of gold. Hopefully one day all of her friends will join her there.
Chuc Mung Ngay Phu Nu Vietnam- Happy Woman’s Day in Vietnam
October 20 is Woman’s Day in Vietnam, so today I would like to say Happy Woman’s Day to the women I know who are from Vietnam. I have had numerous Vietnamese women as my students and have enjoyed helping them with English. I have also enjoyed the opportunities I have had to meet their families and spend time with them. The times I have been invited to their homes to eat some Pho, the times they have given me some egg rolls, and seeing how their children thrive in school because of their moms encouraging them are some of the fond memories I have.
my friend Duyen and her husband- I had some Pho that night
As students women from Vietnam tend to be diligent and motivated to improve. As mothers they give their all to their children. As homemakers they devote themselves to their families. As cooks they make the best egg rolls
Chin in her new kitchen
I have also learned from some of the Vietnamese women who are my friends. I used to meet my friend Thu Huong at the library to study. We would sit in the ELL room and sometimes use the computer. She patiently showed me how to use Power Point and other things.
So out of gratefulness for my many friendships and what they have meant to me I would like to say Chuc Mung Ngay Phu Nu to the women from Vietnam who are my friends. I would also like to REMIND the men from Vietnam to buy your mother, wife, girlfriend, or sister flowers today. Don’t forget!! lol
1 Weekend + 4 Celebrations + 3 Different Cultures = A Lot of Fun
What a great weekend!! Had the opportunity to celebrate 3 birthdays and join in on a 1st worship service in a new building. It began on Saturday morning when my young friends from Vietnam and I shared some birthday cake with Nancy who helps with my Saturday morning group.
On Saturday evening I went to a birthday party for a 3 year old boy Chris. His family is from Syria. I had fun taking pictures and making people laugh in the process. Chris’s grandmother was there and three of her friends. I got them to wear the party hats and took pictures for them. There was plenty of good food and laughter. The best for me was seeing some old friends I have not seen for a while.
Sunday morning we said Happy birthday to our friend Lien in my Sunday morning class. We had lunch at Mongolian Grill after class. Lien has come a long way from new to America to now waiting for her Nursing Program to begin.
After lunch I joined my friends at Ministerial Manatial de Vida for their 1st worship service in their new building. It was awesome to join with them and see the excitement they feel about having a place of their own. I will write more about that tomorrow. It was a great way to cap off a weekend of celebration with my international friends.
The diversity of cultures here in Lincoln is rich. Sharing celebrations such as a birthday or a milestone such as a church getting a building of their own makes me realize how we have many things in common. If we take the time to actually get to know those who are different than we are, we can have a pleasant surprise and have some meaningful friendships. Fortunately after a weekend of celebrations I have a morning off to relax a little before getting back to my busy schedule
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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