Warm House

Post by Alisia~After we arrived in Cam Ranh we drove from the airport to a school/home for ethnic girls from the mountains of Vietnam. When we first got there, they put on shows for us with singing and dancing. I was surprised how much English they knew.

After they performed, our group performed the "Cups Song" for them. I think they practiced more than we did! 

After all the performances, we went outside and had pull-up contests. Again, they practiced more than us!

Next, someone turned on music, so we just had to have a dance party. (Shannon: Mai-Lynn knows how to "cut a rug" and really got the party started!!)

When the dancing died down, they wanted me to do a trick of some sort. At first I just did a cartwheel. They clapped for me so then I did a one-handed cartwheel. They asked if I could do a split, so I did. I got another applause for that! Then, one of the college kids that is a gymnast did a front walkover. So, of course, they wanted to know if I could. I did one, then to really impress them, I did a back walkover. We had so much fun!

Next, we were called over for dream catcher making. 

Sadly, at the end of the day, we were brought into a group to take pictures and say goodbye. One of the girls gave me this bracelet that says her name on it. 

When we got on our bus, they all stood at the entrance of the Warm House. We waved at each other, blew kisses, made hearts with our hands, and made peace signs as we drove away. 

I was sad to leave, but we get to go to the beach with them on Monday along with children from the House of Love. I can't wait to see them again!

This is Shannon writing now... I'm going to fill in a few blanks that Alisia left out. Everyone in Vietnam is obsessed with Alisia. Women on the streets come touch her light skin and say she is beautiful. I'm trying not to let it go to her head!! :) In Vietnam, poor people who work in the field have dark skin so light skin is desired because it makes you seem wealthier. In addition, there aren't many light haired blue eyed children that come to visit Vietnam! So they are very interested in Alisia. 

In the first picture Alisia posted above, as soon as the performances were over, the girls surrounded Alisia, asking her what her name was. (In English!) we decided "Ali" was a better answer than Alisia!  After they figured out her name, they kept calling her. They wanted her to do pull-ups and jump rope and ride bike and everything else they were doing! Here are some pictures: 

At the end of the day, gifts were exchanged. Items we brought for them as well as handmade items they gave to us. 

When they posed for a picture with all the girls from the home, the nun who runs the house insisted Alisia get in the picture too. So we have a picture of Alisia and all the ethnic girls: 

After that, all (or most!) of the Brittany's Hope gang joined in the picture: 

As Alisia stated, waving as we drove away was entertaining for all of us. They ran into the street and the girls at the back of our bus waved and waved. This was a really fun visit where we were able to provide these young girls with 10 computers to help educate them and aid them in escaping from poverty. 

Later that night, we took a quick stroll along the beach before meeting for dinner:

Then we ate dinner at a very smoky place where the food was great but the breathing was not so great!

We cooked our own dinners here right at the table!

Another great day of service!