Our second day at Summer Camp began bright and early with the 6:30am hostel pickup. As we pulled up to the school, the kids greeted us like we were celebrities—asking for handshakes, high fives, and even autographs! Their energy was infectious and heartwarming.
Breakfast was a delicious treat today—Banh Mi, lovingly prepared by the Sisters. Their care and thoughtfulness never go unnoticed.
Morning class with our K1 & K2 little ones focused on numbers. It was incredibly rewarding to finally see the materials I’d spent months preparing in action. The kids were beaming, and their smiles made every late night and long hour worth it.
During lunch, we handed out snacks and were met with pure joy—laughter, thank-yous, and the kind of happiness only children can radiate. But the highlight of my day? Eating lunch with the children. Hearing a chorus of “Hello, teacher!” as I walked into the lunchroom filled my heart to the brim.
After lunch, I had the privilege of helping the kids change into their sleep clothes. A seemingly small task, but it meant everything to me. Just Day 2 of camp, and already they trusted me enough to run up with their little bags, asking for help. That trust felt like the most beautiful kind of magic.
We shared a peaceful moment post-lunch—a quiet walk around the church grounds followed by a bit of rest. Then it was dance practice time for Friday’s big concert. These in-between moments, filled with laughter and shared purpose, are ones I’ll carry with me.
In the afternoon, we shifted gears to personal safety. Today’s class was about awareness, protection, and encouraging the kids to speak up. They were so attentive and responsive—it made me incredibly proud.
Then came the creative chaos: clay chicken crafts! As the designated crafty one of the team, I led this messy but delightful session. These pieces will be part of our gallery exhibition, and I can’t wait to see the children beam with pride as they show their parents what they’ve made.
As the day wound down, I stayed back to spend quiet moments with a few children still around the school. These unhurried, heartfelt interactions are quickly becoming my favourite part of each day. Once they left, I got to prepping for tomorrow’s lessons—mission rhythm in full swing.
Our nightly reflections centered around this question:
“How did I try to be the face of Christ or bring God’s love to someone today?”
I shared that it’s all about doing small things with great love. Today, while helping feed the kids, many remembered me and came directly with their bowls. That unspoken connection touched something deep in me.
Mass followed—still in Vietnamese, but always a quiet space to meet God after a long, full day. One moment especially stood out: after Communion, the Priest gave a blessing to the children. One little girl, knowing exactly what was coming, proudly walked up to the front on her own. It was such a sweet, moving moment—pure and holy.
The night wrapped up with a ride in our very own disco-lit bus to a different restaurant for dinner—a burst of music and laughter after a sacred day.
Back at the hostel, some went exploring, but I stayed in. I was exhausted and needed time to prep for tomorrow’s lessons—and do laundry, of course. (No service here, we’re the laundry crew!) Also, I finally acknowledged that our hostel pillows were borderline disgusting—but hey, what you don’t see can’t hurt you, right? Mental note: next year, *bring my own pillow.*
And now, lights out. Heart full.
Ready for whatever tomorrow brings.
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