December 16th, 2009

At Home This Christmas

Dear Friends and Benefactors,  

It’s Christmas! It’s a time to remember more than two thousand years ago God was finding a home in Bethlehem and sharing our human’s condition. It is a time for most of us to return to our home to be with family and loved ones. It is a time to celebrate and to wish each other joy and peace of God’s love. This Christmas is also a time for us to remember you…

As you know that by the end of 2008 we received the news that we would be soon evicted from the house where our children and mothers have been sheltered more than three years. The house has to be returned to its owner. All of our children would be once again homeless. And 2009 was the year we all were seeking for a new Mai Tam home. In those times, another 15 infants and children who left abandoned in hospital after being born of their HIV parents also came to us to seek a safe home too, adding the number of our children to 65. It was not an easy time for all of us when we have to help our children fighting against HIV related illness and the same time assure them a home to live.  

Yet, in those difficult moments you have reached out to us once again with your loving and caring hands. You have given us your shoulders to lean on, your ears to listen and your prayers to strengthen our faith.

Indeed, it was through your support that a new Mai Tam home was built. On December 3rd 2009, all of our children finally arrived at their new home. Everything just happened to us like a dream. We then realized that it was not just a building was our new home, but each and every one of us has found a new home in your hearts as well. Thank you so much for being there and for opening your hearts and welcome us in. As you are journeying home this Christmas, allow us be with you in Spirit and prayers and we all wishing you and your family a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year 2010.   

Gratefully yours,

On behalf of Mai Tam children & mothers,

Fr. John Phuong Dinh Toai, MI