We are on a bus tour moving through central Vietnam. For two nights we have been in Dalat in the highlands at about 5,000 meters (1,500 ft.) What a lovely change from the heat and humidity of Saigon, to enjoy cool evening temperatures of 20 degrees (68 F.) Tomorrow we travel to Nha Trang on the ocean and will be back to warm temperatures.
Many of those travelling with us served as missionaries here prior to 1975. The oldest member of our group is Franklin, from Toronto. He was born in Vietnam in 1923. His parents were among the very first Protestant missionaries, arriving in 1914. Franklin did all of his schooling here in Dalat. As he graduated, the teachers were evacuated due to the II World War. So he and two other high school graduates became the school teachers for four years, while all of the foreigners from Allied countries were put in internment camps until the war ended.
He and his family returned to Canada in 1945. By 1952 he was back in Vietnam and served here until 1975. Following his forced departure, with all missionaries, he spent the last years of his full time ministry in the Phillipines.
Today we were visiting several small churches near Dalat. We learned at one of them that an elderly pastor had taken seriously ill very recently and appeared to be dying. Franklin had known this pastor forty years ago. He, with several others was able to visit briefly with this man's family and pray with this pastor. No doubt an amazing highlight for Franklin to connect and minister like this with people he knew in Vietnam after so many years away.
Many of those travelling with us served as missionaries here prior to 1975. The oldest member of our group is Franklin, from Toronto. He was born in Vietnam in 1923. His parents were among the very first Protestant missionaries, arriving in 1914. Franklin did all of his schooling here in Dalat. As he graduated, the teachers were evacuated due to the II World War. So he and two other high school graduates became the school teachers for four years, while all of the foreigners from Allied countries were put in internment camps until the war ended.
He and his family returned to Canada in 1945. By 1952 he was back in Vietnam and served here until 1975. Following his forced departure, with all missionaries, he spent the last years of his full time ministry in the Phillipines.
Today we were visiting several small churches near Dalat. We learned at one of them that an elderly pastor had taken seriously ill very recently and appeared to be dying. Franklin had known this pastor forty years ago. He, with several others was able to visit briefly with this man's family and pray with this pastor. No doubt an amazing highlight for Franklin to connect and minister like this with people he knew in Vietnam after so many years away.
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