Bizarre Close Encounters with North Korea's Foreign Minister

So Jennie and I were visiting Hanoi's #1 tourist attraction, The Temple of Literature, on Saturday (I think Jennie will post more on that later) when we had a pretty weird experience. The compound is a series of temples, and in one of the temples I turned around and saw a group of about 10-12 Asians being led around with a formal tour guide and interpreter. There were also several photographers and cameramen in toe. When the group got real close to where I was standing I leaned over and asked one of the photographers in Vietnamese who was the leader of the delegation. He informed me that it was the North Korean Foreign Minister (Pak Ui Chun) who was visiting Hanoi. Boy was I surprised to be that close to one of the leaders of one of the few countries deemed part of the "Axis of Evil."

I was also frankly quite surprised that he didn't seem to have any security with him and that they didn't clear out the Temple of Literature for his visit. Tourists were allowed to mingle around in the same areas and we were just a few feet from him a couple of times just checking out exhibits. All tourists are treated to a musical performance at a certain point in the tour and he received a special performance that they let other tourists also attend. At the end of the performance, they invited him and another North Korean up to the front to wear enormously hideous bamboo hats (about 4 feet around). Both dutifully donned the hats and smiled for the cameras. Unfortunately, all of our pictures turned out blurry. Before concluding his visit, he was guided over to the a big temple drum and invited to bang on it. Afterwards, he was ushered out of the temple from a side exit and into a nice new Mercedes flying the North Korean and Vietnamese flags - perfectly befitting every totalitarian dictatorship that spurns capitalist overindulgence.

Baptisms

We had five people get baptized this morning. It was wonderful to see our Vietnamese brothers and sisters on the rooftop of our church building being baptized. The Spirit was sweet and they were all so happy. They had so much support from family and friends. We had about 65 people at church today, including the mission president and his wife from Cambodia. Most of these new converts have been coming to church for many months. After church we had a big pot luck lunch to celebrate. It was a beautiful day.

Gargling Gargoyles

We would like to show you the new talents of our children. Xander does EVERYTHING that Emma does, and it pleases Emma to no end. Just wait little girl, it will soon drive you crazy! That said, the kids really do love each other. Xander's first words every morning are "Emma, Emma, Emma!" Whenever Emma is gone, Xander runs around the house asking for Emma. He's going to have a tough time when Emma starts kindergarten next month. It's hard to believe our little girl is old enough to go to school!

Christmas in July!

We received our shipment of 178 boxes from Prague this week! We hadn't seen these things for over a year and the kids (even mom and dad) were elated to see our long-lost "stuff." Xander had never seen so many toys in all his life, that he can remember. Emma was dancing around the house with her two stuffed puppies, now re-united after one was in storage in Belgium for a year. There were many other favorite toys and items that made us so happy : ) We've kind of been living with the minimum "stuff" for the past year. Christian and I worked SO hard to get most of the boxes unpacked and put away. We still have some to go, but we've made good progress. As the movers were bringing things in, Christian called up the stairs - "Jennie, are we going to have enough room for all your kitchen stuff?!? Every other box says 'kitchen' or 'porcelain'." : ) I love my pottery - it makes my heart go thump, thump, thump : ) In my defense, Christian had almost as many boxes of books. I guess we all have our weaknesses.

Silk Handicraft "Village"

We went to visit the silk making "village" today. It was more like an alley with shops in an outer district of Hanoi, but we got to see the silk fabric being made and Xander thought that was WAAAAY cool! Anything that makes a lot of noise with fast moving parts is fascinating to him. While I was checking out the shop wares, Christian took Xander again, and again and again back into the factory. Emma was content playing with a small dog that reminded her of a favorite children's book hero Skippyjon Jones, AKA: Skippito Freskito. We normally don't condone petting animals here, but this dog was an exception (the Rabies vaccine is in short supply).

Vietnamese funeral procession

A couple days ago I came across a funeral procession while I was out exploring. The first part of the video shows the musicians and the front of the procession. The second part shows the bus decorated in flowers and the mourners walking behind the bus. The closest family members drape white gauze across their clothing. Others family members wear white head and arm bands. Apparently, the wife cries out repeatedly "wake up, why are you sleeping so long?" to give the dead a chance to wake up before the burial. The eldest child is expected to mourn the loudest to show his love for his parent and to help the spirit reach the next world.

In addition to having a family shrine in the home, the entire extended family gets together every year to mark the death anniversary. There is a large feast and the eldest son is expected to pay for all expenses. The family also regularly burns elaborate items made out of paper (cars, clothes, houses, shoes, money, etc...) to provide for the spirit of the deceased.

If the body is buried (and not cremated) it is exhumed on the 63rd death anniversary and the remains are put into a clay pot in the grave to allow the family grave to be used by others (the Vietnamese do not embalm their dead). This is referred to as "changing the clothes" of the dead.

First day of tennis

Emma started tennis lessons on Monday with her little neighbor friend Kiera. They both did really well and the coach was so great with them in celebrating every small success. Watch out Wimbledon...