One of the beauties of engaging in kingdom work for the transformation of society is that when we enter spaces to serve and share with others, we find ourselves being shown hospitality in ways that transform us as well. One of our GVI Administrators in Vietnam, Trinh, shared this story below about how her heart was touched by one of the girls she met at summer camp through GVI:

Suu is an 8th-grade girl studying at Phan Si Păng Secondary School. In my hazy memory of meeting her again at the recent summer camp (2024) in Hanoi organized by GVI, she was a student in the “Girls’ Club” program we held at her school last term.

When I first met her, she was quite reserved, perhaps because she was unfamiliar with us and the bustling, luxurious city with its noise and conveniences. After an afternoon of bonding activities, it seemed we grew closer, and she became more confident and open. She approached me and said she recognized me from the first day.

My impression of her is that she is a petite girl with a lovely face and round eyes, but above all, it was her care and affection for us that stood out. I remember that day in Hanoi was very hot, a heat the children from Sapa, where she lives, had never experienced. Despite being very tired, she still checked on our team, the people she had just met. She even offered to buy ice cream for one of our team members. I knew that for her, that money was quite valuable because in this city—especially at tourist spots—everything is more expensive. That ice cream cost much more than the most expensive one near her school. She was also willing to share her bottle of water with me and offered it very politely. From the bottom of my heart, I felt the warmth and sincerity she had for us. The value might not be significant, but it was her way of expressing her feelings. For me, that was enough to warm my heart.

I also remember her regretful eyes when she couldn’t visit the mausoleum. She said it was her first time riding an elevator, her first time in Hanoi, her first time at the square, and many other firsts. She wished to return someday and hoped to study further to develop herself. She said she really enjoyed the trip with all its new experiences.

I believe that this trip was not just a simple outing for her, but a stepping stone for her future dreams. It helped her visualize her own dreams more clearly through this summer camp, and she will realize her own value more distinctly. We parted with hugs and smiles, and she said she hoped to see us again soon. Before leaving, she gave me a small sticker with bright, affectionate eyes. It was truly a great encouragement for me. Thank you, little girl with a warm heart.

If you are interested in using your talents to transform lives in Vietnam—and perhaps be transformed in return—connect with us about how to become a GVI partner or learn about opportunities to travel with one of our volunteer teams.