For our readers who need translation "Buying Dog or Cat, Alive or Dead, High Price, Down the alley, 20 meters" As we searched further for the residence of our members, I noted that the population of dogs in the neighborhood was not zero, but in fact, rather normal. The dogs were however, rather skeptical of strangers in the neighborhood (perhaps they had read the signs too.) Still it made me wonder what it was that kept them from their mongering neighbor. It could only be one thing, relationships. Their value in the relationship, as friend, guard, listener who didn't talk back, encouraging companion, and perhaps even floor cleaner, was greater than any economic incentive in a one time transaction.
The members who were the object of our search were not home, but reportedly had moved to Ho Chi Minh city for work, so we may yet find them there. But the search had given me something to think about. Why were there still dogs wandering loose around? Why had not some thief sold them off for his supper? The theme of betrayal is a common one, echoed in countless stories, and epitomized in the story of Judas, who sold out his relationship with his, and our Best Friend and Savior, for a sum far beneath his eternal worth. We don't talk too much about that choice, but I think in everyone's heart there are similar temptations to sell off something for less than its true value.
I see it in the struggles of some missionaries who are not sure they really want to know and trust God to do what he says he will do, and so "sell" some of their eternal wealth in that relationship for a momentary pleasure or an easier path than what he invites them (and challenges them) to climb. It is painful to witness, yet not without hope. For the One who knew the ultimate betrayal also knows how to strengthen, be patient with, and ultimately lead to triumph those who falter at times in the choice between betrayal and ultimate loyalty. When we truly know Him, all these inner choices to sell out or preserve the relationship for its true worth become easier. But in the present, we hope, we exert faith, that this little puppy of a friend is much more than just a meal, more than just a means to a small sum.
Our visit in Tay Ninh coincided with Mary Bliss' birthday, which our friend Nga turned into a delightful evening of celebration of this relationship. Her son and his cousins enjoyed it more for the spray confetti but the cake and flowers were a surprise and delight.
Part of our goals for our time in the south was to locate suitable space for the new senior couple who will return to a city where they have visited and lived before. We look forward to Greg and Debby Coffey coming next month, but our preliminary searches were not getting very many promising options. As we finally found a suitable place in the right location and at the right price, we were even more delighted when we recognized in the owner people of a character and quality that we hope can become good friends, not just for the Coffeys but for us as well. 
Their new apartment on the 8th floor will offer a good view to the western part of the city, and just enough balcony to grow their favorite greens, as well as being close enough to walk to the chapel in Da Kao.
Another highlight from this visit was making good on our determination to get translated and publish a useful text titled "Histologic Prepaprations: Common Problems and Their Solutions" initially published in English through the combined efforts of the College of American Pathologists and the National Society for Histotechnology. In my years looking at microscope slides of patient cases here, I have been regularly frustrated by the limitations of the quality of those slides, even though they have made great strides forward over the past decade. I have felt pained by the number of people given a wrong diagnosis or incomplete diagnosis, because a knowlegable pathologist could not make a diagnosis due to the quality of the slides, or the lack of a special stain. So I approached my colleagues at the CAP for permission to translate and publish the book here in Vietnamese. Even though I had given away several copies in English, I knew the people who needed access to it, were not skilled in English. So with enthusiasm, my many friends in the pathology community here helped to translate each chapter, edit them and then help me find skilled help to do the layout and prepare the final document, which can now be downloaded free of charge from the webpage of the HCM Society of Pathology. Professor Dr. Ngoc Ha, President of the Society, and her colleague Prof. Sao Trung, here announce the completion at the recent meeting of the Society. 
Prof. Sao Trung had many kind things to say about this effort, and even more kind comments about the church. He continues to promise that he will come to hear me preach at the Da Kao chapel next time we are both in town at the same time!
Some of othe other attendees at the meeting. This is the same classroom I have used for some of my lectures to the trainees on other visits. They always ask very interesting questions. And I think they get much more from the talks than they did when I was doing them via Skype. The relationships with these students has led to several of them attending our family class and asking questions about our other activities in Vietnam. The opportunity to share with them some of the principles of happy living, particularly when they are at a decisive moment in their lives, establishing families, choosing careers, adopting work habits and character, is a humbling role in a society that reveres teachers as does this one. We see the hopes in their eyes, and hope they will choose the life of loyalty to relationships that matter, to character, to service to others, and most especially to their families both now and in the future. 
Our time in the North or the South spent with these relationships with these young branch builders, however, is what preserves our lives. They are as Helaman described his striplings, exceedingly valiant for faith, even as they bump into their own weakness. They are not wealthy nor powerful in the worldly sense, but we see in them an eternal worth, a divine nature, a spiritual power beyond their own. And that powers us forward too, reminding us again that it is not things, nor money, nor property, nor position that matter, but the love of God and of his children. Our relationships with Him and with His Servants are what matter, are what protect us from being sold as a mess of pottage.
Loved reading this!
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