On the beginning of March, 1990, Brother Roger came to Philadelphia from Paris, first to add (deposit) a substantial amount into the RCT account (AFVN-Fund), second to give Brother Phong a hand in the accomplishment process of the Project in California. Brothers Roger and Phong flew to San Francisco to meet with Brother Mark Murphy and some former students living within the Bay Area.

Brother Bertrand offered to be tour guide. He drove Brothers Roger and Phong to Pittsburg and showed them the house that “Valéry has... okayed!” he said. Looking at the house from afar, the very first reaction of Brother Roger was, “What? It’s a house? How come that it looks like a big box?” Perhaps because Brother Bertrand glowered at Brother Roger and was ready to shout out some imprecations that Brother Phong, who had had the same feelings and thoughts as Brother Roger, didn’t dare say a word. All three walked around and although saying no word, each one knew what others thought about. Brother Roger suggested that Brother Bertrand drive them to San Jose to meet some former students and to continue looking around for any house rentable or even buyable.

Brother Roger had surely been in contact with his former students from La Salle Ba Ninh School in Nha Trang in the 60’s, especially with Bính, his nephew in San Jose, weeks before. Indeed, a group of about ten were waiting for them at Mr. Binh’s house and joyfully welcomed them. Brother Roger told them about his willingness to find a house for the Project in California, specifically and preferably in San Jose. Every one of the group showed pleasure and enthusiasm hearing that. Some said, “Very good! It’s great to have the Brothers here...” Following a brief discussion and sharing about finding a house available for the Brothers’ community, Mr. Binh suggested that next early morning he drive the Brothers to meet with Mr. Quyen, a former student of Brother Cosmas from La Salle Taberd in the 60’s, “because,” said Mr. Binh, “Mr. Quyen is a prestigious board member at the Construction Company which is building up nearly ten new houses in the Berryessa area, North-East of San Jose.”

***

I received a phone call from Brother Phong at about 9:00PM. His voice was so excitedly stammering that I guessed there were some things happening, lucky rather than bad.. Indeed, he accentuated, “An, good... news! Thank God!”
- “Thank God! But what’s good news?”
- “We have... a... new house!”
- “Great! Congratulations! Rev. Trong give us discounts or the whole house?”
- “No! the brand new house. It is being built!”
- “Oh! Great!”
- “Brother Roger’s former student who is also former student of Brother Cosmas, and his Company, Investment & Development INC. give us a brand new house!”
- “What?”
- “It’s true!”
- “Today’s not April Fool!” (Laugh)
- “Maybe you don’t believe. Ah! Here is Brother Roger. He will tell you everything that just happened a few minutes ago. And there is Brother Bertrand here, too... OK! Here is Brother Roger.”
- “Hello, Brother Roger!...”

While Brother Roger repeated, much more calmly and clearly what Brother Phong said to me earlier, my mind recalled the title of a movie that I had seen in the 60’s which is more or less relating to what Brother Roger was slowly describing through the phone. “Oh yes! I remembered!” I said loud enough that Brother Roger stopped talking for a few seconds then asked, “What? What did you say, Valéy?”
- “Oh! I remember the title of the movie: On m’appelle la Providence (One called me Providence.)”
- “Oh yes! Mr. Quyen and his Company are our Providence! Brother Phong and I will tell you and Brother Cosmas more about this new house, tomorrow, when we are back to Philadelphia. See you there tomorrow!”

I immediately phoned Mr. Dennis Nhon in Kansas City, to share with him the greatly exciting news. “What?” Dennis shouted over the other side of the phone. “Yes! it’s true!” I proudly replied.
- “It’s too good to be true!”
- “Why yes! Unimaginable, isn’t it? But Brother Roger seemed very confident and convinced about that.”
- “Hope that it’s true! If it’s really true, then CONGRATULATIONS! But, listen to me! Be careful about it, and tell Brother Roger and Phong to have the gift-promise written down on black and white...”
- “Of course! Brother Roger told me that Mr. Quyen and his Company are remitting this issue to their lawyer. Brother Roger and Phong, again, are very confident about it.”

***

Brother Anthony Thành was called by USCC office to be interviewed in purpose of getting the green card. It made me remember that my "titre de voyage" had expired and the date/month/year on the visa up to which I was allowed to stay in the USA had passed more than six months. Returning to Paris? - Impossible because the "titre de voyage" has expired. Staying in the USA? - I become... undocumented, or an illegal immigrant. I was really embarrassed being in the “between the devil and the deep sea” situation. Luckily, Brother Joseph Ninh had helped me get, from the Chicago Social Services office, the Social Security Card without the stamp NOT FOR WORKING. Thanks to such a Social Security Card I could work, legally and lawfully, anywhere in the United States. In addition, the driver license would also be my legal ID-photo card.

However, I could not stay in the United States of America, completely documented or as a legal immigrant, with such a status for ever. I was looking for a legal way in getting the green card. To tell the truth, none of the native American Brothers or friends of mine knew, even understood “what the green card is for?” That’s because they never had to apply for or proceed in getting a green card of their own. And for the Brothers or friends of Vietnamese origin who had been accepted into the United States as refugees, they did benefit from the refugee status, i.e. the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services) provided them, ipso facto, with appropriate green card “no questions asked,” as in Brother Anthony Thành’s case. Therefore, they considered receiving from INS a green card as normally natural, no wonder Why? What? How? When? That’s why none of them ever reminded me about getting a green card to become a legal or documented immigrant, or just a legal resident, in the territory of the United States. So I went to the USCC office, presenting my case to the Immigration Service, and applying all necessary forms to request for a green card. [I could not benefit from the refugee status in the United States of America any more, because France had accepted me as a refugee “under its protectorate according the International Convention of Geneva.”]

To complete the required documents, USCC sent me to a designated doctor for a general medical check-up. One of many questions/answers I still remember is as follow:
The Doctor asked, “Do you smoke?” I replied, “Yes!”
- “For how long?”
- “I started smoking in a re-education camp...”
- “Jail? or prison?”
- “Yes! In a forced labor camp. Say, since more than ten years until now.”
- “How many packs per day?”
- “About five or six. Sometimes and rarely ten.”
The Doctor looked at me, horrified, then asked, “What? Five to ten packs per day?” I looked at him and still smiling replied, “Yes! In average seven per day.”
- “Packs or Cigarettes?”
- “Oh! Cigarettes.” I promptly replied.
The Doctor nodded his head, then whispered, “Nothing!” He then marked a check on the square at the word “smoking...” side “NO.” I laughed and overjoyed at that check mark, being assured that “It’s NOTHING for smoking so little.”

About three weeks later, I received from USCC a letter with the stamp APPROVED on it. I overjoyed seeing it but not for long when I carefully read across to the part location and date to be interviewed. It was written, “Paris, July 29, 1990. Bring all necessary documents.” I was in a quandary wondering, “How can I get back to Paris to be interviewed on due date when my "titre de voyage" has been expired for a long time?” My own experiences in terms of personal legal documents from the past made me more embarrassed. Some examples about these “not quite legal documents” follows:
. Day of Birth: on the “substitute birth certificate” and on the “Baptism and Confirmation certificate”, my day/month/year of birth are totally different. I discovered such difference only in 1975, and I believed in my baptism certificate although I still used my birthday set on the substitute birth certificate; [In 1956, President Ngo Dinh Diem, the first elected President of the Republic of South Vietnam, ordered the South Vietnam census, i.e. all citizens from the 17th parallel down to South, and allowed those who had lost their birth certificate could make it again by the “substitute birth certificate.”]
. In reality, I was arrested and imprisoned on January 3, 1978 - and I did write this day/month/year on any investigation forms - but on the “Certificate of Liberation” it was set “Arrested day: March 21, 1978.”
. etc...

At the actual circumstance with the appointment to be interviewed in Paris, I wondered, “Have I been wrong when I had agreed to stay in the United States for the Project in California’s purpose?” However, in spite of such anxiety, I must recognize that I had overcome and passed through so many complicated cases about legal documents. It would be a question of time waiting for a better and luckier opportunity. In addition, my Social Security Card and driver license have been half of required legal document folder I needed. Having debated myself on the pros and the cons about that matter, I decided to opt for myself the motto, “Keeping silent in a low profile is... gold!”

***

Brother Bertrand, who had accepted the role as “a contact person with Mr. Quyen and his Company on the matter of the ‘given’ new house, phoned to Brother Phong informing him that the new house would be completely built by June 1990, and its legal documents had been processed smoothly “so far so good.” However, he added, “There is a very important and urgent point on the legal documents that you, Brother Phong, must immediately resolve to complete these papers on or before May, 1990. Such point is as follows:
. the “gift receiver”, i.e. La Salle Vietnam, must pay for the down payment (Advance Security Money) an amount of ninety thousand dollars;
. the “gift giver”, i.e. The Construction Company, Investment & Development INC. will cover everything else, i.e. cost of house, legal documents, monthly mortgages, etc.

Although I didn’t fully realize about legal documents on selling/buying immobile properties, I did understand that “the gift receiver” must advance ninety thousand dollars. But, frankly speaking, I was not aware of the matter because I was convinced that Brother Phong could run about soliciting favors from the American Districts in borrowing without interest “one million dollars” at least for two years.

On the last week-end of April, Brother Phong called up some Vietnamese Brothers in East area to discuss about “ninety thousand dollars for down payment.” However, none of the American Districts agreed to “lend money without interest” as I had thought and hoped. Money issue is always a sensitive one. And there were no positive nor enthusiastic outputs following the meeting last January at Jeremy House.

A few days later, Brother Phong phoned to me from West Catholic community at about 9:00 P.M. He asked, “An, how much money are there in the AFVN-Fund?”
- “About forty three thousand.”
- “Can we beg the District of Saigon to advance a certain amount for the down payment?”
- “You should know that AFVN-Fund is the major part of patrimony and heritage of the District of Saigon. It’s not much in the way of resources for the whole District, particularly in these difficult times in Vietnam. I think we must ask Brother Roger for advice and opinions, then ask Brother Visitor Maurice for permission.”
- “Of course, we must ask for opinions and permission. But, how much do you think we can borrow from the District of Saigon?”

I wavered for a while between two ideas:
1. The amount of forty three thousand dollars for more than one hundred Brothers in Vietnam - most of them have been unemployed and tried to survive day by day without any hope for future - is very important and really needed for the District of Saigon;
2. The contribution to the down payment for the house is also important and necessary for the Project in California.

I asked, “Phong, how much did you get from the American Districts?”
- “Nothing! But I think that, if the District of Saigon positively responds in advancing a certain amount onto the Project in California, we can much easily beg the two Districts of Baltimore and San Francisco to give supplementary amount for the down payment. Do you think?”
- “I am quite surprised about the American Districts, much richer and often generously help the District of Saigon and other Districts even before 1975, and now...”
- “I understand what you mean. But, on this matter, I know by experience that we have to start the project first, the American Districts would ‘jump in’ to assist and help us later.”
- “I understand. If so, how much do you think the District of Saigon should contribute?”
- “Is it OK with forty thousand?”
- “What? It means that AFVN-Fund for the whole District of Saigon leaves only about three thousand?”
- “An, be confident! I am sure that within two years, we can pay the District of Saigon forty thousand, even more...”
- “But, within these two years, if there is something happens and the Brothers in Vietnam urgently need a certain amount of money...”
- “I don’t think so, because before AFVN-Fund was built up, our Brothers in Vietnam had overcome so many...”
- “I don’t agree with you at this point. Do you know where the amount in AFVN-Fund comes from? It’s the whole remaining bond of the District after 1975 deposited at La Salle Foundation in Paris.
- “I know. I think that it’s a good idea to have it invested to get more interest...”
- “That’s right. But it’s a risky business. However, we must ask Brother Roger for his opinions and advice. So, I suggest that you phone to him in Paris and report to him what has been happening since his last trip in San Jose...”
- “OK!”

On the next morning, I received a phone call from Brother Roger who said, “Valery, Phong called to me yesterday and informed me about the down payment. What do you think about asking Brother Visitor Maurice for permission to use the AFVN-Fund?” I didn’t reply so he continued, “Phong has mentioned your opinions and reflections on this matter. I agree with you. Anyway, I think we can invest a certain amount of money in AFVN-Fund to get more interest, and I know that interest rate in the USA is high and the American dollar more stable than any other currency. I am confident that you, Phong and Valery, can foresee how to get the best for the District of Saigon. So, go ahead! I’m contacting Brother Maurice and explaining to him about this matter. Good luck!” I replied, “Brother Roger, thank you for your trust. I’m waiting for Brother Visitor Maurice’s response...”

About two weeks later, Brother Phong and I received the response-letter from Brother Maurice, saying “It’s up to you, Phong and Valery, to invest a certain amount of money in AFVN-Fund for a better interest in producing profits for the District of Saigon.” I noticed that there was no mention about “how much” i.e. the maximum amount we could use for investment. Brother Phong said, “An, if you agree to sign a check of forty thousand dollars as contribution from the District of Saigon, I am sure that two Districts of Baltimore and San Francisco would contribute, each District, twenty five thousand. Thus, we will have ninety thousand dollars for the down payment. Do you think it works?” I replied, “I think that it would be better that you ask Brothers Colman and Mark ‘How much they can help?’ then the District of Saigon contributes the supplementary. By the way, do not forget to tell them that the District of Saigon’s total heritage is of only forty three thousand dollars in AFVN-Fund...”
- “OK! It’s a good idea. I’m calling to each of them, presenting to them the actual account of the District of Saigon.”

A few hours later, Brother Phong called me, informing the “good news.” He said, “An, each District agrees to lease without interest an amount of twenty thousand dollars. Thus, if you sign a check of forty thousand dollars, we still lack only ten thousand. But, don’t worry. I’ve called to Brother Bertrand and Mr. Quyen about the total amount we have right now - and that’s all what we can - is eighty thousand dollars for the down payment. After consultation with his Company, Mr. Quyen said, ‘The Company agrees with eighty thousand dollars for down payment.’ Mr. Quyen confirmed that once he receives eighty thousand dollars, all selling/buying documents will be done. He also added, ‘There are two signatures on the documents. The gift receiver: The District of San Francisco representing La Salle Vietnam. The gift giver: Mr. Quyen or Mr. Trong, his younger brother, and Investment&Development INC.’ It sounds good, doesn’t it?”

I must confess that while listening to Brother Phong through the telephone, my mind turned around. Hope of “one million from the American Districts...” looked quite dashed. Forty thousand dollars was a big treasure for the Brothers in Vietnam, particularly at these difficult times... Handing the letter “It’s up to you...” from Brother Maurice, I felt more and more embarrassed, all in a stir and a jumble. My past experiences living amidst my Confreres during several years under the communist government made me uneasy, even anxious, in agreeing to sign a check of forty thousand dollars, because I had known that such amount of money was of and for the Brothers in Vietnam.

“Tomorrow, at about noon,” the voice of Brother Phong over other side of the telephone line pulled me down to the reality. He continued, “I’ll be there at La Salle High School to pick up the check. Is it OK?” I replied, like a robot, “OK!”

About ten days after I had signed the check of forty thousand dollars for the down payment, Brother Colman, Visitor of the Baltimore District, met with me at La Salle College High School. He exhibited a more serious attitude to me, then said, “You don’t have the right to do that!” I calmly replied, “But I had gotten the permission from Brother Visitor Maurice and consulted with you and Brother John Patzwall about this matter.” He said, “Did you think that if in Vietnam the Brothers need a certain amount of money urgently, how can you provide them with...?” I said to myself, “What you say does tally with what I had thought about and was afraid of... But what else can I do?” Brother John Patzwall, Treasurer of the District of Baltimore and co-signer with me on the AFVN-Fund account, told me, once I moved to California, to immediately transfer the AFVN-Fund account from the Baltimore District to another account under the administration of the San Francisco District.

***

The school year 1989-1990 come to an end at La Salle College High School. At the school year end dinner, Brother Thomas Chadweeth, Director of the La Salle Community, said, “Let’s thank God for everything He has given to our community during the last school year. We thank each other for the our community life we have shared with each other. We thank you, Valery, for sharing with us your Vietnamese tradition and culture, and wish you good luck and success in your new apostolic works in San Francisco.”

That night, my last one at La Salle College High School, I couldn’t sleep. It was a toss-up whether my new adventure in California would be better than so many previous adventures I had experienced. I tried to assure myself in repeating a message that I had memorized from the famous book Les Prodigieuses Victoires de la Psychologie by Pierre Daco, “La capaciteù de s’adapter à toutes circonstances de la vie est le secret d’être heureux dans la vie pour chacun.” Que Sera Sera, anyway!

On the morning of June 1, 1990, I flew to San Francisco. Brother Bertrand picked me up at the airport and drove me to stay temporarily at Joseph Alemany Community, on the property of Saint Mary’s College of California.

Another adventure began...