Time went on, smoothly. The La Salle Vietnam community life quite quickly returned to normal. Bills about monthly mortgage, property tax and house insurance from the San Francisco District suddenly stopped arriving to La Salle Vietnam community - after nearly a year. Every Vietnamese Brother was happy and grateful for the compassion and generosity of the American Brothers of the San Francisco District.

Brother Visitor David sent a team of video-cameramen to Vietnam, Scott and Philips, to make several video tapes about different fields of activities and programs, e.g. Formation Houses, Vocational Centers, Boarding Centers, etc. from many cities of South Vietnam. This set of video tapes was presented to the Mission Assemblies of the San Francisco District. Brother David also invited Brother Francois Anh, Visitor of the Saigon District to participate in the first Mission Assembly, and Brother Simon Tung, Auxiliary Visitor, to participate in the second Assembly.

There also have been many Organizations, namely SECOLI, Groups, Clubs, or Districts including the District of Paris, who come to the assistance of the District of Saigon. If we had to rank these Benefactors from Platinum to Gold to Silver... we should rank San Francisco District to the highest as “Great Benefactor” of the District of Saigon. Indeed, thanks must be extended to its involvement in visiting and supporting both spiritually and financially the District of Saigon and raising up and developing the Mission of the La Salle Brothers in Vietnam.

***

On April 30, 1975, “the iron curtain” had been dropped down and encircled the whole country from North to South Vietnam into a sort of big concentration camp. Without any political critic one must recognize that such an iron curtain could not - never - stand long for and from both sides, oppressors and oppressed. Indeed, after 1978 and 1979, the two years that people said the whole Vietnamese population failed to die of starvation, the so-called government - or “oppressors” - had no choice but to gradually lift up such a mortally frightening iron curtain. Even the communist government had replaced the iron curtain by another one less frightening in 1985, so that Vietnamese people, i.e. both oppressors and oppressed, could feel a more livable climate. Moreover, Vietnamese “boat-people” from outside in the free world could at last come to visit their families and so meet the fundamental needs of typically Oriental Sense of Family and bring them concretely material and financial help. Although there was a strong movement trying to stop “sending gifts to Vietnam,” or “going back to Vietnam for whatever reason,” family sentimental has prevailed.

Brother Phong was the first pioneer among the Vietnamese Brothers Overseas to take risk in going back to Vietnam. Other Brothers from France, Australia, etc... in turn went back and forth to visit their Confreres and relatives. Perhaps thanks to such trips, the relationship between the Lasallians - in Vietnam and Overseas - gradually opened the Threshold of New Hope for a brighter vitality and zeal for the Brothers of the District of Saigon. Observing them going back and forth to Vietnam, I confessed that I envied their legal status as US citizens or at least permanent residents to the USA. In fact, I was still stateless and, the worse of the worst, I still was undocumented person, i.e. illegal immigrant to the USA.

That was NOT because I didn’t work to solve and clarify my immigrant and resident status in the USA. Contrarily, I ran from lawyer to lawyer, begging for help on this matter. At first, everyone seemed confidently convinced that “Brother! it’s easy. I guarantee that within three months or at most six months you’ll get the green card!” But, after carefully reading my documents, everyone changed tone, saying, “Oh oh! Your case cannot be solved here, in the USA. You should return to Paris to be interviewed, and hopefully accepted by INS in Paris.” Some lawyers suggested that I request USCC to help solve my immigrant status, i.e. ask the Diocese to sponsor me into the Diocese as a Religious worker.

Brother Phong has had a very good reputation in the Diocese of San Jose, particularly at the Vietnamese Parish Saint Patrick for his outstanding works for young people in San Jose. One lawyer’s advice seemed to be logically and positively realizable on my behalf. I confided to him my case and suggested that he contact USCC in the matter. He showed understanding, but hesitated for a while, then said, “I think that if we refer to the Diocese, i.e. to USCC, to take care of this case, it would uncover your long time illegal status in the USA. As a Religious, should you do it? We will lose all the good reputation...” I just smiled, saying no word. I said to myself, “Losing all the good reputation? Whose good reputation?”

Many of my closest friends had searched and researched ways to help me get the “status adjustment.” There were no clues at the time. Suddenly, in the middle of 1996, Mary Thien Huong, a friend for whom I had helped fix and/or setup computers and software programs, called me, “Brother! Very good news for you! The lawyer I used to frequent for business matters told me that your case could be solved, i.e. you can be interviewed right here in San Jose, instead of going back to Paris to be interviewed.” In fact, I promptly sought out a lawyer in San Jose, and less than four months later, I received the approval letter from INS, with a clear appointment to be interviewed.

The lawyer and his Vietnamese interpreter accompanied me to the INS office in San Jose. A INS officer - Mexican origin, I guessed by his appearance, particularly by his face and language accent - welcomed us. Three of us sat in front of him at a big desk. He asked me some questions, just to verify what I had declared on my documents. Some questions he asked at once were, “What is your job? Who or which company or which organization hired you?” Although the lawyer had assured me, “Be not afraid of declaring your job and salary you earn...” While I replied exactly according to what I had declared, I felt anxious and wondered, “Did I have the right to work, legally, at Saint Mary’s College?” The INS Officer seemed satisfied with my responses. I felt more confident, but not for long. The Officer asked me, “What else do you do?” I didn’t know how to answer. The lawyer whispered something to his interpreter who said at my ears, “Besides your job as ACF manager, what else do you do?” I replied to the officer, “I had been teaching catechism for adults at the parish, and helping the La Salle Sisters on their Novitiate studies.” “Do you think,” said the Officer, “that in America, there is no one who can work on computer, and who can teach catechism?” I became really embarrassed, knowing not what and how to respond. The lawyer suggested, “What do you teach to the Sisters?” then he whispered to the interpreter. She in turn, whispered to my ears, “Don’t worry, Brother, he is looking for an acceptable reason to give you the green card...” I nodded my head, and then said, “I am teaching to the La Salle Sisters Christology, Mariology...” “What’s Christology?” asked the Officer. I replied, “It’s about Jesus Christ.” He nodded his head, then said, “OK! Very good!” Then he told me to sign on a paper and took my finger imprints while the lawyer joyfully said, “Congratulations, Brother, you are getting the green card!” The Officer then stamped on my titre voyage, valid for one year, i.e. until November 5, 1997. He looked at me, smiling, then said, “CONGRATULATIONS!” We shook hands. It was Tuesday November 6, 1996, the voting date for a new president of the USA. And Bill Clinton was re-elected for his second term as president.

***

I immediately thought of applying for the Re-Entry Permit - similar to the titre de voyage, valid for two years. With this Re-Entry Permit, I could go back to Vietnam and return to the USA, legally. I was so eager to go back to Vietnam that when I did get the Re-Entry Permit, I booked the air-ticket destination Saigon on Summer of 1997. It was fourteen years away from my family and confreres!

On the plane before landing at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, I trembled with excitement remembering many bad experiences I had endured fourteen years ago. A few weeks or days before I went to San Francisco Airport to head for Vietnam, some confreres and friends had been warning me on danger I could encounter at Tan Son Nhat Airport or even in the territory of Vietnam, because I had illegally fled overseas, and I had been imprisoned, and... etc. It made me naturally anxious. “Anyway,” I said to myself, “on the airplane, there were at least two hundred Vietnamese who, just like me, were to visit their families. It wouldn’t be reasonable that the communist government annoy all of them.”

Entering the visa and passport control area, I felt gradually relaxed and calm: there was no shadow of the red-yellow star flag, neither any picture of uncle Ho on any wall. As the Brothers who had gone back to Vietnam many times earlier instructed, I inserted a five dollars bill in my Re-entry Permit and submitted it to the custom officer. He took the Re-entry Permit booklet, opened it and in a way really skilled leant it forward his desk so that the five dollars bill fell down into a made-ready box for that purpose. He gave a wink to me, satisfied, and then stamped on my papers without asking any questions or inquiring whatsoever. Step one passed!

While waiting for my two boxes of luggage, a middle-aged lady came closer to me and whispered, “Is it for the first time you go back to Vietnam?” I nodded. She, kind of anxious and embarrassed, told me, “Me too, I am afraid knowing not what to do.” I became, in turn, anxious, saying to myself, “If other people get embarrassed, it could be not that simple!” Anyway, I replied, “I don’t know what to do, neither. I think we should look at other people and imitate them. By the way, I heard that if we insert a ten or twenty dollars bill - depending on how many boxes of luggage you bring - in the passport and custom declaration sheet, it would be OK.” Indeed, I inserted a twenty dollar bill in my Re-entry Permit, because I brought two boxes of luggage. The custom officers said no word, stamped on my papers and my two boxes of luggage passed through the scanner. No questions asked!

While pushing out cart with two boxes of luggage, I saw at the other end of the corridor several waving hands. Many of my Brothers smiling faces welcomed me back. I hadn’t seen most of them for at least seventeen or even twenty years before. Getting closer, I recognized Brothers Colomban Dao and Michel Hong, both of them had been jailed for more than ten years at A50 in Nha Trang and were released from prison after I had successfully fled overseas. There were also present at the airport Brothers Francois Anh then Visitor of the District of Saigon, Gervais Ha, Alphonse Minh and Andrew Thang who had been jailed at the same forced labor camp and released on the same time with me. To my moving but happy surprise, I recognized that my older brother Bình from Kontum and my youngest sister from Hue whom I hadn’t seen since 1977, when I was in Hue for the funeral of my beloved father. Brother Lucien Quang, former Visitor, and many other Brothers were present at the airport. How to describe my feelings at that moment?

I was lucky getting back to Vietnam on the last day of annual retreat of the District, so that I could assist to the Mass of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29 - the feast that the Brothers have chosen as a Tradition Day of the District. On such Tradition Day, the District honors the Jubilee Brothers, whether Silver or Gold or Diamond Jubilees. And eventually, there were First Vows Profession for the ending second year Novices, and Final Vows Profession, or Annual Vows Renewal.

For this year of 1997, there was Final Vows Profession for Brother Alphonse Minh - the Brother who sits at the left in the photo. There also was Vows Renewal for two Jubilee Brothers, Michel Haûi (white shirt in the photo) and Rodriguez Ñaøo who celebrated the fiftieth year of their Taking Religious Habit.

In addition, twenty five younger Brothers, one third of whom were Scholastics, renewed their annual vows. Looking at them around the altar and with a confident voice professing their annual vows, I felt a joyful excitement for the rising up and an exhausted hope for a new vitality of the District of Saigon. I am sure that other Brothers, especially the older had the same feelings of satisfactory hope and peace of mind.

I regretted not being able to stay longer in Vietnam, because it was my first trip to Vietnam after fourteen years far away, I didn’t dare risk too much. To tell the truth, I didn’t have enough time to go back to my native village to visit my older sister Cong and to pray before the graves of my parents, brothers and sisters and relatives. I didn’t have an opportunity to visit the families of my two benefactors:
* Mrs. Sang’s family who had been feeding me during my three years in the so-called re-education camp;
* Mrs. Bac Ba and Remy Hien’s family who had given me not just new hope in life, but at all cost had brought me to a free country, the USA.

Anyway, if the first time passed through, smoothly and enthusiastically, the “many” next times would be even better. Indeed, on the Christmas Season of 2000, I invited Brother Christopher Bassen, Founder and then Director of LEO Center in Oakland, to make a tour to Vietnam. He agreed.

We were first welcomed by Brother Francois Anh, Visitor of the District of Saigon, and the Provincialate Community, kind of HQ of the LaSalle Education System which had been "imported" from France back in 1866, and which has been so helpful in educating Vietnamese people, forming several elite officers - among them Vo Nguyen Giap, Ha Van Lau, etc. in North, Ngo Dinh Diem and Nguyen Van Thieu, etc. in South, and so many other civilians, politicians and religious alike. Unfortunately, their works for Vietnamese people, for more than 100 years, have been denied by the new government, stating that "education is a government monopoly." Thus, their willing to help - just to help and/or to contribute their expertise to the education system of the government - is still very restricted, even denied. All the establishments and schools of De La Salle Institute have been forced to be "offered for the socialist education purpose of the new government" (Cf. Journal 1, Part Two.) The Provincialate has been moved to a corner of the Institution of Taberd which was a big school with more than 7,000 students before the events of 1975. This corner had been the bed room and office of Brother Econome at Taberd.

Evening prayer with the Community of Taberd and some resident aspirants in a humble and small chapel which has been remodeled from "the repair of the roof... and it suddenly becomes a classroom" (Cameraman Scott video and comment at the SF District Convocation in 1996.)

On the next morning, we joined a group of young men totally committed to the service of the poor, going far away to an isolated area in Phuoc Long. Santa Claus come by a bicycle, bringing gifts/presents to poor children. They welcome him, I guess, not because of gifts/presents, but overall because it's the first time of their life, they saw such an... amazing man: laughing, funny clothes, shouting "zooooh, zoooh!!!"

These kids and their families had been forced to come back to their originally Vietnamese area from Kampuchea. They live in really poor houses; the nearest school is about 7km away. How could they go to school? Looking at these children, shy smiling faces or laughing showing all their irregular teeth, my American friend was really moved.

Back to Saigon later that afternoon, we participated to a party commemorating the 21st anniversary of "freedom." Certain members of the La Salle Mossard Community were released from the so-called re-education camp 21 years ago, on December 22 1980. I invited these members and some of my former Juniors to the party at the house of my benefactors, Mrs. Sang, Duyen and Hoa who, during three years and month by month, brought food and every necessary personal items to my life in prison.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! All Brothers in Saigon, Tan Cang, Phu Son gathered at Mai Thon, "together and by association," and celebrated Baby Jesus' Birthday. I noticed that few Brothers were absent. I was later informed that these Brothers are still teachers in public schools, and on December 24 and 25, the Minister of Education set "exam days" - even if these days are Saturday or Sunday! There were no days off on December 24 and 25! - "Just like before, I mean right after '75!", I said to myself.

I don't know how my American friend felt it, but for me, since more than 25 years, I again lived that climate of Brotherhood, and realized that "Ecce Quam Bonum et Quam Jucundum - Habitare Fratres in Unum" is a marvelous God's Blessing, and why Saint De La Salle emphasizes Community Life: a family where Old, Middle Aged, Young share with each other what each one has the best of him/herself, regardless age, race... just because "Yes, we all are Lasallians!"

The LaSalle Sisters at Maithon welcomed Brother Christopher and me to a pre-Christmas Eve dinner. The toddlers waiting for their parents to pick them up, had opportunity to say "hello" with a very innocent and lovely shaking hand with my American friend. Each of us received a wonderful art work - home made?

***

After "Christmas dinner" hosted by La Salle Duc Minh Community, we joined all Brothers at the community and Lasallian Volunteers, going to the "dark streets" around Saigon to distribute presents to poor people - homeless, street kids, etc. I must recognize our Volunteers' faith and zeal: they spent all Christmas Day cooking, packing food and toys, etc. for this moment of sharing Jesus' love and peace to poor people. More than 200 rations of food : steamed rice, boiled egg, piece of cooked pork meat, vegetable, and other ingredients.

Divided into ten groups of four, on motorbike, we advanced onto dark streets of Saigon. Brother Christopher in Santa Claus clothes, bearing a bag of toys, was joyfully cheered by "hello!", "Ong Gia Noen!", "hey!hey!hey! Santa Claus!"... of everyone on the streets, especially of children who besieged him and automatically put their hands into his bag and, just at the very first stop, all toys fled. Well, one left at the surprised but heartfelt feelings of the American who, maybe for the first time of his life, realized the meanings of TOUCHING HEARTS!

More than 20 food rations in a big plastic bag I handed with my two hands, behind the motorbike driver, were not enough for the number of poor people I saw on the dark streets. To each homeless man/woman/children, I gave a pack of food with the wish "Mung Chua Giang Sinh - Binh An cua Chua o cung Anh/Chi/Em - Merry Christmas! Jesus's Peace be with you!” After the fourth stop, all bags were empty - but I know it, my heart and my American friend's were full of joy.
I regret that I couldn't get back to my native village in Hue - about 900km away from Saigon, for even a flash visit to my family. I called my youngest sister to come to Saigon, but unfortunately, on the road to Saigon - at Danang, she got trouble with her high blood pressure, and, motion-sick, she had to go back home. My brother's family could go to Saigon from Kontum and we were able to have a "Family Day" in Tay Ninh about 100km from Saigon with my nieces/nephews and grand-nieces/nephews, some were back from Kansas City. Brother Christopher was cordially, even eargerly welcomed to join me to my Family Day, “Because,” he said, “Your Family is Mine, too!” - Wow! Moving and Wonderful!

LaSalle Ban Me Thuot is the first school of the LaSalle Education System in Vietnam to be "offered", right on the first day of the communist invasion to South, March 13, 1975. We had opportunity to stopping by DakMil where, few years ago, three Brothers had permission to temporarily stay and run a tutoring class. The "Sky" knows why, suddenly, all of them had to flee away and left the house empty. When we visited it, all windows were broken and the house, of course, totally empty! In BMT, the Brothers run three "boarding centers":
- one for students in college;
- one for students in high school;
- and the third for students in junior high and some resident Aspirants. Two of them are of different ethnic communities.

Arrived to Nhatrang, we hastened to go to Mont LaSalle, the "berceau" of the District of Saigon, where hundreds of "Ancien" Brothers, Novices, Junior Novices had been living, or forged themselves to be a Brother, or were forged by Brother Formators to be what we have been until now, from generation to generation, since 1933 to 1975...

As the car reached the front gate, the guard - politely, respectfully, and a little proudly - open the gate, to my great surprise. As we entered the front gate, a Brother went to talk to the sentry - maybe asking permission to enter the property for a visit... The guard suddenly "changed face," becoming angry. He made sign to the driver to immediately u-turn to "get out!" I realized that he might think, at first, that we were a delegation from a foreign country - because of the presence of my American friend. We are indeed! And not only of a delegation, we are owners of the property! Anyway, we turned around and got out. This time, I'm not surprised, but really saddened and hurt!

"Never mind!" said the driver, "I know how to enter Mont La Salle!" He drove along the rear and stopped at what was - I still remember, a little door to the cemetery of the Brothers. We entered. There were no gate nor cemetery in sight, but houses and houses built up more or less decently. "C'est fini!" I whispered to myself. How can I forget Mont La Salle where I lived for seven years in Junior Noviciate and Noviciate? It was the longest journey of my life in Vietnam from teenager to young-adult, except twelve years of my childhood at my native village.

Behind the former Noviciate, there is an other statue of St. De La Salle. I heard that the Brothers in Nhatrang have requested to move it to their community. At first, the chief administrator agreed, but when the Brothers were working on moving it, another chief, nobody knows from where, came and asked to leave it there. As we walked around Mont La Salle I said, "Let's go home! The more you look at this, the more you get saddened and frustrated!" My American Brother replied, "That's true! I understand your feelings, Val!"

On the road back to the community, we saw a coffee-restaurant with a notice board "LaSan." I inquired the owner about the name “La San,” and he replied, “Oh! I heard people call this place "Doi LaSan" (Mont La Salle), "LaSan" sounds good and interesting...”
- “Are you a former student of LaSalle schools?”
- “No!”

"LASAN sounds good and interesting..." reminded me of the comment of the principal at the High School of ThuDuc to his staff: that's every student must bear the logo "High School of Thuduc" on the pocket of their shirt. But almost all of them didn't do it. They bear the logo "LASAN" instead. Few months later, during a meeting, the principal said to his staff: "You must do so that students love 'our socialist school' as they do love 'LASAN school'" (Cf. Journal 1, page 178.) Did these students and do the actual students love “their socialist school,” now? I really don't know!

On the road to Dalat, we stopped by Binh Cang where a new community was opened last year. Similarly to DakMil, the local authorities granted "temporary residence card" to two young Brothers. Unfortunately, one Brother suddenly passed away. The other Brother with some La Salle Volunteers, continued tutoring young kids in the area. At the very first day, only four kids showed up. A few days later, the number of kids increased to ten, then to twenty, then to fifty and at the end to eighty. Instead of appreciating their success, the local authorities forbade "illegally gathering of kids" at their house. The Brothers looked for an other location. Where would be the best and legal if not the church? "Fine!" the priest allowed them to move eighty kids to the church facility, and so far so good up to now. "So far so good?" - Yes for tutoring kids - No for the temporary residence permit. The local authorities suddenly called up the Brother, telling him that his "permit has been removed."
- "What did I do wrong?"
- "Nothing! It's the order from... above!"

Although the house was quasi empty: no bed, no running water, no minimum facility for a normal life, the "farmer-like" Brother, Alphonse Minh, came to the house tutoring ten kids at the moment the most... safer, early morning, before going to the church facility for a larger class.

We were late arriving to Dalat. After lunch, we hastened to make a tour visiting "our" four properties, Technical School, Adran, LamBiang and former Scolasticate. Unfortunately, we could only visit Technical School thanks to the guard at the gate who was a former student of the Technical School before 1975.

***

La Saint Sylvestre, New Year’s Eve, the group of Volunteers supervised by Brother Greùgoire, then Director at La Salle DucMinh Community, went to an isolated area distributing more than 600 packs of rice, 10kg/pack, and an envelop of "Better New Year 2002" wish including 50,000dong/envelop (about 5 dollars) to poor families. Just like any other "services of the poor," we really don't need the gift receivers to know who we are: Bringing a smile of satisfaction and comfort to the poor, isn't it enough to express our solidarity and love for each other, as human beings? I know that the benefactors from everywhere, especially from the USA, who sent money/check with a note: "For the poor - please do not publish my name" or "for whatever you feel necessary to do..." understand more than any other persons the meanings of REACHING OUT! TOUCHING HEARTS!

***

I had to return to California. My American friend, Brother Christopher Bassen continued his “Reaching Out - Touching Heart” tour with the younger Brothers at the Scholasticate. On the plane back home, tired but really happy, I would say
- to God, “Thank You! Thank You for everything that happens to my family, to my Brothers and Sisters, to my Friends, to my Former Students, to whom I met...”
- to whom it may concern, ”Thank you! Thank you for being Brother/Sister to each other. May God bless whatever we have done for each other...”