“Pure, undefiled religion is that you visit the poor, the widows and the orphans in their distress.” Today, we found all three in one place. As we were looking for houses to build for those in need, we were taken to the home of a mother of two named Kim. As we interviewed this family, standing on the dirt floor of their home, we were told that she had just recovered from heart surgery and was in debt for that surgery, that she has been widowed for seven years, and has two daugthers – Thu, 17 years old, and Huyen, 10 years old. It was obvious that this family met the criteria to have a home built to replace the mere sticks they were living in. As the decision was being translated to Kim she began to cry. Her tears broke the dam of emotions that had been pent up inside her two daughters maybe since the loss of their father. Soon everyone on the team was in crying with them, even the party officials that were travelling with us. Love was expressed to this family in every way possible through compassionate touches including father’s hugs for the girls. A new home will be built; bicycles, school supplies & school clothes purchased for the girls; money was give; and they will also receive the blessing of a cow to begin their own small business. But the greatest thing that was provided for this family today was hope. Hope for a future that will include education, concrete floors, a toilet, and a roof over their heads that doesn’t leak. But the greatest hope came through the love and compassion of a group of people from halfway around the world who were led to them by a God who loves them. James 1:27 was realized today when we made a visit to the poor, the widows and the orphans.

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