LCMS World Mission Blog

After a several month delay due to a big flood in October 2008, Phuong Xa Health Station was finally completed to the joy of Phuong Xa leaders and citizens at the end of January 2009. The joy was doubled immediately following the completion, when the health station received national standard status from the Central Government. The official reception ceremony was held on Feb. 28, one day after Vietnamese Doctors’ Day.

On the fourth day of their two-week visit to Vietnam from March 20-31, the Wunderlich family from Nebraska visited Phuong Xa. This gracious family supported the building and upgrading of Phuong Xa Health Station. And, in a very rare occasion, the direct donor and the beneficiary met.

With the support of the Wunderlich family, one new building was constructed while the old one was upgraded; one large traditional medicine garden was developed and one wall was built. These together made Phuong Xa health station one of the finest health stations in Cam Khe District. This health station will act not only as a health clinic for basic healthcare services (free vaccinations for children, labor and delivery options for women, etc.), but also an education center for local people. Building and upgrading health stations have always been one of the focuses of projects carried out by the partnership of LCMS World Mission and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).

“With our health station now having been built and upgraded and having received national standard status, more people will come and we can serve them better…” said Phuong Xa president Chieu, thanking the Wunderlich family for their kind support.

“We are pleased to be here, happy to see that more people will now be served as Phuong Xa Health Station has now met the national standard. We thank God that we could help…” said Ross, the father of the family.

The visit ended with big hugs, strong handshakes, a little rice wine, and hope for a stronger and deeper cooperation in the future not only between Phuong Xa and the Wunderlich family, Phu Tho and LCMS World Mission/NIN, but also the people of Vietnam and the United States.

LCMS World Mission personnel in Vietnam and their partner, the National Institute of Nutrition, are happy to be the bridge for that relationship.

(writing by Hai Quang Trinh; photos by J.P. Cima)