Our last day on the work site and our house is finished. Our family whose name is Dong had a ceremonial tea service for all the volunteers to thank us, with a tea set that we all gave to them for their new home. It was very emotional for all of us.
One of the volunteers brought a bag of balloons and Becky and I blew them up and tied them to a string for the children. One after another they came to our house for a balloon, the police had to come and tell them no more. We almost caused a riot! I do not think they ever saw one before. I know that most of them had never seen an American before.  We were quite a treat for them, especially with blue eyes.
We then walked behind the dancing dragons to the closing meal shared by volunteers and families. I wish I could tell you what it is really like here, but I cannot put into words what it would take to show the depth of the poverty here. Our family has been waiting 7 years for this little house while living on a very small boat in the river.
They are so grateful for so little and are so happy to work along side us. We cannot speak each others language, but we can read the thoughts in our hearts through our eyes. It has been an honor to be here with such wonderful people.