WESTFIELD-A team of area residents from Hope Community Church in neighboring Feeding Hills recently became one of Orphan Voice’s “friendship teams,” and are forever changed from the experience.
“The work that Orphan Voice does is important,” said Jenifer Russell of Westfield, who served as the team leader for the mission to Vietnam. “The organization makes a huge difference for the poorest of the poor and partnering with them has allowed us to impact lives and our lives have also been impacted by the experience.”
Area residents of Hope Community Church in Feeding Hills recently spent a week helping Orphan Voice, a Christian organization that serves children in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. They are seen with children and staff at an orphanage. (Submitted photo)
Orphan Voice is a Christian, holistic child development ministry devoted to orphans, children with special needs, and children at risk for trafficking and sexual abuse in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Major outreaches include orphan care, special needs therapy, deaf education, sex trafficking rescue and prevention, family preservation, and medical outreach.
Russell’s team was away from Aug. 1-12 and stayed primarily in Da Nang, a coastal city in central Vietnam. Team members included Jillian Knapp of South Hadley, Mike Cassanelli of Westfield, Heather Myers of West Springfield, Michelle Longey of West Springfield, Kyle Miltimore of Westfield, Alex Kreychman of Suffield, Conn., Wayne Tower of Agawam, and Kaleb Cree of Westfield.
“I reminded my team about the importance of being open and flexible during the trip, and serving where God wants us to be,” said Russell.
During their mission trip, they spent time at the Phu Ninh Therapy Center, the New Beginnings School for the Deaf, and the Promise House orphanage. Projects ranged from painting study rooms for boys and girls, playing games with the children, and replacing basketball hoops and backboards. Team members also purchased basketballs for the children.
“We beautified the girls and boys study rooms as best we could because the plaster was crumbling under our paint brushes,” said Russell.
Knapp shared a similar sentiment.
“While we did have projects to work on, our main purpose was to love on these kids and the staff,” said Knapp, who owns Rosewood Home & Gifts on Elm Street in Westfield.
Knapp noted she was surprised and saddened to see the area they visited hadn’t recovered from the Vietnam War.
“The rural areas we were in were considered Ground Zero for Agent Orange,” said Knapp. “The kids were all over us during our visits and we loved and spoiled them.”
Cassanelli echoed those thoughts.
“We found out that the effects from Agent Orange during the Vietnam War are still prevalent among children at the therapy center,” said Cassanelli, noting that many of the children they visited had cerebral palsy. “We engaged with the children by singing songs, walking with some of them, carrying some children, and also feeding some of the kids.”
Cassanelli added that wherever they traveled, the Vietnamese people were welcoming and the children were appreciative of their efforts.
“At the School for the Deaf none of us knew sign language,” said Cassanelli. “The kids taught us how to say ‘I love you.’ The kids didn’t want us to leave. After this experience you realize how much you have in America.”
As the week was winding down, the team members inquired with Orphan Voice staff members about ways they could provide a unique experience for the children in their care. When the team members were encouraged to ask the 19 children (ages 9-17) at the orphanage for their own input it was a resounding “Asia Park!” Asia Park – Sun World Da Nang Wonders is an amusement park with rides and themed areas based on Asian countries.
“The kids at the orphanage enjoyed the amusement park because they don’t get a chance to do that kind of stuff,” said Cassanelli, adding, “They were loving it.”
Team members we spoke with all look forward to sharing their experiences with others and, in turn, may inspire others to serve – whether locally or globally.
For Knapp, her takeaway from the mission trip was simple – “I came home with more of a sense of gratitude of what I do have.”
Russell concurred.
“I know I can speak for the team when I say I felt honored and humbled to be a part of this mission trip,” said Russell.
For information on becoming involved with Orphan Voice, visit www.orphanvoice.org.
“Team members acknowledged they had grown more spiritually on this trip,” said Russell. “Every kid has a story and our hearts were touched by every child we met.”
