Vu, Manh Hung

Thank You for this opportunity to introduce myself and my family.
I am enclosing the following information and pictures for you to include.
Thank You again.

My name is Hung M Vu.  I am 59 years old and was born in Vietnam.  I am married to Phuong Vo, who is still living in Saigon, Vietnam.
I came to the USA in 1992.  I have ben working in the hospitatlity field at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, in St Louis.
Before I came to the United States I worked in health care in Vietnam as an RN in Saigon for 15 years.
This mission trip is my first trip with COPI.  I heard about this oportunity from my sister  Ngoc Vu Rohland, who is also on this trip for the first time.
I look forward to meeting and working with you all and thank you for sharing your time and expertise helping my fellow countrymen.

Raina Zeeh

                                                              (Back) Curtis            

                                         (Middle) Raina & Thane 

                                              (Front) Nina

binh and Raina

Binh Rybacki and I (Raina Zeeh) became friends on a mission trip in 1994. When I first met binh she invited any doctor or nurse to come with her to Vietnam. As a nurse and with a desire to do a short term mission, with God's leading, I decided to travel with binh. At that time the trip was more of a fact finding mission than actually providing care to kids in Vietnam. It was a very eye opening experience and one that stayed with me. In 1999 binh helped my husband, Curtis, and I adopt my son, Thane, from Tam Binh orphanage in Saigon. In 2001 binh helped us adopt my daughter, Nina, from the same orphanage. Curtis and I decided in 2005 to take a more active role in COPI by serving as mission coordinators. Curtis or I have led each March mission trip since 2006. Binh and my friendship has grown over the years and I am honored to call her one of my best friends. Binh is an incredible woman with a heart for God and the people of Vietnam.

The family picture was taken on a trip to the Great Barrier Reef last summer during a trip to visit the Catfords (Tanya, one of our team members). Thane is now 13 and in 7th grade. Nina is 10 and in 5th grade. One day they both would like to make a trip back to Vietnam to see the country where they were born. We hope they can go on a mission trip in the coming years.

James Wakefield

From James Wakefield

Hi COPI Teammates!

I’m a 58 year old Lutheran pastor from Sandy, Utah. I’ve been on several mission trips, but never to Vietnam. Our congregation loves and supports COPI and binh.

Besides working with our wonderful congregation, I teach theology and help train pastors. I write books, and do all that intense academic stuff.

For fun, I spend time with my three adult children and four grandchildren. I’ve been skiing a lot this season (43 half-days and 860K vertical feet). When not skiing or working, I hike and — get ready — I dance. I’ve enjoyed ballroom dancing for many years. My nickname is “TangoJames.”

I look forward to meeting and encouraging you all.

James

Ngoc Vu Rohland

My name is Ngoc Vu Rohland.  I was born and grew up in Saigon, Vietnam.  I came to theUnited State in 1992 after 7 years teaching in Elementary School in Saigon, Vietnam.  I have been working as a Registered Nurse (RN) for 14 years and currently attending graduate school, pursuing a Master’s degree in Nursing Administration (In fact, I am currently taking an eight-weeks course which will be done on March/9^th/2012, and, sort of, “pulling my hair  out” right now). :-) 

I am married and live in Illinois, USA.  My husband is retired from the US Air Force.  We have one daughter who is a senior at Lutheran High School.  Last year, I joined “Nurses for Africa” for a two-weeks medical mission to Zambia, Africa.  I learned about COPI from the film “A Necessary Journey” when it was broadcasted on PBS.  I was so thrilled that I was “Google” and looking up the organization (COPI) at the same time that I was watching the film on TV…

I am looking forward to the trip, to meet everyone, and to work and serve.

Tanya Catford

                   Front Row: Riley, Xavier & Oliva Back row John and Tanya


G’day to everyone from the land down under.  I’m Tanya Catford, the second half of the Australian team. I’m excited to join with the team and contribute to “making a difference” for the children in Vietnam.

I’m married to John and we have been blessed with three children (Riley 13, Xavier 9, Olivia 6).   I’m a naturally shy person and the day my husband told me we were moving to Utah in 2005, I began praying for lots of help!  God’s plan couldn’t have gone more smoothly.  I met Raina Zeeh at the playground (with our kids) and we became close friends.  My family worshiped at Good Shepherd Lutheran church in Salt Lake City and we became familiar with the wonderful work of COPI.  I remember wishing that I could be as courageous, giving and dedicated as  “those people” going on the mission trips.

Now, many years later, my turn has come and I feel privileged to be a member of the team.  Being an elementary school teacher, I have a love for children and enjoy spending time with them.   My school in Brisbane, Australia has been hearing a lot about COPI and this past week we have had 50 five year olds make a record number of bracelet packs for the trip.  They too, are excited to be a part of COPI.  Helping others is contagious!

I look forward to meeting you all very soon.  The first thing I need to do when I get there, is to give Raina a big hug.

Mike Kirchner

My name is Mike Kirchner.  I am a long time friend of COPI, and finally traveled back to Vietnam on the March of 2010 mission.  It was there where the photo was taken.  I met the two women in the picture with me 40 years prior, when I was "in-country" in 1968-1970, serving in the American Air Force.  It was of course war time, and those two women were then young girls, and novices at an orphanage near Bien Hoa. Back then, my unit was visiting the orphanage and providing some food, money and support whenever possible.  It was an amazing reunion in 2010, and it was organized by co binh, with only a 40 year old photo to work with!  I shall never forget what she did for me.  It is an incredible story and I would love to share more photos and stories during down time on our mission.

    

    Otherwise, I am  just an old guy who spent 25 years of his life in law enforcement and retired in 1999 as the Chief of Police in a small town in Western Massachusetts.  I then went directly in the security business, specializing in protection of Cultural Property.  I am now employed as the Director of Security at the Harvard University Art Museum.  I hope to "really" retire within the next couple of years and relocate to a home that we just purchased in North Carolina. I have been very active in Kiwanis International for the past 22 years, and in fact that is where I first met binh Rybacki and heard her speak.  I am also an active advisor for the New England Key Club, and they are avid supporters of COPI and binh Rybacki.   I am looking forward to my return trip to Vietnam to reunite with some old friends and make some new ones on both sides of the "pond".  

 

See you all on March 14th!

 

Mike 

Bethany Kelly

Hello!  My name is Bethany Kelly.  I am one of the two Australians coming on the Spring 2012 COPI trip.  I am looking forward to meeting you all and to having a wonderful adventure serving together.

I am a 42 yr old mom of three kids (Brynlea – 15, Ashton – 13, and Hudson – 5).  I have been married to the fabulous Peter (who is taking time off work to look after the family while I am away) for 20 years.

I first heard about COPI through my friend Tanya Catford (the other Australian on the team).  She knew I had an interest in overseas work so she lent me ‘A Necessary Journey’ to watch.   For the past 3 years she has kept me updated with COPI news and for the past 3 years I have been asking her “so when are you going to go?”  I am thrilled to be joining the team this year.

I was born and raised in Papua New Guinea – my parents were involved in mission / linguistic work there.  I spent my high school years in the USA (TX), before moving to Australia at 18 years.  I studied high school education, but ended up working at a university (helping postgraduate research students write up grant applications and such).  For the past 3 years I have been at home full time, with most of my energy going into helping my youngest (with Autism / ADHD) get the support he needs to be the best he can be in life.

To be honest, I feel completely inadequate for this trip.  I speak no Vietnamese and I have no medical skills!  However, I love people and love cross cultural experiences / travel.  I have common sense and a positive, ‘can do’ attitude, so, I am trusting that I will be of some use.  I have never been to Vietnam.  I am more than excited to spend time in this beautiful country.