-^-for posterity-^-

i was napping this afternoon when the phone rang. i rolled around a bit, covered my head with my pillow and tried to sleep through it. the dog, however, was having none of it. he had a horrible habit of whining when the phone rings and running around on the bed. not being able to sleep through his antics, i got up and walked over to the phone.

the head of the library was on the other end and he had pressing news. there was another mennonite in long xuyen. i think that's how he phrased it, 'there is another mennonite in long xuyen.'

another mennonite in long xuyen? could this be possible or was i still dreaming? why wasn't i previously informed?

in long xuyen, if any foreigners come down, we're warned far in advance. i knew that there was going to be a group of foreigners coming down here for a day or so to give a lecture on going to school in america but i didn't know who it was going to be.

it turned out to be thaddeus a. hostetler who now works for the institute of international education. he was giving the lecture and was only going to be here for a bit. he used to work for mcc in hanoi.

i threw on some clothes and washed my face and ran out of the door. i kick started my old, black motorcycle and sped off down dusty lanes. what a strange connection to have with people who meet each other in a strange country in a small town with dirt roads. for a moment, it felt like i knew thaddeus my whole life when, in reality, i ate indian food with him and his wife one time in hanoi.

we cling onto what we have.