Leaving Comfort, Finding Christ: A Mission in Thai Nguyen

tonytangebirah
Jan 29
5 min read

GEBIRAH's Women's Health Workshop in Thai Nguyen

We just returned from our mission to Thai Nguyen, and as I read Pope Leo XIV’s recent address to the Neocatechumenal Way, it felt almost as if he were describing what we had just lived.

The Holy Father reminds us that authentic evangelisation is never separated from the Church, never detached from love, and never imposed. It is lived quietly, patiently, and faithfully—through charity, communion, and presence.

That truth came alive for us in Thai Nguyen.

Not through grand speeches or dramatic gestures, but through simple acts of love that, by God’s grace, rekindled the fire of the Gospel where it seemed to be growing dim.

By accompanying individuals and families in their daily struggles, we saw hearts slowly open again—to faith, to hope, and to the quiet joy of knowing Jesus.

Sabrina, Missioner of GEBIRAH, distributing sacks of rice to the poor ethnic minority in Thai Nguyen.

The Gospel Made Visible Through Mercy

When Gebirah’s missioners enter communities that many would never visit, we don’t go as experts with answers. We go as fellow pilgrims—with willing hands and open hearts.

In Thai Nguyen, this often meant sitting with elderly villagers who had not received visitors in years, listening to their stories through translators, holding their hands as they spoke of illness, loss, and resilience. These encounters awakened something gentle but real—a reminder that they were not forgotten, by us or by God.

Sr Annamaria & Missioner, Sabrina enroute to visit a family in need.

One afternoon, we visited a wheelchair-bound grandmother living with her son in a modest wooden home. Daylight filtered through broken panels as we shared biscuits, offered winter blankets, and listened to her memories. We prayed quietly before leaving.

No one preached.Yet the Gospel was proclaimed.

As Pope Leo XIV reminds us, “the good you do is great, but its purpose is to allow people to know Christ, always respecting each person’s path of life and conscience.”

That respect shaped every encounter. Love was offered freely, never forced.

St Josemaría Escrivá taught that holiness is found in ordinary life—in small acts done with great love.

This spirit of Opus Dei was very present in Thai Nguyen, where faith was expressed not in extraordinary words, but in faithful presence.

Missioners Corina & Elisa doing the best they can at farming.

Rekindling Faith — for Them, and for Us

The Holy Father speaks of awakening people “to the joy of faith” and helping them rediscover “the beauty of knowing Jesus.”

We saw this during home visits with families whose children attend Nam Son Kindergarten, where Fr Joseph Phoung and his team provide free childcare so parents can work.

Many of these parents had been baptised but had drifted away, worn down by hardship and daily survival.

One mother said quietly, “I thought God had forgotten us.”

After laughter, shared stories, and prayer, she smiled and said, “Maybe God came today through you.”

This invitation to rediscover Baptism is not only for those we serve—it applies to us as missioners too.

Missioner Janet with her handsewn garment for this single mom's child.

In giving, we received. In serving, we were reminded of our own call to discipleship and witness. As St Josemaría often said, God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things—if they let Him.

A Shelter That Taught Us What Really Matters

One of the most moving moments of the mission was our visit to a shelter for women with unplanned pregnancies, lovingly run by a small community of nuns. Elderly sisters cared for young, single mothers—many frightened, many alone, all choosing life under difficult circumstances.

Sr Annamaria on the left translating for me to the nun who runs the women's shelter.

When we asked the sisters what their most urgent needs were, they answered instantly:

“Rice and diapers.”

Nothing more. Nothing less.

It was a powerful reminder that the Gospel is often lived in the most practical ways. If anyone feels called to support this community of ageing nuns and young mothers, please reach out.

Your help will be deeply meaningful.

Witnesses Among Us

We were also profoundly inspired by Sister Annamaria and postulant, Teresa, who served our mission group tirelessly for six days and nights. They organised, translated, accompanied, carried and encouraged us with quiet joy and endurance.

Their witness reminded us that joyful service speaks louder than words.

To them—and to every missioner who gave generously of their time and heart—we can echo the Holy Father’s words: thank you for your commitment, for your joyful witness, and for the service you performed in Thai Nguyen.

Mission Is Communion, Not Separation

Pope Leo XIV exhorts us clearly:

“Live your spirituality without ever separating yourselves from the rest of the ecclesial body.”

Our mission was carried out in communion with the local parish, clergy, religious sisters, and local partners—respecting culture, conscience, and each person’s journey.

We accompanied lives, trusting that God works in His time and His way.