GlocalNet

These are some of the highlights and condensing.

It is an honor to be with you.  I love Vietnam.  I love the country, the culture, the food, the smells, the traffic, the nature, the literature, the art, the architecture - all of it.  I’ve been coming here for many years now and it never gets old. 

What it is about is relationships.  We see each other beyond being American and Vietnamese or capitalist and communist - but as global citizens. 

The world is going global and Vietnam is propsering, and as it does it is imperative that she not forget her least, her poorest, and her most disadvantaged.  A society is judged and guaged not by how she treats her most wealthy and most powerful - but by how she treats her least.  As we begin this conference on Special Needs and Public Education lets never loose our heart for the “least of these.” If Vietnam will do that, she will be great. 

You can lead the way.  The other night I saw Vietnamese writing on the TV and it was Mrs. Universe in Vietnam!  My wife and I were so excited.  We were disappointed that Mrs. Vietnam didn’t make it to the finals.  We were stunned Mrs. USA fell down.  (We think Mrs. Laos tripped her!) Across the parking lot of this conference is Vietnamese Idol - just like American Idol.  We may share fashions, music, and many things - but as the world globalizes - Vietnam has things to offer the world and my country in particular.  There are 6 unique things about Vietnam and one huge opportunity.  You are now on the world stage - it is not enough for you to just think of yourself - but of those you can serve and influence.  You have taught me these 6 traits in the years I have been coming to Vietnam, you have used these for yourself - it is time to use them for the world.  If these 6 traits are used in the world - you will make a big difference. 

Recently our church built a new building to worship in because we have grown a lot.  Many of us gathered to pray before we began our religious services there.  As we were praying I looked on the back of a chair and it said “Made in Vietnam.” It was funny and moving at the same time because of all the people of our church that have been to Vietnam - now we sit in chairs made in Vietnam!  You have made our church.  Lessons we learned from you.  Ways of life we observed.  The opportunity you gave us to come here and serve we wound up being more blessed than you.  You shaped the personality of our church.  You did it by these 6 traits:

1.  Adaptability - be it the Chinese, the French, or the US - no matter what happened you adapted to the situation to survive.

2.  Endurance - you refused to give up.  You keep going.

3.  Nobility - no matter how hot, have you seen how straight a Vietnamese rides their bicycle!  There is something very noble about the Vietnamese people.

4.  Work ethic - you are some of th hardest working people in th world.

5.  Hospitality - you are warm and friendly always helping anybody who needs it.

6.  You are deeply spiritual.  Though not Christian, like me, you believe in God and are perhaps more “spiritual” or “religious” even than my country.  This leads to reflection and the deep meaning of life. 

These 6 things when combined create an incredible opportunity for Vietnam.  Japan is known is Technology, the U.S. for entreprenuership, India for biology - what will Vietnam be known for?  It is already there - it only needs to be developed out - EDUCATION! 

We have had many Vietnamese come and live in America with my friends as exchange students.  When they take the college entrance exam, they always do incredible.  You are smart.  Global education is on the way - strenghten your systems and become one of the key global hubs to educate the world.  There is going to be competition for this outside the US and Europe - you should lead the way.  You are smart enough.  You can do it - you should.  . . . . .

When it was over - the response was very good.  I visited with several leaders there and the thing I heard over and over again was Vietnamese struggle when they begin to work together.  The other thing was, where are the Ho Chi Minh’s of today in Vietnam - who is leading.  Chances are the new leaders are about to emerge - I just hope they have a dream bigger than themselves.