The Chosen People Most of the Lessons that I will write this semester come from my experiences in Vietnam. I apologize for that but it is there that I learned how truly lucky I am to be an American with unlimited opportunity. I was raised in a middle class family that sent me to college. When my education stalled from a broken heart my mother was there to pick up the pieces. She helped me overcome life's problems and made sure I graduated with good grades. Oh sure, I have some reason to be proud of my accomplishments. But I've had allot of help along the way.

Vietnam is a very poor country. Everywhere you go there are people begging. Able bodied men just sit on the street corner with nothing to do because there is no work. Unlike the US, in Vietnam there is just no opportunity. Much of the world is like that and many people experience great suffering and hardship. I think we have a responsibility as Americans to help out others. Almost every major religion has in its doctrine a rule that teaches "Love your neighbor as yourself." But it's really hard to follow because we love ourselves too much and we are always looking out for #1!

I met many people like the beggar women in this picture. Everywhere you go in Vietnam there are people with their hand out. They are very insistent and sometimes even chase after you. After a while I got really tired of it.

Previous Lessons

You see, I began to make the mistake in thinking that "these people" were bothering me. They were keeping me from enjoying my vacation! But yet the beggars kept on coming. One time a man with no arms and legs was carried to me to persuade me to give money.

The night before I left Vietnam I was tired and frustrated with all the intrusions from beggars. I was in Saigon and just wanted one last meal and then to go to bed to rest up for my morning flight. I went to a fancy restaurant and ordered a simple meal. On the way out a disabled man on crutches approached me for yet another handout.

At that point I had had enough of "these people" so I attempted to escape. It was easy to justify in my mind. I mean, I had helped so many people already. I was justified in wanting to be left alone! I tried to squeeze into a waiting taxi to avoid him. I'll never forget what he said to me. "Sir", he yelled at me. "I cannot go to work tomorrow. But you can!" I was about to turn away but from somewhere inside me a wise man spoke. "Yes", I said, "you are right" as I handed him some money. I now wish I had given him more. Love your neighbor as yourself . We in the US are the lucky ones. We can never forget that.