More of a Tourist This Time . . . (Still some more reconciling to do.) 28th, October, to 4th, November, 1996 Tuesday 29th, October, 1996 Allan and myself only going in this time. We set off from Bangkok for HCMC at 11.35 local time on Tuesday, 29th, October, 1996. On arrival at Tonsonut Airport, Ho Chi Minh City( formerly Saigon) we had no difficulty passing through immigration and customs control. I was very much easier this time around. There were big problems in Ba Ria after we were there last year and visited some of the locals. The government were not happy with the fact that we were there. In the highlands the government wanted to know where all the money was coming from. The orphanage had put in concrete floors, wells and toilets since our last visit with the funds we provided. The children are healthy. Money has filtered through to the local families on a weekly basis. Families buy food and clothes for each week and take it to the orphanage. We were advised that our intended trip to another orphanage was not possible due to government attention. Our presence places the children and the workers in too much danger. Nonetheless, the authorities are still puzzled as to where money comes from for the support of the orphanage. Persecution is still extreme. I can only admire the courage of the locals who have to live and survive under it without compromising the power of the Gospel. Highlight of the evening was the travel on the back of the bike through the density of Saigon's traffic. Unless experienced, you will never know the feeling. It was a real rush and it was pelting with rain (no rain coat either). …more…