Comments on: Historic, Healing Heartsongs

By: Gary L. Matthews

Gary L. Matthews — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 01:03:18 +0000

Thank you, Patricia. One clarification: Dr. Dao An Son was the first known Baha’i in Hanoi — not in Vietnam per se. There was a large, flourishing, rapidly expanding Baha’i community in South Vietnam long before the events being commemorated at this convention. I recall reading a great deal about that community during the Seventies, prior to the withdrawal of American troops.

Although the Baha’i community ebbed greatly after North/South unification, it never vanished. It was the Baha’is of Ho Chi Minh City that Zabine called in 1992 when her husband, J.T. Linkins, was near death in Hanoi. And it was one of those Baha’is, Le Ha, who risked his own life to bring J.T. the meds and antibiotics he required for survival. To understand the courage and heroism of that act, one would need to know the other circumstances of Le Ha’s life — a life certain to inspire generations as yet unborn.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 18:37:53 +0000

How very colorful your trip was, in every sense of the meaning. Absolutely delightful. I loved reading about the golden lights dancing on the shoulders of the very first Bahá’í ever in Vietnam.
No coincidence, I’m sure!

By: Gary L. Matthews

Gary L. Matthews — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:12:39 +0000

Thank you, Jo, for your kind comment — and for “getting it”. I mean, for for your instinctive response to the spiritual and historic significance of the occasion.

Unfortunately, the video sort of “got loose” on YouTube before most readers of The Astonished Tamale! could see my article. Thus many people never really knew the back-story. You wouldn’t know the context simply by seeing the video itself, and I therefore felt the impact was under-appreciated.

Be that as it may, thank you again, dear friend!

By: Jo

Jo — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:12:12 +0000

A Native American serving as an U.S. government diplomat leading prayerful songs to the Brilliant Beauty in a Vietnamese community. Fellowship, fellowship! Love, love, unity! All the people are one! We’re one now! — Miracles everywhere. Thank you for sharing your travels.

By: Shiraz Gol

Shiraz Gol — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:02:26 +0000

Dear Gary,
The video definitely shows a joyous occasion and you are an excellent reporter – thank you for sharing this unique event with us.

By: Jasmin

Jasmin — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:41:10 +0000

Thank you so much
You are doing a great job!

By: Gary L. Matthews

Gary L. Matthews — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:49:46 +0000

Thank you, Jasmin. We have many more photos and some video of the Baha’i community here, in and around Hanoi. Please stay tuned while we sort it out and upload it. I believe the photos include the new National Spiritual Assembly. For reasons explained in previous articles, Zabine and I were not authorized to attend the convention where the actual election took place.

Meanwhile, please check out back articles and photo galleries. More are on the way. Your enthusiasm energizes us!

By: Jasmin

Jasmin — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:08:13 +0000

Great video. Any videos of the election of the Vietnamese National Spiritual Assembly? Would love to see the Vietnamese Baha’i community.