“FAITH IN ACTION: REBUILDING LIVES, RESTORING HOPE” 

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“The Christian vocation calls us to be salt and light in the world — to bring the love of Christ into every corner of society.” 
— St. Josemaría Escrivá 

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Dear friends in Christ, 

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As we begin the new year and approach the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul (25 January) — a powerful reminder that God can transform hearts and renew the world through each of us — Gebirah Missions invites you to join us on a mission of compassion and renewal to Thái Nguyên, a mountainous province northeast of Hanoi, Vietnam. 

For more information, please click on this link. https://www.gebirah.org/thai-nguyen-vietnam

ABOUT THÁI NGUYÊN 

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Nestled in the beautiful mountains of northern Vietnam, Thái Nguyên is home to eight ethnic communities whose lives revolve around farming and livestock.  

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Today, these families face immense hardship. 

The recent floodwaters — among the worst in decades — have claimed lives and displaced thousands.  

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Over 5,400 homes have been damaged or inundated, while thousands of hectares of crops and countless livestock have been destroyed.  

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Schools have been heavily affected, with urgent appeals made for equipment, books, and basic supplies.  

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For many families, the struggle now is not just survival — but restoring a sense of normalcy, dignity, and hope. 

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The people of Thái Nguyên are resilient, but they need our help to rebuild their lives.

💒 OUR MISSION: FAITH IN ACTION 

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Rooted deeply in our Catholic faith, this mission is a response to Christ’s call to love and serve “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40).  

From 23 to 27 January 2026, Gebirah Missions will bring hope, healing, and companionship to those most affected by the floods in Thái Nguyên.

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Together, we will: 

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🧥 Distribute winter clothing and relief items to families who have lost everything. 

🩺 Provide basic health support. 

🌸 Conduct Menstrual Health Workshops and distribute reusable sanitary pads made by marginalised women trained through Gebirah’s programs. 

🧹 Assist in clean-up efforts and help communities rebuild normalcy in their daily lives. 

🎒 Support local schools with supplies and equipment so children can resume learning. 

🙏 Accompany families through prayer, compassion, and presence, embodying the merciful love of Christ. 

🙏 Commitment: Spiritual preparation, pre-mission briefing, and full participation during mission days. 

💖 WHY JOIN US 

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This mission is not merely a trip — it’s a pilgrimage of the heart. 

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It’s an opportunity to live your Catholic faith tangibly — to share in the sufferings and hopes of our brothers and sisters in Christ and bring God’s love to them. 

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As St. Josemaría reminds us, “Love for God leads us to love others, because we see in them the image of the One we love.” 

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You don’t need any special skills — only a generous heart and willingness to serve.  

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Whether through a comforting word, a helping hand, or a simple prayer, every act of love becomes a seed of grace. 

✝️ A PILGRIMAGE OF THANKSGIVING 

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At the end of our mission, we will travel to St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi, one of Vietnam’s oldest and most beautiful churches, for a pilgrimage of thanksgiving. 

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It is a living symbol of faith’s endurance amid trials. 

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Built in 1886 during the French colonial era, St. Joseph’s Cathedral stands tall in the heart of Hanoi’s old quarter, its twin 32-meter bell towers rising gracefully against the skyline. Modeled after Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, this Gothic-Revival masterpiece is not only an architectural treasure but a spiritual refuge — dedicated to St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of Vietnam and guardian of the Universal Church. 

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Over the decades, this cathedral has withstood wars, persecution, and political unrest. It was shuttered for years during the communist period but reopened in 1990 — a powerful testament to the resilience of the Catholic faith in Vietnam. Today, it stands as the mother church of more than 480 churches and chapels in the Archdiocese of Hanoi, home to over 400,000 Catholics. 

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Each Sunday, its pews overflow with faithful believers — living proof that hope never dies where Christ reigns. 

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During our pilgrimage, we will give thanks to God for the mission, for those we served, and for the many blessings we have received for this mission. 

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We will gather before the Blessed Sacrament and entrust all our beneficiaries — and our missioners — to the loving care of St. Joseph and Our Blessed Mother. 

🌹 A GEBIRAH MISSIONS TRADITION: PETITIONS TO OUR LADY 

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It is our cherished tradition at Gebirah Missions to bring petitions from friends and families to lay before Our Lady during our pilgrimage. 

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If you or someone you know wishes to seek her intercession — for healing, reconciliation, financial difficulties, peace, or any special intention — please write your petition to Mother Mary, seal it in an envelope, and entrust it to us. 

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At the cathedral, we will offer these petitions prayerfully before the altar. Afterward, I will burn the sealed envelopes, ensuring your intentions remain private — like incense rising to heaven. 

🤝 HOW YOU CAN HELP 

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You can participate in this mission in four ways: 

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1. Join us as a volunteer — offer your time, compassion, and presence. 

2. Sponsor a volunteer — if you cannot join but wish to help someone who can’t afford the cost, please contact me directly. 

3. Donate — Support by donating preloved or new items. 

4. Pray for Us — Offer your spiritual support and pray for the community and the missioners on this trip.

5. Share this story — Spread awareness in your network, so more people act. 

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“Let us not love in word or speech but in deed and truth.” — 1 John 3:18 

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Join us in bringing faith, hope, and love to those who need it most. 

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Together, let’s rebuild lives — and in doing so, allow God to rebuild our hearts. 

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Come with us. Serve with us. Pray with us. 

Thái Nguyên awaits.