Chinese New Year (CNY) Reunion Dinner ministry has been one of Eden’s long-standing traditions to give back to the communities. To the Chinese-Vietnamese locals, CNY is an important festival to celebrate the beginning of a new year by reuniting with loved ones. However, some low-income elderly simply cannot enjoy this occasion due to their social and economic difficulties. Therefore Eden sees the need and responds by hosting an annual Reunion Dinner gathering with the local community and elderly during this festive holiday.

To follow the local COVID-19 restrictions, CNY Reunion was organized into five downsized gatherings separately this year. Together with five local community churches, we provided delicious meals, hot soups, and warm gifts to 200 elderlies who joined the events.

Because of the outbreak of the pandemic in Vietnam last July, many families immediately lost their incomes and their lives were plunged into hardship, especially the disadvantaged groups living in remote areas. In order to meet these needs, Eden has visited Judas Iscariot Church and Dinh Tuan Faith and Love Home church, both of which are located in remote areas 2-3 hours away from the capital Ho Chi Minh city. Providing hot meals and warm gifts to the elderly living alone and the physically and mentally challenged families.

Photo: Eden sending CNY warm gifts to the elderly living in remote areas.

In addition to working with those remote churches, Eden also partnered with Fumen Vocational Training Center, Quang Trung Church, and En Quang Church, located in Ho Chi Minh City, Eden’s long-time local partners for hosting theCNY Reunion. Throughout the years, we have worked with Quang Trung Church and En Quang Church in providing free nutritious lunch meals to the low-income elderly to take care of their daily needs and to ease off their financial stress.

Photo:Celebrating CNY Reunion with Quang Trung Church in Ho Chi Minh City, where Eden provides delicious meals and warm gifts to the local elderly community.

During the CNY Reunion held at En Quang Church, an elderly couple expressed their appreciation to us. Mr. Huang, a local church member, shared that their only son passed away a few years ago due to lung disease and now he and his wife can only rely on each other. The elderly couple expressed their gratitude to Eden and the church for the CNY Reunion invite so they may have a CNY experience filled with warmth and joy.

Eden is grateful to have the support and help from the local community and churches in holding these Reunion Dinner gatherings in Vietnam. These events not only provide a chance for a new year celebration but also a time where we are able to gather around, to care for one another, and more importantly to share Jesus’ love and gospel to those who are in need.