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Photograph by Kevin Field & Sarah Cusworth

Christian. Husband. Father. Poet. Doctor (Histopathologist). Vietnamese refugee “boat-person”. Artist.

All my poems: © 2008 Phuoc-Tan Diep

1. 2009 February 23

   Cat-Dan Lai-Smith permalink

   Chao Phuoc-Tan,

   I was really encouraged today when I read your migrant story on the Evangelical Alliance’s “Don’t Be a Stranger” webpage (and subsquently found the link to your fantastic Cleave Poetry here).

   You see, I, too, was a young Vietnamese boat person (I was just 3 months old) when my parents escaped from Qui Nhon in 1979. We were at sea for 10 days before drifting into the harbour at Hong Kong and lived at the refugee camps in Kowloon for several months before being sponsored by families in Ontario, Canada where I grew up.

   Since then, I have also lived in the US and have most currently been living in England for over 4 years…so when you described how you sometimes feel like you aren’t “rooted” anywhere, I could definitely identify with that! In fact, most days I feel like that, but Jesus has been helping me find peace with the seeming fragments I feel my life consists of.

   Anyway, I wanted to get in touch because your story and you poetry have encouraged me deeply. Also, I have not yet met any other Vietnamese boat people since coming to England so feel somewhat of a kinship with you (I’m not a scary stalker-type, honestly!). Are your immediate family still living in England? Mine still live in Canada, although many of my extended family have returned to live in Vietnam. Like yourself, I feel guilty about having left and growing up outside our birth country. My family regularly visits, but I have not been since my second visit for Tet 2000. It’s nice to know that you are someone who may understand a bit of what this means.

   My husband and I currently live in Tring, Hertfordshire and are active at the church in town where my hubby grew up (and where he currently leads worship). I have found some ways of using my verbosity in a role as the Church Resources Coordinator for the NGO World Vision UK, which is based in Milton Keynes.

   Anyway, thanks again for sharing your story (I think I ought to send them something, too). If you’re inclined to keep in touch, please do so.

   Blessings to you and your family,

   Cat-Dan

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2. 2009 March 1

   ptdiep permalink

   Thank you
   Phuoc-Tan

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