Mr. Ho Knows What it Takes

   

    I recently had the opportunity to have a meal with Mike Ho, a Vietnamese immigrant who came to this country when he was 18. He had nothing when he came, just the clothes on his back. Even some of those he had pulled from a bag that was made available to him for the journey. He laughed and said, “I didn’t even have one dime!”

    His dream was to get a tent and live under a bridge just to be in America. But God directed his steps differently. Motivated by faith in Christ, a family in Oregon took him in. They helped Mike acclimate to life in the states, they helped him learn English, they introduced him to Jesus Christ. They supported him as he pursued a college education.

    He studied engineering. He met Lily, a young Vietnamese woman on a career path. They were married and her job brought them to Mobile. He invested in a local business. His strategy was clear: intelligence and hard work.

    They have two daughters. Vivian is the same age as our Danny, 17; and she has been in our home occasionally over the last year or so.

    The first thing that strikes you about Mike is that he is happy. His joy is contagious; his smile is constant and yet always seems as if it just broke across his face.

    We expressed our fondness for Vivian and that she was an impressive young lady. Mike and Lily began to share their philosophy about being parents. They said, “We talk about everything with our children. We analyze situations and school and everything. We help them rationalize and think things through.”

    Mike continued, “I ask this question all the time: ‘What did you learn?’
If they go to the movie, I ask ‘What did you learn?’
If they read a book, I ask, ‘What did you learn?’
When they meet new people, I ask, ‘What did you learn?’
Each experience that they have, I ask, ‘What did you learn?’”

    Mike is an intentional dad. He has made his two daughters his priority. He works hard. He is there for his family and for his daughters. He talks to them; he listens to their responses. The results are obvious. Vivian’s smile, spontaneous and constant, is a reflection of her dad’s.

    We have added Mike’s question to our parenting toolbox. We encourage you to add it to yours.

    It just seems appropriate as I wrap up this blog that I ask you his question:
What did you learn?