Shannon's Library

LET’S GET EXCITED ABOUT THIS BOOK!

Vinh Chung was born in South Vietnam, just eight months after it fell to the communists in 1975. His family was wealthy, controlling a rice-milling empire worth millions; but within months of the communist takeover, the Chungs lost everything and were reduced to abject poverty. Knowing their children would have no future under the new government, the Chungs decided to flee the country. In 1979, they joined the legendary “boat people” and sailed into the South China Sea, despite knowing that an estimated two hundred thousand of their countrymen had already perished at the hands of brutal pirates and violent seas.

“Where the Wind Leads” follows Vinh Chung and his family through impossible conditions, all the way to their unlikely new home in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Vinh’s book is a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of his parents, a testimony to his family’s faith, and a reminder to people everywhere that the American dream, while still possible, carries with it a greater responsibility.

Shannon’s Rating — PG-13

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LET’S TALK ABOUT THIS BOOK!

“The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”

Psalm 145:9

I never really thought much about the scripture phrase “tender mercies” until I married my husband and started spending time around his mom. My mother-in-law, Maurine, loves these words. It’s always been a talent of hers to see the tender mercies from God all around herself and her loved ones. A talk I recently read defined tender mercies as “the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ.” (David A. Bednar)

The words “tender mercies” were heavily on my mind while reading, “Where the Wind Leads.” Once again, this book was an example of me reading the right book at the right time! I picked this one up from the library around the time my sweet mother-in-law had some unexpected, sudden health problems. The whole time I was reading this story I was thinking about Maurine. Whenever a “tender mercy” occurred, I’d think, “Maurine would love this part!” We’re currently not sure of my mother-in-law’s prognosis, or if she’ll ever be back to reading books – but I’m so grateful that I was able to read this amazing story with Maurine in mind. I think it made the whole experience extra tender and meaningful.

Vinh Chung’s story is nothing short of miraculous. It’s impossible not to see all the “tender mercies” that occurred to bring him and his family safely to America. A sudden rainstorm. A broken rope. A five-dollar bill. So many little things added up to save the lives of the Chung family. I loved the perspective that Vinh takes from these miracles.

Why me? Why my family and not theirs? Our boats were all set adrift at exactly the same location; why did the same wind take our boat in one direction and theirs in another? We were blessed – there is no other way to say it. My Christian faith has always played a central role in my life, and it supplies answers to (these) questions: Who do you think sent the (rescue) boat? Answer: God sent the boat. What does He expect me to do now? Answer: Now that I am safely ashore, He expects me to send the boat back for someone else.

I am not typically a non-fiction reader. It’s just not my thing. But, oh how glad I am that I read this book. It filled me with awe at the tenacity of the human spirit. It filled me with gratitude for the life that I lead and for the country I live that life in. It filled me with shock and sadness at the cruelty that exists in the hearts of some human beings. It filled me with the desire to do more to help relieve the sadness of those suffering in dire conditions. It filled me with hope, that God loves all of his children and is watching over us – even through the hard and despairing times of life.

As a history major, I studied the Vietnam war in college, but I only remember learning about the American side of the situation. Not once was I taught about these “boat people.” The hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese people who died in the South China Sea trying to flee Vietnam after the war. Their desperate circumstances astounded me. Their courage and resilience inspired me. Vinh Chung and his family inspired me.

This is a story everyone needs to know about. It is absolutely remarkable. And, maybe, it will inspire you – like it did me – to more readily see the “tender mercies” of God all around us in our lives!