BOOKS WORTH READING

Every once in a while, you read a book that reminds you how fragile life can be—and how faithful God is in the midst of challenging times.

Where the Wind Leads by Vinh Chung is one of those books.

It’s easy to talk about immigration and refugees in political terms, but this book tells the story the way it should be told — through the eyes of a family that lived it.

The story begins with everything falling apart.

From Wealth to Nothing

Vinh Chung was born in Vietnam in 1975, just eight months after the fall of Saigon and the communist takeover of South Vietnam.

Prior to the war, his family had been wealthy.

But when the communists took control, the family lost literally everything.

Faced with a bleak future for their children, they made a bold decision.

They chose to risk everything.

Becoming Boat People

In 1979 the Chung family joined thousands of desperate refugees who attempted to escape Vietnam in small, overcrowded boats.

It was a terrifying gamble.

Historians estimate that as many as 200,000 refugees died at sea, victims of storms, unfriendly governments, and brutal pirates.

The Chung family experienced those dangers firsthand.

Survival was uncertain.

Then one day while traveling with a group of boats in the South China Sea, the wind and currents took their boat away from the others, and they found themselves alone in the vast ocean.

They had no control over their movement and they had little hope.

But then a ship sponsored by World Vision found the small boat the Chungs were on drifting helplessly in the South China Sea.

The crew took everyone aboard and eventually sponsored the family’s immigration to the United States.

A New Home

The Chungs arrived in Fort Smith, Arkansas, with little more than hope.

They faced language barriers, poverty, discrimination, and sometimes even hatred from people who did not understand who they were or why they had come to their land.

But they were determined to build a new life.

Starting Over

The Chung family believed God had led them through their trials and opened the door to a new future in America.

They worked tirelessly, eventually opening a Chinese restaurant that became successful in their community.

The children worked in the family business, studied diligently in school, and learned to overcome discrimination with perseverance.

In time they would earn advanced degrees from prestigious universities.

The author, Vinh, would become a doctor, graduating from Harvard Medical School.

Their success did not come easily.

But they believed success was something that must be earned.

The Thread of Faith

Running through the entire memoir is the quiet strength of the Chung family’s faith.

From life under communism, to the dangers of the South China Sea, to the uncertainty of refugee camps, to the challenges of starting over in America, their belief that God was guiding their journey never disappeared.

Read It!

If you enjoy stories about courage, faith, and the true meaning of the American dream, I strongly recommend Where the Wind Leads.

It is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, God can still use the wind to lead you where you should be.

A Blessing

Before I go, I’d like to share a blessing with you from the Old Testament.

“May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 (The Living Bible)

Until next time … be the reason someone smiles today

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Link: Available on Amazon