Father Nguyen Xuan Phuong of Dong Lam Parish in Nhan Hoa Commune, Nghe An Province, said: "Every time I stand in church, I encourage parishioners to live with love, do good deeds, and become exemplary citizens who honor God and love their country."

Few people know that Phuong began participating in charitable activities as early as 2005, when he was still an ordinary parishioner. After being ordained as a priest in 2008, he was able to expand those efforts and launch a range of community support programs.

In 2019, while serving at Lam Xuyen Parish, now part of Quan Thanh Commune, he mobilized parishioners and benefactors to purchase a free ambulance for low-income patients.

The idea came from witnessing people in difficult circumstances who had no means of reaching hospitals in emergencies. Many families simply could not afford transportation for sick relatives.

"When I saw people suffering without the means to seek treatment, I felt I had to do something to help," Father Phuong recalled.

He did more than raise funds. He personally drove the ambulance on its first journey, transporting a patient from Vinh City to the former Ky Son District, a journey of more than 300 kilometers.

"On that first trip, I drove a Hmong mother and her child back to Ky Son. They had been receiving treatment at Nghe An Hematology Hospital and were struggling with many hardships. Driving nearly 300 kilometers through mountainous roads was exhausting, but I felt truly happy," he said.

According to Father Phuong, the ambulance is normally operated by two designated volunteers. However, whenever they are unavailable, he takes the wheel himself.

"We bought the vehicle to transport emergency patients. If others are busy, I drive. Human life is what matters most," he said.

Over the years, the free ambulance service has become a trusted source of support for many disadvantaged families. During the past seven years, thousands of humanitarian journeys have quietly connected people with medical care, regardless of whether they are Catholic or non-Catholic.

When he moved to Dong Lam Parish in 2023, he brought the ambulance with him and established a volunteer team under his direct supervision.

Notably, some of his closest collaborators are not members of the Catholic community. Among them is Nguyen Van Hung, who lives near Dong Lam Parish, along with many local residents who readily volunteer as drivers whenever needed because they recognize the social value of the initiative.

"Whenever someone calls for help, I coordinate and assign volunteers immediately. Many of those who join us are not Catholic, yet they participate wholeheartedly. That is something that brings me great happiness," Father Phuong said.

His charitable work extends well beyond ambulance services.

Over the years, he and local parishioners have distributed dozens of tons of rice to poor households, mobilized support to build four charity homes and helped many elderly people suffering from cataracts regain their eyesight through medical assistance programs.

These efforts have been carried out quietly, without distinction between Catholics and non-Catholics, rich and poor.

From heartfelt prayers inside the church to free ambulance rides, charity houses and meals provided for struggling families, all of these activities are rooted in the same principle - love for others.

Through these acts of service, Father Nguyen Xuan Phuong and his volunteers continue to contribute to a more compassionate and united society, where religious and non-religious communities work together for the common good.

Thanh Hai