Luke Martin lives in Lititz, but from 1962 to 1975 he and his family lived in Vietnam. They served with the Mennonite Central Committee as missionaries during the war.
“We were operating several clinics and a couple hospitals. We had agriculturalists working at different places. We had in central Vietnam dozens of people working in refugee camps providing food providing services for children.”
“The American officials supported our being there because they felt as long as we are there and serving the people we are we are helping the American cause. And we recognized that.”
“One day out at our social service center our caretaker was overheard to wait when the children were calling me, Om Mi, Om Mi, Om Mi… Mr. American, Mister American. And and the caretaker was heard to say to the kids don’t call him ohm mi call him Yao Shi, call him missionary because he’s not over, he is not over here killing people.”