Farewell, Vietnam

It’s February 2018.  The end of our mission has come. Everyone has been so generous in their kindnesses to us, with Tet meals in their homes and surprise farewell parties to beautiful remembrances and lots and lots of hugs.

Traditional Tet dinner at the home of one of our investigators.

Surprise farewell party guests

Beautiful Memory Book

Us with Mission President Lewis Hassell and his wife Sister Mary Hassell

Today was our last Sunday here. They asked us to speak in church about miracles.  We have seen many miracles in the lives of the people, powerful miracles that bring the power of the Atonement into sharp focus - miracles that testify Heavenly Father is always mindful of His children and is in the details of the details of our lives.

A few of our miracles

We sang God Be with You Till We Meet Again, Vietnamese and English lyrics ascending together in a harmonious symphony of unity and praise. There was lingering affection and that “one last hug”. Tears flowed, hearts ached.

Farewell photo with branch builders from our district

With soul-rending affection, we bid our dear friends farewell. Then we turned and walked away. 

All endings are simply new beginnings in another time and place. 

It’s a bittersweet experience.

We wouldn't trade our mission experiences for anything in the world.

"Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth;... glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth!" (verses from D&C 128)

Combined East and West Saigon Zones with 26 young branch builders and 10 seniors
(2 not in photo), plus our mission president and his wife, February 15, 2018

Hallelujah!!!

When we arrived brand new in Ho Chi Minh City on September 5, 2016 we were so amazed to see the Church functioning so well here – two active branches, eight young “branch builders”, a District (similar to a diocese) with a District presidency.  We stood in awe that here in this part of the world the church was growing and thriving and doing so well.

Our first day in Ho Chi Minh City, with our eight branch builders
and two professors from the United States.

Little could we have imagined the changes that would take place in just one year. Today, there are 25 young branch builders and 8 "seniors", as us older folks are called. 

Branch builders serving in the Ho Chi Minh District - September 2017

There are now two Districts in Vietnam – the Hanoi District and the Ho Chi Minh District.  Ho Chi Minh City and outlying areas now has six branches and several church buildings to accommodate them.

The Ho Chi Minh District was created in a special meeting held on September 17, 2017.  The energy was electric and only surpassed by the power of the Spirit.  The chapel was overflowing for this special occasion. 

September 17, 2017 on the occasion of  the creation of the Ho Chi Minh District

The Tan Son Nhat branch president, President Thinh, was called to serve as the first District President (center).

 

President Thinh then stood to speak.  “Hallelujah,” he began. “Heavenly Father is the author of this work. I commit myself to help establish Zion wherever He needs me.”

Surely the field is ripe already to harvest.

Courtesy of flickr.com/
World Bank Photo Collection

Our two branches have now grown into 6 little branches, and new leaders are being raised up, trained, and established. Last week in sacrament meeting a 17 year old young man who was just baptized a week earlier was one of the main speakers.  Another speaker was a recent convert of only a few months, now newly called as the Primary president.  Their talks were just as doctrinally sound as if they’d been in the church for many years. 

Outside of the Tan Son Nhat building

The Tan Son Nhat branch meets in a large house.  The ground floor has a large open room which serves as an activity center, dance hall, meeting room, and general gathering place. 

Multipurpose room that serves
 as a chapel on Sundays

But on Sunday’s the plastic chairs are lined up and the room transforms into a sacred chapel, a room worthy of the sacred ordinance of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.  Today 66 people attended sacrament meeting. Many are new converts or friends who are investigating the church.  Even with all the recent new branch divisions, the Tan Son Nhat branch is still one of the largest branches in the Ho Chi Minh District. Foreign visitors also often join us – travelers trekking through the country, business executives, families of Vietnamese descent coming back to see the roots of their ancestors, and many others.  

I can’t pinch myself enough – this is so amazing to see this all unfold.  A great foundation is being laid, and it is a great miracle.  The people here are so happy to find answers that bring peace to their lives, stronger families, and good values.  We are blessed to be here and watch this all unfold from the side lines.  There is far more work that can be done than we have people to do it.  Instead of the work moving forward one step at a time, it does so in leaps and bounds.  We truly “stand all amazed!”

We are witnesses of the prophecies made in holy places regarding this land.  The Saints rejoice today, saints on both sides of the veil, as this great work moves forward.  Hallelujah indeed!!!

The Great Shake Up of 2017

"I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." Luke 10:18 

They are calling it the great shake up. And no wonder. Eight new missionaries, after a brief stay over in Hanoi, arrived today in Ho Chi Minh City fresh from the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah, USA or the MTC in Manila, Philippines - joining our forces here and ready to take on the world. 

Here are the eight, with their more seasoned companions!

  

He's happy with his new companion - really!  It was just late at night!!!  

  

"And they were all young…, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they … were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men (and women) of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him." Alma 53:20-21

"…. yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it." Alma 56: 47-48

They join our hard-working band, bringing fresh faith, energy, and enthusiasm.  They join those only slightly more seasoned than they, every one of them worthy to be called sons and daughters.

This past month Elder Coffey and I have been assigned to prepare for this very day, for their arrival. We spent hundreds of hours finding new apartments in new areas, getting the funding, signing contracts, getting keys, arranging the delivery of beds, desks, bikes, water dispensers, and mattresses - then assembling beds and arranging apartment repairs, all on different days because you'd think it could all be coordinated on one day, but not here..., then stocking the apartments with dishes, pans, fans and mops, getting everything ready, even to the making of their beds with new sheets and pillows!

Everything was ready. And then they came!

Jet-lagged, exhausted, and listening intently to last minute information
before heading out to their apartments.

No wonder the devil turned and ran!

Oh he'll be back, to be sure, but for tonight, for now, he is fled.

So we have new missionaries, new trainer assignments, new teachers, new senior assignments, new leadership roles, new apartments, new areas, assignments to new branches, goodbyes to those going home or to Hanoi, hello to those joining our forces.


Ho Chi Minh City now has 25 young missionaries in all, plus 6 seniors.  What a troop!

Hurrah for Israel!

It's the great shake up of 2017 in HCMC, and we couldn't be more excited.

Thank you to all the parents, family and friends who have sent these young people out the door so full of faith and so well prepared. We recognize the sacrifice involved. Their service will make the earth move. 

"O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!" Alma 29:1

And for the rest of the group - those who were not receiving new missionaries - Glad to have them all here in Ho Chi Minh City with us!

And our well-qualified zone leaders!

Tapestry of Life - YSA+ Conference 2017 Vietnam

Over 50 young people attended this year’s Young Single Adult Conference in Vietnam, coming either on Friday night or throughout the day on Saturday, August 25-26, 2017.  The bright orange conference t-shirts were a big hit and were proudly worn throughout the two-day event.

Many faced challenges of employment schedules or traveling long distances to the Thao Dien chapel, but in spite of the difficulties faced, the young people were excited to come and share the event with their friends.

The conference began on Friday evening with an opening address from Sister Pia Bejar, a guest speaker from Canada who is originally from the Philippines. She introduced the theme of the conference – The Tapestry of Life – and reminded the young people of their interwoven dependence upon faith, prayer, scripture study, temple and family history work, and church attendance.

Following her remarks was a dance workshop by senior missionaries Elder and Sister Coffey.  Some of the YSA’s were initially a little dubious about dancing together, but soon everyone was laughing and joining in on the fun, learning several country round dances and a line dance.

On Saturday morning, the YSA’s were blessed by a special message from Elder David F. Evans of the Seventy.  Elder Evans, a member of the Asia Area Presidency, spoke on how the seemingly small decisions we make in our lives can have enormous consequences throughout the years.  He shared the importance of making proper decisions regarding missionary service, marriage, education and career. After his remarks, he visited with a number of the YSA’s before leaving to catch his flight.  The YSA’s were very grateful for his presence and for his message.

Other events throughout the day included workshops on dating and eternal marriage, team building activities, and group games.  Sister Pia Bejar spoke again sharing her personal life story leading to faith in Jesus Christ and self reliance, and encouraged the young adults to cultivate their God-given talents to reach their full potential with their personal lives and their families.

Oncoming rain caused a cancellation of the outdoor service project, but the movie The Testaments was the backup plan. By the end of the film, many had tears in their eyes as they contemplated the love of their Savior.

The evening closed with the sharing of testimonies and heartfelt stories of growing faith. Many conference attendees, after hearing Elder Evan’s message, felt a strengthening of their faith and a desire to move forward and remain faithful.

Another young person shared that at first she didn’t think an education was important for her life, but after the conference messages she committed to better preparing for her future. Many bore testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

The blessings of young adults coming together for fellowship, fun and the building of faith can lead to lasting friendships and strengthening of testimony.  We are grateful for the opportunity of working with the YSA leaders who organized the conference. The Spirit was strong.

One of our very capable translators

  

Happiness that cannot hide!

Happiness that cannot hide!

The senior missionary sister from the Thao Dien branch took photos for the conference.

Testimony and faith that cannot be hid.

The interweaving of faith, friendship and fun.

Photo booth of heaven in a picture.

The creator of the photo booth backdrop.

  

Lots of rain created a small lake - we couldn't get to the service project site.

But they had fun anyway!

The YSA leaders of the three branches (plus one of their sisters) - great planners for the event.