Bringing Life to a New Building

Twenty empty chairs faced us in our little classroom on the 4th floor. It was the very first day of our Happy Family class in the brand new church building in District 6. And we were waiting to see who would show up.

Ho Chi Minh City is divided into political administrative districts.  The financial hub of the city is in District 1.  Stretching outward from there are numbered districts (1-12) as well as districts with such creative names as Bình Thạnh, Tân Bình, and Bình Tân, not to be confused by open markets with names like Bến Thành and Tân Định! (And when you pronounce them slightly wrong to the taxi driver, you are likely to end up in a completely different part of town than you expected!)

New District 6 Branch Building

With the membership growth of the Ton San Nhut Branch, the mission made plans to create a new branch of the church in a new area. 

District 6 was the fortunate choice. A building was located that would be suitable for the start up branch.

We had the opportunity of helping outfit the new building in preparation for English classes. It was virtually an empty shell, with echoing halls and blank walls.

The new building - empty and waiting

We spruced it up with a visitor’s area, large pictures of the Savior and His life, class room dry erase boards and tables on various levels of the building. But still it sat empty.

On January 22, 2017, the new District 6 Branch was created, the third branch in Ho Chi Minh City. Because the new building was not available to move into quite yet, the branch met on Sundays in the Ton San Nhut building in the afternoons.

The District 6 Branch's first sacrament meeting  - a fledgling group with big hearts and high enthusiasm!

And the chairs of the District 6 building sat empty, waiting in hollow rooms.

But after a couple of months, the building was finally ready. There was mounting excitement for the new budding branch.  On April 4, 2017 the District 6 Branch met in their new building for Sunday services for the first time. See how much they have already grown!

First Sacrament Meeting in the District 6 Building

Scroll forward to our first Happy Family Class just this past weekend. The twenty empty chairs sat waiting. 

Then several people from the community came. Then some more.  Then more! They were coming! 

First Happy Family Class in District 6 Building

Nowadays the building is bustling with activity. It is filled with church meetings, missionaries, English conversation classes, family history consulting, and classes on strengthening home and family. It is becoming a gathering place for the community.

But it’s not the classes, meetings, offices, furnishings, or facilities that makes it a great gathering place.

It is the people. It is always the people.

English Class in District 6 Building

 What is most important almost always 

involves the people around us. 

 -President Thomas S. Monson

We love serving in Ho Chi Minh City!

Here We Grow Again! New Branch in Ho Chi Minh City

“A marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.”  D&C 4:1

As the message of Jesus Christ and the restoration of His church spreads across this country, people’s hearts are touched – one of a family, two of a village – here and there, little by little.  We were blessed today to be in attendance at church as the third branch in Hồ Chí Minh City was created – the District 6 Branch. 

Hồ Chí Minh City had two branches of the Church.  The one we attend, the Ton Son Nhut branch, was formed only about 2 1/2 years ago with only a handful of members. Now it is full to capacity in our little building, necessitating the need to split and form an additional branch. 

The new District 6 Branch begins again with only a handful of members - with about 15 active members.  But the enthusiasm is there and the members are excited to have their own place to worship closer to where they live. The District 6 Branch takes in the western part of Hồ Chí Minh City. 

Below is the new District 6 Branch Presidency.  The Branch President is the second from the right. They are men prepared by the Lord for this great moment. The Branch President was serving as a counselor in the Ton Son Nhut Branch Presidency prior to his new calling.

Below is the newly formed Ton Son Nhut Branch Presidency.  The Branch President is the second from the left.  He has been serving as Branch President since the branch was formed about 2 1/2 years ago. His former counselor and clerk are now part of the new District 6 Branch; thus the need to reorganize with new leaders to continue moving the work forward. They are men who love the Lord and are committed to His service.

Below are the two new branch presidencies with their families.  

Having a new branch brings the church closer to those living in the western part of the city.  This gives a wonderful opportunity for those who are less active to find the church and be able to attend more easily.  This also gives people greater opportunities to grow in their new callings as the branch expands and develops. No wonder everyone is so excited!

This has been an historic day for all of us.  Vietnam now has four branches of the Church - one in Hà Nội  and three in Hồ Chí Minh City, with small groups of members in various locations throughout the country. We are small, but watch us grow!

January 22, 2017 -Sunday - the District 6 Branch meets for the very first time.