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.

The Tân Sơn Nhất Branch of Ho Chi Minh City

Little feet straggled in, filling up seats in the front of the chapel. Teachers held fingers to their lips as the children settled in.  All 6 of them, then one more, then another.  Eventually 10 children were in their seats.

Fidgeting hands and swinging feet kept little minds busy as they waited.

Finally, it was time to begin. 

The song “I Will Follow God’s Plan for Me” opened up the Tân Sơn Nhất Branch 2016 Primary Program. Later, the first two verses of another hymn were sung by the little group, followed by the congregation standing to their feet and joining in for the last two verses.  Choked with emotion, I could no longer sing.  There I stood listening to the future church leaders of Vietnam sing praises to their Savior and of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In Vietnam!  The embodiment of all the dreams to build the future with eternal families stood before me singing lustrously, in Vietnam!

Primary Children of the Tân Sơn Nhất Branch

Primary programs and children singing usually elicit tears from my eyes, but here the emotion was different.  This was Vietnam! I can still hardly wrap my head around these images.  As I walked the streets in a war torn country decades ago, I could never have dreamed to be here listening to the songs of Zion by the 2^nd, and sometimes 3^rd generation of faithful Saints.  We are truly grateful for all the miraculous events that have brought this reality into existence, grateful for the current peace.

 

Later, the branch of Saints joined together for a pot luck dinner – hungry hands reached in to serve up platefuls of food - and before we knew it – the food was gone!

Enjoying fellowship, friendships, and good food following the potluck.

Elder Coffey and I have spent some time getting to know branch members and leaders to find out how we can be of service.  We met in branch council last week - the branch council concept here is alive and well!  They do an amazing job!

Our branch president (second from left) and his counselors (first counselor not shown) exemplify the outstanding leaders the Church has in Vietnam. They are men of faith, men of action, and men of God. It is such a privilege to work with them.

And work with them we do!  Among the assignments we have been asked to do, we are assisting and advising the Young Single Adult group and the Returned Missionaries group, working with the branch presidency on self reliance and welfare needs, providing leadership training for the branch presidency and branch councils, doing apartment inspections for the young missionaries, attending district meetings and English preparation meetings and providing in-service training to the young missionaries, teaching a monthly self reliance workshop for members and for the public, bringing food to the potluck (!!!), teaching a weekly English class, finding people to bring to church or English class, and fellow-shipping and sharing the Gospel message!  And much more. And we love it! There are many ways to be engaged in the service of the Master. Serving a full-time mission is just one of them. But what a blessing it is!

Young Single Adult (YSA) Activity Night

YSA Family Home Evening - Game Night!