Long Bien, The Growing of a Branch

It has been two months since our little branch was started. We have been dedicated in working to build it by helping the missionaries and accepting new callings. We are delighted to see its growth.

Bach's Baptism

Bach is a 17 year old high school student that the missionaries met on the bus one day, and then invited him to come to our English class. It was in our class that Bach was touched by the spiritual message we shared at the end of the lesson. Since then, several times, the missionaries have invited us to go with them to teach him in his home, and there, we have been able to also get to know his wonderful mother, father and little brother. Bach knew early on that he wanted to be baptized -- it is amazing how the spirit touches the heart so quickly. He would have been baptized sooner, but his mother and father were hesitant about giving their permission, since he is so young. They are fearful that he won’t pay as much attention to his schooling, and they want to encourage his hopes of becoming a doctor someday. Through fasting and prayer, he asked his parents, yet again, for permission to be baptized. He bore his testimony to them, and they said yes! His whole family was there to witness the unbelievable joy that Bach experienced when he went into the baptismal waters. After his baptism, there were tears of happiness when Bach got up to bear his testimony. He told his parents that he loves them and that the Lord loves them too. In his testimony, he promised his parents that he will work hard at his studies and make them and the Lord proud of his efforts.

Bach's baptism day

Ngoc's Baptism

Ngoc is a 27 year old woman who works at the grocery store in the building where the missionaries live. Her conversion is a testiment that we all need to have courage to talk to everyone we meet and invite them to learn more about the gospel. We’ve had the opportunity to get to know her, as she has been coming to our English class also. Approximately two years ago, Ngoc and her husband had only been married for about four months, when she lost him in an accident. This loss has left a real void in her life ever since. She takes solice in and loves that the gospel of Jesus Christ is so family centered; and that through the great plan of salvation, families are able to continue their relationships with one another, after this life. Since her baptism, Ngoc feels so much peace in her life, which shows in her face and in her actions. She wants so much to be of service to those around her. She has such a capacity to love and serve those who are less fortunate than her. We are excited about her membership and involving her in the building of our branch.

Ngoc's baptism day

We are responsible for serving in several capacities here in Hanoi.  We teach English classes every week at the Long Bien building. On Sundays we speak, teach classes and fellowship investigators. Sharon was called to the Women’s Organization, which includes Relief Society, Young Women and Primary. She teaches a small primary class (mostly children of investigators) every Sunday, and introduces the students to primary music. Thank goodness for the resources our iPad offers. The language is a barrier at times, however, the children pick up English quickly. Gerald is the financial clerk and assists the branch president in whatever organizational help they need for the week. There are not enough people to fill all the organizations yet, but this is changing, one baptism at a time. It is about an hour ride across Hanoi, so we find ourselves pondering, preparing lessons, and praying a lot in taxis. We have also been asked to help with Young Single Adults, and plan to start a parenting class in the fall. We also find time to give our LDSC assignments, currently with 17 projects as our top priority. We are very busy and loving it. We have been here in Hanoi for 6 months now, and the time is flying.

This week, we had the Long Bien missionaries over to eat with us. When they are in our home, they are very good about leaving us with a spiritual message. The message they gave this week was about the loaves and fishes in the New Testament. When we are in the service of the Lord, our efforts, time and resources are multiplied, and we have more than we ever thought we had and could give. This is certainly true for us. The Gospel is true and it brings so much joy to those who embrace it. We see this time and time again, here in Vietnam.

Crowbars and Shovels

Last week we attended one of our projects at the Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi. It is the largest hospital in Vietnam and was built in 1954, during the French occupation. Thousands of people pour into its gates every day to receive treatments from some of the finest doctors in Vietnam. LDSC (Latter Day Saint Charities Humanitarian Aid Fund) has an ongoing program with this hospital to supply wheelchairs. This particular day was the closing of one project and the beginning of another wheelchair project. In the usual Vietnamese tradition they have a ceremony with many dignitaries to show their appreciation.

As part of the program, they introduced the patients that were receiving the wheelchairs. All of the patients were very grateful for the gift of their wheelchair. One of the recipients of the wheelchairs was asked to speak at the event because of her knowledge of the English language. She is a school teacher in her late 30’s and was in a motor scooter accident that broke her back and left her paralyzed from the chest down. In her speech, this young woman spoke with such sweet sincerity, courage and humility, as she graciously accepted the wheelchairs on behalf of those patients receiving one that day. Her touching words were the highlight of the entire ceremony.

LDSC also initiated a project, in conjunction with the hospital, to replace some of the patient restrooms that are in poor condition. The doctors invited everyone to go to another part of the rehabilitation center to start construction of the three new latrines. Currently, the public restrooms in this part of the hospital are run down and difficult for handicap patients to use and desperately need to be replaced. The project will serve to provide brand new, up to date, sanitary restrooms that are more accessible and usable for all. To celebrate the moment, a simulated ground breaking with a crowbar and shovel, where the handicap bathrooms will be built was performed. Elder Thomason looks especially fierce, as he gets ready to spear the next hole in the wall.

After the ceremony, we took some time to visit some of the patients in the rehabilitation unit. Many of the people were injured in auto (scooter) accidents and have lost the use of their legs and/or limbs. Others are there because of disease and the residual effects of Agent Orange from the Vietnam War. There is much overcrowding of the facility. Some of the people have been sharing their bed with another patient. Outside in the court yard, we met a man that was using one of the LDSC wheelchairs, along with his wife. He was in a motor scooter accident 7 months ago that has left him paralyzed from the waist down. He has some feeling in his feet but, has no use of his legs. In this picture, he just received his new wheelchair. He and his wife live quite a distance from the city of Hanoi and have had to leave their two young children in the care of their grandparents, while he is in the hospital. The wife has been diligently massaging his feet and legs to stimulate feeling to come back to his legs. They are very grateful to get a wheelchair.

Visiting the patients is very sobering and heart wrenching, knowing that lives have been changed forever as a result of injury and disease. What a blessing and difference these wheelchairs make in the lives of these patients.

Our lives are being blessed ten-fold to have the opportunity to be  humanitarian missionaries in Vietnam. The needs here are so great and the money LDSC has to spend is so little in comparison. We are grateful to be followers of Jesus Christ in helping the poor and needy. Thanks to all who donate to the Humanitarian Fund. Together we can do so much.