Baptism and Relief Society...

May 14, 2017

Thu is Baptized

A very happy event occurred on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Thu, our translator, was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! The past few weeks, since setting and anticipating her baptismal date, she has been so bubbly and happy. The sister missionaries have taught and prepared her well.

On Thu's baptism day, the Hanoi meeting house was full of people that came to support her. Hieu, our former translator, has been a good friend of Thu's for years. It was exciting that he was given the opportunity to baptize and confirm her. Hieu started his full time mission on the 19^th of April, and was called to serve in England, but because of some issues with his visa, he is currently serving as a missionary, right here in Vietnam. It is wonderful that he was the one who baptized Thu, because he is the one that introduced Thu to the Church, in the first place. The Spirit was very present and strong in the meeting, and Gerald and I felt honored to be a part of Thu's special day.  

This picture was taken just before the meeting started. As we really looked at the photo later, we noticed that the Savior, in the painting behind us, was captured right in between Thu and Hieu. We are sure that this is no coincidence. We feel very strongly that these two special people are a big part of the future of the Church, here in Vietnam, and that the Lord loves them and will guide them in His work here. Just as you see in the photo, Gerald and I are standing beside them, giving them support, on their journey, as members of this flourishing church. We love these two people; they have a very special place in our hearts. There is not a doubt in our mind that our call to go to the Vietnam, Hanoi mission came from the Lord. We are an instrument in His hands, as He is growing His Church, in this part of the world.

The First Relief Society Meeting in Hanoi

On Sunday, May 7, 2017 I was able to attend the first Relief Society meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam. What a wonderful celebration it was, and a confirmation that we, as sisters, have so much in common. It has taken several months for the sisters to get the Relief Society started in the Hanoi Branch.

We celebrated with a cupcake and a photo. All of the sisters are excited to be meeting together in this great cause.

Thai Binh by the Sea

April 30, 2017

During the month of April, we have been working in Thai Binh, to start our new latrine projects in thirteen elementary and middle schools. Thai Binh is about a two hour drive, southeast of Hanoi, towards the ocean. It is in the farming area, and as we have traveled through the countryside, it has been very enjoyable, as well as a delight to see, all the green rice fields and many water buffalo. We've passed by several motorbikes transporting baby ducks to farms in the area; there are LOTS of duck farms here.

Baby ducklings going to their new home.

The projects, we are working on, are very much needed in this area. The children in the schools, we are targeting, only have a “squatty potty” type toilet, most of which were the original toilets put in the schools in the 50s and 60s. Many of them, without clean running water -- the people usually have to use a bucket to help wash the waste away.

Old latrine to be replaced

One school didn’t even have the typical rudimentary toilet facilities -- the fields and bushes have been their restroom. The new restrooms, we are constructing, will have Western style toilets, with clean, running water, a hand washing area, and will meet the WHO standard. Also, part of the project is sanitation education. Our assignment from the Church is to inspect the project area, and make sure it has a clean running water source, a drain field, and then deliver a water purifying system. As we begin these latrine construction projects, we've participated in ground breaking ceremonies. At two of the schools, these ceremonies were quite a big deal -- complete with pictures, bouquets of flowers and speeches.

Ground breaking ceremony

All of the projects, we take on, are made possible with the humanitarian funds from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and are partnered with Mr. Giang and the Red Cross of Thai Binh. We love Mr. Giang! He is a very sweet man that is working hard to improve the living conditions in his province.  One thing we emphasize to the people we help, is that monies for the projects are donated by families in our Church. We tell them that these families sacrifice to help make the children of Vietnam healthier. Families are very important to the people of Southeast Asia, and they love the idea that we, as Church members, place such an important emphasis on the family.

As we have the opportunity to work on projects for the humble people here in Vietnam, and see how much lives are improved, the humanitarian funds that have been donated by our Church members, have become much more sacred to us. These projects are so needed, worthwhile, and very much appreciated. All that we are able to accomplish, is made possible because of these donations. Besides our clean water projects, we are also involved in distributing wheelchairs at hospitals, infant resuscitation and maternal care education, vision projects, and providing physical education equipment for disabled children.

…ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need… Mosiah 4:16

Sister and Elder Thomason