That is why we are here.

January 09, 2024

January 9, 2024

Xin Chào,
We have been to Ho Chi MInh city 2 times since Christmas. Once to have a goodbye dinner with an elder flying home for knee surgery and the second time to have thank you dinners with the leaders in the south. I’m glad we did it. Everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated.
On Sunday the mission had a couple of baptisms. I joined one over zoom while the president was busy giving a branch leader a blessing. I met Yên about 9 weeks ago in Ba Dinh branch. During the district conference Elder Johnson had each of us join a lesson with the missionaries. I joined a lesson with Yên. It was his second lesson. He had a long pony tail and the biggest smile. When you meet him you can tell he is a genuine and good person. The sisters who found him were starting from scratch in the area, meaning they had no previous contacts or friends handed over to them. Sister Stobbe was going to be there for only 6 weeks and she would finish her mission and she was training Sister Trâm. They prayed that they would find friends to teach and they prayed they would have a baptism before Sister Stobbe went home. They did not get a baptism but they did get 2 people on date before she left and Yên was one of them. He is amazing. He is about 20 years old and loves learning the gospel. He has cut off the pony tail and he is full of faith. I want to share his testimony with you. He text me:
“After being baptized, I felt that from now on, wherever I go, I will have a layer of protection around me, I will always have the companionship of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ. and Heavenly Father. I no longer feel lonely in this life, I feel like I have found a place where I belong, like finding 'home'. And I testify that when I fulfill His commandments, and laws, I receive blessings and good things beyond my expectations. My mother now accepts my worship of God even though she was initially against it, because she has seen a positive change in me. I have been more patient with my family, with everyone, although not perfect, but much better than 2 months ago. I spend more time serving people instead of just hiding in a corner alone. At work, when I am patient with customers and serve them with the most enthusiasm possible, I receive compliments, encouragement, recognition, and customers also buy me more than I expected. I no longer see this world as dark, I always remind myself that this world still has many good and lovely things, we can live well and give love, light up this world. much more. Of course, there are still countless weak things that distract me in life, and it's not simple to get rid of them all, but I still believe that with the companionship of the Holy Spirit Then slowly I will be able to do it. And I share this word in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen”
Isn’t that amazing! I joined a lesson on Sunday with the mother of 2 returned missionaries. They are amazing young people. One was our AP for a long time and the other is currently the district Relief Society president. (That is like being the stake RS president)She has been reading the book of Mormon. She had fasted for the first time in her life that day and felt a lot of peace. I was asked to bear my testimony of the Book of Mormon and she said she believed what I said is true. That is why we are here. The gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives.
We had 9 new missionaries arrive last week. That is the last big batch before we come home. The rest are 3-4 missionaries at a time. Adding 9 missionaries, taking away 5 that went home, caused every companionship except 2 to be changed in some way. It was a big shake up. Lots of new trainers and new leaders.
We talked to the new mission leaders this week, Rob and Jami Howell. They are going to be so good. Vietnam will be in good hands.
Happy New year to all of you! I hope this year finds you healthy and happy.
Love,

Sister Hughes