Brother & Sister Hughes - Vietnam

  July 27, 2023   Hello,     I have lots to write about and share. July 6-10th we had the mission branch tour and conference. We traveled in a large van with President Hughes’ counselor, President Phan, who is the acting president of the branch, President Vuong a counselor in the mission presidency and his wife Ngoc Trinh and with Elder and Sister Peterson who have been teaching on line several classes to the branch. It was a joy to see them meet everyone in person. The Peterson’s also brought with them pictures of Jesus and temples to give away. We visited 7 different homes or groups spread all across the south of Vietnam. They live hours and hours apart. Once a year the church pays for them to all gather and have a mission branch conference. They start traveling the night before or as early as 2 am to make it. Before the conference we arrange to visit some of the members. Each of the visits became ministering visits. Everyone in our van connected with a differ...

  July 3, 2023   Hello,    We have a new Preach my Gospel edition! It is wonderful. We will still be using the 2004 edition with the new version because only the 2004 version has been translated. We love the new version. At zone conference this week we focused on working with members from the new version. There was training on the importance of a weekly coordination meeting and supporting the Branches with their Sharing the gospel plan. The new PMG book online also has links to the general handbook sections about working together and missionary work, it’s great to see how they are coordinated to work together. We talked about supporting the leaders and helping them with their plan to grow and strengthen the church. Then on Sunday we were able to teach the leaders in Ho Chi Minh about the same things we taught the missionaries. Then we gave the leaders time to work on their Branch plans to share the gospel. We will be teaching the leaders in Hanoi on the 16th. There i...

  June 12, 2023,   Xin Chào,  We are finishing up our second year serving as mission leaders. We have learned so much. It has been a calling that has really stretched us. There are hours of administrative work, that goes unnoticed unless it does not get done. The rewards are feeling the spirit in your life so often, being with amazing young men and young women who are willing to sacrifice for the Lord, working with members who are trying hard to do what is right and to see new members feel such joy with the gospel.  Last week two members of the Area presidency visited Vietnam. They took time to visit with government leaders, missionaries and have a member meeting. As we sang the opening hymn “Near my God to Thee”  in Ho Chi Minh district, I looked over the members and I felt such love for them. I know names now. I know some of their stories. I see them faithfully coming and making changes in their lives. It will be so hard to say good bye. Their faith, goodness ...