Two Weeks in Vietnam - Phú Mỹ Hưng, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hello everyone! I've now been in south Vietnam for just over 2 weeks and there is a lot to say. Here it goes:

We had zone conference and interviews this week. At zone conference, we heard a lot of great trainings about our missionary purpose and how that will bring us more unity with each other and Christ. It was definitely the smallest zone conference I've been to. There were about 29 missionaries there and that is most of the mission. It was so great!

The people in vietnam are so ready to hear the gospel! Their humility and willingness to improve their lives is inspiring. When we promise that the gospel blesses individuals and families, these people want to learn.

We had dinner with a family yesterday and it was an incredible experience! We sat on the floor in the home of a family that was a bit smaller than the average American bedroom. Then at the back of the room there was a ladder going up to a second floor with the same amount of space. We sat on the floor of the ground floor and there was a bunch of noodles, fresh greens, and a big pot of broth. In that broth was a mixture of squid, cow tongue, and cow liver. Now, this meal was delicious. I would eat the tongue again in a heartbeat. The squid was also really good. But the liver is something I'll have to get used to. Anyways, these people are amazing and have 0 pride. They don't care what we will think about the size of their home, they just want to invite us and share what they have. It was a great experience.

This week I read the book of Enos in the Book of Mormon. I learned a whole lot. Enos follows a pattern of: faith, Repentance, more faith, covenant with the Lord, then his soul is at rest and he goes to serve the Lord. It reminded me of President Nelson's talk from the most recent General Conference. We can all follow the pattern of Enos! And we don't need a perfect or unshakable faith to begin repenting. 

Have a great week everyone!

-Anh Cả McConkie

Photos: Zone conference, English Club, Park

Zone Conference

English Club

First Letter from Vietnam - Phú Mỹ Hưng, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Hello everyone!

To start, this week was one of the most eventful of my life. I have stayed the night in 4 different cities all the way from Lebanon to Knoxville to Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. The longest day was when I woke up on Wednesday in Knoxville Tennessee at 5am and didn’t go to bed until Friday morning at 2am in Hanoi, 34 hours later. Then after getting to know the Mission leaders and learning about the characteristics of this mission on Friday morning, they put a few of us from this most recent group on a plane and flew us down to Ho Chi Minh City to start working in our areas.

My new area is called Phú M? Hung in Ho Chi Minh. I have once again been blessed with a great companion. His name is Elder Vuong. He is from Hanoi, but lived in america for a few years and even went to BYU Hawaii. His Vietnamese and English are both perfect. I am learning a lot from him.

We went to church yesterday and fast and testimony meeting was incredible! There were about 30 people in attendance and even though I couldn't really understand anyone, it was great to be there and partake of the sacrament with these incredible pioneers. 

Vietnam is too different for me to describe in just 1 email. I will try to write more often than I was before and let you all know what life as a missionary is like here in heaven. I also want to thank all the people back in Tennessee! It was an honor to serve with them for the last 4 months. But I do feel like now the Lord needs to use me here.

The scripture that comes to mind this week is verse 20 in Mosiah ch.3

20 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.

You all can probably guess why this verse has been on my mind. I am now in a different nation, surrounded by a different kindred, tongue, and people. Yet I still see the need for these people to learn about the same Christ that I have been telling people about in Tennessee. It is part of my calling to give my all to the wonderful people of Vietnam and I am ready to do just that!

Have a great week!

Anh C? McConkie

Missionary Facebook Post from First Area - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

 

Xin Chào tất cả mọi người! Em tên là anh cả McConkie và em vừa đến ở Quận 7 ở Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh tuần trước. Em là một tình nguyện viên cho Giáo Hội Các Thánh Hữu Ngày Sau Của Chúa Giê Su Ky Tô. Em thích việc nói chuyện với những người khác về Chúa Giê Su Ky Tô bởi vì em biết rằng việc học về Ngài sẽ giúp cá nhân và các gia đình tìm nhiều hơn hạnh phúc và niềm vui!

Nếu các anh chị em muốn biết thêm làm sao chúng ta có thể có hạnh phúc cho bản thân và gia đình mình, hãy liên hệ với chúng em nhée!!!

Hi to everyone! My name is Elder McConkie and I just arrived at District 7 in Ho Chi Minh City last week. I'm a volunteer for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I enjoy talking to others about Jesus because I know that learning about Him will help individuals and families find more happiness and joy!

If you want to know more about how we can be happy for ourselves and our families, please contact us!!!

Arrival in Vietnam!

With President and Sister Hughes

President & Sister Hughes