So the recent training from the missionary executive committee which announced a change in the missionary daily schedule, also included a change in the mission president's schedule. One week in every six is to be devoted to reflection, renewal, and pondering. This week-long type of Sabbath experience is made for just such as me. But the issue is will it work here? Will it work for me and can I really adjust the (self-imposed) training schedule for the member leaders that follows a monthly schedule such that we have time and temperament to seriously ponder what is going on. If I ask self-discipline on the part of the young missionaries, I suppose I am going to have to exercise the same myself.
We divided the Hanoi congregation into three uneven parts just before the Tet holiday, and they are beginning to function, waiting patiently for registration papers on their new buildings to be approved so that they can assemble and operate as a religious body of believers. The new meeting sites are wonderful, and will enhance their spiritual lives and opportunities to serve. Importantly, one can already see the growth among the members who are learning new roles in their smaller units, and reaching out anew to strengthen friendship and fellowship with each other. And operating on a two hour less complicated schedule also will allow some extra Sabbath time for those personal spiritual renewal things we all crave.
Our friends from our time together in Maine (though they are most recently from Texas, just as we are from Oklahoma) Russ and Betty Jo Lee visited us over the Tet holiday, taking a break from their English-teaching duties in Tienjin, China. The weather was pretty cooperative and we were able to find a willing driver to take us along with Elder and Sister Vanwagenen on a visit to some of the area west of Hanoi. This was really more like one of those prolonged sales pitches you get when you sign up for a free visit to a time-share (not that I would know.) So we were pleased when after only a few hours of regaling them with adventures from both sides, Russ admitted we didn't need to twist their arms any longer. They were going to start their papers even before they returned to the US.
In the course of our journeying, we enjoyed seeing some of the kinds of places where the locals go when they are on holiday, the old portion of the town in Son Tay, BaVi national park, and the National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. And we made it home in time for dinner. As we were the only westerners in these locations on the day, we were able to grace many a "selfie" with others who seemed as awed by having their photo taken with blond or tall or otherwise strange foreigners as they were by the cultural or recreational attractions around them.
Being around the energetic young members of our congregations does a lot to keep our outlook youthful. And it inspires us to remember how happy we are to be married. The romantic travails of some of our missionaries is certainly a big distraction at times, and at the same time seeing the joy on the face of one of our recently returned missionaries when his proposal of marriage was accepted is a sweet reminder of that youthful fresh joy which we also felt, and which has now mellowed into joy in serving together with a common goal.
Some of the stories that unfold here are almost too sacred to tell. Our afternoon visit with Don Skanchy and his family included several such. But perhaps it should suffice to tell that the spirit of Elijah is working on people here, and the work on this side of the veil is just as vibrant as the work among those who are waiting for gospel blessings over on the other side.
Beautiful report, Lewis.
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