Alo,
This week was an adventure - filled with good stories and blessings. I'm a little tired, but I'd rather be a tired missionary than a bored missionary.
Monday - Trains, Planes, and Automobiles
Monday afternoon while enjoying Preparation Day in the Old Quarter District, we got a call from the Elders who help our Mission President, the Assistants. The Assistants were flying down later in the evening to Hồ Chí Minh City to do a mission presentation -- but unfortunately one of them became very ill and would be unable to fly. They asked if I would be willing to pack and head down to help. Certainly wasn't what we expected, but we were ready to help. Elder McBride and I traveled back to Hà Đông, packed, and headed over. Elder McBride stayed with the ill missionary, while the other Assistant and I went down South.
We left at 7:15pm and landed in Hồ Chí Minh at 9:30pm. We got a taxi and stayed the night in Thảo Điền- the very first area I served in Vietnam, one year ago exactly. It was bizarre. I slept in the exact same room, on the exact same bed, just a year apart. It was interesting to reflect on what I have learned and how things have progressed since those first months. Still didn't have much progress with Vietnamese, as after being in the North for so long I can't understand anyone in the south, so that's the same. Just kidding - but it was surprising to hear the soft southern accent again.
Tuesday - Manufacturing Hub of Việt Nam
Tuesday morning we woke up and went to Zone Conference. I helped with the presentation [passing the microphone] and testifying. I really enjoyed getting to visit with the people from my MTC group, especially the Sisters who are concluding their mission. I was really sad to think I wouldn't see them again for some time, so I was excited to visit with them!
Another interesting thing: I got to visit with my old companion, and a member we taught together who just started his mission. My companion and I helped prepare him for the temple, and then he was assigned to labor in Vietnam. My old companion is currently training him, so we got to take a fun picture.
Following the Zone Conference, me and the Assistant split to do exchanges. I went with two Elders out into the Bình Dương area where I stayed for a couple hours and learned about their friends. After that, I hopped back into a taxi and went to the next area in Thủ Đức and stayed the night with the Elders there.
The Bình Dương area is the Manufacturing hub of Vietnam. All the companies there were named "______ Logistics". It was interesting to pass through and see a glimpse where possible career opportunities could lead me back. But - as for now it's the mission. The area has a surprisingly large number of Chinese residents, who also run their own restaurants. Before I left I got some good Chinese food at a place down the corner and said hello to some people.
Wednesday: Thủ Đức:
Wednesday morning and early afternoon I stayed with the Thủ Đức Elders to do studies and join in District Council. We also had lunch with a famous member in Vietnam, who learned about the gospel from leftover hymn books following the exit of Missionaries as the Vietnam War started. Many many years later, he would reunite with missionaries and be baptized. He made really good food and shared interesting insights about the gospel. He made "Lobster balls", and everytime he would give you one, he would say "Lobster balllll" and plop it in your soup. It was funny.
I stayed until about 4:30pm and then headed back to the airport. Before we left, I grabbed an Avocado Smoothie [the smoothies from Southern Vietnam are the best] and wrapped it up in a zip lock bag to bring to the North for one of the Sisters ending her mission.
We got to the airport and the ticket counter worker told us we did not have 2 checked luggage back to Hanoi - only 1. This was a problem, as I had an entire smoothie in one of the bags. The other bag was full of 24 Book of Mormons, and I didn't feel like risking exploding a 40 cent smoothie on Book of Mormons that are hard to get. We explained to the agent, "I had a lot of liquid in my bag". She asked, "What kind of liquid?" We answered... "a smoothie...". She looked perplexed, as if this wasn't normal, and asked: "Well... Is it Durian? If it's not Durian then it's fine to bring through..." I was surprised to say the least. Note for future travel: Large liquids are allowed in your carry-on luggage while going through Vietnam. The smoothie, Assistant, and I all made it on the plane and landed back in Hanoi. We traveled back and Elder McBride and I collapsed in the apartment at 11:30pm.
Thursday - Sunday:
The rest of the week was pretty routine and we worked hard to get back into the groove of things fast. We had good success at our activities and were still able to meet with lots of our friends. We learned we could order Dr. Pepper on Shoppee and I had my first one since starting my mission. It was very sweet.
Spiritual Thought:
I have been reading talks by Elder Perry recently and I've really enjoyed them. Give one of them a read! I enjoy his perspective on family and working hard.
Other than that - life is happy in Hanoi. Transfer calls are coming up so I'm packing for the South. [See Google Photos for more pics]
Wishing you the best,
Anh Cả Reynolds
In Saigon
Southern Zone Conference
Back on Train Street in Hanoi!
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