District Conference and other Activities

We traveled to Ho Chi Minh on June 24th for the Hanoi District Conference. Melanie, Lori, and Sue went with us. While Scott was in some morning interviews, June 24th, I went with the Sisters to Cu Chi Tunnels where some small local people were asked by the Viet Cong to live in and pop up out of the tunnels and injure/kill soldiers and others during the Viet Nam War. They also have Vietnamse culture displays. The woman is cooking rice paper to make spring rolls or other food. The tunnels are along narrow pats in the jungle. Some methods of injuring others was demonstrated. Not fun and I feel horrible for anyone that suffered with this. I can't imagine anyone enjoying working in these narrow tunnels. They have even made them bigger for tourists and others who visit. We went on one for quite a ways and Sue and I were getting claustrophobia at the end. I was totally ready to get out. They were hot and stuffy also. At least this time there were no bats or snakes, for which I was very grateful.

Leaving the Cu Chi Tunnel area reminded me of parts of Cambodia with the dirt lanes and rice growing on either side. What is missing are the palm trees. I haven't seen too many of those in Vietnam. There are some, but not as many. The little homes in the picture are burial sites.

We then went to a few more sites: the old post office which is huge inside and very, very organized; the Notre Dame Cathedral which is the oldest Christian Church there in Saigon, but maybe even Hanoi. I'm not sure, but for sure Saigon/Ho Chi Minh. We also visited the old "white house" before the fall of Saigon. There is a beautiful rug in there with the symbol of eternal. The dragon means something, but quite frankly I don't remember what. I think it is good luck and victory? Makes sense to me anyway.

After the conference, I was able to socialize with the members and Sister Pratt while we were waiting for our husbands to finish up the interviews and District presidency evalutaions. The sister in the beautiful Vietnam Dress is one of the oldest members of the church in Vietnam. She joined before the fall of Vietnam and is still a true and faithful Latter-day Saint. The little Bird boy was tired of waiting for his Dad. His Mom, Teresa is pictured with Sister Pratt. Sister Bird is Vietnamse but raised in California. She went on a mission and later met her husband, Ryan at BYU. They have lived in Viet Nam for 8 years now with their 5 children. They have been a great strength to the church here. Ryan is now the branch president for all members who do not live in Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi. She has been the Relief Society President also and the Primary President. There are great members here and we do love them.

After all the meetings, we dropped the Pratts off at their Hotel and we took a plane up to Hanoi to have a Zone Conference and luncheon with our Elders and Senior couple. The view of Hanoi as we enter and landed. Pretty big country!