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News Item: Reunion Report
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| Reunion Report | 02 Apr 2007 |
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Report of the March 30, 2007 Missionary Reunion Hundreds filled the stake center cultural hall for the reunion. Included in the group were newly called missionaries getting ready to enter the MTC, parents and family of currently serving missionaries, a dozen recently returned missionaries attired in traditional Indonesian dress, old time returned missionaries (including at least three from the 1970 first group of six elders), many senior missionary couples, and members and friends from Indonesia. There was lots of good food and good visiting. Elder Brewer conducted the meeting. We enjoyed testimonies from three recently returned missionaries: Elder Hoehn, Sister Bytheway and Elder Sakevitch. (Later they joined with other recently returned RMs to sing Indonesia Raya and Disini Senang.) We then heard accounts of older RMs who have had the opportunity in the past few years to return to Indonesia. Elder Lambson told of his experiences in Central Java shortly after the Jogja earthquake. He was able to help distribute supplies and offer a sympathetic ear to those who suffered. Elder Houghton told of journeying to Jogja with his family, where as an orthopedic surgeon he was able to offer assistance to many injured by the earthquake. Elder Lyman told of his on-going work in Aceh where his NGO has helped build 84 much needed fishing boats. To learn more about his important work go to www.austin-international-rescue.org. Dita Subandriyo read a beautiful letter from Sister Hawthorne and then we heard from President Tueller. Dita also performed a lovely Balinese dance. President and Sister Jensen spoke to us via CD. They greeted us in Indonesian, Javanese, Sudanese, Batak (Horas!) and Arabic. A smiling Sister Jensen declared that this was a wonderful time to be serving in Indonesia—even if the media doesn’t make it seem so. Pres. Jensen quoting Oliver Cowdery said; “These are days never to be forgotten.” He then proceeded to list the many calamities (bird flu, flooding, mud slides, tsunamis, volcanoes, earthquakes, protests, terrorist bombing etc.) that they have witnessed during their three years in Indonesia. President Jensen then provided some amazing statistics for the past three years that show that in spite of many challenges, progress is being made. Sacrament meeting attendance has increased from 1,337 to 1,610; active Melchizedek Priesthood holders have increased from 315 to 377; endowed members have increased from 270 to 377; annual baptisms have increased from 74 to 186; the number of single full time missionaries serving has increased from 27 to 68 and the number of senior couples has increased from 5 to 9. Wow! Maju Terus! Next we heard from newly called missionary leaders Heidi and Ross Marchant. Sister Marchant bore a sweet testimony and then soon to be President Marchant (one of the first six elders to serve in Indonesia) spoke. He invited everyone to attend 40th anniversary celebrations in Indonesia during 2010--so start saving your money. He admonished RMs to get a copy of Preach My Gospel in Indonesian and read it regularly as good language practice. He also encouraged us all to pray regularly for the missionaries serving in Indonesia and for the faithful Indonesian members. Elder Subandriyo expressed thanks to all who helped make the reunion possible—including Sister Josephine who organized everything. He also answered questions. Currently there is a quota of 52 foreign missionaries—each senior couple counts as only one. He also explained that every chapel in Indonesia now has a satellite receiver. Indonesian members could watch conference live if they wanted to go to the chapel in the middle of the night. Instead they watch a delayed broadcast the week following conference. Each chapel shows all five sessions. Between Saturday sessions they all enjoy a pot luck lunch. Sister Hawthorne, Pres. Tueller, and Pres Jensen all expressed sincere thanks to the many good works of Elder Subandriyo. Photos were taken—maybe they will show up on the website soon. Elder Emmett handed out flyers with a final solicitation for stories and information for his book on the history of the church in Indonesia. He will travel to Indonesia this summer for a final round of interviews and then next winter 2008 he has an eight month teaching leave from BYU to write the book. Please submit any and all stories, reports, letter/journal excerpts, photos to him at chad_emmett@byu.edu. |
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| Chad Emmett | Send Email |
