This has been a great week, and we had transfers this week! For those of you who aren't familiar with what a Transfer is, basically in the mission field, every 6 weeks is a transfer. So after those 6 weeks end, it starts a new transfer. With a new transfer, you can sometimes get a new companion, move to a new area, stay in the same area with the same companion, etc. So here are some highlights from this week for my missionary service in Vietnam:
Transfers-I have been called to be a trainer in the mission! 
This means that when a new missionary comes, I will be their first companion for normally the first 12 weeks of their mission. I will guide them and help them get used to missionary work. I am excited for this great opportunity to learn and to grow!
Wednesday-I taught English class today with another missionary in the district, Elder Hansen (Anh Cả Tuấn), and I stayed with him for the night, because our new companions weren't coming until the next morning.
Thursday-Today, I met my new companion, Elder Kilpack! His Vietnamese name is Anh Cả Thịnh. He is from St. Louis, Missouri, he has 12 brothers and sisters (some of them are step siblings), he is a quarter Vietnamese, and his step brother is also serving here in Vietnam as well! The other elder that is staying in the same district and branch, Elder Hansen, got his companion as well. We also got two sister missionaries in the branch as well!
Friday-Today we had alLesson with our investigator, Chị Nguyên. We taught about Priesthood and auxiliaries, missionary work, eternal marriage, and temples. She has a baptismal date for this coming Saturday (March 3), and it will be really awesome to see her come unto Christ through entering the waters of baptism! One of my old companions, Elder Thoại, also returned back from his mission today.
Saturday-Today we got to a child of God, Cô Hiền, enter the waters of baptism. We also had a surprise party for a senior missionary couple, Elder and Sister Coffey, because they will be returning back to America on Tuesday! Elder and Sister Coffey have really done a lot for us, and we will miss them! When my previous companion, Elder Taylor and I had to move apartments, they helped us out so much with getting everything set up and ready to move. They have served their mission here in Vietnam for 18 months! I am so grateful for those that come and serve the Lord and their fellow brothers and bisters!
Sunday-Today I had my first opportunity to translate in Sacrament Meeting for one of the speakers. 
Elder Coffey (the senior missionary that will be leaving on Tuesday), gave his talk about miracles. He did his talk in English, and then I would speak into a microphone to Vietnamese. There were times when I had to look back and ask for words in Vietnamese, but I made it through! This reminds me of something very special that we know to be true as missionaries. It is called the Gift of Tongues. When someone is called to a mission, sometimes they will be called to a different country to learn a new language. This can be very challenging. But, as we put our effort forth to learn and struggle in the language, the Lord and the Spirit will help us. The Gift of Tongues is something that we continually need to work towards.
Testimony Time:
Today I would like to share about the Christ-like attribute of humility. In this life, we will have weaknesses, because we are human and imperfect. However, the Lord has a wonderful promise for us if we will be humble and accept His will. The scripture that I would like to share illustrates this very well. It's in the Book of Mormon in Ether 12:27: And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become
strong un
What a wonderful promise that is! If we truly humble ourselves to the Lord and His will for us, He will make our weaknesses turn into strengths! I know that this is true, because I have seen this as I have been on my mission. When I first came out on my mission, speaking Vietnamese was definitely a weakness. I was also not the greatest at talking with and socializing with new people, or even talking in front of a group of people.But, as I have humbled myself and realized my weaknesses (and have been pushed out of my comfort zone), the Lord has helped my weaknesses to be turned into strengths! I know that the Lord can do the same for you if you are humble, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Vietnamese Culture:1. One thing that is wonderful about the Vietnamese people is how much they honor and respect their Ancestors. The Plan of Salvation can really be huge for these people as we teach about how they can see their Ancestors again after this life! 2. When you go to someone's house for a meal, it is generally very polite to eat all of the food that is provided. There is a saying in Vietnamese, "Không No Không Về." It basically means you can't go home until you are full. Eating all the food that is provided is generally very important and polite.
Love,
Elder Justin Ly (Anh Cả Dũng)
Picture Time:
1. With my Family for the Tết Holiday!
2. The Missionaries and Elder and Sister Coffey (thelast Sunday before they leave.
3. Me and my new companion, Elder Kilpack (Anh Cả Thịnh).
4. Happy New Year (Year of the Dog)!
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