4-2015 Historical Taichung Stakes Reorganization!

An historical event took place this weekend in Taichung! The Taichung and Taichung North Stakes were divided into three stakes: Taichung West, Taichung South, and Taichung East. Preceding this division, several new wards were recently created: Qingshui Branch from Shalu Ward, Wuquan Third Ward from Wuquan First Ward, Dali Ward from Wufeng Ward, Houfeng and Dongfeng Wards from Fengyuan Ward. 

While Elders Gong and Funk conducted interviews on Saturday as part of the calling process of the new stake presidents, Sisters Gong, Funk, and I joined our sisters for a lesson with one of their investigator who was preparing for baptism the very same evening. They actually had two sisters who were baptized Saturday evening!

With our beloved Taichung North Stake President Kuan being called to serve as an Area Seventy, two new stake presidencies were called. Both of Elder Kuan's counselors are now serving as stake presidents, over the Taichung West and East stakes! 

The stakes were reorganized by our Asia Area Presidency members Elders Gong and Funk, assisted by our Area Seventies Elders Chow and Kuan. 

Grateful for all the wives of these dedicated leaders! Also in attendance was our recently released Area Seventy Elder Ruan and Taipei Temple President and Matron. It was an amazing conference!

The Asia Area (10 missions: Taiwan Taichung, Taiwan Taipei, China Hong Kong, Thailand Bangkok, Cambodia Phnom Penh, Indonesia, Singapore, Mongolia Ulaanbaatar, India New Delhi, and India Bangalore) includes over half of the population of the world. There are currently 26 stakes, 13 of which are in Taiwan! Taiwan is truly a special place in the hollow of the Lord's hands, and we are so grateful to be serving here with our missionaries!

Recognize this sister and her husband, now serving in the Taichung South stake presidency?
My trusted and dedicated housekeeper! So happy for her family!

After the conference, we witnessed a little miracle. I have known this sister since our first day in Taichung almost two years ago. She greeted me after the conference and told me she had wanted to visit me but her back had been hurting for the past several weeks and she had been in extreme pain. She could barely walk, and could not bend or rotate at the waist. I asked her if she had seen a doctor or taken any medication, to which she replied that she had, to no relief. Then I asked her if she had received a priesthood blessing yet. When I found out she hadn't, I sought the elders in her area. We retired to a classroom and with great difficulty, my friend sat down in the chair, wincing in pain. President anointed her with consecrated oil, after which the senior elder offered a blessing. After the blessing, my friend was surprised that she felt much more comfortable! As she leaned forward and backward, her back loosened. She stood up slowly but felt no pain. Then she sat back down and no longer felt pain either. She was amazed at the power of the priesthood! It was then that I remembered the first day we met. We had attended the open house of the brand new Taichung North stake center, after which the sisters and I met together with her in the very same classroom. Our lesson was on the temple, and we had testified to her of the sealing powers of the temple. We encouraged her to receive her own endowment and be sealed to her deceased husband. Today I promised her again that if she set a goal to go to the temple, the Lord would provide a way. He had already granted her a miracle!

After the conclusion of the conference, it was a privilege to have these great men and their wives in our home. Joining us was Sis. Funk's sister, who had just come to Taiwan with the BYU Management Society Asia Pacific Leadership Conference as one of the speakers.

We love them and are so grateful for our association with them!