Coimbatore District Conference

We had District Conference in Coimbatore on July 28th & 29th. The Asia Area President, Elder Kent D. Watson presided at the conference. He is originally from Cedar City, Utah, but he now lives in Hong Kong while he is serving in this capacity. The Saturday night session was not well attended, but the Sunday session was filled, with 430 - 470 people attending. One hundred and forty people came from Erode, a city about 2 to  2 1/2 hours from Coimbatore. They came in two buses. Erode usually has approximately 105 people attend church each week, so this attendance was fantastic for Erode. Everyone made a special effort to attend.

In fact, the total attendance at District Conference was more than the regular combined attendance at all the branches in the District. The District presidency made a great effort in emphasizing the importance of the conference, and the branch presidencies supported those efforts by encouraging everyone to attend.

The choir was superb!!! We received many, many positive comments. Several people approached Sister Tiefenbach asking if they could join the choir. We sang one song for the Saturday evening session, As I Have Love You. For the Sunday session of conference, we sang two songs: What Was Witnessed in the Heavens and Dear to the Hear of the Shepherd. Sister Tiefenbach was thrilled with the performance of the choir.

District Conference was a big day. We had eleven advancements in the Melchizedek
 Priesthood. They had all the men who were to be advanced sitting in one of the front rows of the chapel. They looked good. Following the general session of conference, the District held a meeting for the newly advanced elders and their families.

Another exciting event that occurred at this conference was a baptismal service. This meeting was held following the meeting for the newly advanced elders. We had 11 convert baptisms and 1 child of record baptism. What a great day for baptisms.
This is the group of those being baptized and the missionaries who were performing the baptisms. The child of record baptism was performed by the boy's father.




Two of the people who were baptised were Brother Raja and Sister Sumathi. We have a special connection to them because they are part of our English class. They have also been attending the English lessons that we teach at the Anand family home.They have two seven-year-old daughters. Elder Jurial performed the baptisms.

Suresh George Jayasingh baptised his son. Elder Massey and Elder Thanniru are also in the picture. This family took several pictures with extended family, as well, and they insisted that we be in all the pictures. Brother Suresh serves as the branch clerk Coimbatore 2nd Branch.







We were also excited about the baptism of John Raja Kumar and his two children. We visited the family with the missionaries for one of the lessons. Brother John's wife died less than two months ago. The gospel will bring great peace to their lives. He reported that he had a great impression that his wife approved of this step he was taking in his life. I have worked with the children in primary, and they are excited to learn the songs I teach. His mother (far right) supported him by attending his baptism.




Following the baptism, we attended the Priesthood and Auxulliary Training Meeting. Again, this meeting was well attended, and all the units were prepared with their assignments. We are impressed with the level of dedication shown by the leaders here in this District.




Many members stayed for quite some time following the meeting. Everyone enjoyed the fellowship and the spiritual lift that this day offered.









The members of the church in India become attached to the missionary couples. These two youth from Erode wanted a picture with Elder Tiefenbach. He had taught them a Young Men's lesson one Sunday in July.









This weekend was the last Sunday for three of the elders serving here in Coimbatore. We say good-bye to:


Elder Kumar. We shall miss him greatly, as we have grown very close to him. He will be opening a new area up for missionaries in a small town by Visakhapatnam (Vizak for short). He will be a great blessing to the members there. He is a dedicated missionary.

Elder Bean, who will be going to Rajahmundry. Coimbatore was his first area, so he is excited to move to another area and experience a new place. Life will not be the same with him not here.










Elder Massey. He will also be going to Rajahmundry. Elder Massey is the missionary who received special permission to begin his mission before he turned 19. We celebrated his 19th birthday here in Coimbatore. He has the most contagious smile ever. We will miss him.






Sunday was a long day. We left our apartment at 8:30 in the morning and returned between 6:00 and 6:30 in the evening. We had a good day!!