Ten years ago, under the inspirational leadership of then Stake President Ralph Hardy, the Montgomery Chinese Branch was organized. The first Branch Presidency consisted of President Vincent Breglio, his counselors, Frank Chow and Wei-Peng Zhao, and his clerk, Bo Wei Zhu. And the rest is history...
In the past decade, the branch has grown from 9 members to over 100 members and has been a great blessing to the many members and nonmembers influenced by the branch. More than 130 members have joined the church and have received the blessings of the Gospel in the Mandarin language through the branch. Over 50 full-time missionaries have served in our branch and shared the Gospel with hundreds of Chinese people. Through the annual Chinese New Year parties and Moon Festival firesides, its cultural events, and many other activities, the branch has provided a fellowship forum and a spiritual oasis for its members and the Chinese community as a whole. In celebration of these wonderful achievements, we organized the tenth year anniversary events from May 25 to 27, 2002, to remember the great things which God has done for us, to create opportunities to meet our old friends and to make new ones, and to celebrate the tenth birthday of our branch.
At the first event of the reunion, 35 members attended the temple session in the Washington DC Temple at 7:40AM on Saturday morning. The occasion was very special because we were reunited in a spiritual experience with our friends, many of whom we had not seen in a long time. Furthermore, we participated in a temple session, in which everything was in Mandarin Chinese. In the celestial room, we emerged with joy and happiness. What added more to our joy was to witness Sister Karen Cui join us after she attended the temple for the first time earlier that week. Outside the temple, we posed for group pictures with the temple in the background. We are grateful to President Sterling Colton of the Washington DC Temple and to our Chinese-speaking friends who assisted in marvelous ways during the session.
The purpose of the second event on Saturday evening was to provide a fun, relaxed atmosphere for everyone to get acquainted with each other. We were honored by the presence of Elder and Sister Hardy. Elder Hardy addressed us briefly and expressed his feelings about the branch. After a sumptuous potluck dinner, Sister Li-Fang Tsai coordinated an evening program of dance and fun. The types of dances spanned a broad spectrum from the Hokey Pokey and the Limbo to the Chicken Dance. Chad and Shannon Gasser led us in a rabbit dance. The young women dressed up in colorful new dresses and served as hostesses. Brother Andrew Shen also emceed a branch history trivia contest with prizes. The evening was enjoyed by all who attended.
On Sunday morning during our Sacrament Meeting, we were privileged to listen to talks prepared by three of our returned missionaries: Caleb Wertz, Jeffrey Cahoon, and Chad Gasser. They each spoke on the topic of remembrance, but each in his own way. It was quite a miracle to hear these missionaries, who had left their missions two to six years ago, speak in Mandarin as fluent as when they left their missions. We were touched by their testimonies and were impressed by their spirit and love. After their talks, we were elated to hear a few words from President Michael Seay, Washington DC District President. President Seay was our high councilor who encouraged President Hardy to establish a Chinese branch in the Washington DC Stake. In total, a record breaking 129 people were in attendance that morning.
On Sunday evening, we started with the baptism of Steven Zhang by Brother Patrick Shen. President Sid Foulger conducted a spiritual baptism. Aftewards, we enjoyed sandwiches prepared by Sister Helen He and others. Brother Patrick Shen conducted the ensuing fireside. He asked all of the visitors to introduce themselves. President Benjamin Tsai bore his testimony of the divinity of this great work and of the miracle of the Montgomery Chinese Branch. He then presented a 10-minute slide show with soft Primary music in the background. The pictures conjured up an emotional journey of missionaries, converts, and activities.
The famous branch choir, led our beloved emeritus choir director, Brother Stephen Wang, sang "Old Irish Blessing." We asked the missionaries to line up in front of the cultural hall in order of time served. Then they marched into the Relief Society Room to practice some songs. Meanwhile, a representative of the English Class said a few words. Frank Chow, representing the original branch presidency, related an account of the early years of the branch. The missionaries came back and performed "We Are All Good Friends" and "Love One Another" in Chinese. President Sid Foulger gave the concluding testimony and his thoughts on the branch.
Afterwards Sister Betty Azucena presented a birthday cake for the branch with ten candles. We lined up against the wall for group pictures. Mr. Wang, a professional photographer, helped us take pictures. Finally, after we sang "Happy Birthday" to our branch accompanied by Sister Annie Thorsted, we enjoyed the tasty cake.
Our last activity took place at Black Hills Regional Park in Germantown. Although it was drizzling rain at 11:00am when we arrived, the bad weather did not dampen our spirits nor hamper our barbecue. Under umbrellas, our expert chefs went to work on chicken, hot dogs, and hamburgers. An estimated 150 people or more were present, perhaps the most of any of the activities during the reunion. During lunch, Brother Andrew Shen read letters from President Vincent Breglio and Brother Wei-Peng Zhao, who could not attend the reunion. By the time lunch was over, the sun came out. A balloon stomp game and a balloon toss contest were held with prizes. Finally, group pictures were taken again before we dismissed.
The reunion spanned 3 days, 5 activities, 2 chapels, 1 temple, and 1 park. About 11 returned missionaries, 4 of them with their wives, returned for the reunion, along with a few old members. Local leaders and friends of the branch also attend the festivities. It involved over 200 different members, old members, friends, and leaders. Special thanks go to Sister Ruth Huang, the Activities Committee Chairperson, Sisters Charlotte Shen, Helen He, Li-Fang Tsai, Brother Andrew Shen, and to the many others who helped to make the reunion not only a superb success but also a memorable and uplifting experience. Sweet were our embraces, and enlightened were our spirits. Memories were stirred, and friendships were rekindled. Our hearts have been touched, our minds filled, and our souls charged. In the word of President Sid Foulger, the Montgomery Chinese Branch is all about changing lives. That is precisely what has happened during the reunion. That is exactly what has transpired over the ten years. Many of us with our Chinese friends have had our hearts touched by the Holy Spirit after hearing the Gospel in our tongues. Many of us have subsequently changed our lives for the better and are following God's strait and narrow way. May the Lord continue to watch over this inspired branch, guide its leaders now and in the future, inspire and teach its members to prepare to help build God's kingdom, lead its missionaries to the honest in heart, and bless us with diligence as we assist in continuing the miracle of the Montgomery Chinese Branch.
Washington DC Temple, May 25, 2002 - Front row (children and those kneeling): Elder Shirts, Megan Tsai, Li-Fang Tsai, Melinda Tsai, Caleb Wertz, Joshua Tsai, Elizabeth Cheung, Aaron Cheung, Christian Cheung, Jonathan Tsai, Karen Cui, David Chen. Standing: Sy Tan (photographer), Andrew Shen, Russell Munk, Elder Hsieh, Da Chi Zhao, Elder Hales, Noah Tsai, Elder Lin, Tracy Tsai, Elder Fugal, Hal Jewel, Michele Petersen, Kaye Jewel, Jake Petersen, Sidney Foulger, Annie Thorsted, Mary Foulger, Tyler Thorsted, Chad Gasser, Angel, Helen He, Jeffrey Cahoon, Ying Chen, Betty Azucena, Wayne Pan, Mary Shiu, Leslie Beach, Tracy Cheung, Alan Cheung, Todd Hellyar, Benjamin Tsai.
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