We were informed in February that the lease would be up on our Masai Branch Chapel on March 31, 2017. This presented a problem because after the missionaries had been working so hard for several months on reactivating members, there would be no place to worship. It was proposed that they meet in the JB chapel which is about 20 kilometers away. The problem with that idea was that many members do not have transportation to church, and that extra distance would make it very difficult for them. The decision was made for us to find a hotel meeting room where we could meet for a few months, and if the attendance warranted it, they would consider building a new chapel for the branch.
After exploring several options, with no luck, we were miraculously led to The Swan Hotel. We didn't even notice it before, even though it was right in front of our present chapel.
We met with the manager, who was more than happy to lease the rooms to us for three months. He was new to that hotel and was anxious to have his meeting rooms rented.
The large room was used for joint Priesthood & Relief Society, Sunday School,
and Sacrament Meeting.
The youth had to meet with the adults.
The small room was used for Primary, and worked out just fine.
We feel blessed to have found this hotel which was very convenient.
The first day that we met in the Swan Hotel, April 2,
Elder Lamb was sustained as the Branch President.
His responsibility will be to train the members to be leaders in their branch.
First Counselor is Bro. Taha, Second Counselor is Bro. Presly and Branch Clerk is Bro. Tan.
President Simmons was here to set them apart in their new callings.
The former Branch President had been in for many years,
but because of his work schedule, had to be released.
He has a very strong family, who are certainly an asset to this small, struggling branch.
Our attendance was enough for the leaders to approve a new chapel
to be constructed for this branch.
Here in Malaysia, it isn't possible to build a building,
so they lease a space in a "shoplot" which is made into a chapel.
We were told to start looking for a place where we could build the new chapel, but because we don't know the areas which are desirable, we didn't know where to start looking.
We asked for the help of our friend, Ben Tay, who is the JB Branch Mission Leader, and also a realtor. We looked at several possibilities which would be fairly accessible to the majority of the members and in a favorable location, and which would be safe for the members. We chose this location right across from a nice park where we have had some branch activities. This view is looking at the building from the park.
This location was approved so construction could soon begin.
It was so exciting when construction was finally begun. We were able to watch the progress closely and see it slowly become a church. It is interesting to watch the way they do construction here in Malaysia. There is no wood used in the building, it is all metal and cement with drywall, probably because the climate is so damp here, that wood would rot.
It is beginning to take shape.
There is a small kitchen, which shares the space with the baptismal font.
It is really shaping up. It is almost ready for the members to come help put things away.
The day arrived that the members had been waiting for when they and the missionaries could come and help put things away and clean so that it would be ready for our first meeting on September 3.
Upstairs things are progressing nicely.
The library is being put in order and the classrooms are dusted, floors mopped
and chairs put in place.
Well done everyone!
Pizza is the reward for a hard days work!
The chapel is beautiful and the saints are so happy to have it.
We know that the Lord loves his children here in the Masai Branch.
