3-31-14
Hello
familia!
Well, this was
one wonderful week! So many amazing things happened. I'll just kind of go in
order.
Well, last
Monday was way fun! We went to the Mall to go get manicures and when we walked
through the front door of the mall a farang in a suit came up to us and started
speaking to us in Thai. I was so confused! He then introduced himself as Elder
Hartman's dad! What?! So excited! He does business here in Thailand and got
permission to meet up with Elder Hartman on his P-day. We talked for a couple of minutes and then E. Hartman and E. Black showed up! Then Bro. Hartman invited us all
to eat lunch together and invited the other Elders. It was so much fun! We went
and got pizza and then Haagen-Dazs ice cream. It was just so awesome to spend
time with a dad! So, we were greatly blessed with an
unexpected awesome visit from Brother Hartman!
Book of Mormon
class is going well! This last week we read in 1 Nephi 11-13ish. It's pretty
much just a reading and study class. I think it's helpful. Reading the scriptures
can be really confusing, especially for recent converts, so we try to help them
understand what the scriptures are talking about and how it can be
applied.
So, we go to
Fashion Island frequently to go inviting. Lots of times we'll just stand on
this bridge that everyone has to cross to get to the mall and try and talk to
everyone that crosses it. Apparently, a new investigator of the Elders said that
he had seen us sisters on the bridge one day but did not know that we were
sharing about baptism. When we are inviting others to learn about baptism, a
lot of times we'll ask people first if they want to be cleansed from sin.
The way you say "cleansed from sin" is "laang baab." Well,
if you don't hear the final consonants in both of these words it sounds like
you're saying "wild donkey," or "laa baa." This kid
thought we were asking him if he wanted a wild donkey because we could give one
to him at our church. Therefore he did not stop to talk to us. haha I think I
need to find a new phrase or else enunciate much more clearly.
Okay, so
yesterday was so awesome! It was such an amazing day at church. So many
miracles and funny things. I'll just go in order of the day.
First of all,
we miraculously had five investigators show up to church (some of which we had
just street contacted and are never very certain)! I felt like the speakers
were so awesome yesterday and during sacrament meeting the Bishop, the Elders, and
Brother Somgiad, sang a very dramatic rendition of "Ye Elders of
Israel." Made my day! haha
Our
investigator class went well and I could tell all of our investigators really
liked it. But, here's a little glimpse into Thai culture. Thai people
are very blunt about certain things. That was manifest in our investigator class. The teacher was
talking about gifts of the spirit and had some of the missionaries come up in
front of the class. He asked them how long they had learned Thai before they
came to Thailand and they all responded 2 months. He then asked one of the Elders' RCs, who's a college student, to come up front. He asked her the same
question and she responded that she'd been learning English since she was in
elementary school. He then pointed out that she still can hardly even speak
anything. Goes to show that the gift of tongues is real. So, that may have
been a little offensive, but made a good point. haha
But then the teacher
talked about how a certain member has no talent for singing, but he loves his
willingness to try and that he'll be able to develop those skills. Lastly, he
asked another rather overweight member what she thought her talent was. She
responded whatever her talent was but then the teacher said, "Oh really? Do
you like to make food? You're good at eating obviously!" I died. I felt so bad for that girl, but she and everyone just laughed
and agreed and he moved on. That would so not fly in America. haha It is just funny what is and isn't acceptable in different cultures.
However, the lesson really was good and our investigators were really involved
in it.
Okay, so third
hour was combined because it was fifth Sunday and the Bishopric was in charge.
The lesson was on home/visiting teaching. HT/VT still hasn't really taken off
too well in Thailand and it makes a big difference. So, a few weeks ago the Bishop
asked us missionaries to do a 10 minute play on home teaching to show the whole
process from getting the assignment, planning ahead with your companion,
setting up the appointment, going to visit the family, giving the lesson,
checking up with them, etc... It actually went way better than I expected and I
think Bishop was pleased with it. And the ward members got a kick out of it. I
would not say that any of us are natural born actors. But it was fun!
After church we
had the best potluck of my life: cashew chicken, green curry, massaman curry,
and random Thai desserts! อร่อยมาก!
Then, the best
part of the day! Sister Nang, Sister Grape, and Brother Donut were baptized! Sister Nang was glowing, Donut was beyond excited, and Grape was
emotional (that also may have been because she's afraid of water). But it
was such a great day! Everyone was way happy!
We also have
two new investigators that came to church. So, we have been extremely blessed this
week! I am just so excited and feel so amazingly blessed to be serving
right now in Bangkapi and with Sister Peterson!
I love my life!
I love being a missionary!
Oh, the numbers
are in: our mission had 212 BAPTISMS FOR MARCH! Oh my goodness I am so
excited!! Amazing! God is blessing Thailand.
Well, just know
that I love you all sooooooo much!
Love,
Liz :)
