AHHHHHHHHHHHH! So many things have happened and I don't where to start.
I got transferred out of my greenie area Lopburi and now serving in Sisaket, Thailand. Oh boy has it been the biggest adventure.
On my mission, I have found a greater love for people I didn't know existed. Leaving Lopburi was sad because all the members there were basically my family. Not just members, but literally everyone. But, it was exciting at the same time because the Lord wants me to serve and help the people of Sisaket. It's truly wonderful leaving an area and knowing you did something to help further the work of God. How great is it to be a missionary! Saying goodbye to the monkeys was also hard though, before they started chasing me.
SISAKET. Sisaket is located in the far east of Thailand right next to Cambodia. It's in an area which is called the "Isan." Throughout Thailand, people will tell you that the people who live in the Isan are the most humble, and nicest people in the country. There is literally not much here in the Isan. In this area, they speak a language kind of different from Thai. It's a mix of Thai and Laos. I remember first hearing it when I arrived and the first thing I that came to my head was, "I have no idea what in the world that guy just said." But it's not all that bad and it will help me learn some Laos on the mission too :) Sisaket is a biking area and you have to bike if you want to get anywhere. Instead of explaining more about the area, I'm just going to put it into a list because I LOVE lists a lot:
1. The house we live in is HUGE
2. We have an actual church building! It's SO NICE too. A church building in the middle of nowhere.
3. The bishop is the coolest man I have ever met in my life. His family is so wonderful. He has the missionaries over every single Sunday night for dinner. I've never felt so full in my life. They had a feast and it was crazy.
4. I thought the members in Lopburi were the best people people in the world. The members in Sisaget are so loving and good and everything!
5. The FOOD. IT'S SO GOOD. I can't even begin to describe the scrumptiousness.
The ward is struggling a little bit right now. They usually had 110-120 people coming to church and now only 70-80. A big part of this transfer is going to be working with LA's and bringing people back. I love how unified the ward is here. We are all determined to further the work of the Lord. We were setting goals for baptisms, people we want to have back at church and such. When we got to people we want coming back to church (returns), everyone in the room agreed on the number 51. 51 people in 6 weeks to come back to church. All us missionaries looked at each other in shock, but were all on board. I loved the excitement in the room and everyone's desire.
3 things I wanted to do this transfer are: strengthen, unite, and love. My companion and I are SO stoked to help this ward. AHH! My new companion! His name is Elder Williams and is from AUSTRALIA! How nifty is that? He has already taught me so many things and I'm so excited for the adventures and experiences we will have this transfer. :)
I love you all and hope you're doing wonderful :)
Lots of love,