Robert - week 10 - Arrived in Thailand

So yesterday was Mother’s Day here in Thailand because it was the queen's birthday. But I'll get to that later. 

First, I couldn't email last week because I was on a jet plane on my way to Thailand. The last week of the MTC was good but this week has been a dream. First, I left the MTC last Monday at about 4 am and just traveled first to LA and then Hong Kong and then got to Thailand late on Tuesday night. Ended up going to bed at 3 that night and then getting up around 7:30 the next day. Breakfast was noodles and curry which was super good. We got to go to a park later that day and talk to some people in Thai which was kinda hard but was a lot of fun. Then we walked around Thailand with 100 บาท and got to buy things and pass out book of Mormons and talk with people. 

Thursday was the big day. It is transfer day which means I work with a new companion and go to a new area. I got to meet with some of the trainers and talk with them and they all seemed pretty cool. Then everyone sat down and our mission president assigned the new companionships with the area where we will be going to. I was assigned with Elder Davis which was the low key trainer I wanted to be paired with. He is super chill and knows the language very well.

My first area is in...เชียงราย or Chiang Rai, which is honestly the coolest area ever (literally the lowest temperatures in Thailand). I can't even tell you how many older missionaries said how lucky I am and how jealous they are that I get to go to Chiang Rai. For those who don’t know, Chiang Rai is like way up north in Thailand and is so pretty! Also, the people here are all amazing and so kind. I feel so blessed to have gotten Elder Davis as my trainer and Chiang Rai as my first area.

Well that day we got some food on the streets of Bangkok and got some สมตำ which was a little spicy and then we went on a bus ride up to Chiang Rai that left at 7:15 PM and was about a 12 hour bus ride. I slept pretty much the whole bus ride and talked to some of our investigators on the phone. It was hilarious because I woke up around 3 AM on the bus and looked out the window on both sides and it was just a jungle. I thought in my head, “oh gosh, what have I gotten myself into,” lol. But seriously, this was such an awesome week. 

Anyways, immediately when we got there we went out in the streets and started talking to some people and teaching investigators in lessons. We did so many lessons on that Friday.  I even got to say the first vision and teach the whole plan of salvation. It was so cool! A lot of people were complimenting on my Thai and saying that I need to talk more which is probably true. It gets a little tough when everyone can speak and understand and I can't. These people speak so-so-so fast and I'm just trying to keep up, lol but sometimes I can actually respond, which is sweet. Most times in the lessons I ask questions, follow up, and bear testimony. The spirit is always so strong in our lessons and our investigators are the nicest people ever. We committed two of our investigators to baptism this week and one of them is getting baptized next Sunday. 

Sunday was such a sweet day. In Thailand it is Mother’s Day so happy Mother’s Day mom!!!  I love you so much! We got to church really early and I had the opportunity to talk with all the members that go to church. Also, 3 of our investigators came to church - which means my prayers were answered! It's kinda crazy that we have about 400 people in the ward and only about 35 people show up. I love the members so much. Well, in church the branch president called me out and asked me to bear my testimony. It's funny when you don’t know what they are saying and then you hear you name and look at your companion and he just points to the podium and say ไป (go) - all the members said they were impressed with me testimony but I think they were just being nice. 

Church was a little exhausting especially by the last hour because it’s just people speaking super-fast and not very clear so I can't understand most things. So, I kind of got a headache, but that's all good! We had this Mother’s Day activity which was super special and like everyone was crying, Haha. After church we got to teach this girl named พี่เก่.  She's really an interesting investigator and I probably won't have one like her ever again. She told us, for about 2 hours, about how she has powers. She has apparently seen incredible things and can heal people. On Sunday she held up a windchime and said she was going to use our energy to make it move. She believes god has given her this power to help people. It's a little strange but who knows maybe she is telling the truth. And she's super kind and has faith. The problem is she works at a hotel and says she can't come to church ever. She said it's impossible to keep the commandments which got my companion a little triggered. But, we shall see how the next lesson goes. 

This week has been amazing and today we got to tour around Chiang Rai and see all these wats. It was super cool! Love you all and miss you! 

Robert already deep in Thai culture

Elder Davis and Robert at a Wat