week 17

Hello สวัสดีครับ 

อาทิตย์นี้สุดยอดกระเทียมดองหรือสุดติ่งกระดิ่งแมว (this week was soooo good)! 

I know I say every week is good but I really liked this week because it was a little different. This was my first full week in Phuket and I can already feel like I am making an impact here. 

Like I have said before this place is a new area, but I know that this place is ready for the gospel. I had one very cool experience while riding my bike. Me and my companion pulled up to a stoplight and like usual I started talking with someone on a motorcycle about their day. I ended up telling them about Jesus Christ and I guess I must have been talking pretty loud because all of the people on motorcycles around me were listening and seemed interested in what I was saying. I got off my bike and started passing out our inviting cards, and I invited them all to church on Sunday and English class on Tuesday! It was sweet!!! The more people I talk to, the more success I find. I know the Lord has already began to prepare people here, so talking with everyone is probably the most important thing I can do for this area. 

So, that is what we do everyday. Me and my companion go to this park with a bunch of people. My favorite invites this week were around the basketball courts. Most of the time I just sit down next to someone that is waiting to get into a game or someone that is just watching for fun. One day I decided I was gonna hop into the game and play with these people. They absolutely loved it and they were all laughing so hard when I would cross someone up! One thing about Thai people is that when they see a foreigner they just say ฝรั่ง (falang which means foreigner) over and over. It was so fun to connect with these people by playing basketball in my church clothes. Although I got super sweaty it was worth it because afterwards I invited about 10 people to English class! 

I'm so excited for this next week because we know the miracles are just beginning. Every week for church we meet in this hotel, but next week the new building that is being constructed will be ready. I can't wait to have an actual church building. I believe it will really boost the work here immensely. Phuket has never had an English class either, but the first one starts tomorrow! It is such a great opportunity to show these people that we are here to serve and help them. 

Sunday was definitely the coolest day of the week. To start off, I was asked to give a talk in sacrament meeting. With only 25 people attending the meetings, I kind of expected that to happen eventually. I ended up giving my talk for about 15-20 minutes about the Atonement. Also, more people showed up to church this week and I got to be the translator for them. Translating is SO hard, but somehow I was able to understand and translate everything into English. If someone had asked me to give a talk in another language for 20 minutes or translate after only studying the language for 3 months I would have thought there was no way. But, the Lord truly provides a way and helps us accomplish anything he asks of us.

Well after church I got a call from this lady that said she wanted to be taught. So we rushed over to go meet her and we taught her the restoration of the gospel. She was born Buddhist and then became a Christian 3 years ago but feels like something is missing in her church. This is someone that the Lord is blessing us with to teach that is truly prepared. After we had finished the lesson we told her that the Lord has restored his church because he loves you! She burst into tears and told us how much that meant to her. It was obvious that the spirit had touched her heart more than I can explain. 

The last thing I want to say is how grateful I am to be on a mission in Thailand, and specifically in Phuket. Last p day I got to see a lot of different islands in Phuket and they are all so beautiful. I want to show everyone how beautiful this place truly is, but pictures can't do it justice. This area is remarkable and I feel so blessed to add another wonderful thing to this area...the gospel. 

I love this work and this gospel. I know the that this gospel blesses families and individuals and that's why I am on a mission. I want people to experience the joy that comes from living the gospel and sharing that joy with others. Wish me well this next week as the adventure continues! 

Love 

Elder Lowe 

1) the ocean right outside the house of one of my investigators - isn't that crazy!

2) the park during sunset (soo pretty)

3) me riding on the side of a motorcycle hiding on for dear life haha (sorry about the face...I was looking right into the sun and could see :))

4) dreaming about swimming in that ocean one day ;)

5) met up with the MTC district one last time for a while

6) boat rides around the islands with brother best...PHUKET I LOVE YOU