Week 18: New church building in Phuket

Wow, another great week on the mission. Although progression is coming slow with our investigators, the progression is just about to ระเบิด (explode) here in Phuket. I seriously couldn't have asked for a better area to serve in and I think I have already figured out the reason why the Lord has decided to put me in Phuket. 

On Tuesday we had another lesson with หนึ่ง, the guy who sees ghosts. The ghosts tell him not to pray or go to church. I asked him how he feels when he prays and he says the ghosts go away for about 3 hours and then come back. We taught him the gospel and promised him that the ghosts will go away every time he shows faith in Christ. I extended him the invitation to be baptized and he said he will pray about it, so we will just have to wait for his answer. 

After the lesson with หนึ่ง I was blessed with a miracle. Me and my companion were on our way to English class. While riding my bike I was stopped at a ไฟแดง (stoplight). I always like talking to the people next to me, but for some reason at that moment I didn't really want to because it seemed so pointless. I feel like I talk to so many people on these stoplights and no result comes from it. Well in the end someone pulled up behind me and I changed my mind and I decided to open my mouth and ask her about what she did today and where she was going. She asked me where I was going and I told her I was about to go teach an English class. She literally freaked out and then started speaking English to me and said how much she wanted to learn. She pulled over and then started to follow me to the church. After the class she told me how much she loved it. This was our first English class ever in Phuket and after the class she said she would invite her friends! What a blessing! We had about 8 people for the first class and I know it will just continue to get bigger and bigger! 

Wednesday was an unfortunate day for my comp, but kind of hilarious to me. While on our way to an early morning appointment my companions bike tire lost its air so he began pumping it up. After pumping air into it for no longer than a second, the tire exploded. We ended up fixing it, however we had to explain to all of our investigators why we were late to appointments. I learned like 50 ways to say a flat tire such as ยางเสีย, ยางรั่ว, ยางแบน, ยางระเบิด, and more. Also, all the Thai people always tell my companion that he is really fat and eats too much. But after I told them his bike tire was flat they were straight up savage. They all said "โอออเพราะว่าเขาอ้วนใช่ไหมเขาหนักเกินไป"(ohhh because he is fat, right? He eats way too much). I just sat there laughing my butt off!! The Thai people are so funny and so brutal. They literally just say it how it is. Anyways, this week was Zone conference so I flew back to Bangkok again.

During Zone Conference, the mission President talked to me and my companion about having a party in Phuket. The idea is to just gather everyone in the city to see the new church building. Having an open house and a lot of people gathered together will be so great for the progression of the work down here in Phuket. I really want to change this area and get the members excited to do missionary work and to get the investigators to come to church. I suggested starting up sports night, a scripture study night, or even a board game night to get members and investigators together in a comfortable environment. The branch president loved it! He says to คิดนอกกรอบ or think outside the box! Those activities will begin this week!!

While I was in Bangkok I went on a switch off with a third transfer Elder, Elder Schindler, and we were actually totally fine. It's awesome how much we were able to speak and understand! The Lord knows our potential and what we are capable of. When we think we are better than we are, He humbles us, and when we become discouraged He lifts us up. I find myself constantly being humbled and lifted up on this mission. 

Overall this week has been a little rough mainly because I was only in my area for about half of it. But, I truly believe that next week things will really begin to shape up. The activities are starting this week and this next week will be the first time we won't be having church in a hotel! I love my area, the people, this language, the miracles and blessings, and God's pure love for me and the people I serve! Stay in tune for what's coming here in Phuket! Keep it real everyone :)

I love you all so much and I am grateful for all the support you have given me!

จะสู้ๆต่อไป

Love

Elder Lowe

1) The church is almost done

เกือบเสร็จแล้ว

The new church building in Phuket