First, so sorry for the lack
of writing last week. Probably one of the busiest times of my life -
not even exaggerating. These two weeks enveloped preparing for the
visitation of an Apostle of the Lord, a transfer meeting, preparing
people to go home, and welcoming in new missionaries. My whole district
was changed except for Elder Mateos and me.
My new companion is Elder Wilko - he's such a boss!
Mainly from Utah, he is just happy to be here. He's super chill, laid
back, but does his duty 105%. He has so much faith and just likes doing
hard things. He's kind of middle-aged in the mission but speaks super
well - and he even speaks the northern dialect which is hard and I can't
understand! While driving the office van, we make Nascar commentaries
trying to be like redneck-sports commentators. Every day is just a
laughing fest. Being with Thai companions back-to-back, I've forgotten
how funny American humor is. It was weird for the first week communicating, and not in Thai. But his zeal and cheery attitude is has
been a long awaited blessing in my life.
New Zone leaders: Elder Tzanis - one of the first missionaries in
Lao who is back for the first time, and ... ELDER DAVIES!!! [Joseph went to Alta H.S. with Elder Braxton Davies, entered the MTC on the same day, and flew to Thailand together.] It's a riot
here, and I'm super excited for the work. New AP is Elder Crawley, also
back from Laos for the first time. It was so funny to hear him at first,
but his Thai is great again.
Speaking of great, I had many reunion opportunities
and meeting opportunities. First of all, I got to meet Elder Anderson!
He came into the building on Friday
for the Young Single Adult meeting and when he got there, he put his
palms together and sort of bowed really funky - I got to "wai" an
apostle! And then he shook our hands which was probably hard for him because our (Elder Wilamas's and my) handshake probably wasn't so good.
Out of practice...
But at that meeting, all the YSA in Thailand was
invited. I was talking with a member and I see a young lady step out of a
taxi. "No, really?" were my thoughts. When Oom-iim came into the
building we both saw each other and sort of freaked out! I hadn't seen
her in a year. I wondered if she would be happy to actually understand
me this time when I met her. But, we ran to each other and shook hands
and then we were both sort of speechless - just smiling and laughing! It
was a sweet moment to feel such charity for this girl whom I helped
find the pathway to eternal happiness. There was no inappropriate
affectionate feelings - just the love of Christ that render two people speechless upon seeing each other still in the gospel. I didn't fall to
the earth like Ammon, but it's so wonderful to know a small portion for
myself what he felt that day walking back to Midoni.
That Sunday, we met in a convention center in
my first area near Don Muang and Muang Thon Thani. It was magnificent to
see over a thousand members all together in one place. But the reunions
kept coming. I met the crew from Samut Prakaan: Sister Jern and Sister A
and brother Yute. And I also met my converts and investigators: Brother
Tun Tun, Sister M'am and Brother A. I met Sister Mild and her mom
Sister Gaid. We were super happy to see each other as well.
Now we need to get these members to feel love
for each other. Elder Anderson said that the Temple in Bangkok is not
"if" but "WHEN". Then I got the impression: "Well, who's going to take
care of it? By George it's going to be the Asoke members here in the
heart of Bangkok where the Temple will be!!"
And that's my next task - to prepare the minds and
hearts of the people to receive the Lord's Temple. But before that, they
need to receive His Spirit. Please pray for us - the missionaries and
the members to care for each other more. I feel like if we do, Home
teaching will be done. People will be remember each other more. Growth
will happen - numerically and spiritually. Thailand needs growth to hold
the Temple and they and I need your prayers to "get 'er done," as Elder
Wilko would say. Thank you for your faith.
Love,
Elder Gibbons
Elder Gibbons
