Dear friends and family,
Elder Christensen and I have felt an
out pouring of the spirit this week as we have seen miracles from our special
training and District Conference. During the special training, which consisted
of all three Isaan Zones, we learned about being powerful teachers who answer
questions instead of ask them exclusively. Elder Wilimas and I were excited to
see each other and he was the king of the Lamanites in a role play as President
Senior taught from Ammon's and Aaron's stories (super funny). What I got out of
the meeting was to be more bold and love these people more by helping them
repent through bold and simple preaching.
On the way home from the meeting on
Friday, I sat next to an Englishman named Barry (yes, out here that IS as rare
as you might think to talk to a white guy). I thought about being the
teacher and about answering his questions of the soul - not asking them all the
time. Basically, I got to know him and Elder Holland's promise in
"Listening" in PMG [Preach My Gospel] chapter 10 came to pass as I listened to him
intently and then discussed about his problems in life: about his mother's
death and his recent addiction to smoking. I just stated short statements of
restored truths in response to his concerns and questions and felt the spirit
testify through me - because he was asking according to HIS agency and
interest. Now, we have an appointment to eat noodles together and talk more
about quitting smoking with his girlfriend.
I think this event helped me prepare
for the other unique event that occurred this week. On Sunday after the
meeting, Elder [Christiansen] and I
were kind of tired and not so upbeat. Great meeting, but we were just not super
happy. So, again not knowing what to do, just left the house and got to work.
We got out and started working and talked to many people, among whom several
accepted to learn. Success started coming as I was more bold and loving (Alma
38:12). But then he had to go to the bathroom. Knowing the only restroom CLOSE
to where we were was in 7-11, we headed there and someone took us up the
stairs. There was a girl stacking stuff upstairs by herself. Elder [Christiansen] was doing his business, so
I just opened my mouth and talked to her. Eventually, I got that she was
working here since her dad died 5 years ago. Thinking of Ammon and Aaron and my
recent encounter with Barry, I asked her very calmly (almost non-nonchalantly) if
she knew that she could see her dad again. Her eyes got wide and said,
"REALLY?"
"Yep," was my only
response.
"Well, do I have to do anything
to do that?"
Surprised at the truth of it
myself and the situation, I basically said that she needs faith and repentance,
but baptism is the real thing she needs. I told her that she would meet with me
and my friend and would help her get baptized to see her dad again. We're seeing her today at 4.
Super cool things have happened as
I've applied these things with Elder Christensen. The other cool thing was to
see everyone at District Conference (like Stake Conference for Branches) from
my old Area of Maha Sarakham. I saw Sister Boo and Tim and their daughter
Sen-Sen, Sister Wright who made us awesome American food, and the greatest
member missionary Sister Nok whom I nicknamed "Luci" short for
Lucifer (that's another funny but long story). Also I saw Elder Woo again, the
recently appointed 70 Elder Wilamas and I picked up [from the airport] this April during the Elder Andersen’s visit. He
actually saw me and smiled and waved - he remembered me and Elder Wilamas, who
were his drivers and his first missionaries he met in Thailand! It was a fun
experience. Another fun experience was TRANSLATING for him and Elder and
Sister Gong for District Conference. SUPER hard going from Thai to English if you
have no preparation, but the Lord really helped me.
The Lord also helped me in the
missionary meeting before conference. Elder Gong asked us to love our
companions so much that if we met again after 30 years, we could talk for hours
the way Sister Gong once did when they visited her old native comp in Taiwan.
He talked about companions being best friends forever - which made me think of
Elder Wilamas, then I realized at that moment I was translating for him. I
squeezed his shoulder a bit after Elder Gong told that story. Later Elder Yuen,
my ZL, told me that that story was for Elder Wilamas and me. I realized this was
true as the Lord blessed me greatly that day and has blessed me with a forever
best friend in the "King of Korat."
Outpouring of blessings as we strive
to be obedient. May we all seek to see
the blessings in our life as we go through our day-to-day lives.
With Love,
Elder Gibbons
This is the note we received with this photo from Joseph's Mission President, President Senior: "Elder Gong, the Asia Area President, was in Thailand for
District Conference and wanted to share this picture of your missionary and
companion. Elder Gibbons is a wonderful missionary and Sister Senior and I love
working with him. Thank you for sharing your son with us.
President and Sister Senior"
President and Sister Senior"
