Dear Family and friends,
This week has been CRAZZZY.
Basically the Spirit of the Lord has POUNDED down on the mission, our District,
and in my life. For starters, We have been trying to achieve a
"Bovember" month; or a Baptizing-November where every companionship
has a baptism this month. It was totally up to our faith and Elder Watkins and
I secured Sister Bah and Sister Nupe before, so we were set. But the other
Elders had all their investigators fall through. Se I prayed with them and
helped them see if there was a way.
I remember back almost a year ago in
December when Sister Mild was baptized out of complete faith on a Monday on the
last day of the year, making the 51st baptism of the mission (a pretty good
high for the number of people baptized here on average). It took patience,
perseverance, and prayer like I never had before, but we achieved,
through God, what we before deemed impossible and she is still active I hear,
going to church in Asoke.
I recounted this tale to them to
which they had a spark of faith and we thought of who could POSSIBLY qualify
for the times at church... And as it did in Samut Prakaan, it came down
to a single candidate: Brother Five. Yep, his name is 5.
So the Elders prayed and felt he
could be baptized on the 30th, and went for it. Everything turned against their
favor: his mother, Sister Phon, said there was no way; Five himself was
indifferent. But the greatest challenge was our Branch President gave a
hardened and a rather aggressive NO. But Elder Winsor kept up his faith, and so
did I. They just kept teaching him with an eye of Faith, not looking at the
other many distractions. Prayer after prayer after prayer was said. I
eventually just decided to interview the kid and worry about the red tape
later, so that's what I did. He was super shy but I had one of the best
interviews with him as the Spirit really did teach us both that night. I called
President Sowards (the Senior Missionary who is hear with his wife who is the
Branch President) and told him I think it will be on Saturday for the better.
He agreed without ANY hesitation. I immediately called President Senior and
told him of the good news, as we had been working together for this to happen.
Sister Phon spoke at the baptism and was so grateful to finally have a priesthood
holder in the home. President and Sister Phon said it was truly a miracle. That
makes three of our 17 Miracles. :)
Speaking of 17 Miracles, I got to
watch it [the movie] with a great
Thanksgiving feast with the Elders from Lopbrui (the province north of us where
the great King of Korat, even His Highness Elder Wilamas is now serving). I
translated for him, told him Bailey was my neighbor and he even translated some
of the movie for ME in Isaan which almost made me fall out of my chair
laughing. Having him so close is a miracle in and of itself.
THEN the making Miracles four and
five in our 17 Miracle caused more drama than you could fit into a whole series
of High School Musicals. Basically after wading through the past of yellings at
previous Elders and hard feelings even before I got into the area, getting
severely chastised by an Englishman's rage, facing a series of interviews
across seas, fastings, prayings, sticking a real sock in my mouth at one point,
and many more minute details including dealing with the fact that the other
Elders saw a cigarette in David's mouth the DAY BEFORE THE BAPTISM (which could
be a whole other Email explaining how he lit it for his friend and DIDN'T
actually smoke), Sister Mote and brother Boon were Baptized by Brother David
Shaw - the X-Military husband of Sister Mote who was re-activated to be able to
bring his family into the church. After the Baptism (for which we sang
"Battle Hymn of the Republic" on David's request), I helped him get
redressed and we talked. There was so much that had to go into this day that I
started tearing up for this man for which I now have so much love for. This
family with forever be a part of my life, and I with them. The Lord blessed me
with super-human patience and abilities to both discern and handle problems. It
was a great miracle and we're super blessed. Hence, four and five in our 17
Miracles. We still have 55 at church, but Tuk and Nuch came! Two girls we're
trying to set up with our boy Bro Nong who's taking us to some palace today so
I gtg [got-to-go] pretty soon.
Mission tour where I got to see a
lot of my mission friends and my friend Elder Wilson of the 70 as well. I snuck
in an interview with President on accident (hehe whoops!) and received many a
great thing pertaining to the kingdom. He is pleased with our progress and I
believe the Lord is as well. I also know that none of it could have happened if
it were not for your prayers and fasts. I know you do because I FEEL the
influence of unity. That's what our mission was shooting for: unity, making Brother
Five the 100th baptism in our mission total of 109 with 65 people back to
church - the equivalence of a ward here.
Miracles happen. Why? Because God is
a God of Miracles and loves those who love Him enough to have faith in him.
Thanks for everything. Keep up your gratitude books! I will work on mine.
Love you all,
Elder Gibbons
 | ||
| Thanksgiving in Thailand |
 | |
| Their cute decorated cleared-off Thanksgiving table. :) |
 | |
| They sure have become great friends!! "The King of Korat" - Elder Wilamas |
 | ||
| Elder Wilamas and Elder Gibbons site-seeing on P-Day |
 | |
| A Temple somewhere near Ayutthaya?? |
 | |
| Not sure if this is some kind of fruit shell??? It would be so nice to get descriptions with these photos! |
 | |
| Elder Wilamas and Elder Gibbons |
 | |
| Elder Gibbons and Elder Wilamas |
 |
| Not sure why...but its a cute Monkey! :) |
 |
| Elder Wilamas playing some musical thing!! Of course, Joseph would be ecstatic!! :) |
