Week 105 - Roi-Et T15.W4 District Conference and the "BEST" Baptism

Hello Family and Friends,

So last week you may have heard of a small conflict I had with the APs... :p

Well, happy to say everything's great. The very same day I sent my Email I got a personal phone call from President himself.  We talked about all that happened and about the trainings we had. He was so grateful for the things we were doing (he even sent us some text messages of some of the things that the other Missionaries sent him in their weekly emails earlier this week concerning the trainings).  He also helped me see that I need to keep the enthusiasm and not be discouraged when we are advised by our leaders to take a path that seems less than productive.  He shared an experience about Elder Andersen [of the Twelve Apostles] that happened while I was in the Office.  One of the days Elder Andersen was here, President shared with him some ideas that were a little more "forward thinking" in missionary work that he was thinking about implementing.  He said that Elder Andersen was calm and responded: "You know, those are some great ideas, President, but you have no authority to change Preach My Gospel."  WHAT A ZINGER!

A great lesson about how obedience is better that sacrifice. 

He also told me about the story of Saul in 1 Samuel 15. Saul is commanded to smite and destroy the Amalekites and all that they have, but he saves some animals to sacrifice.  The prophet asks him what the heck is going on and Saul explains that he didn't do what the Lord commanded because he was going to sacrifice the best of the Amalekite's herd unto the Lord instead.  Like Elder Andersen to President Senior, Samuel gives Saul a stunning response: "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?   Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1 Sam 15:22).

After that we've been really trying to build up Roi-Et as the Zone's "Model Unit" or แม่แบบ, or as President Senior counseled us to do.  I love the word "แม่แบบ" ("mae-baeb" as in Ka'bab' from Flight of the Concords) as model because it literally translates to "mother" - "pattern or way".  I thank my แม่ (Mae or mother) for being a model for us, and as we work hard we will be like the mother unit that others can follow.  This week we worked to help Sister Best (เบส), the District President's referral, get baptized this week.  It was great seeing her soak up the gospel faster that anyone else I've seen.  Also we have been meeting a lot of youth who are being prepared (Elder Wilamas likes youth because they most likely have not had a lot of time to commit sin like a lot of our other investigators, lol...).   For instance we're teaching Sister Gift's 17-yr old male friend, Ribbon, who is just starting to open his heart to the gospel.  We're teaching Sister Rose's 17 year old friend from school named Amy who asked the greatest questions. 

"Amy, do you have sin?" Elder Wilamas asked her in our first lesson. 

"Oh I've got lots!" she laughed. 

"Would you like to have it all go away?" 

"Yeah I really would. How do I do that?" We taught about baptism and she asked what she need to wear when she is baptized.  Super cool!  She came to all of district conference (Sat and Sun session), and we're seeing her tonight for FHE.   We're also teaching Sister Jennifer, the little sister of brother Mike in our branch who asked, 

"How can you receive an answer to all of these questions in my life?"  It's kinda funny that all of the people we're working with have super-English names, but it's also funny that all of these people came from their super-great member friends, like many of you who are reading this email.

One boy we're teaching, Arti, is an 18-yr old who we met at the big park here in Roi Et called Beung Phalanchai:



Beung Phalanchai

We taught him with Sister Gift and he just poured out his life that was full of darkness.  He said he sent an offering up to the heavens if anything was sacred to ask for a way out.  I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Lord answers the prayers of His children, and he also came to District conference.  I ask you to PLEASE pray for these people: Ribbon, Amy, Jennifer, Arti, and Rangsan (our banker friend).  Please Pray for Jid, who's struggling and so close to baptism and entering into this path.

District conference was also great.  Saturday session was all about missionary work - I got to watch President and Sister Senior play a piano duet to show unity and President even showed how to invite someone to baptism off a street contact on the podium.  Sunday session was so awesome to see all my homeys from Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Korat, and  Khon Kaen, and Roi-Et come together in one place.  I saw sister Dtaan with little King King and sister Boo from Maha Sarakham who was baptized recently.  I saw Brother Rough from Kalasin and when Sister Nui and Brother Somsak came and recognized me she gave me a hug!  (She's like 55 years old, but it was still funny and against the rules a bit...)  Sister Tom also became the District Relief Society President.  Sister Wiganda (our super tight friend who also went to eat ice cream on my 2 year mark) is in the District Young Women's Presidency.  Elder Wilamas and I received many gracious welcomes from all the members who love him and started to love me in Korat as well.  Together, we probably got about 10 pounds of food.  From Maha Sarakham, Sister Yuen gave us Masaman Curry, Sister Wiganda  gave us no-bake cookies and Sister Wright gave us each a taco salad - a rarity indeed and quite fun watching Elder Wilamas eat it for the first time.  President from Kalasin gave me these delicious Japanese Cookies.  Sister Viphaa and Sister Gob, and Sister Wannaphong (who ALSO ate Ice cream with us that day) gave us treats from Korat as well.

The "loot" they got from people who love them!  :)  (A big thanks to all of them from Joseph's mom!!)

I have been so blessed to have served in this District for so long.  In fact, in the middle of translating the Sunday Session with Elder King, I announced that I was being asked to share my testimony. I told everyone how thankful I was to have served in so many places and that my heart is spread in the three branches I served in: Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, and Roi-Et.  Some people in the Audience even shouted lightly "in Khon Kaen too!" and "and in Korat!"  I bore testimony of the work of the Lord and how we are in this church to not just learn new things but to help ourselves get ourselves to DO the things we know.  I know three things, I said.  1) Heavenly Father loves us.  2) The Book of Mormon is True.  3) Heavenly Father wants us to get back to him.  I was super grateful to have that opportunity that is a once in a life time thing on your mission.  I really have fallen in love with the Esan and I always will have a special place in my heart for the land I remember covered with seas of green rice fields, the smelling of roasting chicken and fried food on the sides of the streets, the listening to the shouts and salutes in Lao the people toss back and forth to each other, and the calypso-like beats that come from their traditional dancing performances as you're racing your bike through the narrow, shop-covered, color-covered streets.  But what I will remember most about this land are the beautiful people I interact with here. 

Baptism of Sister Best

Like I said, Sister Best was baptized!  The drama of the day happened when the Sisters got mad at us because we had two baptismal services and I wanted to take the blame and help them.  Elder Wilamas sat me down and helped me see that just because someone we love is hurt that we need to take the blame for things.   When we ate dinner that night at Sister Dog-rak's they apologized, just like Elder Wilamas said.  "People are smart, and they can think for themselves," he taught me.  "The Lord will eventually make everything right.

This week was definitely made right in many more ways than I can imagine.  I've been an official, recognized representative of God for a total of 1 year and 2 days.  [I think he meant 2 years and 2 days!!]  Mozart was born today 258 years ago; as such, we sang all seven verses of the only song in the Thai hymnbook that was written by him.  The APs tell us we have 158/200 people baptized this month - which has never happened in the history of this nation.  The Lord is hastening His work.  Speaking of which, I need to hasten out of this email.  But I need to ask you again to please pray for Ribbon, Amy, Jennifer, Arti, Rangsan, and Jid.  I ask you to please pray for your friends as well and for ways you can help them find what you have (or the path that you can too achieve). 

PS: If any of you have a friend you really want to introduce to the gospel but don't know how, just bring them to your Family Home Evening like we're doing for Amy.  Don't have one weekly?  Well have it, or bring that friend to some one you know who does.  Teach how we pray, have an opening prayer, share a scripture, eat, and tell them that you would like to do it again next week and you'll bring your two friends who teach about prayer and how to live a fun healthy life.  Who doesn't want a fun happy life?  Crazy people.  But if you're reading this email, you're most likely my friend and I don't have friends who don't want to have happy lives... Anyway try it out and see what the Lord does through YOU to bring the happiness you have to others.

I love YOU all and until February (AH! my last month!),

Elder Gibbons 

Week 104 - ROI-ET T15.W4

Dear Family and friends,

This Friday marks a special day. On the 25th this month, I will hit my 2 year mark of being a missionary. There's been miracles and miracles when I exercise my faith in the face of trails. My Birthday was last week, and as a present, the Lord decided to answer my prayers and give me some trials. I want to apologize for not sending out the greatest letters as of late, but this last's president's letter sums up some of the things we're been facing and the miracles we've been having in Zone Khon Kaen.  We've had some trials even with some of the leaders in the mission who have accused us of doing wrong. After addressing it to President, I said to him:

Dear President,

This week really took the wind out of our sails. Doused the fire. We got a phone call from the APs that really startled me and left me sick to my stomach for the rest of the week. During studies on Saturday we picked up the AP's phone call and got showered with many brunt and probing questions. Earlier we got a call from you, so at this point I'm trying to figure out what's going on (and at the same time trying to translate the right context in Thai - which I wasn't sure because I felt dirty or like I did something wrong from all the questions). I finally just ASKED what the heck is going on and didn't get an answer. "We've just heard things," "We've just heard things and we're concerned," I kept getting. Finally we proceeded to hear a list of several things we were doing wrong - including going to church only once this transfer, switching off too much, not calling my district leaders the right way, etc. etc. etc. Refusing to tell me by what sources this false accusations were from, and we were then rebuked of the privilege to switch-off and received a fair portion of shouting at after trying to explain why we were training. 

Yes, we got an apology before hanging up, but we've got several calls from our leadership that ask us strange questions and press down on specific goals that week, which is against the Zone Leader Handbook, isn't it?  Can the leadership call us out without talking to us and set quotas and goals for us now? Do they not know that we have had more concubines to teach and interview than I've ever seen and how many branches to balance out because they are ready to send missionaries out of their city? Do they know that we've not only trained in our districts after MLC, but returned on our District leader's request to help our super 200 goal, or know that we've met with, taught, and calmed down members who started to find and teach their own investigators? Did they ask us if we have been to church all 4 weeks here? Do they know we haven't had an unbalanced week? Do they know that our potential investigators section of our planners are full now? Do they know we are literally bleeding out of our heads and arms while dragging our bikes across the Esan on buses so we can work WITH our districts instead of just standing at the bus station until the call us a Tuk Tuk [little Thai go-karts taxis]?

President, I have sacrificed a lot of things to get this zone from 0% to where it is. Elder Wilamas has sacrificed even more in terms of fatigue and not faltered. We are not perfect, but we have done nothing but the Lord's work these past few weeks. We told our district leader in advance if we were going to be gone, and just did the work that needed to be done to achieve 200 baptisms. We received no training, so we called on the Spirit to help and He is helping. We did the work the Lord wanted us to do and had a dang good ol' blast while doing it. But after this week I've felt very alone this week because I was scared to tell you anything, fearing that you wouldn't understand because you just had the info the APs have - coming from WHERE? I don't know. I feel little trust from people now and feel that our leadership is losing trust in us.

But Faith in Jesus Christ has helped us. I need to thank you for your prayers. We really needed them this week. In a lighter note, our zone applauds District Korat with their 4 baptisms this last week. Kalasin has seen a miracle as the whole District had balanced for the first time this transfer. Elder Tirrell and his district has been working closely with the branch and seeing results. Sister Painter's and Sister Embly's time up there was like fresh water to the branch and to those missionaries.

As a matter in fact, we've recently seen miracles as we help our districts as the Holy Ghost directs us do. Kalsain Sisters just had to see what it was like to be enthusiastic about the work. That's what we have been doing with the district leaders in our zone and Elder Sanguansak and Elder Smith are progressing in Korat. I felt prompted to go to Korat to train and we were an answer to their prayers. We switched off with only Khon Kaen this transfer which helped them work more effectively, as Elder Naosuwan is sick as of late, and They are having problems getting along. In Sarakham, we had a special training and they are on fire - both the Elders and the Sisters. Our zone is getting back on its feet at last. 

Sorry this one was a little fiery, but I hope you see that I love our work and our missionaries who do it. "The assistant to the president is not any more important that any other missionary," says the missionary handbook, which we follow closely and read daily. We are trying to see how every missionary in our zone has an equal part in lifting up the weary and strengthening each other and the people they work with - members or those who are not yet members. 

Thank you President, as Elder Wilamas and I are excited to work till we drop for the next 5 weeks. He is amazing and is my strength as well. Thank you for your strength and we both love and pray for you and our assistants, fellow zone leaders, and districts. 

With Love,

Elder Gibbons

 

Thank you for your prayers as well. We're teaching a miracle girl "Best" who drove to church for her first time on a flat tire, and teaching a man named Rangsan who is the CEO of a major bank in the Esan. Please pray for both of them.  I share this close email because I haven't the time to re-explain this week and I feel you will feel the need to please remember Elder Wilamas and me in your prayers for at least 5 more weeks.  It's gonna be a race to the finish, all right, so thank you for your service in this regard.

I love you all, and say goodbye until next time! PS: It's still pretty cold here! Haha ;)

Love, Elder Gibbons

 

P.S. I want to send you the sweet email I got from Joseph's companion, Elder Wilamas, after I thanked him for sending us the cutest home-made Christmas card...

thank you very much

I love you Really like a family. Christmas cards I am very glad that you like it. Thank you pray for us helped us a lot I can feel.

Love forever

เอ็ลเดอร์ วิลามาศ :)

 

Week 103 - [Very short letter]

Dear family...

I love you but have 3 minutes to write any letter because I am in Maha Sarakham again. I just interviewed an investigator from Korat (Middls of Thailand) for baptism - a 13 yr old little girl named GG like the G on the mountian, haha.... But she was so ready and I was so grateful to inverview her. Another experience was with Elder Wilamas on Sunday. We had our appointment cancel on us and so we went out to this big public place called Beung Phalanchai (look it up) to talk to people. And Elder Wilamas and I had so much success there. Well, I'm out of time, but I love you and gtg [got to go]. FYI we'll train here tomorrow be in Khon Kaen and then Korat and THEN get home. Our zone is struggling. Please pray for the missionaries to be wise, be loved by the members and see miracles. We really need 200 baptisms! There are 4 AP's and crazy stuff going on in Bangkok. Pray for me please and I love you!!

Your Son Forever,

Elder Gibbons

Week 102 - (Roi-Et) MLC and our own Mission Tour

Hello everybody!

This week has been crazy but great. On new years we had Mission Leadership Council - a meeting where president rounds up his zone leaders and sister training leaders and talks about inspiration he's getting for the mission, which we in turn spread to the mission. While there, we were all truly inspired and actually well fed. Sister Senior made her "special syrup" which was buttermilk syrup (like my mom's)! After MLC, we hit up Korat, Khon Kaen, and Maha Sarakham and trained about the mission vision: 200 Baptisms! This goal has never been reached in Thailand, but this November, we had 110 - while I was rounding up statistics in the office, we were averaging about 40-50 a month. But we have been taught that in this month in January, there are 3 people per companionship who are among "The Elect." D&C 29:4-7 reads:

"Verily, I say unto you that ye are chosen out of the world to declare my gospel with the sound of rejoicing, as with the voice of a trump.  Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you the kingdom.  And, as it is written—Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive.   And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;"

This is what are focus is on and what's happening. There are 9 people ready for us to find them this month. I think this will be the most eventful part of my mission. The Temple IS COMING. The faith of the Saints is growing, but I ask all of you to please pray for two things. One: that we will be ready for this to happen. Two, that the Thai Saints will be and that they will desire to keep the Sabbath Day holy more than ever before.

The missionaries need this excitement and I'm excited to be shouting repentance at passing cars, zooming motorcycles, on door steeps on the house tops, in the hotels...

Yeah ps, Elder Wilamas and I went with Sister Wiganda and her family from Maha Sarakham to visit their less-active father who works at a hotel in Roi Et. He was happy to see us, and then we get a referral from the HEAD HONCHO of the hotel while we were there - her dad is pretty high up in the ranks, so Sister oot, Sister Wiganda's mom, introduced us. He gave Elder Wilamas and I each 2 calendars and a huge bag of expensive coffee - he also offered us tea haha... Grateful for that. Oh and it felt SOOO good to be back in Sarakham, speaking of Sister Wiganda and her family! It was a cool feeling stepping into the bus station again. I don't know exactly why, but I loved it there. I hope I will have the same feeling in Kalasin! 

Our zone is picking up again after the scrambling around from the holidays; Roi Et is back up to 105 at church, Korat at 96 and Sarakhom at a whoppin' 63! (Yeah, that IS a lot!) Elder King the DL there is great, and they're working out helping Boo, my old investigator there, get baptized this month too!. We did some switching off with Khon Kaen and we will be helping them again this next week after we switch-off with Kalasin, as those two areas haven't had investigators come to church in a while. 

Of our 200, we have but 25 to 30 as a goal for our zone. That's 12-15% of the mission's goal. We will do all we can to fill our part, and to go above. I feel the vision of the Lord is being fulfilled. Thank you for helping with your prayers. Elder Wilamas is really helping me see a greater way to do things and I feel like I'm helping him see the faith beyond the horizon when obsticles come and find us. THere are so many which makes me excited. In Sarakham, Elder Khanakham, one of my great friends who is also the Mission President's 1st Counselor, gave a fireside where he said: 

"อุปสรรคปัญหาในชีวิต คือความเจริญ ก้าวหน้า ของเรา." 
[Obstacles, challenges in our life, are our prosperity, our progression.] 

I know it's true. And these problems that we face together will grow us... We just have to remind each other once in a while. That's why my "Next Companion" will have to be someone who reminds me to have a lot of faith!! lol ;) We had a mid-transfer switcher-upper and ended up with a Lao missionary named Elder Angkham - he's just hilarious and I know him from when I was in this zone with him back in Kalasin. He gave the greatest testimony at church and the members love him. He's also the son of the Branch President in Vientine!

So there's great things happening, great food I'm eating in the Esan (yes, I'm getting a little rounder), and miracles being seen. Elder Wilamas LOVES the dill pickle chips and flamin hots [Cheetos]. "How can white-man food like this taste so good?" he said the other day, lol!

Anyway, there's great things happen, again, so please pray for Jit to be able to divorce one of her husbands and for Teeb and the daughter Oom to feel of the truthfulness of this message. Please don't forget to pray that the missionaries and Thai saints will be ready for this to happen and that they will desire to keep the Sabbath Day holy more than ever before.

Thanks again for everything! Love!

Elder Gibbons

Here are some photos that Joseph's companion, Elder Wilamas, sent me...not sure what/who they are yet, but I will add them here anyway! 

Both wearing the matching ties I sent them for Christmas.  :)

Some of the things I sent in his Christmas package...

 

These were the ties I sent them in separate packages...one for them and one for their companion (whoever it was going to be!)  It is a miracle that they are together!!  :)

I recognize one of Joseph's favorite things...George Washington on top of the tree!!  Only Joseph!!  :)

 

Week 101 - 101!!! LA!!! or aka “Roi-Et” T15.w1

Hello Family!

This week has been crazy and wonderful as a Zone Leader out in the Esan! The windows of heaven opened and I'm again comps with Elder Wilamas! We look over Roi-Et, Khon Kaen, Korat (where Elder Wilamas has served) and Maha Sarakham and Kalasin (both of which I have served as well). Packed full of Satan battles and other crazy stuff, I have no time to say it all, but I will say I had a very special Christmas. Kristmas in Khon Kaen! I wasn't even at my home in Thailand when I woke up Christmas morning (if you can't call THAT not being home for Christmas than I don't know...). But I had my beloved comp: Elder Wilamas, with two of some of my best Thai friends: Elder Schad and Elder Ngaosuwan. I was the only white guy in the house! But I made everyone get in their rooms and then got the video on my camera ready and had them come out and see their presents around a small tree we stole from the KK Church. I got my Phaa khao maa to wrap under the tree and we had a great morning, opening the gifts my mom sent me. And letting Elder Ngaosuwan and Schad open the ones she sent to our new companions (which is each other duh), so we spread the love. [I sent Elder Wilamas and Joseph separate packages for Christmas and I added a gift for their companion too.  Only WHO KNEW they would be companions with each other again?!!]  We also had muu ping and khao neio for breakfast - something I might do as a Christmas tradition, so watch out!! After that we skyped and I got to see Mom and Dad, Grandpa Schlappi and Matt and Shae with Meegs and Anna and Kenz!! I was so happy and excited to do that. I also got to meet JJ, Elder Wilamas' little bro and his mom, who is not a member so that was fun hearing them yell in Lao to each other :) ;) 

Other things this week: Got yelled at by a Swedish guy, and had one of the best dinners at my branch President's house. We had Sua Rong Hai and a bunch of other Esan food. Had little crabs that tasted... Well, the Branch President is also a music teacher as so I got to play Traditional Thai music with him and Elder Wilamas, who was also the leader of his Thai orchestra in Ubon, his hometown. President Sutaeb played the Saw, Elder Wilamas, the Klui, and I played the Ching. Super fun.

That's all for now folks but I love you and the Savior lives!

Elder Gibbons

 

WEEK 100!! Christmas Day Phone Call

This is Joseph's mom.  He didn't write a letter this week because we got to see his cute face and talk to him on Christmas Eve through Skype!!  :)  We had all our kids and Grandpa Schlappi here for the conversation.  I will just tell you about our phone call...



The Isan Region is in "red"

First of all, and the GREATEST news...His new companion IS Elder Wilamas!!!  (One of his bestest friends in the world...the "King of Khorat", as Joseph lovingly calls him.)  They were both transferred to a town that I couldn't understand back in the ISAN!  He has spent most of his mission in the Isan area (the Northeast region of Thailand - with Laos bordering to the north and east and Cambodia to the south).  They speak a very different dialect there - he said it is a mix of Thai and Laotian...kind of how Spanglish is a mix of Spanish and English.  No wonder the language has been hard to learn!  They are also serving as Zone Leaders together.  He is very happy and it is a dream come true for him to spend his last two months (59 days from today!) for the second time on his mission with one of his very best friends.  (Elder Wilamas returns home [to a town in southeast Thailand] in May, same as Joseph's cousin, Kaiden.)

The thing that impressed me the most during this phone call, is that Joseph and Elder Wilamas seemed like they were "one".  Last Christmas, Joseph was serving in the office with Elder Wilamas and we got to see Elder Wilamas and talk to him a little bit on that phone call, but this time, they sat right next to each other and shared a headset and Elder Wilamas was there for the whole conversation.  I wondered if he wasn't able to talk to his own family because I know there hasn't been a lot of support from them during his mission.  We love him too and can't wait to meet him in person someday.  He has become a brother to Joseph and it will be so hard for Joseph to leave him and this beautiful country he has come to love so much.  They sang "Silent Night" for us in Thai, which was so sweet.  Then, at the end of the call, Joseph asked if we would join them in a prayer.  He asked Mike to choose someone to give the prayer, so Mike asked Elder Wilamas to pray in Thai.  Now, the whole time it was really difficult to hear them (the internet café they were in was really loud with people talking all around them) so we didn't really hear a word of his prayer, but the spirit was so strong and their cute little heads bowed (and it looked like they might have been on their knees) was enough to make anyone cry, especially me!! 

It is so strange that this full-time mission experience is coming to an end.  It has truly been the greatest blessing in our lives. Joseph still has his unique style and humor, but he has changed and grown so much.  I will miss reading his letters - the miracles and baptisms, and all the prayers given in his behalf all day, every day!  (I am already looking forward to the day when Anna begins this process!)  But we will be so happy to have Joseph back with us, making us all happier by his sweet personality and love. 

Until next week when you will hear it from Elder Gibbons...
I love you all who read this!!
Tami :)

Here are a few photos from our conversation with him:



Joseph and his companion, Elder Wilamas



I will never forget this picture of them in my mind - praying with us. :)

Week 99 - Ayutthaya: T14.W8 The End of the Beginning of the End! And Three More Miracles!

[Sorry...this is another one of those letters that may require a Urim and Thumim to decipher!!]  :)

Hello everyone!

This week WAS as crazy as predicted. Had my butt kicked in Badminton by my investigator Nuch. She's kinda dainty spacy and a dumb-blonde who's super book smarts (she got lost in Chaing Mai when she tried to find our church and walked right onto another congregation! So funny). We played with her best friend Tuk (or Duke)and  with Nong the coolest member from Bangban. Then we the Esaan after. :) :) :)

The rest of this week consisted of Elder Wilamas and I swapping interviews, teaching investigators, etc. Unfortunately Duke and Nuch (pronounced "Nute" by the way) did not pass their interviews. We were all devistated. But we told them to watch the Joseph Smith video of the restoration and they understand. They are doing great now. In fact, we just got back last night from Duke's parents house. The night before that (Sat) we got back from my old church in Don Muang where I conducted our Christmas program complete with Thai period instruments called Angloons. 

I saw this on the Facebook page of a cute Thai girl that we follow.  I assume this is the program he was talking about!  If you want to see more photos from the program, you can find them on her page (Ploi JP), or on my wall.

I even met up with my first Convert - Oom-iim and her friend she refearred: Sister Pim! Pheun and Ploy say Anna's famous lol and I could actually understand them! That Sat morning Sister Taa - a very special lady I found with her family - were baptized. An excerpt from my president's letter unfolds more detail:

"Another great and crazy week. 3/6 Baptized and confirmed. Satan woke up and attacked back, but to our advantage - seeing that our investigators who didn't get baptized are getting better nourishment now. We had three investigators alone participate in the Christmas program and nine at church; four of which are getting baptized at the end of this month. Two of those four were the same two that I was in the car with on our way to Ang Thong [a province of Thailand north of Ayutthaya]. It's a magical place, it truly is. Sister Duke (ตุ๊ก) took us to her parents house where we spent some great time. While I was talking with her and her dad, she asked if I could give her dad a blessing because he was having problems with his prostate gland (yeah, try saying or understanding THAT in Thai - gift of tongues is real because it was whispered it to me by the Spirit), which blessing was received well with reverence, along with her mother and Sister Duke herself. It was a very special day yesterday with another three confirmations as well. Elder Watkins did one of the ordinations very well, I might add. We also had our 3 baptisms the day before. Sister Taa (ต้าร์) is going to be a key figure in the church someday (probably in the Ubon Stake in Amnat Charoen specifically [close to Sisaket]), or she needs to raise of of the future leaders as nine year old Brother Non was baptized with Pim, his cousin/sister. Non even asked if he could say the opening prayer for his baptismal service! That's just the kind of kid he is. Bro Nat (age nine as well) said the closing prayer. Our youth group is growing and we have two new deacons (why isn't that a key indicator?)...

"Thank you again for all the blessings you let me see and experience here in Ayutthaya. No matter what happens this next transfer, I'll be forever grateful for these experiences with Elder Watkins, Elder Smith, Elder Winsor, Elder and Sister Sowards and even Elder Wilamas. The Lord is with us when we drew closer to Him through faith and repentance. Thank you President. You are a great man among men."

 

With that being said, I may be out of here. President called me and asked: So what would you think if you companions with Elder Wilamas again as  Zone Leader?" To put a 30 minute conversation into a nutshell, I said I would and he said he'd pray about it. DOES NOT happen often. I love Elder Wilamas with all my heart and he love me with his. I was go grateful to work with him so closely this transfer and help him too. He's so great and even baptized one of my converts - little bro Non. Turns out we had a baptism together after all. The Lord looks after us and always. That's all folks!

Love,

Elder Gibbons

 

[I wanted to add this obituary of a very special sister in Thailand]:



Srilaksana Suntarahut was the principal translator for the Book of Mormon in the Thai language



November 7, 2013 - Sister Srilaksana Suntarahut, the mother of the LDS Church in Thailand, passed away on November 7, 2013, in Bangkok Thailand.

Srilaksana Suntarahut (1924-2013) was an early convert to the LDS Church in Thailand soon after the first missionaries arrived in 1968. Her testimony came powerfully, after reading just a few verses, from the English Book of Mormon. She and two sisters, were raised by the widowed and childless Queen of King Rama VI, with the support of her parents. She became the principal translator of the LDS Scriptures into the Thai Language (1970-1979), receiving revelation to solve challenging issues. While she could not be their priesthood leader, she was the shepherd to the young flock of early converts, hosting them at her home every Sunday afternoon. She shared her testimony with all who would listen. Her story is one of the most remarkable in all of LDS Church history.

 

Some of those who attended the memorial service on November 9, 2013, at the Asoke chapel in Bangkok Thailand. เราจะคิดถึงแม่ศรีเสมอ และตลอดไป