Week 18 Samut Prakaan

Dear Friends and Family

This week was such a hard week. Things for some reason didnt go as planned. I mean there are times that things will go as planned but this week as not one of those weeks. Elder Klein and I had set up many lessons for this week and had planned to have 2 baptisms but it just didnt happen. It doesnt mean that we were slacking off but means that even though we had a lower week means that we are going to work even harder this next week. 

We did have an RC Nam who had called and told us that she had just not been keeping the commandments ever since she was baptized. So what Elder Klein and I did was we wanted to meet this last Tuesday and just talk with her with a member to see where she needs help. That lesson was sure lead by the spirit that much I can say. Why? Because it went in a way that I didnt think it would go. After we said the opening prayer I could tell that Elder Klein and I didnt know what to ask without sound to persistent. I just asked about her family. You have a family right? You still live with you family and siblings right? It went from there we talked about her family and both of us Elders families and showed her pictures of our families. We talked about happiness and if she wants to be happy with them. Then from there Elder Klein and I started to bring in the gospel and how it has blessed our families lives. Then we asked the member who was with us sis Gade if she would talk about how the gospel has blessed her life. Then we talked about how Heavenly Father loves of us his children and how we are all a big family here on earth. Also how the gospel can help us in our lives here on earth. Then we talked about the Book of Mormon and bore our testimonies of it to her. Elder Klein and I challenged her to go home and pray to know that what we taught and talked about was true, also that she would repent and read the scriptures. We both think that this lesson with her got her back on track. We met with her again this last week and she was doing so much better. You could see the glow that she was doing a lot better. 

A RC/LA asked Elder Klein and I if we could meet with him. So we meet this RC/LS at the church. I dont know what he wanted from either of us so what we decided to do is just go over how keeping the commandments will bless us and bring us happiness. We used the scripture Mosiah 2:22, 41. I think we hit it right on the spot. He hasnt been to church in a while but as he is starting to come to activities like English Class and Book of Mormon Class and even Temple Prep Class. He is someone who needs just a few pushes in the right direction to get him going again. 

Also during this week I was able to go on a switch off with someone in the next area over. I new this missionary and I did as I would do in my area and that is just work. He had no lessons  so what we did is tract and for about 2 hours. We had Book of Mormon class later that night and then had studies the next day. That was about it. I thought to myself why was I sent there and what did I get out of it. What Elder Klein told me what that I was sent there on special assignment to help this missionary. I didnt know this before I went. I guess this missionary has just been having a little harder time with wanting to work and enjoying what he does. His companion told Elder Klein that the day after he had changed and was different. I dont know what exactly what I did but his companion said he was easier to work with. On that switch off I was able to study Christ like attributes in PMG. I studied about patience, charity and love, faith, obedience and virtue to name a few. After I was finished with that personal study time I cant tell you how I want to improve. It was just the study that I needed. I want to improve in all of those aspects. It will take time, study and patience. 

Right after that switch off I had to go on another switch off because Elder Klein who is the district leader asked me to do so. We again had no lessons and no one was able to meet. So Elder Nelson and I did something we had never done before. We just went to all of the near by streets and contacted for 3 hours. I cant tell you how big those are. The streets just keep going and going. Something else I saw was a lot of poverty. It was sad to see. Just people doing the best that they could and doing everything to get by. I saw happy people and sad people. I saw a lot and it is to much to describe. I think if all of these people were to accept and have the gospel they would be much happier even in their circumstances. I just wanted to help everyone! I wanted to tell them all about the gospel. I know that even if you arent in the best circumstances you can still be happy. I have so thankful for the gospel in my life. I am very blessed to have grown up in the gospel. I want you all to think of how the gospel has blessed your life. Or how knowing about Christ has blessed your life. What has the gospel provided for you? 

On Sunday we had the opportunity to help a man get to church who hasnt been in years because he has a disability and cant walk. When we told him that we would take him to church this next week he started to cry. He says that he prays to Heavenly Father everyday. His praying has sure paid off. I was so happy to help this brother so that he could partake of the sacrament. After we took him home we came back to the church where we had a ward council for the first time since I have been in Samut Prakaan. We talked about investigators and Recent Converts. We talked about getting the ward leaders involved. We talked about how we need to get these people the good word of God. We also talked about something that people do all over and that is when Less Actives come back to church. Make them feel welcome and dont say where have you been? You should be here? Blah blah blah. You wont get anywhere with that. Make them feel happy to be there at church. Say how are you? I am so happy you are here! Are you ready to learn about...so on and so forth. This was a huge step for this area. Something that has needed to be done for a while and now it is going to get done. We need all hands on deck with the tools to build this up for every soul is great and shouldnt be left behind.

Even though we didnt have the most successful week we sure did have some miracles this week! I am so thankful to be a missionary! I know that this church is the true church of Christ! I know the Book of Mormon to be the true word of God and that gospel will bless our lives! 

We have transfers this Thursday so I dont know if I will move or not! 

I hope you all have a great week! 

Love Elder Hinckley

Follow the big arrow to the church.

Brother Surat is one of my favorite people in our ward. He is such a fun loving man.  He will be blessed for all that he has done.  He's been a member for 6 years.

Elder Nelson, Brother Won, Elder ?, Elder Klein, my companion and of course me.