Week 6 Chiang Mai

Dear Friends and Family

So we had transfers this past week and it was busy busy with travel and meetings! So we bought tickets to go down to Bangkok and we were waiting at the train station. We had to wait because my companion was leaving and members wanted to talk to him and give him stuff. So he was waiting for 3 other members to come and the train guy was like the train will leave in 3 minutes. So I was like Elder Chris we have to go and then the guy was like 1 minute and so at this point we had to run down the tracks to get on the train! We made it with about a minute to spare before we pulled out. That would have been way bad if we missed it! ha Anyways we get on the train and we settle in and Im about to take off my shoes and put my feet up when this girl comes over to us. She is like hey I saw you guys running down the tracks to the get on the train. I want to come talk to you guys but if you want me to leave I can leave. We said no and just talked to this girl. Then about 30 minutes later another girl comes over and starts talking to us. Then a 3rd girl comes over and starts talking to us! Okay this is weird! I just wanted to sleep thats all! ha We talked about a lot of things. They were all from England but they didnt know any of each other because they came to Thailand just got in a group to travel with. Anyways we talked about what we were doing here and all that good stuff. We talked a lot about religion. They asked a lot of questions. Like what Mormons can and cant do. It was way cool, why? I got to teach about families and family history and the Plan of Salvation. When we got done teaching this they were like I never knew about that before. You could feel the spirit so strong. I dont know what they felt but I felt so great helping other children of God know about His plan for us and that we can live with our families after this life forever! I was so happy to talk to them. It sure made the trip a little less boring! 

Anyways we got to transfers and it is always loads of fun there. I got my new companion Elder Tamang he has been out for about 14 months and is really good. He is younger then me in age but that doesnt mean anything. We have already been together for about 4 days already and we want to change the mission! We are going to shoot high this transfer! We are going to do work like crazy! Us missionaries in Chaing Mai are going to blow this mission up! They wont know what hit them. It is going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication! I cant wait to see what we can do! I really hope and pray that we will be able to do the work of the Lord here in Chaing Mai. I will do all that I can for the Lord because this is the most important work there is. I love my job! I know there are times that I feel tired, thirsty and that I want to take a break but I know that it will all be worth it in the end. I know when I feel like this I can pray to my Heavenly Father and ask for help! He is always there for us. 

So over the past week we had a investigator that we found at English Class. The Zone Leaders talked to him first and then gave him to us. His name is Jade and he is Thai. He accepted our lessons and knows that this is really important! He is keeping the commandments and he is reading the Book of Mormon. He is a really a great example. He got baptized yesterday at church! He looked so good! He is such a lovable person. He is friends with like everyone at church and is so nice and kind. After the baptism we asked him to share his testimony and it was the best one that I have ever heard! He said I dont know what to say. So he pulled out his scriptures and went to some scriptures that he had marked already and we read 1 Nephi 22:25 and 2 Nephi 9:23-24. I would have never thought he would have used them. He said when Elder Hinckley asked me to come to church I thought yes, why? I felt loved! I really feel loved here and I feel like this is my family! I know that this is true! I was blown away by what he said! Jade is a great person! He is a great example! I am so happy I was able to teach one of Gods children! It is a special opportunity. 

Also before I end this email I do have to say when you are prompted to teach someone or talk to someone and you dont know why, do it. You will never know how you will impact their life if you dont talk to them. The Lord puts you in situations for a reason. Also I encourage you all to read Alma 11-12 when you have time. I learned a lot about missionary work in these chapters and what we need to do! 

Have a great week!

Love 

Elder Hinckley

 

My companion and I had to run down the tracks to catch our train.
we made it with seconds to spare.

Our tight sitting quarters.

I come out of the north country back into Bangkok and I start sweating like no tomorrow.  Man it's hot down here!

This random lizard strikes fear into the hearts of every Thai.  Creepy lizard paws on this thing.

Yummy Thai food!

Jade is our newest baptism.

My new companion, Elder Tamang and our newest convert, Jade.  Amazing young man.  I asked him to bear his testimony at his baptism and he opens up the Book of Mormon to quote a couple of scriptures.