Week 5 Buriram

Dear Family and Friends,

Sundays are great days! We had 2 baptisms yesterday and it was great to hear and feel of their testimonies! Both of the people that got baptized were referrals from recent converts.

The girl has high functioning autism. I was very blessed to teach this girl. This girl is very different. She cant really think as a 19 year old. When we taught her we taught very very basic for her. I really wanted her to understand everything. I know that she couldnt understand everything right now but I know that one day she will. She always has a smile on her face! When she prays she says,"Dad...thank you...Jesus, amen." Sometimes I dont understand her but I know that Heavenly Father understands everything that she says. I learned a lot from this experience! 

The other is a boy about my age. When asked why he wanted to learn he said," I want to be closer to God." As we taught this boy he gained a testimony of what we were teaching. One day after teaching he said," Elder, so when do I get to serve like you guys?" I was so happy to hear that! He knows what he needs to do. I told him that he had to wait a year after he had been a member. He was asking us all sorts of questions. How are you going to visit all the people that you help teach? When do you get to see your mom? What is missionary service like? He asked a lot of questions. I was so happy for this boy! 

When he bore his testimony after he was baptized I was happy to hear the words that came out of his mouth! "If there are any of you how havent been baptized I suggest that you learn about it and give it a try. I felt so good after I came out of the water and I knew that I was clean." He is a great guy and will be a solid member of the church! 

I can testify that after hard work and all that you can do the Lord will bless you! I know that you wont find someone every single week who is ready but as long as you give the effort the blessing will come. The Lord knows all that you are doing and everything you are giving so dont forget that. I know that I cant speak well nor understand all but I know that those who are prepared will hear and listen. It is my prayer that my friends who are missionaries all over the world find success and help that one person! 

Elder Tew and I taught a blind or 95% blind man this week. He has learned with many Elders in the past and I thought I would give it a shot. He said he wanted to learn more about the Gospel of Christ. So that is what we taught. We only got through the faith and repentance with him though. As we talked about repentance with him and how it is a change of heart I put into his had a pen. I said this pen is sin and we cant throw it away by ourselves. I took my hand and put it on his and said (as an example)," I am Jesus Christ. I can help you throw away your sins" I told him Heavenly Father would forgive him. When that word "Forgive" came out of my mouth he paused. He said Elder I totally believe that God has forgiven me but its others who I have sinned against who havent forgiven me. He said this is why I am not baptized. Others wont forgive him even though he as tried to make restitution. I had my True to the Faith with me and turned to Forgiveness. I had to translate the scripture D&C 64:9-10. Which basically says, if you dont forgive your brother you have a problem with God. I told him of my experiences about how I have sinned against others and asked forgiveness. I still dont know if all have forgiven me. I said you are not the only one. We left that house that night with a sense of where he was coming from. I know first hand that asking for forgiveness is not easy. I tell you that I have had a change of heart and I hope that one day they will forgive me. Please if someone has sought forgiveness from you and you havent given it, think to the Savior and his example. 

Each day I ask questions, Do you know about Jesus Christ? Do you want to learn of Him? Do you want to know what He has done for you? Do you want eternal families? You get the idea. The responses just hurt me sometimes and the none responsive ones hurt too. These are some responses, I am hungry. I dont have time. I am of a different religion. I dont know Him. I dont want Him. I to busy selling. None responsive, playing on phones, computers and so on. Sometimes I ask, Did Jesus ever hurt you?  or Ill say, You dont even know, and I am here to help you understand. It blows my mind some days. 

A member had helped us teach a lesson this past week. After the lesson while Elder Tew was making phone calls I was talking to this member. He was telling me a lot of tings that he has told me before. He has problems and school problems and so on. I wont discuss them to keep his privacy safe. I asked him do you have faith is Christ? I dont know he replied. I said if faith was a percent how much do you have? I think I have 15%! Wow you have got some faith! I talked to him about the priesthood and how it can heal. He told me that he already had a blessing. I told him that this one was different. It didnt require oil. He said okay, not knowing if anything would happen. As I talked to him I had a deep impression to give him one I really did. We gave him one and then he went home. I called him later that night to ask how he was doing. He told me," Elder when I got home I felt better. I dont know if it was what you did but I feel better." I felt peace come over me. I know that I was only the mouth piece. It was all Heavenly Father. Dont give me credit. I know that he is being healed a little everyday. I know that if you need a priesthood blessing to ask for one. You need faith though. Even if it is 15%. I know that the priesthood can make you whole again.  

Love Elder Hinckley

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion better be no place to be found.

This JUMBO shrimp....

has to die.......

to become this YUMMY shrimp dinner for my hungry tummy!

My first two baptisms here in Buriram! A great Sabbath!
 

Week 4 Buriram

Dear Family and Friends

Before I begin my letter I must write regarding my father, Toby Hinckley. My father is a great guy and I love him a lot! I am very thankful for my dad and all that he has taught me over my whole life. I have to say that I wouldnt have been here if it wasnt for him and a lot of the things he taught me, along with my mom. I am grateful for my dads dad who is a convert to the church. I know that my dad learned a lot from him. If he wasnt a convert I dont know if I would be serving the Lord right now. I have a special place in my heart for my parents. If any of you know my dad he works at Minico High School as a math teacher. If any of you know me, I went to Burley High School. Can you see the difference between us. It is great that people from Minico know me, "Hey you are Mr. Hinckleys son right?" or with my dad,"Hey you are Elder (Karsten) Hinckleys dad right?". I love that my dad works at a different school. Maybe it was the fact that when sports were played we were always on the same team. Even though we went to different high schools he was there to support me cheering me one even if we played Minico a few times in basketball, I will leave it there ha. If I played a game he would wear green and support me! My dad is a great support to me and all that I have ever done! I love my dad! 

This week was a week full of miracles. I will tell you about the few that we had just this last week. We were going to around contacting for our minimal 2 hours a day. I tell you what being obedient to this rule really pays off. Being obedient in general really pays off in the end. You will receive many blessings as you do this. I told Elder Tew just last night as we got home one minute before 9 pm, hey we have to stay obedient to receive the blessings from the Lord. As we have done this I am seen miracles. 

One day we were walking around neighborhoods around our church looking for people we could teach that lived close to the church. We found this little old lady! This lady is 83 and I dont know if she can remember a whole lot but we started to teach her. We taught her about prayer and she prays great! We went by on Saturday to ask her if she could come to church Sunday. She said that she couldnt because she cant really walk. We had an idea. We asked one of the members to help us drive her there. We got up early to go talk to her. When we got to her house she said that she was praying to Heavenly Father. Wow that made me feel really good! As we asked is she would be coming she said that she couldnt. We had a car coming and we already told her that. We had her read some scriptures and at that point the car was already there. She said,"Let me go change my clothes are dirty". She came out and was dressed most beautiful Thai dress! It was pretty cool! Anyways it was a miracle to get her to church and help her feel the spirit. She loved it! 

We were also able to teach a handicapped girl. She has been coming to church for the past I think 4 months. We got everything cleared to teach her. As we taught her yesterday I kept thinking,"How much is she getting? Does she understand?". We made it really simple also. As simple as I could. I thought as we were teaching her that everyone should have the chance to learn the gospel. Everyone is a Child of God. I am grateful to teach all that come my way. This is a great learning opportunity for me. 

As well this may not be a miracle this is a real life situation that I see affects many. Elder Tew and I went into a home where there were many problems. The wife you could tell was putting on a smile for us. I could tell. The family was falling apart because of family issues. This family has a daughter out on a mission and another son preparing for a mission. The mother and the father are not getting along. I could tell when I went into the home that they didnt have much. They didnt have doors on the house and things were out of place. I felt really bad for this family. I think I know how our Father in Heaven feels sometimes. Families need to be whole! One person cannot do it alone. It takes all hands on deck to get things better. Many families are torn apart because of things in the world. Things that arent important. Elder Tew and I had the same idea.

I only know of a few simple things that will help. Contestant family prayer and scripture study. Paying your tithing in full each time you get your pay check and of course going to church each Sunday. These things are the most important. If you think something else is more important than these please reevaluate. No work is more important than going to church. No activity is more important than family scripture study and prayer. I can tell you that fasting will only increase you ability to hear the spirit of the Lord even more! When families pray and fast together they grow closer together. I have thought a lot about fasting lately. Who has a child that is 8 years out to about 13 years old? Are they fasting? Are they paying fast offerings? Should they fast? Should they pay? Yes why, they were baptized and made promises and covenants with the Lord. Now if there are special cases yes of course the fast may not be adequate. Parents are to be the example on how commandments are kept. Be that example for others as well. As you fast you will see the Lords hand in your life even more. As Henry B. Iring said in the last conference, I think he quoted from scripture. Dont look like you are fasting by the way you act or what you say. You dont need to show others that you are fasting. Be normal and act normal. I know that these things are necessary for a family to be stronger and have happiness. 

Love Elder Hinckley     

I was doing some math the other day ha. This member has so many pictures of the church on her wall! I love corn and UNC has found me again!

 

Even though I'm hot and sweaty, I still love to eat corn.

A sister in their ward likes to have as many pictures of Christ as she can get.

North Carolina has found me in Thailand.

 

Week 3 Burriram 11 months out

Dear Friends and Family

This last week we had zone conference and district/stake conference. It was great! We only got to work in our area for about 3 days then we had to travel to another area to zone conference. We were able to meet with some recent converts and teach them a few lessons. Our mission president has encouraged us to meet as much as possible with them in their homes. To show that we are willing to go the distance to their home to teach. We did as much as we could until we had to go to Ubon for our zone conference. 

I had this thought this last week. I was riding my bike and I was coming to a light. It was green and I was just peddling along getting ready to go through the green light when it turned yellow and realized that I had to hurry. I missed it and it turned red. I didnt realize I had to be going faster to make it. If only I would have thought to myself okay I need to make it through the green light now, instead of later, I might have made it. Then another time the light was red and I saw it from a distance. I saw that it turned green and once I saw that I broke out in race mode to make it through the light. I compare this to life. We need to know that if we dont realize that keeping a commandment is important until we stop living it. We need to know that once we stop living it that is when the red light comes on. When we are living it that is when we will have a green light. Just know that sometimes we need the yellow light to make us realize that what we are doing. Do I need to speed up ( keep a certain commandment) or slow down (start repenting and get on the right track). This was just a thought that I had this past week. 

Anyways at zone conference we sure learned a lot about hope! President and Sister Senior wanted to leave their mission by teaching and helping us understand a principle that we can use throughout our missions and our lives. It was great! We talked about what do missionaries, investigators, moms, dads and families hope for? We talked about what are our hops, waters and anchors? Even though our hopes may be the same our waters will be different. Our anchors are the things that we may hope for to help us stay safe. I had the opportunity to talk about families to all the missionaries there. I told them that in my family when I was younger I hoped for the newest things, clothes and useless other things I didnt need. As I have grown up I have realized that the things I really hoped for where there. I hoped for a roof over my head, clothes, food on the table and a great family. I told them that those were things a family might hope for, or in other cases, to get out of debt, to over come family problems or to simply have better family relationships. The waters I explained came from L. Tom Perrys last general conference address about families. The waters are: internet, games, violence, music, movies, sex and porn. These things are tearing families apart and can destroy us. The anchors that I described were DAILY family prayer, scripture study and FHE. These 3 simple things will help you over come the waters of today. I am so thankful for my family and that they did those things. I dont know where I would be today if we didnt do those things in my family. I can tell you what, you will learn the most in your family when you spend time together! I learned so much from my family, from my parents that I cant explain it to you. If you dont do these things, may I suggest that you start doing them please. If you cant find time, make time or find time. 

Zone Conference was good! I cannot explain everything to you but know that I wrote it all down and it was amazing! 

Friday and Saturday was District/Stake Conference, why? There was another stake creation in the Esan or the East part of Thailand. I think this makes stake #3 in Thailand. In the next 3 years the area presidency wants to see 7 total stakes in Thailand. Totally possible!! I am glad to be serving at such a great time in Thailand. We learned from Elder Gong (area 70) and Elder Khanakham (of the 70). I am been able to talk and to rub shoulders with these fine men and to learn from them. Elder Gong taught us, what is more important the preparation of the speaker or the listener? I could be the listener. Most of what we do comes from what we hear. If we spiritually are out of tune we wont get the full message. We also learned that sacrament is the most important meeting me have! It needs to be more spiritual as well! What can you do to make sacrament more spiritual for you? The last thing Christ did before His death was the sacrament and one of the first things He did as a resurrected being was the sacrament. You can see how important this is even to Christ. 

The next day, Sunday, the creation of another stake was made. President Senior taught us a great lesson. He pulls out a card from his wallet (Ice cream card) he says, " I am a member of this ice cream place. I get 50% of Tuesday and it makes me happy." He then pulls out another card (Temple recommend card) he says," I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I pay a full tithe for this and I receive many blessings". I want all of you to know that going to the temple and being a member in this church has brought me so many blessings I cannot count them all. Dont give yourself 50% of the blessings you could be receiving. Give yourself the full amount! The temple is a great place to go any day of the week! I am thankful for the blessings of the temple! 

Today I read a great scripture to go along with what I learned this last week. 3rd Nephi 22:2. We need to lengthen our cords and strengthen our stakes. We need to do all that we can to help more people come into our stake. We need to stretch forth as much as we possibly can. Think about it, could you help so many come into the Burley West Stake that they would have to create another stake because it was so big? Could that happen? A lot of work would be needed. All hands on deck right? Right!  I learned so much from this past weekend, its unreal. I know that a lot of work is needed to create a stake or even do the work of the Lord! I know it is possible. 

Love Elder Hinckley

You see all the people laying on the floor of the truck right? Well I traveled on this back to my area the other day. It was hot or sweaty! Everyone wanted to sleep! Ha Another picture is my Mission President and I.  

 

Elder Gong, President of the Asian Area along with our Mission President Senior serving up some ice cream.

My last picture with President Senior.  His mission is coming to a close the first of July. A great  man!

A new Stake is formed here in Thailand. Burriram is in the third Stake organized here in Thailand.

President Senior is addressing us at the Stake Conference.

Our ward members that went to the Stake Conference crammed into the back end of a truck.  Kind of reminds me of the Garn mobile back in Burley.

 

Week 2 Burriram

Dear Family and Friends

This week was a very good and hard week. I felt the strength through your prayers and through fasting this week! I will say thank you everyone for you prayers. It has really helped me. 

This last Sunday we had this girl come to church. She was off an invite and she came and joined us for all 3 hours at church. After church we taught this girl. She is already Christian. We were able to meet with her this last Tuesday. That Sunday we had taught the Restoration to her and either that night or Monday night she had a dream about the Vision of Joseph Smith. She said that she believed that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. It was a an eye opener to me why? I have had a lot of investigators get baptized because of dreams that they had. I cant say that she will get baptized for sure but I hope and pray that she does. We met with her just about every single day and taught her. She didnt come to church yesterday because she went home to tell her parents that she would be getting baptized in our church. She hasnt told us what happened yet but I hope all went well. 

This past week Elder Tew and I had to invite a ton!!! We dont have any investigators at all. In our mission we have a rule for at least 2 hours of inviting everyday! I knew when I get to this area I didnt have much and I knew that I had to be obedient. I feel as if being obedient to rules or to Heavenly Fathers commandment will show that we are wanting to do what is right. As a result we, Elder Tew and I were rewarded. From about Monday to about Friday we invited for at least 2. Some days we invited for more. We have been trying to work with our RC's and some LA's so we are trying to spread the love ha. Well this past Saturday and Sunday we were blessed with some miracles and new investigators. 

Saturday I told Elder Tew lets go inviting where we havent been before. Okay so we walked up and down the streets talking to everyone as we went. I know that we have to talk to everyone. We were getting close to the end of the street where it would naturally turn right. I said we will go to the end of the street and then turn around and contact on the other side of the street. We crossed over and started back the way we came. Before that I told Elder Tew to wait a second so I could say a prayer. I asked Heavenly Father for guidance. I didnt know where to go at all. I was lost and I needed help. In my prayer I could feel the Holy Ghost really strong on one side of my body. As soon as I opened my eyes I saw that Elder Tew was inside someones store sitting down already talking with a lady. I was like okay my prayer was answered! We go in and start talking with this lady. She has studied Christianity before. She wanted to know pretty much about life after death. So we taught her the Plan of Salvation. When we got done she told us that the Plan of Salvation for Buddhism was different then ours. She really felt the spirit when we talked about the Atonement of Jesus. I know she did and I cannot deny it. It so happened that Elder Tew was carrying a Book of Mormon with him and a Plan of Salvation pamphlet too. It so happens to be that we gave both to her. She was very grateful. Such a nice lady! 

That next day after we had gone to church and had our meetings we went inviting before dinner. A member at the church wanted to go inviting with us around 5 pm. We got to this members house about 30 min early. So we decided to go inviting down one side of the street and come back by 5 pm. We talked to everyone as we went. We got a good ways away from her house when we were walking by this very small restaurant. There was this short lady who I thought was going to go into her house again to get stuff and that we would just walk by. I looked at Elder Tew and hes like Ill go invite her. As I looked around for someone else to invited while I waited for him I didnt find anyone. It was about 2 min later I looked back and I saw that he was already sitting down with this lady talking to her. I thought okay here we go again!! This lady was Christian as well. She knows a lot. We introduced the Atonement to her and repentance. I could feel the spirit a lot! When we were about done we showed her the Because of Him video. We gave her a baptismal date to be baptized. She accepted! We told her we were going to run to out members house so that they could talk. At this point it was about 6:30 pm. She was happy to come with us to meet our new investigator. They chatted it up for a while and then we told her we had another appointment and that we had to go. I was so thankful for being in the right place at the right time. I know that we were led by the spirit to both of these ladies. 

I can testify that the Holy Ghost will send you revelation that comes from our Heavenly Father! I testify that there are prepared people out there. I am so thankful to be a missionary! 

In my studies this week I was reading in 3 Nephi. I have to tell you that I love 3rd Nephi. In the 13th chapter verses 1-4 it gives good insight on what I believe to be service. How we need to give it but we dont need to tell others what we did. Heavenly Father will know what you did and bless you for that. In the 16th chapter verse 1-4 it talks about other sheep who He has that have not heard of His voice. I felt as if this scripture was talking about me. It can talk about you too I guess. As for me I am in a county that doesnt really know Christ. I am a representative of Jesus Christ and I act as voice for Him. I thought it was really interesting. Then in 18 chapter verse 15-28 it talks about how we need to watch and pray often. We need to pray for guidance from our Father in Heaven. He doesnt want us to get tempted by the devil so we must pray often! Verse 21 it says pray with your families. I like that! Do you pray with your families? If not I challenge you to start. Verse 24 Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. I believe that we can all do this! It is a great challenge but we can do it. Be that example! Then 27-28 we need to be worthy to take the sacrament! I will let you read what will come if we take it unworthily. 

This week we also had some training from out Zone Leaders. It was on being Tired and Weary. Being tired is physical or low on strength and being weary mental or spiritual and boring. I thought it was really great and something that we needed to hear for sure. I am tired but I am not weary to keep working. I find enjoyment in what I do. I am so physically tired by the end of my days because of what I did that day I just want to crawl into bed and sleep for a days. This work is not boring to me. I have to say if this gospel is to boring for you or if you are getting weary of it fix it. It may show that you need to change something. Have you served anyone recently or thought about what Christ would do if He was here. I am not saying you are like this. I know that being a missionary I am so tired. Some days I have to get up earlier and work extra hard. I know that if we are tired for the right reasons the Lord will bless us with a reward and we will make rewards in Heaven as well. 

Love 

Elder Hinckley

This farm land reminds me of Idaho.

They even have John Deere in Thailand.

Elder Tew holding a lizard.

Week 1 Buriram Thailand

Dear Family and Friends

Last week in Chaing Mai. Tuesday in English class Elder Tamang gave a spiritual thought that I liked lot. He talked about how we were missionaries and how we do missionary work. He then had all the people that we had baptized stand up along with all the people that we were teaching stand up as well. It was amazing to see, more than half the class was standing!! Oh my gosh! Did we do this, I said to myself. I know we wouldnt have been able to have success like we did if it wasnt for our district and the Lords hand in the work. I was so happy to see the other peoples reactions when this happened. I think it sparked something in our investigators that we were currently teaching. Last few days in Chaing Mai and it was sad to say the least. I took time to write a small letter to all of the people that I taught over the last 4 1/2 months there. I was happy to see that they all had smiles on there faces when they got these letters! It was hard to say goodbye to these people! Lets just say that I was not crying ha. When you serve in an area for a while you grow to love the people that you teach and find. I really love those people there in Chaing Mai!! 

Well the packing took a little longer than expected. We had to rush just a little bit and make it to the train station on time. Let me just say that we had 20 min to get across town and onto the train on time. Well we made it with about 2 min to spare! We have some great members to say the least. The train ride to Bangkok took about 14 hours. We rode on a sleeper train so I got to sleep for about 10 hours. 

This was Presidents Seniors last transfer meeting here in Thailand. Next transfer we will have out new mission president. It was a great transfer meeting. One Elder who served here a few years ago,who does a lot of video for the mission, made a video for President Senior from a lot of the missionaries. It was great and a lot of statistics where said about President Senior. I was pretty shocked with all the numbers. I cant explain them all to you now but lets just say it was amazing.  

I got a new companion at transfers. His name is Elder Tew and he is from Idaho as well. Hes 25 and he entered the mission about 5 months ago. We got put in an area called Buriram. It is in East Thailand near the boarder of Cambodia. So all I need to do is get on my bike and ride to the border and meet up with Elder Cook ha!!! Now that would be a story. Well I have to tell you what, there is nothing here in this area. I mean there is plenty things but its small. It reminds me of Idaho and desert. We went and ate with some members in their backyard and I will say that it made me miss home. I saw the wide open sky with clouds puffy and white. I saw fields for farming and a few trees here and there. It was really hard not to think of home. Hey its all good, no worries. 

The day after we got here we got asked to come do service at a members fathers funeral. It was stranger then my last funeral. We had to serve water to all the people. That was totally fine. The weird thing was at the funeral there was laughter, loud music, fire works and the throwing of candy and money. It was not a a normal funeral. I would say that is how they do it in their culture. They burned the body as well. I just would have thought that a funeral would be more spiritual and respectful. Now Im not saying that all funerals are like this. It was just very different.

I was able to bare my testimony yesterday at church in my new branch. It is a small branch that I know that we can help. It has about 50-60 members each week is what I hear. They have a total of 180 members. So we are going to help a lot of members come back. We also have been inviting for a few extra hours each day because we dont have any investigators. Dont worry they will come. 

I know that most of you know that L Tom Perry passed away a few days ago. I know that this man was called of God! I know that we will see him again thank you to the Plan of Salvation. I know whoever is to come next will fill the seat and teach and testify just like the Savior. I know that the Savior called each and everyone of us!  In D&C 138:53-57 it talks about how there were people to lay the foundation and then we learned with many others our first lessons and they will continue to preach. Take a second and read these few verses. I know that many prophets, apostle and bishops were to lay the foundation. I know that it is our responsibility to build up the kingdom. We have a responsibility to preach repentance and help those that are in darkness. I know that we were prepared in the world before. I like verse 56 a lot! I was prepared with many others that are not members yet. I have to find those people and help them to remember. It may only take just a hello or a simple message but when they hear what they need to hear they will remember. I know that we were together before this life and learned a lot. We need to find those that we promised we would find. Please go the extra mile. You will never know what a conversation or act of service will do for someones future. 

Elder Hinckley

These are most of the people Elder Hinckley helped to come into the church in Chiangmai.

Farming land in Buriram, Thailand.

Train ride back to Bangkok, Thailand. Elder Hinckley spent 10 of the 14 hour trip sleeping.

Urinal

Fried Insects

Fried pupa (these would have turned into butterflies!

Beautiful sunset in Buriram.  I can finally see one since I'm not in the city.

Look how close I am to Elder Cook, who is serving in Siem Reap, Cambodia.