Since this last week was New Years it was a little harder to get lessons and to find people. One day while Elder Joy and I were out inviting we both looked at each other and said,"There is no one here. Its like a ghost town." There was really no one in Bangkok. It just wasn't our area, it was all over. It was like this last year as well. None the less we still contacted people and found people to teach.
Have you ever been asked to do something and your never did it? Or where you asked to do something and no one followed up with you on what you did? Well you can relate that to missionary work. We as missionaries give commitments just about everyday. It is how we can help people change their lives. I always tell people that we will not and do not force them to do anything. We just encourage and support them. We may be a little bold when we give commitments but at times you have to. Being to bold can not be good. You have to be bold to a point that others will try out what you said, but on the other side I feel as if you should back everything up with love. Sincere love for them and for their salvation. As for me I am pretty bold with commitments but I always express my love for them and Heavenly Fathers love for them as well. I tell them about all the blessings that they can receive and how they can have more happiness with their families. You need to follow up though. If it is something like praying or reading you can follow up the next day but with smoking that might take a few more days. You need to follow up though. It is like buying food and not eating it. Buying it was pointless and it was a waste. The point is commitments are important and should not be taken lightly. If some reading assignment wasn't done, take that time and read with that person. Show them how important that commitment was. As we give and follow up on commitments people will begin to chance their lives for the better. I promise you that. What are some blessings you have seen from keeping commitments?
One day this week while Elder Joy and I were inviting no one would listen. It was way hard to get people to stop and talk to you. As I kept inviting I just thought about Lehi and how he told everyone what was going to happen to Jerusalem, but no one believed. Do you want more happiness in your family? No. Do want help with your problems? No. Do you want an eternal family? No. All I know is that when us missionaries speak those who hear His voice will come. I know that to be true. I have seen it time and time again. A lot of people dont understand what they are giving up. I wish they would all stop and listen. They all have their agency though. Some people choose to use it wiser than others.
We visited a less active lady this week. When we got to her restaurant she was very busy with preparing food for customers. We just took a seat and waited patiently. We asked if we could do anything for her and she finally told us we could bag some sticky rice. As we bagged the sticky rice Elder Joy said,"We cant teach all the time, sometimes we just come to serve." He was so right. She was the only one making food, so Elder Joy and I when we finished we cleaned the dishes and put those away for her. We just found what needed to be done and did it. I was happy to serve her and help her out. She just had a big smile on her face when we left. Her daughter is learning with us right now. We hope to help this family get to church and come into the gospel. Mosiah 2:18-Behold, ye have called me your Elder; and if I, whom ye call your Elder, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another? We told her we are here to serve you. Call anytime and we will work something out.
A member in ward here is having some money problems. As I translated for one of the English speaking members I became aware of this problem. Well once we talked about this problem words were transformed into action. We went out got food for this member and visited him right away. We didnt say someone told us about your situation. We shared how that member needs to trust in the Lord that all will be well and how keeping the commandments is important as well. Missionaries, ward members and the bishopric all went to support this member in their time of need. Well to say the least we will take care of anyone who needs help. We as members of the church need to take care of all. Give of your substance and time to those who need it. I know it is what Christ would do if He were here.
As we work together to help build up the areas where we live we will see miracles, blessings and the Lords hand. I challenge you all to share your testimony with those that need it. Open your mouth and it will be filled. Share what your blessings have been since being a member of the church. Lift up your brethren and help them stand.
Love
Elder Hinckley
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| Only the shadow knows! |
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| Pebbles met Elder Hinckley and Elder Chris on the train from Chiang Mai, Thailand traveling towards Bangkok. She approached Elder Hinckley and Elder Chris and wanted to talk about our church. She asked a lot of questions and they answered them. The next morning when they were getting off the train, she told Elder Hinckley that he was very nice, and that when she gets back to England, she will look up the missionaries. She did, and three months later was baptized. She is holding up a picture of Elder Chris with what looks like her glasses. These Elders in England taught her and baptized her. |
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| Pebbles on her baptism day. |
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