New Investigators

This week was great as far as the work goes. We were able to pick up a lot of new investigators which is great because most of our other ones got baptized or were dropped. 

The first investigator we picked up is named Sky. He is not to be confused with the Sky that was baptized about a month ago. This Sky is a boy who is about 17. He is Summer’s cousin. We taught him and he was very interested and doing good. His only problem is that he is Hindu and said he couldn't change religions. 

Next, is a man we met while we were inviting one time. His name is Gock. He fixes clothing on the side of the street and we got to teach him 3 times this week at his stand. His only problem is when he has a lot of work to do he doesn't have any time to learn. 

We met this other really cool guy while inviting. His name is Tone Gla. He is basically the Thai version of me except he isn't Christian (yet). He is super tall. He is actually taller than me (the first Thai person I have ever met taller than me). He is also really into running and he runs marathons. He also has a goal to climb Mount Everest as well, so he is pretty cool.

Our next new investigator was a referral from one of our investigators. His name is Eat. He is interested, but he lives really far away from the city.

Then last, but not least, we picked up two new investigators that are a Mom and Grandma. The Mom’s kids are both members in Bangkok and have introduced their Mom to the Gospel. The Mom’s name is Cherry. She is doing good and she introduced us to her Mom (the Grandma). Both of them came to church yesterday and Cherry has a baptismal date for the 26th of this month.

So, this week has been very rich in our ability to find new investigators. 

Also, Sister Mo, who was baptized last Sunday, was confirmed a member of the church yesterday. So that was great. 

Last week for P-day we went up to ride water buffalos. This is one of the last things I have on my personal ‘To Do’ list for Thailand, so it was cool to be able to do. Riding water buffaloes was a lot of fun. The ones we rode were pretty tame but we went over to some different ones and they lowered their horns and chased us away. So you have to get the right buffaloes. I still have left on my list to hold a monkey. I have seen a few, but none of them have been tame enough to hold. I also want to go down to the Triangle of Thailand, Cambodia and Laos but that one will be pretty hard and probably won’t get done. 

Mom, you were asking about the video I sent home about the bag of bugs that I brought home from the market. You don’t have to prepare them in any special way, you just eat the bugs plain. I got them at a market which is outdoors. There are grocery stores too, but they are not used too much. Usually only for by higher class in Thailand or for special occasions. Most people just go to the outdoor market.

The missionaries still do not have visas to go back into Laos. They should be ready in about 2 months but they might send two Elders up at the end of this transfer on tourist visas. I actually didn't get to go up to Lao today because all the Lao Elder’s passports are getting full so they need to wait and get new ones before we do that much going in and out of countries.

Our new members are doing great. Two of them received callings yesterday as Branch missionaries so that is great. 

As for the 12 investigators that we were teaching in a group, nothing has come of that, sadly. We only taught them that one time and since then they have not shown much interest. 

In answer to your question about my favorite scripture and experience, I think my favorite lesson I ever taught was to an investigator back in Chiang Mai. It was a great lesson. When we had the members help by sharing their testimonies, the investigator was really able to feel the spirit. My favorite scripture right now, I would have to say is Matthew 16:24-25. I do feel like my favorite scripture changes frequently, but this is my current favorite.

Not much else happened this week that was really notable. 

-- Elder Cheney

ฉะนั้น, หากเจ้ามีความปรารถนาจะรับใช้พระผู้เป็นเจ้า เจ้าก็ได้รับเรียกมายังงาน
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