Week 60: A Cool Story

Well, it's been a full week, and I'm afraid I don't have much to say. It's been very difficult to build up an investigator pool; we just can't seem to make things happen. Things seem to fall apart just as fast as we can pull them together.

We're trying to work with the branch in greater unity, and our branch mission leader proposed a couple plans that I hope will help pick things up. The recent training also gave some guidance on the subject, as well as a few changes. Probably the most significant of those was the announcement that there are to be no more transfer meetings; we are to move from one area directly to another. We are also authorized to travel alone (don't worry Mom, I can get around). So that's interesting.

I could share a neat story that touched me:
While getting my haircut, I was talking with a somewhat rough-looking member about his conversion experience. He sports a braided ponytail, facial hair, and earrings, but I had no idea what his experience was like.

About 20 years ago, he lost his job. The economy was bad, and he couldn't get a new one. So, he gave up and turned to alcohol. After a short time, he was drinking all day, every day, using his savings and selling his possessions to feed the habit. One day, he met the elders and was impressed that they could speak Thai. He set up an appointment with them because they asked, but when the day came along he didn't give it a second thought. Not long after that, they passed by and invited him again, not remembering that they'd already talked to him. When they set up an appointment this time, he decided he'd go, but with the plan that if he encountered anything he didn't like, he was going to burn the church down.

He met with them a few times, but wasn't really serious until one day he woke up and couldn't find his keys. He looked all morning with no success. He remembered that the elders told him he could pray about stuff like this, so he challenged God: "If you help me find my keys, I'll know you're real, and I'll learn with the elders." He got off his knees, opened his drawer, and found his keys. Then he got scared; he has made a promise and had to follow through.

As he kept learning and truly studying, he developed the desire to be baptized. But he had to quit drinking alcohol first. That was going to be a challenge, as the grip of alcoholism had him fast. The trick was to slowly wean his body off of alcohol until he was no longer dependent on it, but upon learning that he had to stop, he quit that day. But it wasn't easy. He said that his whole body ached, to the point that he couldn't sleep. When it got that bad, he got on his knees and prayed for strength. He said he felt like God would hug him and the pains would ebb. When they came back, he would do it again. After a month, he had recovered fully and was able to get baptized. Since then, he's been a strong, faithful member, and I appreciated his testimony; the example of a complete change in life direction and God's aid to those who seek it.

Your prayers and support are appreciated! 

Thank you all,
Elder Parish

1. We woke up early and went up a mountain to see the sun rise.

2. Then proceeded to the highest point in Thailand! 

Out of time; more pictures next week.