Hey guys! Still alive and out here. It was a pretty typical
week as far as missionary work goes, although we have been a lot busier now than
when I first got here. I guess I'll kinda just go day by day.
Tuesday: So Tuesday, we tried contacting a lot of people, and
a ton of them weren't home, but we had a bomb lesson with Michael and Jasmine. We taught about the law of tithing, which was like the last big hurdle before
baptism this Saturday. Surprisingly, they were both super down to do it, and
Jasmine really like the idea of fast offerings, so like I was amazed at how
prepared they are and just their willingness to pay tithing, like they really
don't have much money and they both live with Michael's grandma. So that was
awesome! Then after that, we taught a lady we found last week named Leliha
(pronounced Lee-la), and we taught the Restoration and then invited her to read
the Book of Mormon and she was excited to read. We haven't had the chance to
follow up yet. We also had dinner up in Yuba City that night with an old couple
from the Hmong ward, the Smith's (they're white). She's in the Relief Society presidency. All of the Hmong people have been telling their stories to
people and having them written down so that their history is not lost. Hmong
people didn't have a writing system until like 1950, and a lot of older Hmong
people don't even know how to read or write. They just lived in the mountains
of Laos. But one of the stories she told us was of an old niam tais in the ward
named Kawm. She is amazing. She was born in Laos and lived there and then got
married and pretty much after the Vietnam War was moving around cities like
every 3 months with her husband and family before going to a refugee camp in
Thailand for 10 years I think. After that, they were given the choice to remain
in Thailand or come to the U.S., so they decided to come here and it was really
scary for them. They had no idea what it would be like or like what a stove or
toilet or anything like that was. So she came here with her husband and kids. I think she had always believed in God, but then there was one day that
she was praying to God asking to know which church to go to, and then within
the next like 3 days the missionaries knocked on her door and the rest is
history. She is super faithful and amazing and super active and does our dinner
calendar. Her husband didn't convert though. I think what happened was he still
did the Old Culture, but Kawm knew the church was true and he made her choose
between him and God and she chose God and now lives by herself and comes to
church by herself but oh my heck, I just love her so much and know that God is
so happy with her. Anyway, sorry for the tangent, that is just such an amazing
story of the Hmong people, and only one of like the thousands of stories like
that from all the Hmong people. Everyone has an amazing, unique, powerful
story.
Wednesday: District meeting, talked about the Book of Mormon
and what it is and how to explain it to people. It was cool because the few
days after district meeting, we were able to really apply what we learned. We
went and contacted and saw some people, nothing too crazy. Dinner was good. We
ate with an old couple in the ward named the Xiong's. They are awesome, only speak
Hmong though, haha. We had some boar and zaub (just green vegetable plant stuff)
and some chicken. When Hmong people kill something, they eat the entire thing.
Sister Xiong, the niam tais (grandma), really likes chicken head. So we were
just eating and she's just like gnawing on this chicken head and its neck and
then she bites into it and then eats the brain and I just laughed, haha. She's
awesome.
Thursday: We helped Tim and went and saw some people and
taught some lessons and it was a good day. Nothing too much to report on
though. I'm going to skip ahead. Still worked hard though, don't worry.
Friday: Tried to contact a lot more people. Nothing was
really panning out. Had a video lesson with Jasmine and Michael. We went over the
interview questions, and they are all ready to be baptized!!! Super prepared,
and they are gonna be baptized this Saturday, so that will be awesome!!! Also,
we had dinner in Yuba because we were doing some work up there. We went to this
Mexican food place, and I got a way good burrito. There are so many Hispanics in
this area, so there are so many good Mexican places. Elder Gunsay just likes to
try a bunch of different places and I think this was #7, probably the best
burrito yet. I'm developing a love for a good burrito, haha. Also, it was Hermana
Eppich's birthday on Sunday, so Elder Gunsay and I got her a present. She has
literally been here since I got here, while everyone else is new, haha.
Saturday: Had a lesson with Mai and Pheng in the morning...
at 8:30... too early, haha, but it was a good lesson. We have finished everything
so now we are kinda just going over the gospel principles book. Things went
well, we had a good discussion, and at the end Mai was pretty emotional and the
member we brought, Kang (she's my hero, I love her so much. Phab ej) was super
good and knew just what to say, and it was awesome. Unfortunately, later in the
day, Mai got the flu, and her two kids already had it, but somehow Elder Gunsay
and I escaped unscathed, knock on wood. Later Saturday, we had a lesson
with a guy named Juan. He's from Mexico. He was a bible request a few weeks
ago, and we have just been teaching him every week, and this past week he was a
lot more promising! He had read the pamphlet and had lots of good questions,
and he thought the Book of Mormon was about Joseph Smith, so it was fun setting
that straight for him. His wife only speaks Spanish though... and like we have
Hermana's, Hermana Eppich and Feveryear, who could teach him and his wife in Spanish, and the Spanish branch he could go to, but every time we bring it up, he just kinda says no. So anyway, more about Juan in a minute.
Sunday: This was by far the most crazy, stressful Sunday of
my life. Like holy cow. So we had set a goal for 8 investigators to come to
sacrament meeting, which was a pretty high goal. The Xiong family was sick
though, so they couldn't make it and so we figured there was no way we would
hit that goal. So church rolls around and Juan was able to bring his wife (who
only speaks Spanish) and his 4 sons!! He is used to like churches with bands
and clapping and high energy and what not, so this was a pretty new experience
for him. Also, Michael and Jasmine came, and everyone had a good experience!!
It was crazy! Elder Gunsay was like taking care of Michael and Jasmine, and
then I was trying to help Juan and his family and it was just crazy. Meanless
to say, we hit our goal of 8 investigators to church, and it was a miracle and
the most people we've ever got so that was way cool! God is truly blessing us
for our hard work! The best part of Sunday though was when bishop complimented
us for our hard work. When I got here, he was not very friendly to us, and
didn't like missionaries very much, but he told us we were doing a good job
yesterday and it made me so happy, haha.
Well, that's my week. It was another great week to do the
Lord's work!! We're just stuck in Wheatland today for Preparation day, so Elder Gunsay and I baked some bread, haha. Love you guys. Thanks for all the love and
support and for the Valentines package. I loved that!! Keep choosing the right
and doing what God has told us to and you will have success!! That's one thing
I am definitely coming to know out here, obedience brings blessings!!
Love,
Elder Muaj Koob
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