1st Chin Baptism!!

We had our first Chin baptism ever!! We had a great, great turn out at the baptism. If my math is correct, we had over 70 people attending it. People are so happy for Albert Mang. He is a great kid. We love him and his family. We saw the missionaries that have helped us worked with him in the past come support him. President Cleveland and his wife even came down to see. I have to "gossip" a little about President! Although he's a giant but he has a huge heart. We may or may not have caught him crying when the Chin people were bearing their testimonies in their language and having their daughter translate it into English. Although Esther (the translator)'s English isn't perfect we could feel the spirit. I mean who speaks perfect, proper English nowadays anyway. I love this area and my investigators. They are more than investigators. They're family. 

Likewise with the Hayes. Mehgan and Kelly are recovering slowly from their surgery. Please pray for them. They are great people. I don't think I can remember NOT laughing when I'm a lesson with Mehgan. I will send a large amount of pictures today so be on a look out for that. Great things are happening here in Indy 1st. Perhaps it'll be a great finish off. I will forever remember these lovely people. 

I love my companion, and the district. We got things rolling. I think one thing that helps us stay united is our Christ-like attribute. Humility in particularly. We're able to tease one another and help one another when it's needed. I know that the Lord is in this work. There is no way President could be so good at picking companionship without the help of our Heavenly Father. I hope and pray that the district will remain as it is until my mission is over. I'm so grateful to be here and thank you for all that you guys do to make it happen. 

 

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

Zoo Visit and Another Baptism

Yesterday we didn't email because nothing was open (holiday) so we went to the Zoo instead. It was alright, nothing too exciting. I took a few photos and it was a lot of fun hanging out with the missionaries and old friends. 

Last Saturday, we had a baptism of Kelly Hayes it was so awesome. Funny thing is I worked on my legs that day and when I assisted him down to the water my legs were so tired that I almost fail to pull him up. However, it was good. We had a great, spiritual experiences. 

Last Sunday we went to dinner with our chin investigators. It was really except they kept feeding us even if I was full. They had at least 6 dishes just for us. And yet again, they didn't eat. They made massive amount of food just to feed us. Bawi said that she was our server for the evening. It was delightful. Along with that I saw last 2 mins of 4th quarter. What a play! Boy I miss watching football! Well that's pretty much it. Mehgan Hayes had her baby so we'll be pushing her baptism back. 

The weather here is pretty good. It was low 50's a couple days ago and now it's just above freezing! Not bad at all! Haven't had the need to wear big jackets yet. Knock on wood!

 

Love you all! 

Elder Uthaichai

 

 

Another Transfer Down, 2 Left

We have a baptism coming up this Saturday. Kelly Hayes is his name. Really nice guy. He is married to a member but since they got married they have been attending his church. They have 2 daughters. The oldest is 23 with a 1 year old boy and one on the way. We're teaching her as well. Her date is on the 31st. It will happen unless she give birth... Babes always get in the way :P 

Now our Chin friends are somewhat moving forward. Most of them are getting better in English and we're waiting for the opportunity to share the gospel. Perhaps within the next few months they will learn about the Church. I have a few families that I will miss them dearly. On the bright side is that I'll be here until I go home. Elder Ledesma is staying with me for another 6 weeks. I am pleased about that. Hopefully this transfer will be fun.

 

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

Recent Update

Here's the update about our area. Albert, the 15 year old boy is off a date. Not to be rude or anything but I expected it, because of the experiences that I have had so far in the mission field. However, the sisters seem to be thinking that it's okay to get him on a date. I feel like I am able to connect with them more than they could because of many reasons. But one main thing is I'm Asian too.. I can see how they act or react even though I don't understand their language. But you don't have to understand what they say exactly. You can pick up bits and pieces to get what they're saying. Another blessing of learning English as a 2 language. The ability to understand foreigners. 
What strange is that I am the oldest in the mission field in this zone. It is quite strange. Everyone who I look up to is now gone and "prophecies" has been fulfilled. I remember in Kokomo, an elder that has been out for quite sometimes told me that one day I'll look back and ask myself what on earth happened. Those I look up to will be me mc the role will switch. Well that time has come.

Anyway, Elder Ledesma and I are working with the Chin people still. We're going to be using a lot of video to teach because it is always easier to remember and understand something that is presented visually. We will give that a try to see how it goes. We have about 6 or 7 chin families but they're progressing very berry slow. So I will not mention them just yet. However, we are teaching the Hayes family. Kelly and Shelly Hayes see us as their adopted children hahah funny how brown kids always get more parents than others. Anyway we love them and are pushing to get them baptized is month. Please pray that they will be able to over come the addiction. We're planing on getting them baptized in the 17th but we'll see.  Megan, a mother that is currently going through a divorce is being taught by us as well. She is wonderful and seems like she has been preprared by the Lord. Although the challenges that she has gone through or going through seem unbearable. I know that the Lord is setting her up for something better.

Love,
Elder Uthaichai

Enduring to the End

This week has been a struggle. I found myself getting frustrated very easily. I think I'm just overwhelmed with the work. There are so many people to think about and very few of them are progressing in the gospel as quickly as we have hoped for. Most of them are in great need to learn English. I love them all and want them to learn so bad but, I can't help to feel like a failure... So much is expected and it seems like nothing goes the way we plan. E. Ledesma and I are grateful for the struggles we're facing though. It is a trial that we know will teach us a lesson. 

The ward is very kind and loving but sometimes I feel like they have so many different agenda. We have a lot on our plate already. I am not the one to show weakness. I have a hard time saying "no" when they ask us to do something and sometimes that kills us. 

 This holiday season is very busy. I'm thankful that it's here though, I get to take a little break. This past Sunday, I was asked to give a talk on Parents: prime gospel teachers. I thought it was a joke. I have no children yet I was able to see it from a different set of eyes. So good job mum and dad. I used you guys as my example. I guess when I reflect back, I noticed a thing or two. Thanks for being a great gospel teacher.

 

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

Rewards

President told me last night that I will be staying here until I go home which is great for me. I mean I had some issues that I need to work at but it's nothing too bad. 

I love the area and what I love about the area is the people in it. I must say that these people are marvelous. They are so humble and they are so kind. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but with these Chin/Burmese people. The things that they're going through. I can't even imagine. Well maybe I can but still it's not the easiest thing to go through. I want to do anything I can to help. 

On Saturday I felt so ill that I thought I was going to collapse. I didn't feel well. It's because I haven't really had time to eat. Our days are sometimes too busy but I'm not going to complain about it. You take what you get. But I learned something cool. All I wanted to do on Saturday was to cancel all of my appointments and just rest. Well I couldn't do that of course but after the last lesson, I decided that I want to just lie down for a few minutes. That didn't happen.. The Lord had a different plan for me. As soon as I lay my head down, the phone rang.. People called us to go give a blessing and then help set up Christmas lights.. I am not going to lie, I wasn't happy about it on the inside and I wanted to just be selfish and say "Forget you all". However, a phrase came to my mind, "Blessings will come". That's when I knew that it was Heavenly Father reminding me of why I am here. It was so sweet. I don't think I will ever forget. It was so calming. I didn't feel any better but we had a good day. 

Sunday, was our reward. We had about 30 people come to Church. That's right 30! We hope that we can keep it going but it will take time and work. One day, there will be a Chin branch here in Indiana. I know it!

 

Love,

Elder Uthaichai

 

 

Grandpa

Our investigator, Kelly Hayes came to Church this Sunday and we hope that he will continue to progress. We're cutting close to his baptismal date but with a lot of prayer and what not. He'll be alright. The work is getting rote.. Im not complaining that I have a lot to teach but teaching English can be boring.. It's so repetitive. What else can you do right? you just do what the Lord wants you to do. I haven't figured it out yet why I'm teaching English when I can barely speak it myself. 

Last night we went to a get together for xmas devo. it was fun but I didn't really get anything out of it. Don't ask why. It was fun being aroudn 40 missionaries. There are so many new faces that I don't know and I don't know if I want to get to know them either... They call me grandpa when I'm not even that old! hahah oh what a joyful sound. 

 

Love,

Elder Uthaichai