Dear family,
I did not take any pictures this week. I will get that out of the way first. But this was a fantastic week.
We had a companionship exchange. I went to Bang naa, the area Sister Stack just came from, and taught a deaf person in Thai. How did that work? Well, we had a member that wrote everything down, and then the deaf person would write an answer. Good times. It was made more fun by the fact my companion was a greeny. Only 3 weeks in Thailand, so she kept having to ask me what was going on. But she spoke so well! Despite all the difficulties it was a great lesson. (I also learned some Thai sign language.) I know how to say "Do you understand?" and "I have that at my house" (which is really easy in Thai because you just say "have house.")
We also had a goal that between the two elders and us we would have 20 investigators come to church. That did not happen; BUT we did have 5 investigators, and the Elders had 1 come. Six is not bad at all. And it was a miracle that one of the people came to church. Sister Stack was inviting at a market (She was on one side of the street, I was on the other) and this couple talked with her. They were kind of interested but were like, "Oh, we'll call you," which is the nice way of say no here. But then on a different day were outside the church inviting people to come tour the church, and the same couple happened to walk by! They said they had time to tour the church (who wouldn't want to - it's the most beautiful church in Thailand), and we showed them the chapel, and explained what happens on Sundays and then.... right then our branch president happened to come in. So he also explained what happens and that everyone is a volunteer, and invited them to church. AND THEY CAME! Sister Stack told me later (she taught them with a member because I was teaching somone else) that they told her they never walk that way, and that they thought it was fate. Yes. Yes it was. Now be baptized. They are now daters (people with a date to be baptized.)
We also got a referral from Salt Lake, but all it had was an address, and the address system here in Thailand is so messed up. They basically just number things whatevery they feel like. Luckily we got a taxi driver that was awesome. He literally drove to the post office for free, asked the people where it would be, then drove us to her address. (Too bad he didn't want to be baptized.) But then we met with Annie. She is so amazing. She asked for a Book of Mormon because she has a friend that is Mormon, and wanted to know more. She is on break right now, so we can visit her often. She told us she would read it by Sunday, and was so excited to go to church. but then she didn't end up coming... ): But she is still amazing.
We also have some investigators that are only interested in hanging out with white people. grr. And there is this man that keeps calling us and asking to be Sister Stack's boyfriend. *sigh*
Yaw is going to be baptized this Saturday *cross fingers* she passed her baptismal intervew, but Satan is really working on her. We pray for her every day. It's crazy to see how fast Satan tries to take away your faith.
Politics. I have no idea what is going on, only that Asoke, the center of Bangkok, is shut down due to protesters. Only public transportation is allowed in or out. And we were planning on going to Asoke today to go shopping. ): Oh well. And we are banned from wearing red or yellow. (yes Thomas, Wheel of Time-ish). But nothing is happening in Bang Khea. Life just goes on.
That's all I can think of. I will try to take more pictures. [mom's note: I told her she isn't taking enough pictures because she isn't!.....]
CULTURE: I don't know if I explained yet, but everyone in Thailand has two names: real name, and nickname. The real names are crazy hard to remember because they have deep meaning in Thai, but the nicknames are easy. There are like five people I know with the name Ploy (it means "gem" in Thai) but it can really be anything. I met a girl who's nickname was the Thai equivalent of "child bearer." Good times. Everyone asks me if my last name is a nickname, because the word "barber" has the same meaning in Thai.
I love you all! Keep the faith!
Sister Barber
I did not take any pictures this week. I will get that out of the way first. But this was a fantastic week.
We had a companionship exchange. I went to Bang naa, the area Sister Stack just came from, and taught a deaf person in Thai. How did that work? Well, we had a member that wrote everything down, and then the deaf person would write an answer. Good times. It was made more fun by the fact my companion was a greeny. Only 3 weeks in Thailand, so she kept having to ask me what was going on. But she spoke so well! Despite all the difficulties it was a great lesson. (I also learned some Thai sign language.) I know how to say "Do you understand?" and "I have that at my house" (which is really easy in Thai because you just say "have house.")
We also had a goal that between the two elders and us we would have 20 investigators come to church. That did not happen; BUT we did have 5 investigators, and the Elders had 1 come. Six is not bad at all. And it was a miracle that one of the people came to church. Sister Stack was inviting at a market (She was on one side of the street, I was on the other) and this couple talked with her. They were kind of interested but were like, "Oh, we'll call you," which is the nice way of say no here. But then on a different day were outside the church inviting people to come tour the church, and the same couple happened to walk by! They said they had time to tour the church (who wouldn't want to - it's the most beautiful church in Thailand), and we showed them the chapel, and explained what happens on Sundays and then.... right then our branch president happened to come in. So he also explained what happens and that everyone is a volunteer, and invited them to church. AND THEY CAME! Sister Stack told me later (she taught them with a member because I was teaching somone else) that they told her they never walk that way, and that they thought it was fate. Yes. Yes it was. Now be baptized. They are now daters (people with a date to be baptized.)
We also got a referral from Salt Lake, but all it had was an address, and the address system here in Thailand is so messed up. They basically just number things whatevery they feel like. Luckily we got a taxi driver that was awesome. He literally drove to the post office for free, asked the people where it would be, then drove us to her address. (Too bad he didn't want to be baptized.) But then we met with Annie. She is so amazing. She asked for a Book of Mormon because she has a friend that is Mormon, and wanted to know more. She is on break right now, so we can visit her often. She told us she would read it by Sunday, and was so excited to go to church. but then she didn't end up coming... ): But she is still amazing.
We also have some investigators that are only interested in hanging out with white people. grr. And there is this man that keeps calling us and asking to be Sister Stack's boyfriend. *sigh*
Yaw is going to be baptized this Saturday *cross fingers* she passed her baptismal intervew, but Satan is really working on her. We pray for her every day. It's crazy to see how fast Satan tries to take away your faith.
Politics. I have no idea what is going on, only that Asoke, the center of Bangkok, is shut down due to protesters. Only public transportation is allowed in or out. And we were planning on going to Asoke today to go shopping. ): Oh well. And we are banned from wearing red or yellow. (yes Thomas, Wheel of Time-ish). But nothing is happening in Bang Khea. Life just goes on.
That's all I can think of. I will try to take more pictures. [mom's note: I told her she isn't taking enough pictures because she isn't!.....]
CULTURE: I don't know if I explained yet, but everyone in Thailand has two names: real name, and nickname. The real names are crazy hard to remember because they have deep meaning in Thai, but the nicknames are easy. There are like five people I know with the name Ploy (it means "gem" in Thai) but it can really be anything. I met a girl who's nickname was the Thai equivalent of "child bearer." Good times. Everyone asks me if my last name is a nickname, because the word "barber" has the same meaning in Thai.
I love you all! Keep the faith!
Sister Barber