Ooh where to begin? It turns out transfer day is almost as nerve-wracking as opening your mission call. Who knew. Actually, when they first announced where I was going I missed it because I was so focused on who my companion would be... but I got ahead of myself.
The flight went well. We had three flights - the last one wasn't that bad. It was from Hong Kong to Thailand, only 3 hours. When we got off the plane, we were walking in the direction we were told, kind of wondering if we were in the right place, when we saw the Angel Moroni. Let me explain that a little better, because re-reading that, it sounds like we had a vision in the airport. There was a poster of the Angel Moroni held high, and we knew we had found the right place.
President Senior and his wife are amazing people. That day we had a lot to do: go to the doctor, get pictures taken, sign paperwork, get interviewed, have a health talk. AND it was POURING rain. Like it does in Texas when the heavens open, but for hours on end. We ate with President and Sister Senior at their house. By the end of it, everyone was tired because of nasty jet lag. We stayed at a nice hotel. To give you an idea of how tired I was, I did not shower, even though I hadn't for at least 48 hours and at least 24 of those were in an airplane or an airport. I was writing in my journal, and I fell asleep. It was great. I have a big mark on the page from my pen. The next day we headed to the church where we would be spread to the four winds.
We got another talking to about health, then President Senior talked with us again, and then we were in the meeting, and they sang Called to Serve faster than I think I have sung anything in my life let alone any song in Thai. They said goodbye to the jopping (leaving) missionaries, and then: the transfers. Are you ready? I am serving in Bangkok - in Bang Khea. [note from Mom: The government has divided Bangkok into 50 districts, she is serving in the one with the largest population.] And I have a Khon Thai (native) companion. Her name is Sister Sombonni, and thank the heavens she speaks wonderful English. She also happens to be a full foot shorter than me.
I will have to send pictures. I meant to send some with this e-mail but I left my camera in the apartment. After the meeting when we were all going our different ways I felt like my heart was breaking. Who knew you could make such tight bonds with people in two months when you are confined to the same space. I think I thought we were all called to serve as the District 30 A and B. I at least have one of my group with me.
Now. My area. Well, we are whitewashing, we have no progressing investigators, no daters (people with baptismal dates), no prospective investigators, and at first we didn't even have a map..... Funfunfun. Basically it's like we are opening the area, except we do have a good branch. We have a lot of members, but most of them are not active.
I will paint a picture of Thailand for you. It looks as if someone put up temporary buildings everywhere, then left them for nature to take down. Nothing looks new, everything has a sort of mildewy look to it ( because it rains every day.) The cars do NOT obey traffic rules. Little bike things go wherever there is room, which is often the sidewalk. There are these things, they are trucks with seats and handle bars on them, that work like buses and are really cheap, and sketchy looking (but they are safe to ride in which I have done quite a bit). There are trees, and I mean big trees in the middle of the city, and there are these random squares of green in the middle of the city. I asked Sister Sombonni and she said she didn't know why, and didn't really notice them. Oh and Mom, you may be happy to hear this is a walking district. No biking for me. Oh and yes there are dogs EVERYWHERE. They just walk around. Curiously, there are not that many cats. Hmm. And I know better than to pet them whoever was thinking of reminding me.
As you might imagine, my first Sunday was.... full of not understanding anything. Every once in a while I would get "Oh, they are talking about the power of the Book of Mormon" but yea. The people are nice, and a fair few speak a little English. I suspect that is because they go to our English lessons. Oh yeah, I will teach English. Every Tuesday night. It's the way that the church has set up getting visas, we teach English for free. It also is a great finding tool. Who doesn't want free English lessons from farang? (white people.)
Thai is hard, and I am scared to speak it, not because the people are scary or because I'm scared of making a mistake, although I am a little, but because I know when they speak back, I will have no idea what they said. I have to ask three times in a row and it doesn't help that in Thai it shows respect to speak softly, and guess who are respected: teachers. Guess who is considered a teacher: me. I have this theory that if I could get a Khon Thai in a soundproof room with a microphone, and asked them to speak up and slower, I would understand them. But as that has yet to happen, I am lost. And my cute awesome companion is so worried about me and my ability to speak. And I have to Dan Jones because otherwise we will not have anyone to teach! asjdfjkgha. I think the Lord wants me to learn a mission is hard, and get over it and work. "Lose yourself and get to work," right? Easy to say, harder to do.
Well, I think I answered no one's questions, and I'm running out of time. I love you all! Be kind to yourself!
Sister Barber
- This, my kind family, is a faithful account of all my dealings in Thailand. [note from Mom: that was a reference from "Pride and Prejudice" for all you Jane Austen fans!]
The flight went well. We had three flights - the last one wasn't that bad. It was from Hong Kong to Thailand, only 3 hours. When we got off the plane, we were walking in the direction we were told, kind of wondering if we were in the right place, when we saw the Angel Moroni. Let me explain that a little better, because re-reading that, it sounds like we had a vision in the airport. There was a poster of the Angel Moroni held high, and we knew we had found the right place.
President Senior and his wife are amazing people. That day we had a lot to do: go to the doctor, get pictures taken, sign paperwork, get interviewed, have a health talk. AND it was POURING rain. Like it does in Texas when the heavens open, but for hours on end. We ate with President and Sister Senior at their house. By the end of it, everyone was tired because of nasty jet lag. We stayed at a nice hotel. To give you an idea of how tired I was, I did not shower, even though I hadn't for at least 48 hours and at least 24 of those were in an airplane or an airport. I was writing in my journal, and I fell asleep. It was great. I have a big mark on the page from my pen. The next day we headed to the church where we would be spread to the four winds.
We got another talking to about health, then President Senior talked with us again, and then we were in the meeting, and they sang Called to Serve faster than I think I have sung anything in my life let alone any song in Thai. They said goodbye to the jopping (leaving) missionaries, and then: the transfers. Are you ready? I am serving in Bangkok - in Bang Khea. [note from Mom: The government has divided Bangkok into 50 districts, she is serving in the one with the largest population.] And I have a Khon Thai (native) companion. Her name is Sister Sombonni, and thank the heavens she speaks wonderful English. She also happens to be a full foot shorter than me.
I will have to send pictures. I meant to send some with this e-mail but I left my camera in the apartment. After the meeting when we were all going our different ways I felt like my heart was breaking. Who knew you could make such tight bonds with people in two months when you are confined to the same space. I think I thought we were all called to serve as the District 30 A and B. I at least have one of my group with me.
Now. My area. Well, we are whitewashing, we have no progressing investigators, no daters (people with baptismal dates), no prospective investigators, and at first we didn't even have a map..... Funfunfun. Basically it's like we are opening the area, except we do have a good branch. We have a lot of members, but most of them are not active.
I will paint a picture of Thailand for you. It looks as if someone put up temporary buildings everywhere, then left them for nature to take down. Nothing looks new, everything has a sort of mildewy look to it ( because it rains every day.) The cars do NOT obey traffic rules. Little bike things go wherever there is room, which is often the sidewalk. There are these things, they are trucks with seats and handle bars on them, that work like buses and are really cheap, and sketchy looking (but they are safe to ride in which I have done quite a bit). There are trees, and I mean big trees in the middle of the city, and there are these random squares of green in the middle of the city. I asked Sister Sombonni and she said she didn't know why, and didn't really notice them. Oh and Mom, you may be happy to hear this is a walking district. No biking for me. Oh and yes there are dogs EVERYWHERE. They just walk around. Curiously, there are not that many cats. Hmm. And I know better than to pet them whoever was thinking of reminding me.
As you might imagine, my first Sunday was.... full of not understanding anything. Every once in a while I would get "Oh, they are talking about the power of the Book of Mormon" but yea. The people are nice, and a fair few speak a little English. I suspect that is because they go to our English lessons. Oh yeah, I will teach English. Every Tuesday night. It's the way that the church has set up getting visas, we teach English for free. It also is a great finding tool. Who doesn't want free English lessons from farang? (white people.)
Thai is hard, and I am scared to speak it, not because the people are scary or because I'm scared of making a mistake, although I am a little, but because I know when they speak back, I will have no idea what they said. I have to ask three times in a row and it doesn't help that in Thai it shows respect to speak softly, and guess who are respected: teachers. Guess who is considered a teacher: me. I have this theory that if I could get a Khon Thai in a soundproof room with a microphone, and asked them to speak up and slower, I would understand them. But as that has yet to happen, I am lost. And my cute awesome companion is so worried about me and my ability to speak. And I have to Dan Jones because otherwise we will not have anyone to teach! asjdfjkgha. I think the Lord wants me to learn a mission is hard, and get over it and work. "Lose yourself and get to work," right? Easy to say, harder to do.
Well, I think I answered no one's questions, and I'm running out of time. I love you all! Be kind to yourself!
Sister Barber
- This, my kind family, is a faithful account of all my dealings in Thailand. [note from Mom: that was a reference from "Pride and Prejudice" for all you Jane Austen fans!]