Dear family and Friends,
It has been such and interesting week. Again. I never know what to expect here in Xihu. It all started last Monday night as we went to a member's house. He's the ward's oldest member He was taught by Elder Muhlesteina year and a half ago, but Elder Muhlestein moved right before the baptism. He's a well known retired politician that everyone knows. On the mail envelopes, all you have to do is write his name and Xihu and everyone knows where he lives. And he's the primary ages 8-11 teacher. So cute! Haha. He has no idea how to teach them, so he asked for our help. We helped him prepare a pretty fun lesson plan. It was a lot of fun.
Tuesday we had a quick DTM because we had to do some surprise stuff. It's for our mission president and his wife because they're about to go home. I'll let you know after they leave, just so they don't somehow secretly overhear! But that night Zhou Heng came from Xihu and went around with us as we looked for some less active members with our maps. It was a little rough. Found them! Not a good turnout though... Pretty depressing. Then we met with Chen mama. It was a rough lesson because she wasn't feeling good and just wanted her questions in the Book of Mormon answered and then kick us out. But it was still really good to see her and her family. Her husband is really warming up to us. Towards joining the church, not a whole lot. But he's getting there!
Wednesday at English class, we talked about hobbies and talents. It was a lot of fun. Elder Zhu and I have so much fun teaching English together. It's like our minds are connected when we tell a funny story or act something out. Our class wanted to know what the difference is between America and Taiwan with greeting people. We acted out the two guy bro hug and the two girl excited girl embrace. They died of laughter. Afterwards I got to talk to Dora. I contacted her on the street and added her for English about a month ago. She has come ever since and has also been meeting with the other Elders! She is so amazing. I asked her how she's doing and offered to help, and apparently it made her super happy because of recent events in her life. I learned a huge lesson from that. Always be loving to everyone while talking to them. Be willing to help anyone in need. You never know when you'll change some one's life.
Thursday we met the most prepared person ever. We were at a 7 and I walked up to a guy sitting down to talk to him. As soon as he saw me, he had the biggest smile on his face and told me to sit down. He went on saying he'd been looking for our church but could never find it. We showed him our address and also the address for the Zhanghua church since he lives there. He had looked us up online and saw we also had a free English class. He's going to California for college at the end of July and wants to keep practicing his English. But more importantly, he had been bouncing around Christian churches, but never found the true one. He had heard about ours and really wanted to see what it's like, but could never find it. It's totally a Joseph Smith experience! We referred him. I really hope he continues to meet with the other Elders. We also got to meet with the 2nd councilor in the stake presidency because he's in our area. It was a good meeting. They're family is helping a lot with Chen mama.
Friday Elder Yeh came with me on exchanges. We both hadn't eaten McDonald's in a long time. So we ate a lot. And it was so not good for us. We both felt so sick. We had a some fun visiting a part less active family, and they ended up giving Elder Yeh a sword! It was crazy. They know a place to buy them. I want to so bad!
Saturday we went to visit Elder Yeh's investigator family's store. They have some really weird energy things. I had electricity buzzing through me. It was so cool. And they committed to come to church soon! It was a huge step for them. That night we had some worries with Chen mama. She's having some doubts. But she said she'll try harder on her reading and praying.
Sunday they all came to church! It was a good church. Elder Gan was asked to teach the Gospel Principles class. And then Elder Zhu and I were running around the church trying to get our 10 year old recent convert to go to class. It was super hard, but fun. It was us and a few primary leaders working together.
And that was my really fun week. It's beyond hot already. I sweat in our apartment as soon as I walk out of an air conditioned room. Hopefully it'll start raining today. Typhoon season is almost here! I'm so excited!
I love you all! Thank you so much for all the support. You're all such big examples to me.
Love, Elder Anthony Kai Buckwalter
No comments:
Post a Comment