Songs Sung and UnSung in Bintulu

Another great week in in TJK branch. Emailing you all from a very noisy internet kedai in which I can barely hear the keyboard clicking as I am pressing the keys. But, it is none the less a good day. We just got done at a branch activity for the Sungai Plan branch in which we, yes, barbecued at the beach, again. Can you say Ibans on a holiday in Sarawak? It tasted good.

Here's the run down this week. As far as teaching is going, our investigators are moving along. My favorite people to teach have been mentioned before, Henry and his friends. Now we have Henry, Roni, Jackson, and Brindin. I love sitting in front of these 4 future priesthood holders testifying of how much this church is going to help them become the men God wants them to be. Check that, 3 future priesthood holders. Henry got the Aaronic Priesthood this week! So cool.

At church we had one huge meeting in which basically the whole branch sat in on as we discussed upcoming parties. The whole thing was in Iban ( their tribal language ). I feel bad for my companion Elder Read, but I honestly just felt at home. Everyone was throwing out jokes and laughing together. It was just happy. THAT is what we are trying to get going here. THERE is some branch unity! Alright! 

So, speaking of songs sung and unsung. You would die listening to the hymns being sung here. Haha I love it. When Jefferey R Holland said not everyone sings the same, boy was he right. The best part is, everyone sings...and they sing as loud as they can. You can hardly make out a melody, BUT everyone is having a good time. Just imagine like a bunch of little minions from Despicable Me singing church hymns...awesome right?! I have officially just joined in now and become one of them. No sense in trying to sing good, just match your voice with everyone else! I love it. 

We also teach a really sweet lady who just recently joined the church. She speaks her own language. It's called Bua language and her name is Bua. She only understands Iban, can't read, and has a short tongue so she only speaks Iban, but it sounds a whole lot more like a bunch of grunts and animal sounds. Lots of hand signals and sign language later and we've just taught a lesson and had a conversation. The gift of tongues is key here. I have officially learned Bua language. You can too. Try making random hand signals, pointing your lips, grunting, sounding out this word "nya" over and over, and shaking your head like you understand. Haha, Sis Bua is the best. 

That's all I got for you all this week. I love you all! But God loves you more!

Elder Thompson 

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Draper, Utah Missionary Letters seen thru Apr 29-2017