Flying Worms with Pinchers

When you hear about "the jaws of hell gaping open after you", you usually think of just that. But this week my companion learned that it can mean earthly things as well. So, we were sitting at one of our 'less actives' houses getting ready for the lesson. Well, they are known for cooking very strange things. You all remember the worms I ate alive back in Sibu?? Yeah so he brings that out but he tries to hide if from us. Once he gets close he throws it at my feet (he was trying to scare me and make me jump). Without making a move I looked down, and in my head I thought, "Buddy, I've been in Sarawak way too long haha." I was like, "Hey! Where did you find this?!" As I picked it up and realized how big it was. It's pinchers were massive. Pretty impressive actually. "Jaws of hell"....well to my companion, who was given the worm at his feet right after me, but his reaction was less controlled, haha. Always a good time here in Sarawak!

This week I got to do exchanges with Elder Mullins in the district because my comp went with the district leader. We had fun teaching and seeing miracles. 

Also, don't know if I have mentioned it yet but we are teaching and English Class every week along with a mission prep class here. It is so much fun and the youth from the two branches here are way cool. They will be forces to be reckoned with later. 

Last P-day we went with a bunch of youth (speaking of youth) to the beach and played ultimate frisbee and soccer. Well, we taught them how to play ultimate, and owned them, then they wanted to turn the tables on us a play soccer. Yeah well, we beat 'em 7-0, no big deal. Beach soccer is my jam. It was fun none the less getting out and doing stuff with the youth in the beautiful locations not far from here. This place is amazing and I will sure miss it. 

Sorry! Short one! Love you all. Keep it real. Always kneel ;)

Elder Thompson 

 

 

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Draper, Utah Missionary Letters seen thru Jun 24-2017

Apai

Happy Father's Day one and all! Dad, I hope you had a great one! Thanks for being my role model and example.  Only a couple more weeks now and we can go keep the yard up on Saturdays, hit up Wingnuts and watch a game, or we could go to our family 'Kebun' in the jungles of Sarawak and cut down various wild fruits, kill our pig, and barbecue it (If you're feeling Malaysian). Let me know! Love you Dad.

These people are my family here, honestly. There are many times that I look around, or that we are in a lesson with kids climbing all over me, and I think, just like my family. There is no sweeter feeling then to sit in a home and teach them the gospel with all the kids reading with us, and the parents helping to explain. We end it with a prayer on our knees and the whole family is in on it. We were also at church on Sunday and my second Mom (Sis. Norlia) and I were having conversations about life and what my plans were, as well as their families. I honestly just felt like part of the family. I don't know how I am going to leave these people. 

Jesus Christ lives and he is real. His power is over all and if we would just let him take our lives, we would understand that truth. Our investigator, 'Jackson,' testified of his dream he had where he felt he saw Jesus Christ in essence. Now, for those of us who are not a lucky as Jackson over here, we believe in Him given our circumstances. I am reading the New Testament, and if anyone wants an extra boost to their study of Jesus Christ, watch the Bible Videos, because I did that too. He lives. He absolutely lives. He taught simply and he taught with love. If we will just seek him, follow his teachings, and give our lives over to him. He will make us more than we ever thought possible. 

To my "Apai", and to my "Apai ti aba Sorga", I say thank you for all you have done for me. Love you all!

Elder Thompson

The Sarawak Conquest

I have to keep it short today so sorry in advance! 

This week we headed up to Miri for our zone conference up there. Miri was the last city that I have not gone in Sarawak so going there made me Sarawak conquest complete! We took four hour bus ride up there and back on Thursday and Friday. We got to see Pres and Sister Simmons and all that good stuff. I gave me final testimony too, like what the heck?! When did that happen? Also the buses are nice but the road....oh my the roads. Ok, for anyone from Utah who complains about Idaho roads, I dare you to come drive these roads out here. For anyone that is from Idaho that complains about Utah drivers, I dare to you drive on these roads with 3x the madness and rudeness. Yeah imagine that. Be grateful for what you have! Dad, if we were to take our boat and drive it behind the truck out here, we'd have like 37 flat tires instead of two in a 4 hour journey. Just to give you imagery.

Aside from that the miracle this week had to come with our investigator Jackson. We were asking him how his reading and praying has been going and he made a comment about the night before as he was praying and repenting. He said that as he was doing so he could feel a presence behind him and almost thought he felt a hand on his back comforting him. He felt light and peace. When he turned around he could see nothing, but he remembered the feeling. You should have seen my face grinning from ear to ear. All I could say was, "That is what I'm talking about! Woohhh!" Jackson, I know EXACTLY what you mean man. Welcome to the greatest feeling our God has to offer. It can never be forgotten for as long as we live. 

Love you all!

Elder Thompson 

Miri Trip ::

 

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Ghost Town

I'll just give you all an update on the other side of Gawai here in, Bintulu. Well, everyone in the town leaves and heads out to their long houses they have out in the jungle. I think like over half the town just left. The last week was pretty interesting and we kept busy, but just a different kind of busy. I can't wait until I can take my own vacations, haha.

Also, earlier in the week the family of one of my past comps (Elder Duckworth) was here to visit with the members and hang out. Elder Duck finished his mission and his family came and picked him up. It was fun but still a bit weird to hang out and talk with more white people. It always is. 

Let me tell you about a cool miracle named Henry that seems to impress every single week. Well, this week we got a call on Monday night from our investigator Jackson who is Henry's best friends saying that they had both fallen at work. Henry from the 4th floor and Jackson from the second. We rushed to the hospital to see him and figure out everything because at that point, we were his only family. His family lived 10 hours away by car and in a secluded area at their kampung without any cell coverage. He has severe brain hemorrhage and may have broken a leg and arm, but when we saw him he was still unconscious and didn't look too good. Fast forward to Tuesday the day after and we visited him throughout the day all day long and at night we gave him a priesthood blessing. He had woken up and could talk a little but was still out of it and the doctors said he's probably be there for 2 weeks. Jackson had minor injuries and had been released already. Ok, so we show up in the afternoon the next day, Wednesday, and he's gone. His bed is empty. What? We ask the staff where he is and they're like, he's at home already! Wait...what?! So we hustle over to his house and go see him. I turn the corner to see this smiling face and totally coherent man saying, "Hey!" No brain damage, no broken bones. The next day he was walking. He kept asking if we were still going to keep learning like a day after he fell. He showed up on Sunday in a white shirt and tie with hardly a limp, his head went from a lopsided basketball to a normal size, and he even blessed the sacrament for the first time. I've never seen so much faith. So cool.

On a separate note, I finished reading the book "The Infinite Atonement" this week and man, what a book. That is all I have to say, what a book. His Atonement is so much more than you and I could ever have even imagined. With Tad R. Callister, I too express of appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifice that not only saves me, but changes me into somethings only God could make. It has that power if we let it in.

Love you all!

Elder Thompson 

 

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