11-28-17 Nong Khai Thailand - Transfers

Hey hey there Dad!

Well P-Day is here now! It seemed to had taken a while, but we've got to it now!

So Thanksgiving came and went. I wish we had done something but... we were busy teaching investigators and helping them get baptized! This last Sunday we actually saw someone be baptized! It was way cool and I felt really happy for him. He's 12 years old and his name is Bin. He's doing pretty well, and he has good member support, so that seems to be going well! We're working with that entire family right now, but his younger brother may need to wait a little bit, as he doesn't really understand a lot... he is 9 years old, but they haven't had a lot of schooling up to this point. But they're in school now, so I hope that all goes well for them! We have a lot of people that we're working with right now, but it's all going well! Just trying to help them all progress, while also keeping our teaching pool up!

Otherwise, as for transfers, nothing is happening! We're both staying in Nong Khai, but my old Zone Leader, Elder Lovelock, who I have been in the same district with for many transfers, is now moving out. We've been in the same district for 9 months! 6 transfers! That's a really long time, and over three quarters of my mission thus far. So, I'll be sad to see him go, but we'll keep in touch somehow. He does live in Australia so going to visit him might be a little difficult if I ever were to... hahaha.

It's been crazy how much time has gone by. One year come and gone, and now that I see people I know pretty well getting close to finishing their missions, it makes me think how much time we as missionaries have, which is: not very much at all. I know that this next year will fly as we work hard, but it's crazy how much I learn. There are some points in language study when I think to myself "How can I even read Thai?" Nothing less than help and the power of God, for sure, but there are other times when I wonder "How did I get here? What am I doing in Thailand? Why am I here?" Weird moments like that happen a lot, but I always know that I'm a missionary. Even in my dreams I remember that I'm a missionary. It's strange, but really cool at the same time.

Not much to report on here! The work is good, and life is good! We're working hard out here (at least I think we are) and I know that the Lord is blessing us.

Love you lots Dad! Talk to you soon!

- Elder Collin Decker

11-20 Nong Khai Thailand

Hey there Dad!

So I actually am able to send emails out earlier today, so that's fun! Nothing going on besides going to visit a market later on. But we need to to call P-Day short by a half an hour because we need to bike over 30 minutes out on a regular basis. And that's if we bike fast. Have an appointment today with a family of potential investigators, but then we need to head in just the opposite direction about over 45 minutes away to go to a family home evening. Needless to say, I think I'm starting to lose a little bit of weight. Our investigators say so as well, so that's interesting! 

The other day, actually just this last Saturday, we had the opportunity to go to another funeral! Yay! So now my greenie has a total of: 2 funerals attended. I have a total of: 5 funerals that I have attended. The funeral was for a member who had not come to church for a long time, but someone I had visited before. It's a strange concept to me. I saw her, saw her children, and now she's actually gone into the Spirit World. What a strange concept for me, and for all the people that I've seen as well. Her children are unbaptized, so hopefully we can provide them with some hope and happiness by teaching the Plan of Salvation to her entire family.

Last week was a ton of fun! Hopefully you saw some of the pictures! When we vacation here (I recommend not winter break, but that's up to the family) we're going to need to use a little bit of time to do things like this. Way fun. But we saw a couple snakes too so have to watch out for that. And big bees.

Otherwise, the work is going great! We actually have a baptism planned for this coming weekend! He's 12 years old, and his name is Bin (บิน) which means fly, so that's fun! He's the little brother/cousin of one of the strong members getting ready to go on a mission soon, so he has a good support system here! I just hope he'll be able to go in the future when she goes on a mission as well! I'm way excited, and we're working with a lot of people, so we'll see if I'll have the opportunity to work with them some more! But transfers are next week!

The Lord truly does bless his missionaries, and the Lord will help us in every situation. President Monson once said that consecrated missionaries can call down miracles from heaven, so that's what I hope that we can do here in Nong Khai. And another quote, actually a poem, which I found while preparing to teach the Missionary Preparation Class here, also from President Monson from a talk given in 1990 called "Army of the Lord":

"Stick to your task till it sticks to you.

Beginners are many, but enders are few.

Honor, power, place and praise

Will always come to the one who stays.

Stick to your task till it sticks to you;

Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it, too—

For out of the bend and the sweat and the smile

Will come life’s victories after awhile."

I know that as we first seek God's kingdom and His righteousness, the Lord will provide. We will continue to serve with all of our heart, might, mind and strength, and the Lord will surely bless us and those around us. I love this great work, I love the people, I love Thailand, and I love being a missionary, a servant of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Love you lots! Talk to you soon!

- Elder Collin Decker

11-13-17 Nong Khai Thailand

Hey hey there Dad!

Well, looks like everyone is asleep. Sorry about that! It's a big challenge for us to send out emails in the morning when we go out exploring and on an adventure! We're fully reliant on internet businesses as we send emails, so if we wake up early and head out early in the morning, we aren't able to email because internet businesses are closed. So we only have time after we go out!

Also, Daylight Savings Times doesn't exist here. So when you guys skipped back, it just means you're now 15 hours behind instead of 14 hours behind. So that's fun! Just wanted to let you know. So now the latest I could ever send an email is at 3:00 at the morning instead of 4:00... so hopefully that works out for all of you!

So I suppose I need to explain the last three weeks for everyone tuning in as well.

About two weeks ago, we had to go down to Bangkok. We took a train and it was very uncomfortable. So, I was a little sleep deprived. Then we took a sketchy taxi ride (actually the taxi wasn't sketchy but it was about 4 in the morning) in of which the Taxi didn't take us to where we were supposed to go. But, we were nice about paying what the meter said, but I wasn't feeling too great about it. But we happened to be right next to my old area so I ended up just taking a truck back to my old area and waiting in front of my old House (in Nonthaburi) for 1 or so hours as we waited for the other Elders to get out, because all training companionships needed to go to Bang Bua Thong, but we weren't sure where so we just waited for the other Elders. Then we finally got Elder Smith's Work Permit done and over with so then we just spent the rest of the P-Day around Bangkok. We ended up visiting the late king's funeral site, called Sanaam Luang. They built a pretty fancy and impressive structure for his funeral service, which is still up for right now. So we went and took pictures around there with some of the other training companionships who came down. Lots of fun. Then we had family home evening in my old area... because our bus didn't leave until 10 at night! So that was fun to see all of the people that I taught while I was there in Pakkret! So that was P-Day 2 weeks ago.

I actually have forgotten about what has happened in between so... that's fun! But we did have Mission Tour! Which means a General Authority Seventy comes and visits different areas in our mission in of which he gives us training instead of Zone Conference training. So that was a blast. We also had District Conference (Because I'm not in a stake!) where he was there as well. Unfortunately we made a poor showing by showing up to the meeting 10 minutes late... because our van wouldn't leave on time and sat in the Station for a solid 30 minutes. So, my bad for not getting there earlier, but I was pretty sad too. We were in Udorn for two nights and two days. It was all great, and he talked about how having strong families is the best way to help the church grow. Of course, I'm a missionary, so I'll stick to just finding people to teach repentance, turn them into converts, and baptize them. It was all really great and Elder Evans spoke a lot about missionary work, so I was feeling pretty great after Sunday. Then comes the training just for the missionaries from him. He talked about the assignment that he gave to us to study before we got there, which was to study in the chapters of Alma and other various chapters about the Doctrine of Christ. We talked about that for a little bit, but then he went on to talk about Chapter 9 of Preach My Gospel which is: Finding People to Teach. 

He went on to asking about how finding goes on in the mission, and what our method or style is, which would be talking to everyone and asking them if they are interested in learning about Jesus Christ. It worked, to a certain extent, as for my time in the mission, but Elder Evans then went on to say how the missionaries in Hong Kong have a real image problem and the church as a whole because this style of inviting can be pretty annoying and pretty aggressive. So this results in him talking to us about talking with people instead of to them. So I'm glad that was out and done with so that we can now start working more like the Savior with causing me to feel a little bit guilty that I didn't ask EVERY soul I saw if they wanted to learn about Jesus. Elder Evans emphasized really taking an interest in their lives, and really trying to listen to the Spirit, which of course is the only way to do missionary work. I still need to get used to doing this and actually talking to people (because before was really easy) so I have yet to see success, but I know that it will come. Then he talked about how the higher way is to receive referrals instead. So, we're working on that as well!

Last week, we were actually planning to send out emails in the morning, but we got caught helping a couple of potential investigators in of which took up all of our time. At the very least, we were able to send off a quick email, but I'll explain more about what happened. We went down to Udorn and went exploring with the 1st Counselor in the District Presidency, Prathaan Oh, who is awesome. We ended up going to see a "World Heritage Site" meaning that it is something that the world as a whole recognizes as an important site for world history. So it is basically a museum full of ancient (think about 6000-5000 years ago) artifacts that had been excavated within the last couple of decades. So it was really fun to see all of that and get some good random vocabulary to study. Then we went back and ate at a buffet... so that's fun. But I was pretty full, so that's all I could ask for.

Just today, we went exploring waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy out there to a place called "KeeReeWongGot" (คีรีวงกต) which had a nice waterfall as well, and a cool river that we walked through. Pictures, however, are worth a thousand words, and I have over 100 pictures, so I hope you'll enjoy looking through them Dad! But it was fun, and we played Mafia on the way there as well! But then people started to get carsick and so we quit about half way through. Jumped on some rocks and had a good time with the other missionaries in the District as well as some Gigantic Bees who liked to eat our chicken and fish. You'll see how big they were in the picture. But lunch was good as well! It was all pretty great, so I enjoyed going today! We woke up a little early to go, but everything worked out in the end. But just as a note: Remember that they sell toilet paper at every gas station, and you will need it because as soon as you are out of the big city there is only squatters and that's it! So have fun with that one!

As for Elder Smith, he's starting to pick it up more and more! We plan to plan out lessons for our investigators to give them a more meaningful experience each time we teach them, and also to give him more of a role in the teaching process. I'm excited to do this and help the work go forward!

This last week, we also had switch-offs! I was with the District Leader, Elder King, who is awesome, and we were in Nong Khai. We talked for a while at night... but it was great! We had a good day of proselyting that day as well, in of which a shirtless slightly crazy guy invited us to his makeshift coffee shop in of which he gave Elder King hot chocolate (it was we checked) where he gave no sugar and it was just straight cocoa... so that was weird. Not super interested, but we're working with a lot of people still, so it should be fun!

Being a missionary is great, and I know that the Lord is blessing us with miracles in Nong Khai. We're working with a lot of people and I know that the Lord will continue to help us grow and become better! I know that as we follow the Spirit and doubt not, the Lord will help us find those people who we are meant to find. Miracles are waiting for us as we are exactly obedient and willing to follow the Lord, no matter the request. This is the Lord's work, we are His servants and we are Christ's representatives in the places where we serve. I know the we will be blessed with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength. That's certainly my intent for the period in which I serve.

I love you lots Dad! Take care of that ankle, and everyone as well! I'll talk to you next week!

- Elder Collin Decker

11-8-17 Nong Khai Thailand

Hey hey there Dad!

I'm sorry, this won't be a very detailed email. We have to get back to our area really soon. If I have more time, I'll send a follow up one, but this will have to suffice for now.

So the Lord has been greatly blessing us here in Nong Khai. So many people who are ready. we might not get to all the standards of excellence every week, but we try, and the Lord has blessed us with many people to work with! Definitely, the Lord is working miracles here. I know that through our faith and diligence, the Lord has continually blessed us. I hope to talk more about this later next Monday, but that's how it goes!

This last week, Elder Evans came and totally changed everything for us. This mission has had a culture of "bounce contacting" which is just bouncing from person to person trying to find one who is really interested, which works in some ways, but Elder Evans basically said that that is not how Preach My Gospel says for us to do it. I'm glad though. I feel like we can really show to people that we're servants of the Lord rather than just machines asking if people want their sins to be washed away (which I don't do by the way! Nor have I ever done) or asking if people want to learn about Christ.

Today we helped an investigator in the morning and then went to a museum with the district in Udorn. Again, more on that next week. Don't have very much time at all!

I'll expand more on this next week, as well as pictures the exploring we did this week! Love you lots! Tell everyone, especially Mom and Kaleb and Kai, that I miss them and stay safe with the snow! Make sure we warm up before playing sports/practicing triple jump, ok mai? I love you all! Talk to you next week!

- Elder Collin Decker

10-29 Nong Khai Thailand

Hey hey there Dad!

Yep, all good, before I got online! I'm actually in Bangkok again today... so that's nice! Have to do work permit stuff... very nitpicky, and very long bus rides here... but we actually took the train this time! I got a decent amount of sleep, but it wasn't all that comfortable...

We actually have found a lot of new investigators! The problem is keeping up with all of them... there is so little time in the week now, that it's quickly becoming very difficult to teach them all. We're trying to help them all progress! It's very difficult for me to keep up with. I'm carrying a lot of the burden out here, I feel like. I try and give opportunities to Elder Smith here and there to help out in planning, but usually responds with that he doesn't have any ideas, which I don't blame him for, since he just came out from the MTC. But we've been able to meet them here and there! Usually it's about a half hour bike ride to get out to that area, so we have to plan well when we're going over there!

Elder Smith is still pretty quiet... It's a little difficult for me to be honest. I want him to talk to members because that's the best way to learn the language: just talking! Members don't bite either, they'll only help, and they won't say that you're a bad missionary because your Thai is bad, they understand if they're new missionaries after all!

I'm feeling fine! Just stressed here and there, mostly trying to help Elder Smith, helping him become a good missionary, while also trying to help the area grow, and keep it up! Nothing less than help from the Lord will get us through this one! Exercise is good, and I'm taking my vitamins! But Thai food is great, and cheap here, so we don't really eat at home often.

Sounds like football is going well as well! And volleyball, so that's exciting!

This last week was also the Late King's funeral, so that was pretty weird! On Thursday, everyone was dressed in black and President told us to avoid inviting that day, so it was pretty somber. They really did love and respect the King. The funeral just got over a couple days ago, and they built some pretty fancy structures the other day to have the funeral done.

We've seen miracles out here though! Last week, we had to go send a form to the mission office, and we ended up finding a new investigator there! He actually contacted us after hearing me read from the Book of Mormon out loud. He said he was really interested, and wanted to meet that day! So we did, taught him about the Restoration of the true Gospel, and then gave him a date to be baptized on the 26th of next month! So we'll see how that goes. We want him to come to church 2 times before then, but he lives pretty far, so we'll see if he can make it happen. Otherwise, we'll be teaching over the phone more likely than not.

Life is good, and I know that the Lord won't let us fail as we trust in him, and let the Spirit guide us! Love you lots! Talk to you soon!

- Elder Collin Decker