July 31, 2016

Elder Jesse Bundy's week full of working with new missionaries, teaching the gospel, mission trainings and a large service project ends with a fun day hiking in the mountains and cooling off at a beautiful waterfall.

"While things are picking up...this week was just, okay.   I know we can push it a little harder....Last Tuesday, we went to an area called Sakonakorn and did mission training with the missionaries there.  It went really well and I enjoyed it.  One of the missionaries is a 'greenie' who followed college wrestling religiously before his mission...haha...so we are buddies.  On Wednesday, Elder Daybell and I did a huge service project.  Last week during those major storms we had, it knocked down a member's restaurant.  We bought some metal and rented a welder.  Needless to say, Daybell and I have very limited to no experience in this area, but let me tell you what.....we rebuilt that restaurant....it's NOT pretty, but she is standing straight and strong now....hahaha!"

Elder Jesse Bundy, Elder Daybell with other missionaries enjoy a beautiful waterfall after a mountain hike near Udorn Thailand.

"Friday, we worked in Khon Kean, helping the District Leader out and doing switch offs with the elders there.....It went well and we had a good time working that area with them.  On Saturday, a family invited us to their house to eat lunch along with their friends.  We were excited for the referral....the only thing is that the referral is just 9 years old..."

"Sunday, we were blessed with a huge miracle when two of our new investigators showed up at church!  We had an amazing experience teaching them a lesson...the spirit was SO strong and we were able to commit them both for dates on the 14th.."

"I am pressed for time, AGAIN.....we got up early this morning and went for a hike in the mountains....it was really beautiful...and then we ended up at some breathtaking waterfalls!  This country is really beautiful....."

A picture Jesse took while they were hiking to the waterfalls.

"As to our companionship injuries for this week...hahaha!  My rash is still with me, but I do think it is improving....it hasn't gotten any worse, it now is just a little red.  It doesn't itch or really bother me. I could do much better in religiously applying the medicine and spray like I have been told...it might even be gone by now.  I will do better this week.  AND, last Monday, Elder Daybell ran into an ice cream cart and hurt his wrist!  So we have to get him to the hospital for a check up in like 7 minutes, so I am going to have to say goodbye for this week..."

"I have my statement and stuff you need for my college apps. I'll get those to you next week.  All in all, it's been a GREAT week and I am doing great....rash and all...I really, really am loving my mission!  Tell everyone hello for me and how much I love 'em and miss 'em.  I forgot to tell Roxy and Calista HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!  Tell them I love 'em!!"

Love,

Elder Jesse A. Bundy

July 24, 2016

Elder Jesse Bundy wishes his best friend back home, Jacob Boyd a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and enjoys a week packed with teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in Udorn Thailand.

One of our favorite families we enjoy teaching and visiting with.   The mom, who is sitting by me, is Chinese.  She is doing her best to help me learn the Chinese language.

"FIRST, Happy Birthday Jacob Boyd!!!  I hope you have a GREAT one!  Second, I'm need to apologize...I have like NO time this week, so this is going to be the shortest letter ever.....lol!  But I promise next week to do better!" 

Jesse with Jacob Boyd, Senior year in High School

Gallatin High School football flashback:  #77, Jesse, and #6, Jacob, Sr. year

"Things are really starting to pick up....we are extremely busy.  We have re-doubled our efforts and it is paying off.  We have been working with less active members trying to help them get back to Church.  The mother of one of those families name is Seang and she is Chinese.  She helps me out a lot in trying to learn Chinese and I really enjoy teaching them......It's crazy that we now have 3 Chinese investigators all of a sudden.....it's GREAT!"

Elder Jesse Bundy posing with a sculpture in town.

"We have several investigators with baptismal dates, but sadly are either struggling with worthiness issues, or can't seem to make it to Church.....but are still progressing.  We have cleared out our book and have filled it with new contacts and renewed optimism and faith.....things are really starting to move forward.....

It was SO beautiful outside early this morning!

"In my personal studies, I am still finishing 'Jesus the Christ.'  I am SO pumped about all I have learned while reading this book and comparing it with the Book of Mormon and the Bible!  All I can say is, the CHURCH IS TRUE and I am so thankful for my membership in it!  Everything we need to learn of God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ and all about the great Plan of Salvation is at our fingertips.  I feel very lucky......

"Ohhhh, before I forget to give you an update on my rash.  It is still spreading a little and not going away no matter what I do, or they give me to put on it....so, I went back to the hospital this morning.  They gave me some different meds and a different cream to put on it.  The doctor said that if I do the meds exactly like instructed, it should clear up within 2 days.  I am very hopeful he knows what he's talking about.  We'll see.....I'll keep you posted...

".....again, I'm sorry this is so short, but in summary, I'm doing GREAT, the work here is really picking up and I am LOVING every second of my mission!  I really miss you guys and all of my family.  Tell everyone I love them.....I promise next week's letter will be more substantive.....hahahaha."

Love,

Elder Jesse A. Bundy

July 17, 2016

Elder Jesse Bundy stays in Udorn with Elder Daybell, experiences a miracle and continues biking and inviting others to come unto Christ.

Jesse standing in the parking lot of the Church in Udorn Thailand

"Hi everyone!  I'm doing so good this week!  Transfers were last Thursday and as you can see, Elder Daybell and I are still here.....We didn't teach as many lessons as we wanted to this past week, but it was still a very productive week.  While inviting, we found a couple of investigators who are really interested and have set a baptismal date for the 31st of this month!  Even though we have not had a baptism this transfer, we have helped re-activate three priesthood holders and are working with two families to get them back to church...."

Elder Jesse Buny biking the streets of Udorn Thailand finding investigators and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen..

"....this has been my first transfer without one or more baptisms, which really stinks.  We are going to do what you suggested.....step back and take a look at what else we can do different, or better.  Right now, our main method is finding investigators, teaching them, getting them friends in the branch and then asking them to commit.....we are going to clear out our book and fill it back up.  Don't get me wrong, things are picking up, they just haven't been as fast paced as I have become accustomed to.  Last week, I street contacted a golden couple at the big mall in town and they are progressing extremely well.  They are the ones with a date on the 31st.  Their names are Mesa and his girlfriend, Mien.....Prayers would be greatly appreciated....."

This is inside a recent returned missionary's house, Brother Lamb, and is typical of the homes in this area.

"Along with Mesa and his girlfriend, we also have 3 Chinese speaking investigators.  One of them named Dtuii is the one teaching me Mandarin.  He's teaching me Chinese and we're teaching him the Gospel.  I have learned how to speak basic conversational Chinese, like asking for basic items, where things are, etc.  Learning Thai has really opened my eyes to language learning.....and of course, the gift of tongues cannot be over stated!  I am finding the different asian dialects and languages to have many of the same words and phrases.  So, I believe if I really invested the time, I could learn it in a couple of months.   Teaching our Chinese investigators is really helping me learn as well..."

This is Brother Biu, the branch Mission Leader.  "He is AWESOME and helps us out a lot."

"We have tried working harder on our street contacting and it has kept us teaching constantly....we have also been doing a lot of service projects.  It feels really good to be working hard.....

"AND, right in the middle of what we thought was going to be a bummer of a day Friday, we experienced a miracle!  We have been working with two less active members who work at the government hospital.  We visited with them on Wednesday, had a great discussion and made house appointments with each of them for the following Saturday....

"Friday came around and one by one ALL of our appointments for the day just dropped.....even though it was in the opposite direction of where we were headed, both Daybell and I had a strong impression that we should go back to the hospital and talk with Sister Rung and Brother Udom again.  So.....we did.  When we got there, the hospital was PACKED!  The road and driveway was packed with ambulances, lined up to drop off sick, injured or dying people!  It was very chaotic and sad.....

"As we were walking up the walkway, we were thinking that we had come all this way for no reason thinking they would be way too busy to meet with us.  Just as we reached the door, Sister Rung grabbed us both and instructed us to go over to the next incoming ambulance and help get people from the ambulances and take them into the hospital.  I opened the door of the first one in line just in time to have an incoherent woman throw up all over the ground, including my shoes.....I picked her up, put her in a wheel chair, cleaned her up the best I could and wheeled her into the ER.  As soon as we would take one patient into the hospital, tend to their basic needs and get back out to the driveway, there would be another and another and another.  This continued for over an hour!  When it began to slow down a little, we learned that this particular government hospital is EXTREMELY under staffed on an ongoing basis.  Today, there was an unusual phenomenon of accidents all over the city and they were completely overwhelmed.....

"After all of the regular ambulances had gone, a special ambulance showed up. They opened the doors and in the back was an extremely fancy cradle that looked like some kind of little spaceship!  There was a young nurse giving CPR to what looked like a little doll......it was a tiny baby the size of my left hand!  There was NO staff anywhere to be found.....only me and my companion.   So we lifted the cradle and personally took it all the way into the ICU where the baby could receive proper and timely care.  I don't know who the baby was, or anything about them, I just somehow know that that baby is very special and we were lucky enough to be there to help....."

"Seeing that there were no more ambulances to unload and the hospital was now packed, we were just going to leave and catch up with Sister Rung and Brother Udom later.   Sister Rung caught up with us and said that when she saw how many sick people were pouring into the hospital that morning, she had said a prayer asking God to send help so that they would be able to get everyone into the hospital so they could be helped in time.....then, we showed up just in time!  Sister Rung was back in church this last Sunday and she brought her friend.....It was a CRAZY awesome MIRACLE!"    

Elder Daybell studying in our study room.

"I am still studying the book, 'Jesus the Christ.'  This week, I've really focused on all of the symbolism that is used in examples in the scriptures when Jesus is mentioned.  It is really deepening my understanding of just how important faith, repentance, baptism, all  of the covenants we make, the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end is in our lives every single day and how unhappy we would be without all of those principles.....I gave a talk in church yesterday about the atonement, then I taught 2nd hour about repentance and the 3rd hour, I taught in priesthood about how important it is to be worthy when we go the temple.  I am learning that the more I bear testimony of the gospel and these principles, the more solid my knowledge becomes and my testimony grows!" 

"I got my new suit a little while ago and it fits sooooo good.  It even has my name sewn in it...J. Abraham Bundy 1....It's just a little bit too light to wear to conferences, etc., but I'll probably wear it next Sunday to Church and send you a picture."

The Church building where Jesse attends church in Udorn

The rain last week left many areas of Udorn a little flooded.

"My knee is doing GREAT!  I've been exercising and have had no problems with it....a real miracle.  The rash on my legs....not so much.  It is still there and getting worse!  It's like these patchy red spots on the top of my skin.  It's on both legs from my ankles to the top of my knees, a little on my under forearm, right armpit and just a little tiny bit on my neck.  My blood tests came back all good.  They gave me some medication and some cream, but it just hasn't worked very well.  I went to the Branch President's pharmacy by our house and they gave me some over the counter stuff that I think is working a bit better.  Thankfully, it doesn't itch or anything.  I promise I'll pay more attention to it this week, take the medicine and apply the cream, etc.  We'll see.....it might just be some kind of hives or something like it because it goes away then comes back sometimes.  But really!  I am fine and you don't need to worry about it.....not yet....lolol"

"Today we are just going to do our usual P-Day chores....nothing exciting sadly....lol...because we are going to Bangkok for our Mission Leadership Conference this week and have to make sure we have everything ready....I love you guys!!  I miss you...Talk to you next week."

Elder Jesse A. Bundy

July 10, 2016

Elder Jesse Bundy studies the life of Christ, enjoys a week of sunshine and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in Thailand

Elder Daybell, Elder Jesse Bundy and two other missionaries catch a ride on a taxi to teaching appointments with investigators

"The rain finally stopped and the sun came out and even though we have spent this past week playing catch up from a lost week, things are really going GREAT!  We have gone through our list of investigators and sorted through those who are really not interested with those who are.  We are going to really focus on our investigators who have baptismal dates, but are struggling with worthiness issues and hone in on teaching those who are really, really interested.....all in all, it really has been a good week.  I often think of what you told me many times growing up mom......'life is TRULY a state of mind.....if you want to change your life, you must first change your mind, then commit to doing something about it,' and, 'true, lasting success in life comes from mastering the simple things in life'!"

Jesus Christ visiting the Laminates in America found in 3 Neiphi of the Book of Mormon

(lds artwork from lds.org)

"This week, I've been studying A LOT about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.  I not only want to help the people I am teaching understand our message better, but it is deepening my understanding of the gospel.  I have been comparing the book entitled, 'Jesus the Christ' with the 'Book of Mormon.'  Both books testify of his earthly ministry, including the time he spent after his crucifixion visiting the Lamanite people in America.....It is way cool learning and internalizing these events and the principles of the gospel that are taught along with those events.  My love for the Savior has grown and continues to deepen every day......"

Jesus Christ and the depiction of the second coming...(lds artwork from lds.org)

"OK mom!  I know that this has been VERY short and sweet, but I am going to have to go......next Thursday is transfers.  I think I'll probably be staying right here, but I don't know.  I'll be sure to let you know.  Just know that I am truly LOVING my mission!  I'm loving the good, the not so good and some of the awful....lolol!  It's like our family motto.....'IT'S ALL GOOD!'"

"Tell everyone I love 'em and I'll talk to you next week..."

Elder Jesse A. Bundy

July 4, 2016

Elder Jesse Bundy remains undaunted and positive teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ with long days of rain, a nuisance lingering rash and missing his second 4th of July Bundy Reunion back home.

Jesse, looking for a dry spot to eat lunch in Udorn, Thailand.

"Wow!  Even though I am NOT discouraged and STILL am loving my mission, this past week has just plain stunk!  Monday, we had Zone Conference and Tuesday was our P-Day, which totally killed two or our working days.  It just seemed like we couldn't get any momentum going this week in our area and the week was half over!  To make matters worse, it has rained - and I mean POURED down rain since Wednesday!  No one wanted to meet with us in this rain and it just seemed like everyone we called wouldn't answer their phone.....But, this upcoming week is going to turn around BIG TIME!"

A wet Udorn street Jesse went down while working this past week.

"Heavenly Father must have known we were going to have a tough week this week.....lol.   The week before this one, we had the absolute BEST week I have ever had on my mission!  We taught so many lessons and found so many new investigators...  Part of the slow down has been the rain.  Water covers the roads about half an inch!  Because many of the people's houses don't have walls and they work outside, it has been pretty tough..."

"MAAAANNNNN.....My second 4th of July BUNDY FAMILY REUNION away from home!  Even though it really stinks to have to miss them, I am SO thankful I am getting this opportunity to serve my Father in Heaven.  It has NOT been a sacrifice.......I am learning so much!  And, this experience has truly strengthened my testimony......I would say cemented my testimony in knowing that God the Father and Jesus Christ live!  That He hears and answers prayers and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His Church here upon the earth!  Tell everyone at the reunion how much I miss them, that I hope I am representing them well and I'll see 'em next year..."

Three of Jesse's nephews - Jace, Jonathan and Holton - at the Bundy Reunion where over 800 Bundy's go camping on top of Mount Trumbull, Arizona on the rim of the Grand Canyon every year over the 4th of July weekend to celebrate their love of family, God and the USA!

"Thailand's big celebration like the 4th of July was the big Water Festival I sent you several months ago.  They don't let off colorful fireworks here for ordinary celebrations and such.  In fact, I've only seen colorful fireworks for something other than funerals once since I've been here while I was in Sisaket.  However, they do have these colorful, homemade rocket-like fireworks that the Wat's light off for funerals.  The Thai people believe that when they set these off, they are releasing their loved one's spirit into the sky.  We see these go off all of the time."

This is a driver that gave us a ride last week.  We could NOT get this guy to smile....

Here is Jesse, just chill'n, catching a ride with his bike to work another part of the city.

"Last p-day, we did go to a crocodile farm....it was really cool. Here are several pictures of our visit there....."

This was at the entrance of the farm.

Jesse wrestling with a crocodile.....hahaha....a stuffed one!

"These guys are NUTS!  That crocodile this guy is holding is REAL!  I can't believe how they just hop right in that caged area with these bad boys!" 

"This is just a display case that was at the croc farm we visited."

"The other day, we were visiting some investigators.  Before we left, they showed us their 'homemade' washing machine!  I thought it was pretty ingenious....."

"Today, we will be fixing my bike.....my back tire is all skeeewampus.....lol....I have become an expert bike mechanic since I've been out here.  Then, we are going to find some really good food to eat, clean our apartment and do our shopping.  All in all, not a very exciting day, or week for that matter....hahaha. I truly have had only one not so good week in over 60 weeks of being out here.....so I AM NOT complaining!...lol"

"Tell everyone hello for me and that I love 'em!  Oh ya, that darn rash is still with me.  It is weird....it comes and goes.....then shows up throughout the day.  If it keeps up, I'll go back into the doctor.  I have to go, but I love you guys!!"

Elder Jesse A. Bundy