August 8, 2016

Elder Jesse Bundy prepares investigators for baptism, renews his visa and helps build a chicken coop while continuing to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in Thailand

"Some of the cutest kids EVER jumping on their bed in their room....hahaha"

"My favorite scripture is in the Book of Mormon, Alma 7:14:  

'Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven;  therefore, come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.'

"I LOVE teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ!  I am witnessing first hand how it changes people's lives for the better.....This week's been really good even though it has flown by EXTREMELY fast!  On Tuesday, we began rebuilding the Branch President's chicken coop that was destroyed by a storm.  We woke up at 5 a.m. and went to work digging and cutting down trees to make the posts."

"The Branch President of Branch 2's chicken coop that was destroyed in a storm."

"Later that morning, we went to Khonken, an area in our zone.  Daybell and I decided to show up unannounced to their District Meeting to see what they were up to.  It was really good to work with them and be able to help them out.  We finished up the day by teaching Brother Beer, one of our daters.....then teaching an English class."

"Wednesday was just AWESOME!  Brother Dang announced he wanted to be baptized.  It was soooooo GREAT!  He has been putting it off for so long.......at last something changed in him and he decided to make the commitment!  After receiving that great news, we had a bit of a downer experience.  We went to see a less active member and found him reverting back to his old ways.  It was SO sad!  He was right back practicing all of his old bad habits and did NOT want to discuss it.....it was very, very sad.....It is so hard to watch people change their lives for the better and be SO happy, then go right back to behaviors that make them miserable..."

Elder Jesse Bundy catching a ride to a teaching appointment in style....

"Later that day, I was able to invite a woman named Napaa at the water utility building while we were paying our bill.  She was very excited to hear about Jesus Christ!  We met with her that very evening to begin teaching her the Gospel.  The spirit was so strong and I just know she is going to progress towards baptism for sure.  After having such a great moment with Napaa, we stopped over to an investigator's house by the name of Biag.  He wants to change so bad!  But he struggles with giving up a few bad habits and resolving some family problems.....but he is trying.  We had a very busy, great day of teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ before hopping on a plane to Bangkok.....it was necessary for me to renew my visa.  So Thursday, we took care of that, then flew back to our area in time to teach Biag again and do some more inviting....it was a great day!"

"Daybell cutting down trees to make posts for the chicken coop..."

"Thursday, we went back to the Branch President's place to continue the construction on the chicken coop.  It is looking kind of like a building now....kinda, hahaha.  It is literally only Daybell and I building it with one member of the branch presidency from the other branch.....hahaha.  We have no idea what we are doing, but we're doing it!  I hope it turns out.  Later that day, we did a switch off with Sakornakorn.  I got to work with a new greenie and we had a great day!"

"Saturday was a normal work day, but Sunday.....church was full!!  We attended Branch 1 and the building was full of people!  It was the most people they have had to church in a very long time.  After church, we taught Beer and Dang to prepare them for their baptisms for hopefully, next week.  It has been a very busy and exhausting week that has just flown by.....I LOVE it!"

An exhausted Elder Jesse Bundy showing statues they visited on P-Day......

"Finally!  Our collective health issues have subsided and the work, even though it is moving at a slower pace than I am use to, is starting to pick up......Over this weekend, we were able to kick things into a higher gear and get some things going.  We now have two solid daters (investigators progressing toward baptism), Brother Beer and a Brother Dang.  Brother Dang has a WAY cute little family, (those are his kids in the picture I sent you)!  His wife was baptized last year and it has taken him this long to finally commit.  I invited Brother Beer at the park just a couple of weeks ago and since then, he has been doing awesome!"

"I thought the nieces and nephews would enjoy seeing this gold monkey...."

"Today, we visited this cool place with all these statues in some caves.  Later, we are going to run our errands, do our shopping, clean our apartment and stuff.  Oh.....this next week, the AP's are coming to do switch offs.  So, our p-day has been moved to this coming Saturday, and we won't have much time to e-mail that day.  Then our next p-day will be all the way in two weeks...that next Monday.  Time is going by SOOOO fast!  Daybell goes home in just 2 1/2 weeks, and it's already been a year since I was a greenie training with Elder Wright!  It's going by too fast......"

"I'm out of time mom!  Just know how much I LOVE my family and how much I am LOVING my mission!  I don't want it to end.....and yes, I am doing my best to work hard.  I love you guys!  I'll write again in just a few days."

Elder Jesse A. Bundy