So, I'm officially done with my
12 week training. I've now been in two areas, Kingsbridge 2nd Ward in
the Bronx, NY, and Footscray, VIC Australia. And I've been informed that
I'm getting transferred to a new area tomorrow. :) You'll find out next
week.
Now just as all things, there has been some good, and some
less good. The good news is that I'm healthy, energized, and out of the
funk, so I'm pumped to be a missionary! Whoo Yeah!
The less
good news (not bad news) is that the baptism for Sunday was postponed
until the 23rd. It was easier for all parties involved.
So as a way of recording, since I am the absolute worst at
Journal writing, I'm going to summarize the last 8 weeks here in
Melbourne.
So I arrived very tired and don't really
remember the first three or four days. I met a lot of people, had
serious jet lag, and slept a lot. Then it got better. Here, they call
street contacting GQ'ing. When we are GQ'ing, I find it to be the
hardest thing ever. Since we can't tract for Vietnamese, we just stalk
people on the street. It's horribly ineffective, but it's what we have.
So the first week was mostly that, with a few appointments.
Then,
as I got more used to things, we started to go and visit more members
and do less active look-ups. Apparently a lot of people move... We've
gone to attempt to visit several less-active members just to find they
no longer live there. We've also found some fun characters.
I've come to find out that my interest in KPOP makes me
uniquely qualified to connect with the younger male Vietnamese
population. They all know Girls' Generation, and I can make song
references. It makes me seem more human and less "crazy Jesus freak".
Also, through my odd and quirky talents, I can do something that is
known as "White Charm". Just by speaking in Vietnamese, people will
listen to me for just a little bit. If I don't get their attention soon
after that about God, then I've lost the golden opportunity.
I've only eaten a few odd things. Pigs feet, fish cake, and quail. Otherwise it's been pretty normal and easy to handle.
There
are a lot of great members here. They love the Lord, and they're
faithful to the gospel. There are several people who have recently
joined, and their testimonies are so amazing and their dedication is
even more impressive. I want to be like them.
If you are looking for some fun reads, the book of
Genesis is a little racy, I know understand what really happened in
Sodom, and I'm a little surprised with Lot. But it's a good story.
If you want something more uplifting, read the parables,
specifically the parable of the prodigal son. You'll learn how every
soul is precious, and every repentant sinner is a miracle.
With Love,
Elder Ryan