Experiences in Thailand on Our Mission

After the Flooding, Huge Humanitarian Effort

After the Flooding, Huge Humanitarian Effort
In Front of The New Chapel in Bangkok

In the Chapel putting Relief Bags together

In the Chapel putting Relief Bags together

Monday, June 27, 2011

June 26, 2011

Sorry it has been so long since we have had an update. We have been incredibly busy with coordinating events, service projects and humanitarian efforts as well as proselyting, member fellowshipping and, of course, office work. It is all in a days work and we love the work of the Lord.

We went to the Thailand Youth Leadership Conference on May 5 - 7. There were over 240 youth there attenting and the Area Seventy came and talked to them. The majority of the youth have a desire to serve a full time mission in the future. The Spirit was strong throughout the conference. We were introduced to Thai youth as the very first Thai couple to ever be married in and LDS Temple and also the first Thai couple to serve the Senior mission in Thailand. Sister Seangsuwan and I love this opportunity and having experience with conversion ourselves as well as the Thai language and background, we have been able to assist in the work.

A while back we had told you we were in charge of organizing the even where the BYU Ballroom company were asked to come to Thailand and dance for various groups. It was a big undertaking, but well worth it. They performed in Thailand at five different locations: 3 in Bangkok, 1 in Chiang Mai and another one in Khonkhen. About 1000 total members attended and more 8000 none members. We think that it was a success.

As far as humanitarian efforts, we have been able to get involved with a Social Development organization of the Thailand government designed to help combat battered women. My niece Suchanee Seangsuwan has been working as the Manager of the Department of Public Relationship under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. She also attended the BYU Ballroom events twice and loved it. We introduced her to our Humanitarian Project Director and PA area Director for the mission. Mrs Suchanee Seangsuwan has been very helpful to us in the way of Public Relationship and has also given us recognition allowing us to get involved more in the community and get the Church more recognized. In a recent humanitarian even that we were able to be a part of, she introduced us to some government programs that aid in donating wheelchairs to the needy people. In this even, we were able to teach more about the Plan of Salvation and talk about families and the Eternal perspective. There we were able to receive rewards and recognition for helping the Thai people.

I have been invited to talk on radio regarding my family with two cultures and how to keep the Thai culture intact. It was pre-recorded and will air soon. During the recording, I spoke about how we have Family Home Evening and use this to strengthen our family relationship as well as draw closer to God. I also spoke on our youth of the Church and how each one can become good example to their friends and family members.

Another opportunity we have is to be translators to General Authorities that come to Thailand to visit. We have been assigned to be in Ubon District Conference on June 25-26 with the Area Seventy to help him to train and translate his talk there. We have been assigned to call the members of the church who were baptized in the first 10 years in Thailand. Those who were baptized in 1970 to 1980 will be asked to talk about the former mission president, Brother Goodman. ABYU Professor will be coming to Thailand to interview them. I have about 25 members for him to interview and I think it will be a great article.

We were able to have visits with Armstrong and Rachel in Bangkok for five days and we had a great time juggling the differnet visit sites and family visits. They were able to see many different things in Thailand and our family here took very good care of them. We did our best as a tour guide.

Attached are a few pictures of the Humanitarian event and the Wheelchair donation ceremony with the Minister of the Social Development and Human Security. It was a very good opportunity for us to get involved for the Church. We were able to share our Plan of Salvation board with people that came to our booth.

We hope all is well and that everyone is safe and happy. We love the Gospel and love to teach the people of Thailand!

Have a wonderful 4th of July and write to us soon! We would love to hear from you.

Love

Elder and Sister Seangsuwan
Utahismystate2010@gmail.com

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Thailand Mission Photos

Preston and Tanner Saying Hello to Grandma and Grandpa


It was a great time at Ching Mai that all Seniors there, and would like to post their names as follows; Elder and Sister Oldham, Elder and Sister Cook, Elder and Sister Facer, Elder and Sister Gonzales, Elder and Sister Greenwood, Elder and Sister Hatch, Elder and Sister Jones, Elder and Sister Laing, Elder and Sister McPhie, Elder and Sister Sitivong, Elder and Sister Snow, Elder and Sister Wasson, Elder and Sister Jones, Elder and Sister Meakley

January 27, 2008 to Present

We have been assigned to work in the Udonthani District. We have been given assignments to teach new and less active members by using book "Preach my Gospel." We work with less active members and we take part in humanitarian service. We have also been teaching teens on drug and alcohol prevention and keeping the law of chastity and the word of wisdom.

Sister Seangsuwan and I have also been asked to help with the training of the church leaders in this area. We have been in Udon since Jan 27. and do not know how long we will be in this district, it is up to the Mission President. We love the people here and love working with the other missionaries.

We have contacted about 44 families which 7 families are being taught the discussions. Our Mission President asked me to preside and train the leaders in Udon district on March 8. He and his wife are very happy to have us working with the people in this area. We are really happy and enjoy our assignment. For the most part the Thai people in this area open the doors and let us in to teach there family members. They are humble and happy to see Senior Missionaries come to their homes.

Our testimony has grown due to our assignment of teaching the truth of the gospel of the Lord to His children. Our most memorable moment so far is when we introduced ourselves to them that we are from Utah and come to serve the Lord in Thailand, eventhough, we miss our children and grandkids. Serving and leaving family is such a small sacrifice for such a great purpose. It helps us understand more of the great work that we are doing. We work each day and love to serve. Sister Seangsuwan loves to study scripture more and more and is doing her best to learn how to teach the gospel. She still loves to talk alot and share her testimony. We should teach only 30 minutes, but she still goes on and on and the converstation ends up over one and half hour each family.

I told her not to worry about the family at home. When we work hard we know that the Lord will take care of them. So far, we love to serve the Lord in Thailand as well as eat the Thai food. Wednesday is our Preparation day. Sister Seangsuwan does alot of window shopping but does not buy anything. She just likes to look around and I love to follow her. In the evenings, we return back to Church to help young missionaries teaching ESL and we also are able to meet new people to teach. In class, the last 10 minutes, I was introduced as Guest Speaker to teach something that I have learn in the US and answer their questions.

We have had a great experience on our mission and love all of you! Thank you so much for your support! More comments and pictures to come.