June 29, 2015

This week is Elder Fowler's last week in the mission.  It feels kind of strange he is going home.  We both came to the mission the same time, but he is going home two weeks before me.  So I am in the mind set that I am going home too, but I'm not... Strange feeling.  But it will be a very busy two weeks, so it'll be okay.  In fact, this next week will be very interesting because...
1)  I have no companion for 2 weeks.  I will be with the Chinese Elders until I go home.  So I am a Chinese Elder now.
2)  We are going to Miri on Saturday and we'll be there until Tuesday. We are having a special district conference where Bintulu and Miri combine to meet Elder Funk and our new mission president, President Simmons.

So yup, President Mains goes home on the 1st of July. New one comes, and then in 2 weeks I leave... But I got to meet President Mains this last Wednesday for interviews.  He just gave some good advise for the future and congratulated me of the good work I've been doing.

This week we just tried to visit everyone before Elder Fowler left.  We're still teaching some of our investigators, while a few of them went back to kampung for a week or so.  We had an incredible attendance for this week, of 73 people at church including 9 from the Chinese group, so 82 is pretty good for us. It's been struggling at about 55 lately.  President Antonius, a former branch president came back with his family.  Been a few weeks since he's been around. 

Just excited to be here for another week.  Other than that, just running to the finish line. That's about it. :) 

Love, 

Elder Vincent

A Week To Begin all Last Weeks...

Well, this week was absolutely crazy. We've had lots of investigator work and it's really hard to keep up with everything, but that's not a bad problem to have. Well, this week will be even crazier. President Mains will be coming for interviews on Wednesday, my companion has gotten permission to go to Miri to see one of his areas on Thursday, (same zone, but different city) and then we should hopefully be having a baptism this Saturday. :)  Then after that, my birthday on the 30th, my companion goes home on the first, and then I'm really not sure what is going on for the last 2 weeks. Maybe I'll spend it by splitting time with the  Chinese Elders to go to my area and their area.

This last Sunday we made brownies for the branch's fathers.  Delicious as always. This week we also found 5 new investigators, 4 from a part member family, and 1 referred from another investigator that we have only taught twice.  S. M. is the best investigator of all time, just saying. :P 

Just a heads up, Elder Funk is going to be coming to Miri on the 5th of July, and so me and all the members from Bintulu get to go to a special district conference for that day.  We will probably head there on AMERRIKUUUH's Independence Day and leave the afternoon of the 5th of July. (which happens to be the day of my baptism 12 years ago)

the District President is hoping that Elder Funk will make Miri/Bintulu a stake.  We have enough members and Miri for sure is strong enough for it, but Bintulu still needs to work some things out before it can even think about getting a stake...

Anyway, have a great week guys, and Happy Father's Day!

Love

Elder Vincent

June 1, 2015 - Final Stand

Transfers are out. I am going to Bintulu Branch 1 for my 6 weeks of my mission. I will be with Elder Fowler, who is also in my group going home in 6 weeks, so... Well it should be a very interesting transfer. I am very excited to go back to Bintulu, but I am so lazy to pack... This being my eleventh area in the mission, averaging about 2 and half months in each area... -.-

Well, I wish I could tell you everything, but I have lots of stuff to do in two days!

Anyway, this is the Gawai Festival week. We had quite a bit of work going on for a few days, and then BAMMMM. Not only was everybody going back to their villages, but my companion was sick from Thursday to now, and he slept through most of Friday and Saturday... He's feeling good, but it's way tough to be in just a 2 elder house and not have anything to do. Honestly, you can only read the scriptures and update the area book and clean the house for so long, and then what else is there to do??

That meant we had about 10 people come to church, 8 of them being missionaries. And then I GOT TO CONDUCT SACRAMENT MEETING!! It doesn't mean much because it was just me and the elders and one other member that didn't go back to his hometown, but oh well. I did it. :D :D :D :D

So...that's about all I have time to say, love you guys see you back in BINTULU!!!

Elder Vincent