BACK IN MACAU

November 6, 2016

Family,

Crazy week. I am back in Macau. I never thought I would get the chance. I love Macau. I am excited to be back. I forgot how much I loved it until I walked into the chapel and smelled that familiar smell. It is a great place.

I don't know why I am back in Macau. They usually have very few americans serve here because of the weird Visa requirements. I will have to leave in 60 days. Whatever the reason, I am excited.

Macau is a lot different than the New Territories. I also didn't realize how much I liked the New Territories until I left.

I am serving in Macau 2nd and 3rd Branch. 2nd Branch is a Filipino Branch. 3rd is Cantonese. I will be doing Mandarin work with Mac 3 and english work with Mac 2. Filipinos and Chinese people are vry different. Both great.

The members are good. They have a desire to be good member missionaries, both Macau 2nd and Macau 3rd branch. They both are willing to help us find and teach investigators. I especially love Hong DX of Macau 3. He is one of my favorite members. I forgot how much I liked him.

Tang Yang, who was baptized soon after I left, is slowly going LA. He has not been to church in a few weeks. We'll get him up and going again soon.

Also, a LA I was working with when I left is almost reactivated. Awesome news! He is great. Jonas is his name. 

A cool tender mercy from last week happened on Sunday. A random sister walked into the chapel who only speaks Mandarin. She found out about the church online, lives in Mainland and came to church to learn more. I have never taught anyone who knows this much about the scriptures. It was incredible. She had a question about tithing and mentioned to us how much she likes this scripture in Malachi 3:10 before we mentioned it to her. 

My new companion is Elder Lau. He is from Hong Kong. This is his second transfer. He came with Elder Clark. He is a great missionary. He is very diligent and manages time well. He is good at following up and is efficient. He is also humble. I am very excited to work with him for the next few months.

The apartment is huge. It is great, but could use some cleaning. That's good though because that is one of my hobbies, so I won't be bored.  

Pretty weird thing here is that the Elders don't buy groceries. They eat out every meal. I will definitely be buying some groceries today though. I don't know where they get all their money from. I do have to say though, eating out does give you more time.

We have been practicing teaching a lot lately, especially considering the new rule that just came out as a result of Elder Wong's visit recently.

I have been thinking and praying about how I can better magnify my assignment here. Elder Owen's words from April Conference have stuck out. The greatest leaders are the greatest followers. One great key to leadership is followship. I hope I can follow all the counsel and direction from President Lam, Elder Wong and the other leaders, including the best leader, Jesus Christ. 

Elder Josh Stratford

Zone Pic from Tuesday Zone Training.

hike last monday

more hike pics.


This is from Li JM. She is pretty funny and loves to take pictures. I don't know if she sent it to you or not.


Hike last Monday in the New Territories.

apartment leave pic

Elder Clark before he left back for the New T's

Me and my comp 10 sec ago.