Elder Austin Rich : 2017-10-08

Nyob Zoo

It’s good to finally be in the mission field. I am serving in the capital city of Madison and I’m very excited to be here. The first day we got to Wisconsin, we went to the Mission President’s home. HIs name is President Williams and he seems really great. We slept at his house that first night. The second day, we went to the Stake center and it was so scary walking into the chapel, scary because you’re waiting to see who your companion is; who you’re going to be with for the next first months and where you are going to serve. There are 5 trainers and 6 new elders, so knew there would be one trio and the rest would double up. I walked in and soon found out that my trainer’s name is Elder Lewis (Elder Yim Leej). He is from California and has been out for almost 23 months. He goes home November 22. Also, Elder Vang from the MTC is with us as well, so we are the trio group. Most missionaries are trained for 12 weeks, but when Elder Lewis goes home, it will just be Elder Vang and me which is a little scary. However, I am in one of the very best situations for learning Hmong. I have a trainer who has been out for 23 months and is fluent, and Elder Vang is a native Hmong person. So I can get a lot of help from them and learn a lot from them. But at the same time, it is really hard because they both understand and I don't understand anything. Elder Lewis is a very hard working dude. He always pushes me and motivates me. Sometimes I think he can tell that I am getting frustrated and he will always pick me up. He is super awesome and funny.

Madison reminds me a lot of Missouri. I know I said that last week about Wisconsin. There are a lot of trees everywhere but also houses too. It’s honestly really similar to Missouri. We cover the whole city of Madison and the cities outside of it, so it is a really big area. We have a car and sometimes it takes us 30 minutes to get to appointments because everything is so spread out. As well there is the college here, so it’s the party town. It is supposed to be one of the cooler areas that people can serve in, and I’ve heard that Madison is the “warmest” area as far as Wisconsin areas go, so that will be good for the winter. Ever since I got here, it has rained every single day.

The first day in Madison, Elder Lewis took us tracting. It was pretty scary going up to a door and talking to a real person. When you don’t know Hmong and you have to go up to them and talk to them in Hmong - it is scary! But the Hmong people are super awesome and they make some pretty good food! I’ve eaten quite a few times this week with the members and some investigators. We got the most bomb pho ever which would make my dad jealous. Hint if you want to make it taste even better - add peanut butter :0

I also got my Hmong last name this week. I went to the home of some members with the last name of Tsab. They were the ones who made the bomb pho. I changed my Hmong name so it is more formal. So instead of Elder Tshwj, it is Elder Tshwj Xeeb and then my Hmong last name that I got is Tsab from this family who made me the pho. So all together it is Tshwj Xeeb Tsab. When I go to someone's door, I will just say Elder Tshwj Xeeb, but if they ask for my clan name, it is Tsab. Pretty cool.

As far as the language is going, it is pretty overwhelming. It is really hard. The second day, we went and ate with some members and it was a grandma and a grandpa. And they speak sooo fast. I honestly understood maybe 5% of what the people were saying. It is crazy and hard. But it’s good to be here finally. I know I will get the language eventually. I just need to keep working hard.

I am grateful to be a missionary. I am grateful to be here and to be able to help the Hmong people. With the language barrier, it is really hard. I want to help the people, but right now I can’t say a lot and I can’t understand what they are saying either. So my scripture for the week is one that gives me a lot of hope.

My scripture for the week is Ether 12:27

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Love you everyone. Grateful for you all and I’ll talk to you next week.

Love,

Elder Tshwj Xeeb Tsab

If anyone has any questions, you can email me and I will try to answer them in my mass email next week