Good morning campers! It's groundhog day...
Hi everyone! It has been yet another week here at the Provo MTC. The statement, "Days are long, but weeks are short" has become more true with every week that passes by. Part of me are excited for getting into the field, while the other part of me can't believe I will have sufficient Vietnamese/general training for the field.
The schedule has gotten a bit repetitive, which has been a challenge. It is nice to have a routine and predictability with your day, especially in a new environment. However - since we have been here for a month, it isn't really a new environment. However, we have had lots of adventures with volleyball, and an amazing view of the eclipse!
Meeting new people really helps. I especially love meeting the international missionaries. I have befriended many of the missionaries who are from Taiwan/China, come to the MTC to learn English, and are then sent somewhere stateside Mandarin speaking or back to Taiwan. Whenever I see them walking around, I always get lots of waves and smiles.
Story: Last week, my companion needed to get some immunizations done. While we were waiting, the non-english speaking Chinese district arrived - with no translator. They tried using an app to communicate and translate what they needed to the medical staff, but it wasn't working. So, I stepped up and talked to them, and the medical staff suddenly started calling me a "translator". Although I certainly do not have any qualification for this, my Mandarin was sufficient.
Once one of the Chinese Elders I helped was seated and was prepped for the vaccine, but was clearly nervous. We had stayed over an hour, past the time we were supposed to be there, so I was saying my goodbyes. However, the Elder looked at me and begged in Mandarin, "Talk to me Talk to me while I am getting the shot". Of course, I stayed and talked, and he took all four shots like a champ. (He was nervous because the only vaccine he ever received was the COVID shot in China, when they lined everyone up and poked them. He said it hurt so bad, and he has always been scared since).
This experience has taught me that although I wasn't called Mandarin speaking, the Lord certainly needs my abilities and talents. Maybe it was for that one Elder only. I doubt it, but it showed me that what we may consider "coincidences" are perfect plans made by Heavenly Father. Then again, I am a pretty strange person and have strange luck, so that is up for you to decide. :)
I forgot to update about the meeting with the Chairman of Religious Affairs - it went extremely well! Our district was nervous, especially when it came to introducing ourselves. But, now we are never going to be scared of introducing ourselves in Vietnamese ever again. He was able to observe a lesson on what we were learning, and our teachers sang "I am a Child of God" in Vietnamese for him. Once he left, the MTC Presidency told us he "...felt very touched and [we] did an amazing job." With this visit, and Elder Rasband going to Vietnam this week, I am hopeful there will be some progress on our visas.
As of now, there is no word of the status of our visa. I am expecting a reassignment, but I'm not upset about it! I am hopeful and faithful things will work out how it needs to be.
Love and miss you all! - Always feel free to send messages or videos.
-Elder Reynolds
Anh Cả Reynolds
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