Taiwan!

WOW. Really, just WOW.

What a week.

Monday, September 12, 2016
Finished packing today. Said goodbye to our teachers. Really just a blur. Everyone just kind of sent us on our way. We said goodbye to everyone in our building and went to bed.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Up at 3:30 to finalize packing and get out to the buses! Most the people from our zone walked with us and said goodbye, and I'll probably see some of them again in six weeks! We got on the bus, got to a tracks station that took us to Salt Lake, then got on another line that took us to the Airport. Waited there, called my family which was the highlight, and then boarded the flight to San Francisco. Got bored and went around talking to people trying to place some Book of Mormons. Then we got on the flight after a few hours delay and went. I sat next to a woman and her daughter who were native Taiwanese. We talked a little. I showed them my Family Search chart and she told me she did family history, and we talked about Taiwanese culture for a little bit. They slept and watched movies, and I strove to overcome Satan by not peaking at other people's "Captain America: Civil War" movies, which I haven't seen yet. Before we landed, I gave the lady a Restoration pamphlet and told her about how it talks about what happens to our ancestors. She took it and seemed pretty happy. Then we got to the airport, waited for another two hours to pick up more missionaries with our Mission President, President Teh, which was great. We did some contacting, and I talked to an old guy about our church and gave him a Mandarin BOM. That was fun. Finally got on the bus to the mission home about midnight Taiwan time. Got to an apartment about 2, and then met back at 8:00 am with the mission president at his house.

Thursday, September 15, 2016 (Because Time Travel)
Had some training, Got to know the mission president, and really was just in awe of my new home the whole time. We went contacting that night, and I was companioned with a native speaker, so that went... interesting. I tried, and hopefully the Lord made up the rest. It was a little bit nerve-wracking, but it'll get better. Then we had a fancy dinner with a lot of great food. Steamed buns, giant fish, REAL CHINESE FRIED RICE. Yeah, we are not eating fake chinese food when I get back family. Nuh uh. I'll find a way to make this stuff.

Friday, September 16, 2016
Got up and went to a nearby stadium and played Frisbee with the people in our travel group. Then we went back, had breakfast and a little last training, got fitted for our bikes, and went to the trainer meeting. My trainer is named Elder Gasser, from Payson, and he speaks English and Chinese well. ;-) My area in Fengshan, a great little place right at the southern tip. We went to McDonalds, got to know each other pretty well, then took a 2.5 hour train ride down to our area. We got there and a member named Jimmy picked us up. He took us to our apartment, and then we went out and got dinner. Got me some yummy curry rice for about .90 American dollars. Then we made some calls to set up some appointments and came home. 

Saturday, September 17, 2016
We went and ran at a track, and I saw how many giant trees had been blown down. It was crazy. We went on another train ride to Pinddang and my companion did a baptismal interview, came back, did studies, and then went out to get dinner. We had Rou Bao, buns with meat in them from a street vendor. So good! Then we got a call from our Bishopric counselor who invited us over for a BBQ. A recent convert was there, and we ate some duck heart, had some wheat tea, and talked for a good long while. It was really fun! Apparently I look like a previous elder in this area and they all tell me that. 

Sunday, September 18, 2016
Got up and got ourselves to Sacrament. I was asked to bear my testimony, and I'm pretty sure I did. I don't know for sure. xD Had classes, then they all eat lunch together at the church. Then we got home, studied, went out and biked around trying to talk to people at stoplights, and did some weekly planning. So it's been a really great week!

I love you all so much family! Have an amazing time, and always let people see and hear your testimony.


-Zhang Lao Meanea