Church in Chiang Mai

I always thought that being on vacation was a bit of a loophole when it came to sabbath attendance, but I was really looking forward to going today. I was never a missionary in this city but I was excited to hear the sacrament prayers and hymns in Thai again, and for the family to see that the Church is the same no matter where we live. It took us a little while to find the chapel but it wasn't too far a walk from our hotel. When we walked in I was pleased to see that they had some headsets on the back of a bench and one of the missionaries doing translation so Heather and the kids could follow along.

Once we were all situated, I had a chance to look around and I could not believe my eyes. Conducting the meeting was a dear friend named Tirawoot who had been a member in Chiang Rai when I served there. When I knew him he had so little and made his living selling noodle soup from his cart on the side of the road. My companion and I would visit him every night before heading in for the day and buy some of his "Nephite Gwit Diao" to take back for our planning meeting. He is one of the most humble, faithful people I have ever known. I walked up to the front at the conclusion of the meeting and when he finally recognized me (I am a little fatter and greyer than I was), it was an emotional reunion. Seeing him again after all these year, I was reminded of how Alma and the Sons of Mosiah felt when they met again after 14 years of being in the mission field:

1 And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.

2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

- Alma 17:1-2.

We went outside to catch up and take some photos. I learned that in the past 16 years he had gotten married and moved away from Chiang Rai. He has 12 year old and 9 year old sons just like us, and his wife just gave birth to a little girl three weeks ago. He was called to be the Branch President a year ago, something that we had forgotten for a moment until a member of his branch came outside, looking for him. It was really hard to say goodbye, but we have decided that we may visit him again next week (instead of travelling to Lampang), or if not, that we will be back in 4-5 years when the Temple is built.

He suggested that he keep Deacon until we return for the open house.

- C