Monday, December 26, 2016

Merry Christmas from Malang

A testimony from Elder Brown

Elder Trevor Brown finally got his Christmas package.
I want you to know that I know this is the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  He loves and I love you.  I love you so so much. And I miss you.  But I know that here in Indonesia I am doing God’s work, Jesus Christ’s work, and I know he will support you in your life when you pray to him and ask.  I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve here in Indonesia.  I miss you all but I know if you pray to God you will receive and feel his love.  He loves you so much.  His Atonement is for each of you.  Individually.  Don’t worry.  Be Happy!  I testify of Jesus Christ that He lives.  In His name, Jesus Christ Amen.


Elder Brown skyped with us on Christmas (Monday for him) and then went to the beach.  I am only guessing the picture below shows which Malang beach he visited. (Of course he did not swim since missionaries don’t go swimming).

Monday, December 19, 2016

Moving to Malang

Hello!!! How are you?? So jealous of Drew and Steph right now!!

So big news - I literally just got a call from President Rowley that I am being Emergency transferred to Malang... although it's probably not really an emergency - more like just an non-regular transfer. But that's kind of crazy - I can't really believe it... So I will be in the Jawa Timor (East Java) Zone. I don't even know how to leave Magelang or really how I am going to - I was told I will leave this Wednesday.... Crazy!!!!! I am going to miss Magelang and these people so so so much. But I'm going to be with an Elder Hansen who came into the MTC the transfer after me.... I don't even know what to think... I am kind of bummed because we got permission to hike Sumbing ( the huge volcano) but I can't anymore. But I guess that really doesn't matter all that much in the long run haha.

So this also means that I have no idea when or how I will skype you. I'm sure the Malang Elders will have a plan...
I'll ask President if he knows - we will meet with him in a training tomorrow in Jojga (which is a little weird since I'll be leaving the next day.) And apparently I have 4 packages waiting for me in Solo so I don't know how I'm getting those seeing as I am moving to a different Zone... Everything is really holding up great!! The only thing is my shirts get pretty dirty REALLY fast! That’s a hard one!
 
I will Pray for aunt Sabrina - Oh man you're absolutely right Mommy - Miracles are so possible with our faith,. I just love Aunt Sabrina so much.

Glad the ward party was awesome!! I almost saw the video from YouTube because Debby wanted to show me ... but we had no Wifi haha. I would have loved to hear the other guys' testimonies though!

This week has been so great!!! We've been working really hard and I also had the chance to go on Splits with both Elder Corey and Tracy - which was so fun!! I'll be sad to leave them!! One day Elder Corey and I gave away three Books of Mormon which is kind of unheard of so far in my mission! That was fun!! We've also met a lot of cool new people!!

H is so Awesome!!! HE is totally getting baptized on New Years!!! I'm so sad that I will have to miss it!! Man I'm going to miss these people so much!!!! The investigators and members here are so incredible!!!!!! There is no place like Magelang!!!! I feel like I will be very humbled when I get to Malang... hah I don’t even know - But I'm actually REALLY excited!!!! Double M-cities!!! Let's go!!!!
Image may contain: 9 people, people smiling
Man life here is just so incredible - I love you so much!!! Sorry for the lack of Stories if I have time I'll write more!!!!

LOVE YOU everyone!!!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! I love this season!!!! #lighttheworld CHRIST really is the reason for the season!!! I've learned a lot about his love recently!!!

Love you so much! Please share the love of Christ this Christmas season!!!

Elder Brown


Sunday, December 11, 2016

Little Trial of my Faith

Hello Everyone,
What earthquakes? 

I have had an up and down week but the end of it was so awesome!!! We had our huge open house for the new church on Saturday. It was so frustrating on Thursday because we had been working so hard to get this to happen and President Ari told us that afternoon that it wasn't going to happen because we didn't have permission from the Police yet (it's really hard to get permission for Christian things here sometimes) and that was like the most terrible thing ever because we were so excited and working so hard! On top of that we would have to track down as many as possible of the like 60 people we invited to tell them it wasn't happening. That was definitely a little trial of my faith this week. But Friday, he told us that the activity was back on - wahooo!!! It was so great on Saturday! We had 7 actual investigators come (just for our companionship alone!)

New baptismal font at the new church
One investigator showed up totally randomly to help on Friday and then showed exactly when it started Saturday. then he asked to talk to us (at this point we really hadn't taught him very much - he is a 18-year-old kid) and then he was like "I want to become a Christian" and we were like "we can help you with that bray" so anyways it was about 15 minutes into our open house and we give a baptismal commitment that was accepted!! It's set for the first of January!! Please pray for him!!!
 
Also President came to the open house (with like 3 other mission couples - SO many white people haha) and he also followed a lesson with us! so COOL!! he IS SUCH A powerful teacher!!! WOW! And we feel like it really made a difference!!!
Then four of our friends all came to church the next day which was AWESOME!! We actually only had an hour of church because of permissions from the government and stuff! Hopefully next week alll of it!!
But yeah it was awesome!! Thank you so much Daddy for your advice about four months ago to never ever listen to people that tell you that it's not possible to convert and baptize people in a place like this! I always think of those things you taught me when my faith is slipping!! Thank you, Daddy. 

I'm so excited for Christmas time here!! Even though it doesn't quite feel like a normal Christmas with no snow and no difference in Temperature ahaha. But Christmas is the BEST!! I love the church's new initiative "Light the World" #lighttheworld - it is awesome!!! I love the scripture in John 8:12 when the Savior tells us "I am the light of the World". It's true - Christ really does light this world and we can help him as we develop charity like him in our lives!!!
Love Trevor


Just a little wet here in Magelang

Thursday, December 8, 2016

God in Heaven is your Father!

Wow what a week!! Well that is a good way to describe every week! Haha :) Life in Indonesia is AWESOME! Though this week actually was a little rough. Our progressing investigators aren't really progressing and we didn't get any new investigators this week... So we just didn't feel all that successful... That's okay - we'll just work even harder next weeek!! 

Ibu E didn't make it to church so she will not be baptised on the eleventh which is a bummer others also didn't make it... in fact no one at all made it haha. That was a little depressing because we really tried so hard to get them to come!  I just know if they decide to act on the things we teach them, they will be so blessed!!! Elder Evans asked a very piercing question to us missionaries last week - he said "Do you actually really truly believe that this gospel is the things that will bring these people the greatest happiness?" I definitely had to stop and think about that. But after some thinking I realized that I do believe that - i know that God gave us this gospel so we can choose to live it and because we live it, we will be happy! I just know this is God's work!! I know he called me here so I could bring these blessings that come from living the gospel to the Indonesian people!

We're really excited for next week though! We will be in the new church for next week!! Wahoo!!! I'm so excited!! We have a really big open house planned for Saturday which we hope will go well!!! We're so excited!! The new church is so cool!! It even has a baptismal font which was a pleasant surprise!!! 

Sorry no great stories or anything in here today!! Shout out to my brother Drew turning 23 today :) Love you all and I just testify that even when things are hard - there is a God in heaven who is your Father who always loves you!!!

Elder BRown

 

Monday, November 28, 2016

Becoming in Magelang

Well, I am not moving!!! I am staying in Magelang!! :) But Elder Sukarlis did move - to Solo as a Zone Leader (which is one of the leadership positions on a mission). He had to get trained so he left before actual transfers... and you know what that means... Threesome. Ugh. Man I have spent so much of my mission in a tripanionship! but it was good- Elder Cravens and Elder Corey are both super awesome! In fact- I am coming to Love Elder Cravens so much! He is SO awesome! and such a good missionary with a good work ethic and great desires! Man I love that guy! But today, we'll be getting a new missionary - Elder Tracy (who is actually a friend from BYU) so that will be really fun!
Kentucky Fried Chicken in Indonesia

The meeting with Elder Evans was awesome!! I loved it!! I was so happy because we didn't really focus so much on skills. But we really focused on "becoming" and change and remembering our purpose here which is to really bring others to Christ. And we talked about obedience and miracles and lots of other really awesome things. I just really felt that this was more what we needed. We didn't need a lecture about how we could do better in everything, but we needed that reminder and inspiration that this is the Lord's work and we ARE the Lord's servants. I also really loved it because Elder Evans made it apparent to us that he expects us to be better and the Lord expects us to be better., But the really amazing thing is that the Lord WILL HELP us become better. We just need to have the right desires and submit our will to his! We also talked about goals and he used the example of the prophet Nephi and his brothers Laman and Lemuel. The brothers were afraid to do the Lords work because there was a powerful man standing as an obsatacle - a man "who could command fifty" but to Nephi - it did not matter. He knew the power of the Lord and he knew all things were possible in God, so he believed and acted with faith!!! Anyways it was great!!!
Also in fun news - we've spent the last two Sundays in the Jeffreys house for church because our old church is completely destroyed, but the new one isn't ready yet  - that's been fun!! :)
Passion Fruit

This week was pretty rough in terms of working because we became a threesome and it rained so much!! If anyone has ideas of what could be done in the rain (especially Drew) please tell me :)

I love you all!! Life is so good!!! I know that Christ lives and he wants to help and bless all of us in this life!!!!

Elder Brown

Sunday, November 20, 2016

HE Lives! I know He lives!!!

Jack Fruit (Nangka)
Oh Mommy I am so glad all those letters got there :) Sorry to make you work so hard to send them to everyone!!! And happy Thanksgiving!!! :) Life sounds awesome there!

Can you just tell the ward that I love them all so much!!

Fun to have the relatives at the House!!! GO ALICE WAHOOOO!!!! That's awesome!! 

Haha I don't feel much like a 3 Nephite, especially not this week (I had some rough times - but some REALLY AWESOME times too!!!) but that was really nice of them to say :)

Sadly D did not get baptised... and he won't until he is ready to make the sacrifice to come to sacrament meeting.... it's really hard!

But we gave Sister E a new date - Dec 11!!!! Bro Mahar helped us and they basically spoke Bahasa Java while we smiled :) I think that her Bahasa Indonesia isn’t actually as strong as we though it was - so Mahar is going to help us with that!!! I don't know if I've ever told you - but Bro Mahar (our branch mission leader) is SO awesome!! He goes out with the missionaries almost every day! He is so great!!!!

Life is really good _ Ibu M and E really liked your necklaces!!! They were beautiful!! I gave A one of my ties too!

During Splits with Elder Corey, I had an awesome experience! Mas T asked us to go there and he was SO sick oh my goodness. Elder Corey even said "He thinks he is dying." and he was scared, he asked us to read the Book of Mormon with him so we did reading Alma 7:11-13 and 3 Nefi 22:10-11 and then we had a scary moment where I was liked "AHHH what else do we read!" but Elder Corey received a little inspiration form the Spirit to ask him to pray. and he did for the first time ever!! The Spirit was so powerful!!! And he was truly healed, right before our eyes!! Not like 100% fully healed right there, but he definitely changed- he looked so much better!!! It was a miracle!! And I gained an even stronger testimony that Heavenly Father loves every single one of his children!!! Every Single one!!! And he rejoices when we keep his commandments and follow His son Jesus Christ!
A crazy deep well

I just want to testify that Jesus Christ truly died for our sins. And HE Lives! I know He lives!!! And because HE lives, we can live again!!!

We also had some very powerful first lessons with some new investigators we're excited about!! Life is good!! We have mission tour with Elder Evans next week (so I'll email on Tuesday)!!!! And I might get transferred... hopefully not haah!!!


I love you so much Mommy!!!! 

We found this really deep well, almost 60 feet.  The new chapel that is being built is getting there, the church owns everything, even the ceiling tiles and the door frames.  We went to a Penjahit (a tailor), these are the sewing machines.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Sheep!

Halo Everyone
Elder Brown and President Rowley
Good week!! Some setbacks and disappointments but a lot of miracles!!! We're working really hard to work with the members here! It can be really difficult because of transportation and distance. But we took Brother Hendrik who is Ibu E’s 30 year old son who is a new convert of a year or so with and he rode Elder Jeffrey's bike - which was super great!! It is also hard because Home Teaching is just not quite understood here– don’t quite get the vision. So that’s frustrating because it is SO needed here!!

Sis E is good - we haven't really gotten to teach her much this week but were really hoping she will gain a strong desire to learn and sacrifice to receive all the blessings that are available.

We were really disappointed when D and D didn't come to church - we are just trying to figure out how to help them gain testimonies and desire to make the necessary sacrifices.

Elder Brown and the Volcano
Life here is really so good!! Lot's of rain this week! Wet a lot ha-ha!! The real problem is that going into someone’s house when your wet is really not polite here... so we're really struggling to figure out how we can use this time when it is raining more effectively - that can be a hard issue!

Oh Mom - as for Donald Trump - EVERYONE knows!!! We saw on sister Sri's TV that he won... I was actually really surprised haah!!!  Ha-ha they LOVE talking to us about it which can make for good contacting opportunities :) But Mom, if I haven't told you yet. the people in Indonesia are some of the most tolerant and accepting people anywhere. for a large part they are so sentai (relaxed) ha-ha. So I wouldn't worry at all about it becoming dangerous!! there of course are some areas we stay away from, but not really in Magelang at all.

De-Icing the Freezer-Elder Brown's PDay Chore
I hope Elder Bennet is healing too... don’t really know!! But yes, shoes and socks and everything are great!! my shirts just get so dirty so easily!!  And the bike and bathroom are good :)

I can pretty much understand everything that people say to me. even though I don't know a lot of the words still - though sometimes I have to ask them to repeat ha-ha! But it is definitely coming!

Glad all the Cousins are doing so great! What is Jansen's exact mission again? Tell them all hi for me and I love them and if anyone wants to write - I would love it!!

But Mommy, really I am so good!!!! Life here is awesome!! Indonesia Rocks and I am happy. Got both of your packages yesterday!!! I think the Blue ties are so cool!! Did you make those necklaces yourself?

Life is so good here!! Everyone go read the speech from Dieter F. Uchtdorf entitled "He will Place you on his shoulders and carry you home" it is so awesome!! I love how he talks about every single one of us are children of God with infinite value and divine potential! And as sheep of the good Shepherd when we stray from the fold - what do we have to deserve rescue? Nothing - we are worthy of divine rescue only because the Good Shepherd loves us!! We are each and every one a child of God and nothing the world says can change that!! Every single one of you are a child of God and so valuable!!!! And so is every single person you pass on the street or in the store!!! Christ lives ! He loves you and he is the Good Shepherd who will rescue you! Love you all!!! 

Love you !!


 

Monday, November 7, 2016

There is HOPE always!!


Halo!
Some quick updates before I read all emails!!

Life is so good!!!
Elder Brown and Elder Cravens
This week we had Zone Conference in Solo on Thursday and Friday and then we went home to Magelang for Saturday and returned to Solo for Stake conference Sunday!! Crazy week but really good!! Lots of great experiences.

Mom, about a Christmas package - I am sorry, I cannot think of anything that I really want!! Please just don't spend too much! I know you love me!!! and something small and not too expensive is just perfect!!! But you may do whatever- I just love you!!!!

We've had some great experiences. Last night, we got back from Solo at 5:30 or so and we were really tired, but decided to go out and work anyway and then we found a really cool family who had tons of questions about our church and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!!! When you put forth your efforts the Lord blesses you and others through you!!!

Volleyball with Friends
I've learned a lot about how important it is to love others and how great of a difference just a little more love and kindness can make in another person's life!! IT is so true!!! One of our non-active members came to the Solo conference and I was so so sad, because no one really talked to him... So I went to go talk to him on the Bus and I just hope that he felt our love!! Just be kind!!! Love!!!!

I learned a lot about love as I visited my sick MTC companion and stayed with him (even though I missed Futsol - which was a real bummer). Elder Bennett got a bug bite two weeks ago and has had to be in the house since then.  REALLY swollen. But I learned how much the Lord loved him and wanted me to love him!! Wow the Lord's wisdom is just so much greater than ours!! I testify to every single person on this Earth that there is a Father in Heaven who loves you!! All you who are struggling can have hope!!!! I love the scripture in the Book of Mormon about hope - Ether 12:4

Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

There is HOPE always!!! And for those of you who have found it, it is our duty to "abound in good works" and help others find this same wonderful hope and love from our Heavenly father!!!

Stay Away from that Spider.
Mas Tri is progressing well and Ibu D and Pak D! Pak D will be baptized on the 20th of November!! I made them PB and J sandwiches because they had never heard of them haha!! Ibu E also has a date for the 20th- she came to stake conference :)

How is everyone????? All my cousins and family doing well?? Friends?? State XC?? I just hope my letters are making it there!! Can I get Hannah Van Matre’s address???

I love you all so much!!!!

Elder Brown

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Elder Brown gets Exciting News!

SOOOO Excited for Steph!

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I DIDNT GUESS- I COULDNT WAIT!!!!!! BUT I WAS THINKING EUROPE THE WHOLE TIME!!!!!!!! CAN YOU SEND ME A MAP???????????? "Where's a map? " haha... Well maybe I can find one on LDS.org....
Oh my goodness Steph - I do not know what to say at all but I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wrote my mission pres. first because I didn’t think I would be able to write him after I got the news... Slovenia is beautiful!!!!

You are going to be the most incredible missionary ever - seriously!!!!! Tell me more about Slovenia!!!! Where does your mission officially cover??? What is the language like? Different Alphabet??? Are you excited??? What is the plan in between school and mission???

IM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These kids really loved the pictures that Sister Daines let us laminate.
I want you to know that there is not a single trace of doubt in my mind that God our Heavenly Father with the Savior Jesus Christ have personally called you to go to serve those people. I know that sounds Cliché and you hear it a lot, but I know that is where God wants you to be.

I know that this work is the work of our Heavenly Father - no one else. And you have the opportunity of a lifetime of eternity to bring His word and his love to His children. I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, they can be clean and happy! You will love those people so much!

The mission challenges and stretches us in so many ways, but I truly believe Nefi's words that Heavenly Father will always ALWAYS prepare a way!

Love it so much!!!!!

I have a testimony that Gospel of Jesus Christ has been Restored!!!! Christ is our Savior and Redeemer! He loves each and every single one of us! And the mission is HIs work!!!!!! Sorry that's really all I have time for!!!
Love you!!
Life is just so good and I’m real happy!
I am so happy!!!!!

Elder Trevor Brown

Tell the CV runners from our ward goodluck at State.

They are building a new church that we are moving into maybe in December.

Random food - that is Indonesia’s form of Salad! Gado Gado

Thought that sign was funny- because I guess some Indonesians don’t know how to use a real toilet!

Monday, October 24, 2016

Elder C from Tennessee and GO CV!

Hello everyone,

I am so good this week!! I killed my dad!! Haha in mission language that means I was the last companion for my trainer before he went home! But he did go home and we miss him but Elder Sukarlis and I were very excited to get two new companions. His new comp is Elder Corey... and mine is ELDER CRAVENS!! He's a really awesome guy! He's been out about a year and a half (actually exactly kemarin(yesterday)). It's really fun to work with him! He's really coool - although also a very unique guy! He's from Tennessee!

When he got here it suddenly felt like we had no one to teach at all! Haha. So we've been working really hard at Proselyting RT's. We basically go to an area and ask "Di mana rumah Pak RT?" so where is the Rt's house. Then we ask him where all the Christians live and he tells us their names and sometimes explains where they live and maybe even leads us to their house. By the way, everytime we knock, we say "Permisi" or Excuse me and knock really lightly, or bang our keys on the gate! So that's fun! We've gotten quite a few new people to visit and teach!

But yeah life is SO good! (Even though for some reazon this was like the longest week of my mission!) One funny thing that happened was were stopped to visit a referral from Pak RT, and we heard “Elder Elder" which is always exciting when someone actually wants to talk to us (and not just take a picture with the Bules (white people)). So we stopped. She started talking and I thought I understood, though I thought to myself "there's no way I'm understanding this right". SO long story short, she got really excited that Elder Cravens was from Tennessee. And she told that she wanted to go to America to find her parents - who were in fact Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe... But she only looked like an Indonesian because she had a stroke that turned her blonde hair Brown and her blue eyes brown, but you can still see a little blue (and her eyes "cannot lie"). And get this her name "Queen Mona Lisa Rosemary" and what else? She needs to go to America to get her inheritance. Because every time a product is marked with that trademark symbol "R" it actually stands for "Rosemary" and all belonged to her. And perhaps the craziest thing was she wasn't asking or money or anything- only prayers to help her get to America. Haha I don't mean to make fun or anything- but it was really funny!!! What an experience!
We had a visit from a bird, a roach and a rat.  i made myself a poncho case to carry it on my bike, so I don't forget it at home anymore.

Gunung Sumbing - Camera doesn't do it justice.
Andre Meme and Ezra were also confirmed with the Gift of the Holy Ghost this Sunday!! THat was super cool!! I am just so grateful for the Holy Spirit that can lead and guide us in all things- especially as a missionary!! I AM ALSO SO GRATEFUL for the Priesthood authority that we have to bless lives with things like the giving of the gift of the Holy Ghost. I truly know that through Joseph Smith, the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ had been restored to the Earth!! And I know that knowledge has blessed my life so much and can bless all of your lives as well!!! I love you all so so much!!

Elder Brown

Regarding news of the CV XC team - THat is so fantastic!!! Tell them all HI especially Corey and good luck to Ryan!! Can't believe Corey is home! That’s fantastic for CV- tell Ryan to tell them all good luck and I'm cheering for them!!

The new Elders are so fun Mom - love it!! The packages came... to MALANG ahhgg! But they'll get redirected here soon!!
Go ALICE!!!!! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her!!

I just love you so much Mommy!!!

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Best use of a Hotel Swimming Pool

Hello everyone

Hey quick update before I read your emails!! This week had been really hard at times, but SO good!!! Yesterday was awesome!! We got to see Pak A and Ibu M and their  daughter baptized!!! Elder Boenari got to baptize E and he was so happy!!! They are so awesome!! Brother A and Sister M were both tearing up and obviously feeling the Spirit strongly!!! THAT WAS So great!! And the members were so supportive!!!!! So many came!! We started like right after church and then after a couple talks we took cars and a rented out Angkot to the Hotel Trio and had the baptism in the pool!! IT was so cool and the members were great!!

I also gave my first talk in Indonesian yesterday about families, after President Ari told me the night before! That was stressful and hard, but good!! So fun!!! 
'Later after the baptism, Elder Sukarlis and I were together, with E Boenari splitting with a member. WEe totally had a miracle. A couple weeks ago with the Zone leaders, a woman came up to us in Indomaret who we had seen earlier and asked us to visit her sometime. She was wearing a Hijab and her name was Ibu H. SO yesterday we didn't know what to do so we thought let's go visit her. She had told us the area and we knew it. Then we asked her neighbor which one was hers, so they pointed it out and said oh that's her husband right there! He was super friendly so we went in and there was a picture of Christ on the wall! When Ibu H came, it was Ibu H, but  a different Ibu H!!! So it was an "accidental" miraculous referral! They have four little ones and are awesome!!!!!
 
SO that was super cool!!
 Elder Boenari goes home on Wednesday.  I will get a new comp Elder Cravens, and Elder Corey for E Sukarlis (who is now District Leader) - I'm really excited!!!!

How was Hungary??? How is XC?? CV? Gabe? Ryan? And how is Alice doing??


Love you!!
Safe and happy!!!

If you can tell Rob I love him! I sent a postcard that will have to be forwarded to him in the MTC!!

Monday, October 3, 2016

October and Obedience Brings Miracles

Hello Everyone
Elder Brown was happy to get letters.
Oh I'm so excited for Conference- that will be next week for us!! And I think I will be able to watch in English, which will be better for me!!!
That's SO cool that Taylor got to sing in the choir and so cool that her Mom and Dad were watching!!!
So a little update on the work here!! We have the family EMA planning to be baptized on October 16th - they really are SO awesome!!!! Just keep praying for them!! Elder Sukarlis and Elder Dickey have 3 people on date- One who is fantastic!!! She has experienced some miracles for sure!! When Elder Drew and Elder Sukarlis contacted her in Alun -Alun she ran  away crying!! So we were riding as a threesome (me in back) and I heard "Elder Elder" well actually I heard "Elder Brown Elder Brown" though I'm not sure if that was the Spirit or she just saw my nametag... But we stopped and this girl ran up to me and the first thing she said was, "Where is Elder Drew?" Then she saw Elder Sukarlis(who didn't remember her at first) and long story short, he and Elder Dickey(the new Elder taught her the next day, and she is getting baptised!! She'd been to church two weeks in a row!! Miracle for sure!! When she came to church she said "It feeels like I just got a new family" It is SO important that every single member is ready and willing to welcome with open arms and wide smiles any one else who might come in or wander into their fold!! It can make all the difference!!! Also a new investigator named T who is really great!! I got to teach him with Elder Sukarlis and he is just so sincere- it's fantastic!!!! Also Pak M who can really only meet on Sunday's and I'm not quite sure the update on his progression! But we are definitely experiencing miracles here!!
This week was kind of crazy- I spent 6 days of the week with a companion other then Elder Boenari and 5 comps in one week. Elder Dickey had to go to the hospital in Jojya to get an MRI, so Elder Boenari went with him for two days and I was with E Sukarlis for two days(monday and thursday) and then we went on Splits with the Zone Leaders Tuesday and Wednesday. Elder kekulthota and Elder Dinuzzo. THat was so awesome!!! We worked really hard and had some cool experiences!! I really loved working with Elder Dinuzzzo - a convert of a couple years! He really helps me see with a good perspective!!! And helps me learn a lot - he's a deep thinker and just really puts more thought into things than I do!! He's super cool!! We had some miracles- our last action of the night- it was like 8:45 and  we were kind of like, well, I guess we can just go home... even though we didn't want to be there until 900 and we were going home and I just said, let's stop by Alfamart(which I had never actually been to before- I always go to Indomaret) a convenience store and as we walked in, we heard "Mormon" and we were like "Woah" because almost no one knows the word Mormon. and it was this guy who'd niece was going to BYU Hawaii but they weren't members!! Such a miracle!!! And it came from being obedient and searching for just one more contact before we went home!!! So cool!!
Now after the zone leaders- Elder Boenari and I have like 30 contacts/referrals from RTs to visit this coming week!! So awesome!! I think it will help Elder Boenari finish strong with so much to do!!!! Also I went to Solo with Elder Dickey yesterday to go talk to President who was there- which was great!! It sounds pretty likely that E Dickey will be going home for his Knee.... That's pretty sad!! Talking to President was awesome though!!! He is amazing, but his work is really hard right now- the mission's obedience level is pretty dismal in some aspects and President is trying to fix it!!!
I was also pretty sick yesterday but feeling much better!!!!

I have a burning testimony that the work I am doing in Indonesia is the work of God. Our Heavenly Father loves these people so so so much and he has called me to help them and bring them to Christ and Exaltation. It is really a humbling calling!!!! But I 'm trying! I know that the Lord Jesus Christ truly lived two thousand years ago and he truly lives again. He Atoned for the sins and trials and sicknesses and struggles of each and everyone of us!! I am so grateful for that blessing!!!
Love Elder Brown


Monday, September 26, 2016

Puddles and Red Pandas

Hello Everyone

Elder Brown Here - but very Short today!!
Miracles- Parents want to get baptized with their daughter. All want to be baptized!! It's great!!

Elder Dickey came - he is a great guy from Arkansas that I met briefly at the MTC. But his knee which had previously gotten surgery for an ACL is hurting and he's in Jojya getting it checked out right now. That's a little scary, so it might be two times in a row that the new Elder get's sent home...

Got a new bike- Elder Boenari and I tried riding it the two of us and fell right over into a puddle haha. I had to bodily lift him out of the puddle by his armpits haha.

Daisy's already back, and Landon's going?? Crazy!!! That's good to hear though.  I bet Daisy is awesome.  Yes I have shared the First Vision many times by now.

There is a pet that hangs out at the bus stop.  I'm not quite sure what it is - maybe a red panda?  But it is cool. Ha.

Elder Sukarlis and I encountered a rather intense rain storm.  We came back to the house for weekly planning and ordered KFC.  Fast food delivers here - haha - and it's expensive.

Sorry, this letter is tiny. We dipped some crackers to celebrate Stephanie's birthday but there are no graham crackers here.

So grateful to get this family reunion shirt- I love it!! And Matt and Jess's invitation!! Congrats to them!! It's good to hear the updates.  So excited for Cody!!!  Awesome.  I hope they are so happy.   And Nellie and Scott.  So great!!!

Good job getting in shape while I am getting fat here.  Well not fat, but gaining weight at least.
By the way, I do know Eric from last week.  He is awesome.  He currently hold's CV's Jav record. 

Miracles are real. The Gospel has been restored.
Also there's a cool rap video of the first discussion by some missionaries in Montana!! 

Also my bike is still in Provo by Steph's old apartment I think... sorry...

Glad you got my letters.
Love you!!!

Trev

Loved the Picture of Spenc and Tay.  Glad you and Sandy got to correspond.