TianMu Week 2

Me, Reinaldo Silva, Elder Jensen

Super fast week.

Elder Jensen and I continue to love the work together. He's such a great man. This week, we had some struggles finding new friends that are in Eternal Salvation. We'll get em this week!

We saw a huge miracle on Monday. Sister Amber Chen went out of town, but texted us and said, "Through some pondering I've decided I want to be Baptized." Good job Amber! We are excited for her.

A less active we met on the street

Some of our other investigators failed to come to church, we're gonna have to think of new ways to help them get there. We did a lot of LA (less active) finding with not as much success as we anticipated. One person we found on the street made his way to church. Along with three others whom we had never met. We continue to see miracles every day of this journey.

Being a District Leader just adds another level of stress. Worrying about thousands of people that live in your area, plus 5 missionaries that I have to somehow lead. It's fun though. I conducted my first baptismal interview on Saturday and it was so awesome. Probably one of the highlights of the week. Interviewing him kind of helped me do a self evaluation. I can say that I've come to know my Savior a lot better since being on a mission.

The streets of TianMu

Elder Jensen and I are having a great time together. You should have seen us the first couple of days. We couldn't think straight because we were so excited to be together. We both wished we had talked together more before the mission. He's a great guy. He does a good job at helping me stay positive. He's got a lot of fire in him and such a strong testimony of the Gospel and this work. I've loved my time with him. I'm super worried that I'll only get one transfer with him.

The language is going alright. Learn new things every day. I'm getting on the tail end of phase two. My goal is to be on phase three before 2016 hits.

On Saturday night, we found some college kids that play rugby. I lost my mind. After I told them I'm Samoan, they said I could come practice with their team on Mondays (Send my red cleats?:). I was super happy to meet them.

Sorry this email is a little short. The work is great. God is good. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.

Have a very blessed week!
Elder Chase Matua

View from above - TianMu

This funny guy said he would give me a free ride to the
airport when its time for me to go home

Cool place we found on our jog one morning

Study time with Elder Jensen - Go Pioneers!

Week one in TianMu

Elder Jensen and I had a pretty good week. Saw a lot of miracles as we preached on the streets this week. TianMu is such a wonderful place. I guess I really just love Taiwan.

We've been working with a man named Brother Lin. Really humble man. He was having some life troubles and one of his friends from TaiDong referred him to the missionaries (REFER YOUR FRIENDS TO THE MISSIONARIES). He is having some trouble with quit smoking, but he has a true desire. He'll get there.

We have another awesome investigator named Amber. She met Elder Jensen and his previous companion a couple of weeks ago. She came and did a chapel tour yesterday before church, then stayed for all three hours of the service. She loved it. She is moving right along the path to conversion.

I went  on exchanges with Elder Anderton on Tuesday. What a humble giant. Really nice guy. Helped me out with a lot of stuff. We got to know each other pretty well and it turns out we've lived a pretty similar life. One of my favorite things of being a missionary is meeting new people.

We met with a Less Active member named Reinaldo Silva... From Brazil. He runs a couple of pizza shops here in Taiwan. Probably one of the nicest people I've ever met. Work is super busy for him, so he hasn't found time to come to church in over 4 months. We taught him a little about sacrifice and laying up treasures in Heaven. What a great man. Another cool thing is we taught him in 100% Chinese. He speaks no English, it was pretty interesting.

Thursday We went down to headquarters for a meeting. President Jergensen is such a great man. A lot of training on leadership and helping your fellow missionary be their best. That kind of stuff.

I think I've learned more about myself this week than I ever have before. I'm sick today, and it's the first time I've been sick in my entire mission. I told Elder Jensen last night, "Bro, I am exhausted." He actually probably hears it from me every night. hahaha but I have never felt so physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually exhausted. I am absolutely drained. I can feel the Grace of God carrying me from day to day. When I get home from my mission I might take a week long nap. hibernate for a bit.

It's a good feeling though. kind of fulfilling in a way. I know Heavenly Father is letting me get drained because He is ready for me to grow to lengths I've never reached. It's exciting.

I hope you all have a blessed week. Things are moving forward here in Taiwan! These people are great.


Much Love,
Elder Chase Matua

Crazy week

I'll miss this fun friend

I got kicked out of Taidong! But got sent to Tianmu. Great place indeed. AND I am serving with Elder Briggs Jensen from Lehi. I'm breaking him, but he's such an awesome missionary already. We're so excited to be with each other.

Leaving Taidong and all the people down there was rough. I already can't wait to go back. The Lord blessed me by sending me here though. It's such an awesome place. My ward in Long-Tan had an average of 35 people at church. Taidong was about 60. We had over 100 people at church on Sunday. The chapel even had benches, and deacons passing the sacrament. It was such a cool sight to see, and kind of opened my sights a little bit to how much potential this island has. Great people.

Saying goodbye to the Zone

Our investigators here are great. They have a common struggle with all other investigators. Hard time getting them to church. We did have one come yesterday and  should be getting baptized on the 21st. His name is Mark. Super funny guy.

Elder Jensen and I are striving to make the Sabbath a key principle in our teaching. Trying to make it a reality to all. Trying to "make the Sabbath a delight".

I'm always so scattered writing these things. Just know that the work in Taiwan is moving forward. The Lord is in the details of our lives. Put your trust in Him.


I love you all,
Elder Chase Matua

Last hike with these cool guys

Goodbye Tai Dong

I'll miss all of these great friends

I'll come back here some day

I made a lifetime friend in Elder Stewart

Lehi kids in Tianmu - me and Elder Jensen

Another crazy week

Ward activity - Long bus ride!

I don't even know where to begin!

We had a lot of opportunity to do service, and that's always fun. On Tuesday we helped the 1st ward elders do service for one of their investigators, then on Friday, Brother Huang came with Elder Stewart and I WAY up in the mountains to do some service for brother Chen. It was at an old run down Scout Camp. It reminded me of Timberline and Tifie and all that stuff. I wanted to get out of there fast hahaha! It was fun though.

Yesterday we actually had an entire investigator family come to church! The Guo family. They are SO awesome. They have loved saying prayers together and reading the Book of Mormon together!

Taiwanese buses have karaoke!

On Saturday, we went up to Hualien for a ward activity. It was pretty fun, but most of it was just a bus ride. maybe 9 hours on a bus, 3 hours off.

Wednesday night English class was pretty sad. We had 9 kids in our class. During our personal share we asked who believed in God. They all got super mad at the question and immediately answered a big NO. That made me super bummed.

Our ward is so awesome. They continue to contribute to the work of the Lord. The work is going great. I might leave this week which would make me super sad!
Sorry this email was kinda lousy.

Love you all, have a blessed week!
Elder Chase Matua

Service at a Taiwan Scout camp

Scout camp reminded me of my days at Tifie and Timberline

This was fun and rewarding service