Birthday, Investigators and YSA fun

My first birthday on the
Lord's errand

Another great week in Hangook.

The work is moving along great. We got a new investigator last week while we were proselyting. He said that he sees the missionaries all the time and they always say hi to him so he wanted to see what we were all about. He actually lives in a totally different city but says he doesn't want to meet with those Elders.

Yesterday (3/12) was my first birthday on a mission and it was awesome. It was also fast sunday since we had stake conference last week. Our bishop told us that he has been praying for some younger people for our Ward since there is very few youth and young adults. Yesterday six new members walked in who were about 18 and 19 and are in Busan for school. The Bishop was really excited and told all of the YSA to come to his house for dinner. Me and Elder Johnstun went downtown to meet up with everyone. We went to the subway station and one by one they got off the train or bus, since none of them have cars. Then we all walked to the Bishops house. It was really fun. He made a lot of really "healthy" korean food.

Our Bishop really loves to sing so he had us sing hymns for like 30-minutes. I was trying to keep my birthday a secret but somehow one of the members found out and had everyone sing happy birthday to me. After that we went to the church and had cake. It was definetly different having a birthday on a mission but still really good.

Thanks family! My birthday was great. We got to spend almost the whole day with the members. And then I spent the whole night and this morning getting calls from my friends around the mission. Tell Ramsey and Julius I said good luck [on the mission].

One of my favorite scriptures now is Mosiah 5:13. We can never know the master if we don't serve him and serve as he did.

I am grateful to be serving the Lord and the people of korea.


Love you all,
Elder Mica Matua

Celebrating with friends

More lessons from the amazing teacher Steve

Riding the train in Korea is so fun

Sharing is caring?

Six months on island....

Zone Leaders surprised us with a
birthday breakfast treat

Aaaannnndd I still feel like I entered the MTC last week. Time is going by super fast.
Things in Taidong are good! Even though time is going by pretty fast, the work is still a little slow. And it seems to be getting slower every single day.

This past week we had zero new investigators. We have zero progressing investigators. We have zero investigators with a baptismal date. Zero lessons with investigators with a member present. Lots of zeroes. I sort of feel like I'm in the biggest rut of my life. But it's okay! All we have room for is improvement. This week is going to be a great one! Time to rebuild!

Elder Lindahl made me a birthday
cake using the rice cooker. Genius!

We met a lot of great people, had a lot of good talks on the street. Most of our area is just doors. We don't have a real city center where we can walk around talking to people. SO we knock a lot of doors. We find a lot of interesting people, most of which don't have too much interest in learning about Jesus Christ. But it's okay! They will one day. This is the Lord's work. I'm trying my hardest to do it His way, and He's shaping me into who He wants me to be. It's good stuff!

I had the great opportunity to have my first birthday on my mission. The things about mission birthdays is it's NOT about you. It's about everyone else around you! I absolutely loved it.

We saw this dog guarding a piglet
Only in Taiwan

Fortunately I have some pretty awesome Elders around me. Those goofballs helped me have a fun day!

Apart from all the things I'm complaining about, Elder Stephens and I see miracles every day. Small and big. Our ward is doing great. Our relationships with the members is getting good. I've found some really awesome friends down here.

I love being a missionary. I love serving people. I love meeting and talking with new friends. I love Heavenly Father and everything He does for me, even when I fall short in the simplest of things. I am so humbled to be His servant.

Again, I KNOW this is His work. I'm so honored to be learning from the Master himself each and every day through doing this work. He is my Captain.

Sorry the email is all over the place this week. It's kind of how my brain has been working lately haha. I hope you each have a blessed week this week!


Much Love!
Elder Chase Matua

Birthday dinner Round 1

When it rains in Taiwan, everyone BBQ's

Sorry dad, but I had to send a pic of this amazing shrimp

Birthday dinner Round 2

Our Ward Mission Leader has become a great friend to me