Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!

Hello all!

Happy Chinese New Year, Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!!  hahahahah I've never eaten so many oranges. (Oranges are symbols of good fortune and abundance in Chinese tradition and a mainstay in New Year celebrations.)

It was a lot of fun to have many activities associated with Chinese New Year this week, especially since it's a holiday we rarely see in America. One of the Tawau Chinese speaking elders' investigators invited us over, and it was a really great experience. The man even ended up coming to church on Sunday!

My companion and I are probably the only orang putih (literally means "white people," which is what people here call us) in the entire city! So we get a lot of strange glances. Coming home and not being stared at 24/7 is going to be weird.

Right before this photo (below) was taken with the Chinese dragons, there literally were crowds of people standing here, and they moved them all so we could get a picture hahah. Then everyone took pictures of us and said "orang putih!!!!!" So great.

Spiritual experiences are so plentiful out here, and every week my companion and I are reminded again and again that this work truly is that of the Lord. When we met with the investigator family we met last week, my companion and I actually both had the idea (which in reality came from Elder Wilson) to read the Book of Mormon with them. It went great, and we had a member there with us! The next appointment we had was a little bit messed up by the fact that the parents were out of town for two days, so instead of teaching the Plan of Salvation to the family, we read 2 Nephi 31 from the Book of Mormon about the essential nature of baptism with the oldest son (16 years old).

Last week on preparation day we went biawak (monitor lizard) hunting. We did eat the biawak later, and I didn't feel so bad about killing it until the meat it produced was disgusting... then I felt way bad... But now I know! I won't do it again. haha

Sorry the slow internet today is making it impossible this week for a longer email, but just know I'm having a blast and the work is progressing! Truly, the Book of Mormon can change anyone and is really the word of God! If you already know that, don't forget it and read the Book of Mormon often! If you don't know it, just try it once and I promise that you will not regret it. Your life will be blessed immensely. Promise!! (I'm doing a pinky promise, which in Malaysia is about as binding as it gets. For reals.)

Love you all!

Malaysia Boleh!

Elder Coleman

PS I hear Peyton Manning got wrecked in that Super Bowl! I cannot believe that!

I thought he was going to do really well but I guess not. Though this

season for him was the greatest QB season ever! Pretty amazing. My friend

Christian Halvorsen has been keeping me updated. :)

The local people cleared the deck for us and then called "Orang Putih" while they all took photos of us. 

Awesome Chinese New Year fireworks!