MISSIONARY MIRACLE

We have some wonderful Missionary Miracles

 here in the Australia Brisbane Mission.  We hear of powerful conversion stories from our missionaries who have sacrificed much to be members of the Church and who have chosen to serve missions.  We feel very blessed to have them in our mission and for the example they are to us and those they teach.  We are happy to share these with YOU!

My name is Ratchapong Kaosucharit. Many people also call me "Erik". I was born and raised by my goodly parents in Thailand. I have 2 older brothers who love me to death, I also love them. I was born a Buddhist. I was strongly involved in Buddhism; I was a Buddhist monk when I was 15 years old. My life has been blessed.
My conversion started when I was a senior in high school. One night, my mom called me from America, it was around midnight when I received the call. In the conversation, my mom asked me to sign up for an exchange student program, she told me that the deadline was the next day. I thought it would be impossible, but through my brother's sacrifice, I was able to submit the application. Shortly after, I passed the test and was accepted. Nevertheless, I needed to go through another obstacle; my father had been opposed to the idea of me going to America. It took courage to ask him. Surprisingly, he felt like it was time for me to go. After that, my mom was able to obtain a host family for me…the Pierce’s. They are very special people. They are related to a family that hosted my mom when she was an exchange student in California. I love them to death.

My time arrived.  I went to America with a little knowledge about Utah and Mormonism. The only thing I knew about Mormons was that they don't drink coffee. When I got there, I knew no one. My American parents invited me to come to church. I did come and that changed my life. As time went by, I came to know more and more about the church. I met many goodly friends whom I love; I can say that they saved my life. Their example really touched me in many ways. I had been to the church for a year. Eventually, I decided to be a part of this church. I took a missionary lesson. I gained a testimony through the power of prayer. When I knelt down and asked whether Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, I received a manifestation and confirmation of the Holy Ghost. My heart burned and was filled with peace. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. This is the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days. After the confirmation from the Holy Ghost, I asked for permission from parents in Thailand to be baptised. They said if I am happy, they are happy. Because of the tender mercy of the Lord, I was baptized September 2010.

After the baptism, my testimony of this church grew stronger and stronger. About a month after the baptism, Elder and Sister Able, who served as a senior couple in the Australia Brisbane Mission at the time, asked me to write my testimony in Thai, because they had a Thai investigator whom they were teaching. I did write and sent it to them. Time went by, I was thinking about serving mission, but my main concern was my native family. They weren't members of the church. They wanted me to finish school rather than go on my mission. I prayed and asked God for guidance. And it came to pass that I was able to attend a church history tour. While on that tour, I had visited many church sites in the U.S. and I had a feeling that I should go on a mission again. I got back from that tour. As I stepped into my house, the phone was ringing. I picked up the phone and found out that was my beloved mother in Thailand. I talked to her and expressed my feeling about the tour. At the end of the conversation, I had a prompting to ask her to go on a mission. My mom didn't agree with the idea. She wanted me to finish my schooling. I was disappointed. Nevertheless, I didn't lose hope. About a week after, I received a phone call again. It was my mom. We had a little conversation at first until she said something that I will never forget; "Son...I went to the super market. I met two young men. They were dressed in white shirts and ties. I asked them, are you the Mormon boys? They replied 'yes'." With those words, tears started to shed from my eyes. My mom expressed to me that they were very nice young men. She said to them "my son will be a missionary like you." My family allowed me to go on a mission. I was grateful to the Lord and his mercy.

After that, I received a call to serve in the Australia Brisbane Mission. I was so excited. Nevertheless, I thought about my patriarchal blessing "you will be a great blessing to your natural family also. As you return, you will be as a pioneer of the gospel of Jesus Christ in your homeland. If you live the way that you should live, the example of your life and your very appearance will help people see you are different..." I thought I was meant to serve in Thailand. I didn't know why I got called to serve in Australia. The Lord keeps his promise. About a week after, I received a phone call from mission headquarters in SLC. They told me that my visa had been delayed. I need to go back to Thailand. I was shocked. I served my first four months in Thailand. I would like you to guess who were my first investigators? My first investigators on my mission were my parents. I am truly grateful for the Lord. His mighty arm is behind all of this. I am so grateful to be the missionary to bring the gospel of truth to my parents. My parents are not ready to embrace to the gospel yet, but they are preparing. Beside that, one of my best friends from America, Elder Cox, taught my mom on his mission as well.

As I came here to serve in the Australia Brisbane Mission, I have seen many things happened both good and bad. I have learned so much on my mission. I would say that I am not the best missionary, but I am trying to be the best I can. There is also another miracle that happened while I am serving my mission. Right now I am serving in Brisbane city. One night while I was street contacting at a bus station, I met a Thai member. We had a conversation about Thailand. Then she asked, "do you know Elder and Sister Able?  They gave me a written testimony in Thai from someone in America." Right at that moment, I then realized that about 2 years ago, I wrote a testimony and sent it to Elder and Sister Able. Now, she is a member of the church. I will continue to strengthen her.

I want to bear my testimony to all of you. I do know that God lives. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer. He is leading and guiding this church through a living prophet today. I know that he is guiding our lives as well. Have faith in Him that He will lead you. We are meant to be here. We are here to do His work. We are His disciples. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.