More Hmong New Years

(Elder Cummings)

It has been a while since I have had a preparation day (due to Hmong New Years), so sorry for not having sent anything last week and due to issues with the myldsmail server someone of you may not have gotten my email the week before.  No need to fear, I am still working hard in Fresno, and speaking better Hmong than ever.

So much has happened since I last wrote.  The world celebrated the birth of the Savior, the ward wished me a happy birthday, and the eight Hmong elders in the California Fresno Mission found 1,221 potential investigators in a week.  We are all absolutely exhausted, and just in time for the busiest time of the year for Hmong work.

Christmas in the mission field is something special.  I loved it.  Having your whole life, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week dedicated on the Savior has given me a more completely perspective on just what Christmas is.  Jesus Christ came into the world to give his life for our sins, to give us strength to overcome our weaknesses, and to "take upon him [our] infirmities...that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people" (Alma 7:12).  Jesus Christ, the Savior of all mankind, the God of Israel, the God of the whole earth, began his humble sojourn in the flesh in a humble manger in the small town of Bethlehem.  Christmas marks the coming of our Salvation.  Christmas is His day.

A birthday in the mission field is less "exciting."  We went to church, and then booked it straight over to the Big Fresno Fairgrounds to proselyte until the sun went down.  We ate dinner that night at a wonderful senior missionary couple's home.  Mom, we were all well fed for my birthday dinner.  We had salad, ribs, twice-baked potatoes and homemade apple pie.  I think I hit a real landmark of maturity that night.  Despite the ribs I did not get anything on my white shirt and tie.

Hmong New Years was an event unlike anything I have ever seen.  Thousands upon thousands of Hmong showed up to celebrate the end of the year from all over the world!  I talked with those from Massachusetts, Georgia, North and South Carolina, all over the west coast, all over California, Alaska, Canada, Arizona, Texas, Laos, Thailand,  and France.  Listening to someone speak Hmong with a french accent is a particular skill I have not quite developed, but the one I did meet asked for French speaking missionaries to come visit her at her home in a town just outside of Lyons, France.  All eight of the Hmong elders were there and we were working hard.  Elder Gray, one of the two newest additions found over 200 people through his own efforts! 

As part of the new year celebration the missionaries all dress up in Hmong clothes.  In the attached picture we have from left to right, me, in clothes designating me as a Thai-Hmong-American, Elder Gray in traditional White Hmong clothes, Elder Bagley also in White Hmong clothes, Elder Cunningham with a Green Hmong set plus a matching coin vest, Elder Richardson wearing traditional Americanized-Hmong clothes, Elder Pace eating an authentic Hmong churro, Elder Knapton wearing a White Hmong set with another matching coin vest and a pretty cool txoj siv (belt), and in the front we have Elder Ballard in his Green Hmong set.  The biggest difference between the difference clothing is the pants.  White Hmong is loose fitting, Green Hmong is essentially the original hammer pants, and Thai-Hmong which is pretty tight around the calves, and fit and look like a really cool pair of jogger pants.

And yes, that "temple" in the background is our booth.

I am very excited to press forward this next week and reconnect with the 169 potential investigators who live in the Fresno Hmong West area.  There are so many prepared people.  This is going to be fun!

It is 2016 now too.  2015 has left my life much changed.  I got into college, was struck with senioritis, had a miraculous post-graduation recovery, began my missionary service, left home, my older sister came home and I learned a second language.  The Lord has blessed me with so much and I am excited to see what he has in store for me this year.  I am excited to see what he has in store for all of you this year.

Thank you for you Christmas and birthday wishes! Make 2016 count!

Elder A. Jared Cummings

Me with General Vang Pao.  I've been telling Hmong people that he is my grandfather to much laughter.  In the Hmong culture when you respect someone you refer to their last name first, first name last.  Vang Pao is Pao Vang, and since I am a Vang we are related...somehow.

Tub Txib translates more directly to what the calling of a misisonary is, "son sent."  The one on the left is in Green Hmong and the one of the right is White Hmong.  On the name tag the change is subtle, but this was I can reach out to more of the people we teach by being more a part of their specific language culture. 

Walmart run with Elder Gray: This was a fun one, so many people were giving us funny looks, but we needed to get some water for all the thirsty missionaries back at the booth.

The booth - just before take down.  Kayla was a temple missionary, and I so was I...kind of.