Just received the first set of messages from Thomas. He is doing really well at the MTC. His group (district) consists of 8 missionaries assigned to the Singapore Mission - 6 men (elders) and 2 women (sisters). They will spend the next 8-10 weeks learning together. Thomas is paired with his companion, Elder Martin.
Typically, he wakes up at 6:00 AM, says his morning prayers and exercises (he is up to 14 pull-ups and 2 sets of push-ups) before he showers and studies the scriptures. The first class of the day starts at 7:00 AM (where he learns the gospel lessons). Breakfast is at 7:45 AM. According to Thomas, the food there has been "way good".
Then, he goes to class again to learn Malay and more gospel lessons until 11:00 AM. One thing they have been doing is to "meet thousands of people" by watching You-Tube videos about them. The goal is to learn to see where different people are in their spiritual journeys and where they may need help.
There is one hour of gym from 11 to noon. Thomas loves playing volleyball and soccer. He says, "way fun :)".
After lunch there are classes until 6:15 PM, when they have dinner followed by more classes. On Tuesday and Saturday evenings, they have "devotionals" where the church leaders from Salt Lake City speak to the missionaries. They plan for the next day at 9:00 PM and bedtime is at 10:30 PM.
Among the 8 missionaries in his group is a "really smart linguist", a big but "very nice and humble" football player, a "super happy guy", someone who is "really good at learning the language", a girl from Singapore, and a girl who went to USC. The 2 sister missionaries are "humble and awesome, love everyone and always looking for ways to serve." The 8 missionaries in the district have all "bonded and are having a lot of fun learning together."
Thomas is having a wonderful experience and he looks forward to receiving letters from friends and relatives. He promises to write to anyone who sends him letters. His address:
Elder Thomas Tai-Min Kwok
MTC Mailbox #159
SING-APR 0826
SING-APR 0826
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
