This is a true story about my first time, but with some things changed. I am keeping this short since it is a true story so most of the details leading up are pretty bland. When I was 18 my friend, Ryan and I were called to serve and went on a mission to Laos. When we arrived in Thailand, via Chang Rai Airport, Elder Dave, and John welcomed us and took us to the taxi waiting for us. Even though we knew what we were getting into they still took the time to explain that the village they are staying at is not Lao, but Hmong and that it is about a 2 day drive and a full day hike to the remote mountain village of 200. He explained that in the village is a makeshift church and that we'll be staying in a one room hut elevated above the ground. Instead of going from house or hut to hut, we will help a certain household per month with field work and they will provide food and water. This will help us bond with the villagers and when we talk about God they will listen and attend service when we invite them even if they don't believe or understand what is happening.
Ryan and I already spoke fluent Hmong since we had a large Hmong community where we are from, and even have Hmong names. Ryan's is Peng, and mine is Moua. So being there was not much of a culture shock and communication was not hard. We stayed with Elder Dave for about a year when the village was hit with an abnormally bad monsoon. Most of the hut not elevated were damaged. So we had a few Mormon families stay with us for about a week. Once the season was over, we helped a lot of the families staying with us rebuild their huts. When most of them were done, Elder Dave and John's service ended and they decided to go home. It seems that no one else wanted to do their service here at the village so when ours was done we were supposed to take whoever we converted to a larger village down the mountain where there is a larger local Mormon population.
When Elder Dave and John left we had 1 family left staying with us. A family of 8, mom, dad, 3 sons, a daughter, and 2 daughter in-law. The 2nd son, Tou and his wife were married a few days after we arrived and Ryan was asked to sit at the table representing the family friend. In the Hmong wedding there are multiple types of roles besides the best man and bridesmaid. I encourage you guys to look it up. When the hut was done, Tou and Mai wanted to move out and live on their own. So they decided to stay with us a few nights while we got their hut made.