May 25, 2014

Transfer 7: Week 3

Hello!  It`s raining again.  The law of Monday rain has finally carried over from Amami.  I think it`s a Japanese problem.  Seriously every Monday (sometimes Tuesday too) it rains.  I can`t decide whether it`s Japan or that God just has a good sense of humor.  

Anyhoo, we handed out copies of the Book of Mormon!!!  Woo.  It`s actually been quite a while since I`ve done that.  People in Japan just don`t like taking stuff for free.  Particularly because if they take a Book of Mormon they think they are obligating themselves, something which they don`t like to do.  Admittedly they are obligating themselves due to the fact that we really want to teach them about the gospel, but they should be okay with that too.  

Now the big news of the week.  I have been bursting with this all week.  Last monday, after email, we met an older man by the name of Sakae-san.  He knows people living in CA.  Guess what town they live in.  Nope, Woodland.  They live in Woodland.  His sister is apparently a Christian and has Mormon friends.  She would be around 70`s and her son (I think, maybe Grandson) lives there too.    Her name is Shimada, Sayoko.  Her son (grandson) is Jeffrey Hendrick (again not exactly sure if that`s right).  He sad they might be Mormon (I don`t think so) and they definitely have Mormon friends.  You should find them.  I`m not sure how, but you should.  How many Japanese people could there be in Woodland.  Just go knocking on doors until you find them.  If we work on both ends we`ll create a strong mormon family (baptism!!!).  

We went on Junkai (exchanges) with the Zone Leaders.  It was interesting because the one I went with didn`t seem to have a lot of dendo fire, but he contacted every person we could.  I took that and decided that even though I am not the most enthusiastic about contacting, I can do the same and talk to everybody.  

Also, yesterday we took over church.  We were asked last week by the Elders Quorum President to teach in Elders Quorum about love (Pres. Monson`s GC Talk).  Then we got a call by the Branch Pres. last minute to teach the gospel principles class.  So we taught during 2/3`s of church.  That was interesting.  We also didn`t have a lot of time to prepare because Kaicho (mission Pres.) asked us to do a special study assignment this week.  And we had to plan for a lot of PI`s (potential investigators) so we had no time at all.  But looking back I think we should and could have done more prep. and I feel bad about that.  So will do better next time.  

Also you guys should read Elder Ballard`s talk about Following Up for FHE.  It`s awesome and I think you would enjoy it.  Love you and have a good week.  

Peace!

Elder Lee

May 19, 2014

Transfer 7: Week 2

Things in Yanai are doing well.  We haven`t gotten lost in a while, so definitely an improvement.  I really like the ward here.  It`s still weird to have so many people you can`t remember all of their names, but the members are great; church definitely isn`t quiet anymore (in my past areas Sacrament Meeting was dead silent).  Yanai is a small town.  There isn`t a lot here, but we are very close to the ocean so some P-day we want to ride along and check it out.  There is an island nearby that has a bridge crossing over it, so we might ride our bikes over the bridge when we get the chance.  We can`t see the ocean from most parts of where we work, but when we ride the train, it goes right along the ocean.

On Saturday we went to Ube for ZTM (Zone Training Meeting).  Every transfer (every 6 weeks) we have training by the Zone Leaders, which is fun, but it cuts out most of our working time.  In Iizuka it wasn`t too much of a problem because it was just an hour away.  But it took us 2 1/2 hours to get to Ube and another 2 1/2 hours to get back.  It was a huge pain.  The trains are rather convenient for missionaries, but in Yamaguchi they all go really slow.  The whole prefecture is just straight up rural.  We left the apartment at 6:30am and got back to Yanai at 4:15ish.  We didn`t eat anything in between, so we made sure to stop and eat before we went back out.  

Today I need a hair cut and we need to do some dry cleaning, so we aren`t doing anything fun yet, but I finally have a companion who likes to do stuff on P-day, so we should be able to see some cool stuff (if we can find anything to do in this podunk town).  Anderson choro and I are doing great.  He is really fun to work with and we are able to teach well together (something that as a missionary is critical).  I haven`t had bad companions, per se, but we didn`t get along great or have the same vision of where we need to go, so this is a nice change.  He also likes jazz, so that gives us something to talk about sometimes.  But we have been able to focus on the work and I think we will see some miracles in the nearby future.  

Last week we did a lot of housing and didn`t get anywhere.  We did run into a couple of Former Investigators by accident though.  The problem is, we don`t have anybody right now who has very much interest.  Most of the people we talk to have already spoken with the missionaries before.  The only way I can think of to find new investigators is to astound them, but you can`t do that in just five words (hello, my name is Lee).  So I haven`t been too happy, but after reveiwing PMG, the scriptures and some other resources, I was reminded that our purpose is just to invite, and if they don`t accept than that`s not our fault, we just keep going until we find someone who is open to our message.  Like it says in the "Power of Everyday Missionaries" book,  You win when you invite (or succeed, I don`t remember exactly what it says).  

I hope you guys are doing well.  Do something fun for me (like a hike, or something) and send some photos.  I`d love to hear about that.  Love you,

Elder Lee

Iain

RHM

May 11, 2014

Transfer 7: Week 1

Well turned out I was transferring.  I am now in Yamaguchi, Yanai.  It also turns out I`m whitewashing (woohoo!).  My new companion is Anderson choro.  And we are the only two in the branch where we are now serving.  

So Tuesday evening (4:30) we got the call from the APs.  We were actually just about to go out and see a member, so we didn`t have the opportunity to email or anything.  I was told that I was going to be leaving and heading up north to Yanai, with an old friend from Amami island (my first area).  I was thrilled when I heard we were going to be companions.  But I was shocked when I realized that we were whitewashing.  WW is when you and your companion enter an area together at the same time.  They take out the old missionaries and put two brand new ones in.  So neither my comp. or I know anything about Yanai.  

Thursday morning I went to hakata station (in Fukuoka) and boarded a bus that took me up to Yamaguchi.  Afterward I jumped on a train and came the rest of the way to Yanai.  Surprisingly, I met up with Anderson choro when I boarded the train.  The train came and as it stopped we saw each other.  We were both surprised and it was pretty funny.  We hadn`t seen each other since he left Amami (my second transfer, in September) so it was cool seeing him again.  We arrived at Yanai station at 4:00ish (I left Iizuka at 8:00am).  Was a long day but a member picked us up at the station, gave us our phone and keys, and drove us to our apartment.  

We got to meet a quaker from Australia on Friday which was kind of funny.  We talked a little bit and then went to find a member.  We have spent a lot of our time so far finding members and people/places in the area, but it has been good and I think we will have a great fun time this transfer.   I love the area and the people here and I love you guys.  

Elder Lee

Iain

April 27, 2014

Transfer 6:  Week 5

As far as food goes, I have to cook everything.  Apparently my companions can't cook worth a darn, so I do it.  But I kind of like it so it's good.  It also keeps me from having to do the dishes very often, so I am happy about that.  We eat a lot of stir-fry, yakisoba, udon, fried rice, stew, curry and spaghetti.  It's really not all that hard, just takes some time.  We make rice for almost every meal, but we eat spaghetti a fair amount, so not only rice.  I like to make curry or stew with rice the best because I don't have to cook dinner, just make enough for both meals.  Very convenient.  But I have also made chicken or pork tonkatsu (like fried but a little different; really good).  We eat sushi sometimes, but only when we go out with members.  We try not to eat out all that much.  

The main event this week was the arrival of the bike (Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Halleeluujaaaaaah!!!)  So we got to visit lots of people who we haven't been able to lately (because they're farther).  

So the investigators son who brought us food last time (shu) was there again when we went on Friday, but she was asleep.  But that didn't stop him; he ran in and told her the gaijin came (foreigners).  She must've been completely out 'cause she didn't budge at all.  Then he decided to play baseball with us while we waited for her.  We played for 20ish minutes and then decided we had to leave.  It was way fun.  Shu is hilarious.  

Also contacted a lady who is 40 or 50ish but loves video games.  We decided to teach through video games (something that Knighton choro and I could do) and ended up teaching about Christ and His atonement.  We actually had a pretty good lesson and I think she understood it really well.  

On Sunday we went to the Relief Society to see if we could arrange a home for a lesson later in the week.  They like to pray for our investigators so we told them about video game lady and they all started laughing when we said we taught through video games.  

I don't remember getting any letters recently, but I will check again.  Sorry to hear the mail system still sucks.  In Japan it is lightning fast.  You send something and two or three days later it arrives on the other side of Japan.  

The black fence does bring back memories. (we painted a wrought iron fence during a community service project, Iain has painted ours at home in the past) I was actually thinking about that the other day.  We saw an old man painting his fence black and I thought about it.  Then I smelled the fumes and everything changed colors.  It was nasty how bad and strong that paint was.  

We don't get a lot of opportunities to serve.  Japanese don't really like accepting service and the city doesn't really organize anything for us to be apart of/help out with.  But we are working on a lot of eikaiwa dendou and trying to get lots of people out to our english class.  Pres. Gustafson wants us to grow to 50 people which is huge.  Right now we are at 22 but still have a long way to go.  But we have grown just since I've been in Iizuka, so there is hope.  We're going to visit city hall and a newspaper service today to see if we can't spread the word a little more.  Maybe go to some schools and talk to the clubs and english classes.  

I don't have anything I need particularly but I'll let you know.  Thanks so much.  I love you.  Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Lee

April 21, 2014

Transfer 6: Week 4

We should be able to pick up the bike today so finally we won't be walking, but recently we have gotten really good and will probably be fantastic hikers when we get back.  The weather has been warming up and then getting cool, warming, cooling, but overall it is getting hot.  I suspect in the next couple of weeks we will be sweating like pigs.  

I don't have a lot of time but I wanted to share a couple of funny stories.  Japanese are very interesting and since we talk to everyone, we meet some interesting people.  

Yesterday we got to teach our investigator, ai-san.  She has four kids all of whom are quite rambuncious, but the youngest boy (shu, 5yrs) is hilarious.  Everytime we come over he runs over to us and says hi, asks what's in our bags, and yesterday he started just bringing us out a bunch of food.  It was so funny.  But he brought out this squid jerky that was made in beer or something (I don't know exactly what's up with that) but it was nasty.  Hard, chewy and some weird salty gross flavor.  

But we were able to have a great lesson with her.  We decided to actually read some scriptures with her, which I have been hesitant beforehand because I was not sure she would understand them, but when we read about the Atonement, she was really able to feel the Spirit I think.  

Afterwards we were able to meet with a potential investigator with a two year old daughter who is super cute.  She had these shoes that squeaked when she walked.  We got to use some new visual aids about prayer and teach her why prayer is important to her.  

Recently we one of the sister missionaries in our district made everyone some visual aids to use while teaching.  She is an amazing artist, so they look really good.  

The other day we ran into a British man who doesn't speak all that much Japanese.  When we started talking I didn't realize he was a foreigner, so I started speaking in Japanese.  He said something in english that I didn't catch to I started to talk again.  It was really funny because he walked inside to get his Japanese wife and then walked back out and asked if I spoke english.  I was really embarrassed.  But he said that religion was the essence of evil in this world and asked us to leave.  He was polite, but we didn't get to talk much.  He just seemed like a depressed old man, given up on the world.  

The other week we talked to a man who seemed like he would have listened to our message, but his wife came over and took over the conversation.  She gave the common excuse that she had a different religion so she couldn't listen to ours (no kidding).  We asked her what religion but she said she couldn't say.  She very abruptly turned us down at every turn and was really funny to watch (her husband was silently laughing the whole time).  He seemed cool, but she was just in a knot.  So we left.  

We taught a great lesson to a guy through his kitchen window.  He told us to come back so we're excited to talk through his window again (window to baptism).  

Our laundry is done at home and we hang our stuff out to dry.  I haven't been able to see many of my past comps but when I do it is great.  sometimes I email, but I haven't gotten the opportunity lately.  

All right, I have to go (email time is cut short today, we're going to the Fukuoka zoo as a zone p-day).  Love you, hope youe guys are well.  

Elder Lee

April 7, 2014

Transfer 6 Week 2

Sounds like you guys had a great weekend, week, whatever in Utah.  You all made sure to say hi to the cousins for me right?  So I am still on foot.  We have been walking everywhere and it takes forever so I will be so happy when we get bikes again.  Unfortunately because Knighton choro is so tall, we needed to get a big bike and ordered it.  But we won't get it for another week, so going to continue to walk for a while. 

 

We decided that this trasfer we are going to see a baptism, so we have been working super hard to find an investigator who will accept baptism.  Of course, right after setting this goal we lost the use of bikes (as previously stated) and haven't been able to meet with most of our normal PI's and Investigators.  I, at least, have started to become desperate (like Christensen says in his book) and I hope the "Law of Desperation" will set in.  We think that this weekend is the perfect opportunity for people to come because it is General Conference. 

 

This week we are working on faith and believe that if we try our hardest we will be able to see results. 

 

What frustrates me right now, is something that up 'till now I have thought was a good thing.  So we talk all the time to people on the street and we get to teach lots of little lessons and I feel like we are really changing some people's hearts.  But at the same time, we haven't seen any results and nothing is changing.  So although I love talking to people and sharing the gospel a little, I also feel like it is pointless because in the big scheme of things, we aren't doing anything.  I still haven't really gotten people to come to Sacrament meeting, I haven't really ever taught past an overveiw of Lesson 2 (Plan of Salvation) and I am starting to get the feeling that if we can't see a change soon, it isn't going to happen.  Maybe this area, Iizuka, will never see anything beyond investigators, no Recent Converts, no baptisms.  I feel like we can change this area with God's help, but I almost feel like He doesn't want to change here just yet, so I feel useless.  If God wants to see a change He obviously can, He doesn't need me for that, but if He doesn't want to, than what am I here for?  Am I just stalling?  I feel like we can and should see success, but we don't and then I just think, "what the heck?!?!".  But I guess I just need to be patient with God's timing. 

Love you, hope your week goes well.

 

Love,

Iain

Elder Lee

RHM

BROhanz

March 31, 2014

Transfer 6 Week 1

Well, this week was interesting.  We didn't really get to meet with many of our investigators.  But on Thursday we did get to meet our new bean chan.  His name is Knighton Choro.  He is way cool, from Gilbert AZ and speaks pretty good Japanese for a bean (he knows more words than I did).  We have done some good work in the past couple of days but it has been limited by our lack of bikes (Knighton choro still doesn't have a bike).  So we have been walking everywhere.  But yesterday we met some awesome people who invited us to come back, so we are hoping to gain some new investigators this week.  My main concern is whether we will be able to meet with our investigators at all.  But we will work that out.  Otherwise life has been pretty normal.  I am not sure what I am supposed to do as a district leader, but I am sure I will figure it out. 

 

By the way, it turns out my district is a lot bigger than I thought it was.  I was told originally that I would only be leader of three people, but now I am over 11.  Little bit of a difference.  I just hope I will be able to help them achieve their goals this transfer and be able to see miracles.  I really think we can see a baptism this transfer, so we are praying really hard to find someone.  But either way, I know the Lord is directing His work.  We will accomplish whatever he wants us to. 

 

By the way, Jameson choro recently got a book from his mom that he read and then loaned to me so I could read it.  It is called, "The Power of Everyday Missionaries" by Clayton M. Christensen.  It is about member missionary work but it is amazing.  It has completely changed to way I am going about missionary work.  It is a great book I and want you guys to get it and read it for FHE or something.  I know you would enjoy it.  The great thing is he acknowledges the difficulties of missionary work but still helps you see how it is obtainable.  At the very least, it will help you veiw the gospel differently.  I really think everyone should read this book. 

 

I hope you guys are having a fun time in Utah and say hi to everyone there for me. 

 

Love you,

Elder Lee

RHM

BROhanz