This last week was AMAZING! Elder Bronner and I had 47 working hours (the most I've ever had with a companion).... I'd say we worked pretty hard!
We've been encountering a lot of miraculous people, that seem golden and ready to speak with us. Recently we were challenged to try to work more with families. We found one! The mother is from the Philippines, where her brother and sisters are members and referred her about 5 years ago - but she didn't have interest at that time. Well, she kindly accepted us into their home. Her husband doesn't seem to have interest, but kindly attended the lesson as well as two of their four daughters (one's only 6 months old). The mother looks like she really wants to know. She called her sister after our first meeting, and came to church with two of her daughters on Sunday!
One of our English students from weekly Eikaiwa also came to church again, she appears to have a lot of interest too. The man from last week didn't make it, but he still seems interested.
It was amazing! For the first time in my mission experience so far, we hardly had ANY time for finding (we did maybe an hour or so on Thursday. . .) because we had SO many appointments! It felt good to have so much to do!
And on the train up to Takahashi to visit one of our Chinese potentials, our Chinese investigator came on board with two of his Chinese friends, one of whom wants to hear our message too!
We talked about this, and Elder Bronner and I think it has to do with obedience, companionship relation, our increased efforts on Book of Mormon study, and REAL faith. I felt that for a long time, every time I tried to exercise faith, it felt like part of me was still thinking "No, that can't happen, it won't work." I'm working on dispelling those thoughts. "Fear is like the clouds that veil the earth from the sun. Faith is like the morning rays that break when night is done!"
I tried making the banana cake. It was DELICIOUS! And the people I gave some of it to really enjoyed it.
Tried making the chicken spaghetti yesterday. . . DIVINE!!! But was I supposed to not drain the tomatoes/chilies? Good thing we still have leftovers. . . ;)
Hey, ask Brother Taniguchi if he has any relatives in Kurashiki. Our next-door neighbors bear the same last name. . .
Church is so colorful! The primary music director that sings opera (audible from the next room where priesthood meeting is held. . .), the Music Director during sacrament meeting who, in a couple of decades, could very well give Margaret Brown a run for her money (tee hee), the 28 year old Bishop who served a mission in Australia and taught us the Haka to perform with him during the talent show. . . This place is so great, and I love the time I'm spending here!
Well, I've got to run, but please pray for us and our investigators! Our teaching pool is larger than it's ever been and Elder Bronner and I need help knowing how best to follow up and act.
Elder Peterson
Showing posts with label Eikaiwa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eikaiwa. Show all posts
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
The Field Is Changing...
As always, thank you for your love, prayers, and support. I think for a little while, I had the "prayer receptors" plugged up, but I realized it this last week and now they're open and working fine again.
For District Preparation Day last week, we met up with the other four elders in our district at Matsue. We got on a bus to head to Matsue Jo (Matsue Castle). We spotted some foreigners (a husband and wife) getting on the same bus and went to talk to them. Well, they weren't American, but they were from Switzerland, on a three week vacation all over Japan. They actually spoke English quite well. It was fun getting to know them a little bit.
So we got off the bus, as did they, but we went up over to the castle. We waited to meet up with Elders Mahoney and Fukuyama (the Zone leaders that live in Matsue), and then headed up to the castle. However, we noticed that the Swiss man was climbing the stairs alone; his wife's back was hurting pretty badly from all the walking they had been doing. We offered to go with him to the Top of the castle. His name was J. Francios.
The castle was amazing! It was so ancient-japanese-poi (poi = a word here which means -ish, -y, or -esque). I was on cloud nine the whole time. Don't worry, I took plenty of pictures. Speaking of pictures, when we were up in a room at the very top of the castle overlooking almost the entire surrounding city (what a view!), J. Francois told us he had better go back to meet his wife. I got a little idea to ask if we could take a group picture. So, this nice Japanese man took a picture of our district, PLUS the man from Switzerland. THEN, J. Francois asked for a picture with his camera!
It might not seem like a big deal, but here's what I think. Here you have this random couple from a different country, meeting a group of foreigners from America in Japan. We spoke to them naturally, just getting to know them and befriending them. We even offered to help them get in contact with some missionaries at their next destination to help translate for them. Anyway - then you have this nice man from Switzerland taking a picture with the group of missionaries! He has a copy of the picture, so he's going to remember this interaction. I hope someday he sees Missionaries in Switzerland and thinks, "Oh hey, I met some of you in Japan!" What a neat experience!
Afterward, we tossed around a football on this big sand near a park below the castle. It was pretty fun. When the time came to go, we walked back to the station to see everyone off. I got to chat with Elder Tanaka, a "bean-chan" in his first transfer from Chiba, Japan. I'm still by no means anywhere near fluent, but I was somehow able to understand most of what we were talking about! Well, then the Zone Leader exchange started. I stayed in Matsue with Elder Mahoney (from Heber, UT). So, preparation time ends at 6:00. . . we had a lesson right at 6:00 at the church right by the Matsue elders' apartment. It was fun! I was able to share some of my experiences as we tried to help this young man try to see how adversity can help us, and that God isn't cruel.
We ended the day by walking the streets trying to talk to people naturally. Here's where this week's title comes in. Recently, there has been a big emphasis on not just trying to "contact" people and tell them about the gospel, but to just speak with them naturally. So, we don't have to spend hours upon hours knocking on doors just to get rejected a billion times and develop a severe case of "kekko byo" ("That's okay"- sickness, derived from so many rejections, something I suffered a bit from last transfer). Elder Mahoney told me that the field has changed so much since he got here. Walking around on the streets when there aren't very many people around seemed "wanpaku" (lazy, not productive, etc) back in the day. But now, it's all about having the right motives, having faith, and just talking with people - not the old way of "Excuse me, do you have a moment?"
The next day however, I learned that there still is a place for housing! We had some extra time while waiting for a member to return home, so we went housing for a few minutes, and then BOOM! After turning the doorstep scene into a natural conversation somehow, the young man invited us in, gave us something to drink, and listened to us as we taught about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Let me tell you, I have been seeing miracles! Big and small, in Matsue and Izumo!
No investigators have come to church with us yet, but one is really close!! Umetani san!!! Every time we meet here, she's keeping commitments, reading from the Book of Mormon, and praying (every day!). She's even praying with her daughter! She wants to come to church really badly, she's just afraid to tell her husband. So we're working on meeting her husband (don't worry, he knows that she's been meeting with us, we're not trying to go behind the back at all) and helping him to be okay with her coming to church.
I thought I'd let you know that Atkin Choro and I are getting along just fine. We keep having these good, needed conversations. I've realized that I've been a little too uptight, judgmental, and critical. BUT, things are okay right now. The hills and valleys will always continue, but things will always work out!
We haven't had too many people show up at our Kid's English class (Eikaiwa), partially because early Thursday evening was a bad time, but we moved it to Saturday afternoon and anticipate a lot better attendance - even Umetani san with her daughter Haruna!!!!
I love you all, and am so grateful for all that you have given me, physical and spiritual!
Oh by the way, I spoke in Church yesterday, on D&C 121: 7-9.
For District Preparation Day last week, we met up with the other four elders in our district at Matsue. We got on a bus to head to Matsue Jo (Matsue Castle). We spotted some foreigners (a husband and wife) getting on the same bus and went to talk to them. Well, they weren't American, but they were from Switzerland, on a three week vacation all over Japan. They actually spoke English quite well. It was fun getting to know them a little bit.
So we got off the bus, as did they, but we went up over to the castle. We waited to meet up with Elders Mahoney and Fukuyama (the Zone leaders that live in Matsue), and then headed up to the castle. However, we noticed that the Swiss man was climbing the stairs alone; his wife's back was hurting pretty badly from all the walking they had been doing. We offered to go with him to the Top of the castle. His name was J. Francios.
The castle was amazing! It was so ancient-japanese-poi (poi = a word here which means -ish, -y, or -esque). I was on cloud nine the whole time. Don't worry, I took plenty of pictures. Speaking of pictures, when we were up in a room at the very top of the castle overlooking almost the entire surrounding city (what a view!), J. Francois told us he had better go back to meet his wife. I got a little idea to ask if we could take a group picture. So, this nice Japanese man took a picture of our district, PLUS the man from Switzerland. THEN, J. Francois asked for a picture with his camera!
It might not seem like a big deal, but here's what I think. Here you have this random couple from a different country, meeting a group of foreigners from America in Japan. We spoke to them naturally, just getting to know them and befriending them. We even offered to help them get in contact with some missionaries at their next destination to help translate for them. Anyway - then you have this nice man from Switzerland taking a picture with the group of missionaries! He has a copy of the picture, so he's going to remember this interaction. I hope someday he sees Missionaries in Switzerland and thinks, "Oh hey, I met some of you in Japan!" What a neat experience!
Afterward, we tossed around a football on this big sand near a park below the castle. It was pretty fun. When the time came to go, we walked back to the station to see everyone off. I got to chat with Elder Tanaka, a "bean-chan" in his first transfer from Chiba, Japan. I'm still by no means anywhere near fluent, but I was somehow able to understand most of what we were talking about! Well, then the Zone Leader exchange started. I stayed in Matsue with Elder Mahoney (from Heber, UT). So, preparation time ends at 6:00. . . we had a lesson right at 6:00 at the church right by the Matsue elders' apartment. It was fun! I was able to share some of my experiences as we tried to help this young man try to see how adversity can help us, and that God isn't cruel.
We ended the day by walking the streets trying to talk to people naturally. Here's where this week's title comes in. Recently, there has been a big emphasis on not just trying to "contact" people and tell them about the gospel, but to just speak with them naturally. So, we don't have to spend hours upon hours knocking on doors just to get rejected a billion times and develop a severe case of "kekko byo" ("That's okay"- sickness, derived from so many rejections, something I suffered a bit from last transfer). Elder Mahoney told me that the field has changed so much since he got here. Walking around on the streets when there aren't very many people around seemed "wanpaku" (lazy, not productive, etc) back in the day. But now, it's all about having the right motives, having faith, and just talking with people - not the old way of "Excuse me, do you have a moment?"
The next day however, I learned that there still is a place for housing! We had some extra time while waiting for a member to return home, so we went housing for a few minutes, and then BOOM! After turning the doorstep scene into a natural conversation somehow, the young man invited us in, gave us something to drink, and listened to us as we taught about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Let me tell you, I have been seeing miracles! Big and small, in Matsue and Izumo!
No investigators have come to church with us yet, but one is really close!! Umetani san!!! Every time we meet here, she's keeping commitments, reading from the Book of Mormon, and praying (every day!). She's even praying with her daughter! She wants to come to church really badly, she's just afraid to tell her husband. So we're working on meeting her husband (don't worry, he knows that she's been meeting with us, we're not trying to go behind the back at all) and helping him to be okay with her coming to church.
I thought I'd let you know that Atkin Choro and I are getting along just fine. We keep having these good, needed conversations. I've realized that I've been a little too uptight, judgmental, and critical. BUT, things are okay right now. The hills and valleys will always continue, but things will always work out!
We haven't had too many people show up at our Kid's English class (Eikaiwa), partially because early Thursday evening was a bad time, but we moved it to Saturday afternoon and anticipate a lot better attendance - even Umetani san with her daughter Haruna!!!!
I love you all, and am so grateful for all that you have given me, physical and spiritual!
Oh by the way, I spoke in Church yesterday, on D&C 121: 7-9.
Monday, May 4, 2009
A Whole New Transfer ...
... a dazzling place I never knew ;)
Dear Family,
I love you and miss you!
Yes, as the subject line suggested, a new transfer started today. My new companion, Elder Atkin came on Thursday. Wow, watching Elder Kobayashi ride off in a bus was another one of those really weird experiences! I then rode back to the apartment with a ward member where I stayed alone for a whopping 10 hours till Elder Atkin arrived. It was long, but I survived.
Oh yeah, I'd like to set up the phone call that's coming this week. Make sure you get everything figured out so we can enjoy a nice conversation, up to an hour I believe. :) I am SOOOOO excited! Oooh, and I'm going to be sending out a little mother's day package today, with a few of my favorite Japanese goodies (Hi-Chews and Black Thunder) and the tape I'm just about done with. It probably won't get there in time for Mother's Day, but hopefully not too long after.
Okay, onto the week's events:
Wednesday night, Elder Kobayashi and I went out for sushi before FHE. I actually tried the raw squid, and it wasn't too bad. I'm getting more and more used to raw fish. Sushi bar trips are so much fun!
At FHE we watched Labor of Love, followed by a powerful testimony from Elder Kobayashi. I couldn't understand everything but as with most spiritual experiences, I guess spoken language doesn't always matter very much. And we had three non-members there, including one of our investigators that we had lost touch with, Miura-san. Our last lesson with her was at the end of March, but she has appeared again, so hopefully we'll start up with her again soon.
Well as Elder Atkin and I walked back to the apartment with his luggage we were talking a bit. He looks really familiar. I told him that and he said he was famous. I know he was probably just joking, but I guess his family lives in Oklahoma and has an Atkin line of beef or something. Maybe. . . Hah, anyway.
I can tell that this transfer is going to be completely different from the last one. For one thing, even though I'm the junior companion, I'm the area senior so that means I have to know where I'm going. . . And like yesterday, I got us a little lost trying to find Miura-san's apartment, which we never did find. Yes, we found it on the map, but the map is really hard to read, especially since the helpful over view map was ripped out of the book and we can only find half of it. . .
So, looks like Elder Atkin and I are going to be starting up a Kid's Eikaiwa class this week, (Eikaiwa = English Conversation). It's supposed to be one of the most effective activities to find people to teach here. Izumo's Eikaiwa kind of died back when there was a Brazilian and a Japanese elder, and then two Japanese elders in the area. Yeah, they had one Friday night a month for Eikaiwa, which I taught last month, but I think I was a little boring. Anyway, Elder Atkin loves kids, and he's a pretty "genki" (upbeat or energetic) person, so this Kid's Eikaiwa thing should work out pretty well. We even got a couple of our investigator families interested in the class, so this could lead to more interaction with them!
For our weekly service, we had been going to a rest home to talk with the obaachans and ojiichans (grandmas and grandpas), but it looks like that's probably going to change. I feel a little bad, because there were a couple of people in particular that Elder Kobayashi and I had a pretty good relationship with. Kuruma-san, this nice old grandma was even a little sad to think that Kobayashi choro would be transferred.
But, I guess as far as people to teach from service efforts goes, it wasn't all that effective. Looks like we're going to try and start working more with some of the schools around here, like English tutoring and such. We'll see how it all works out.
Wow, we did a lot of walking this weekend -- especially when my tire popped on the way back from a far-investigator's house. . . Hah, I'll tell you more about that when you call.
Well my dear family, I am greatly looking forward to talking with you this coming weekend. I need a phone call, it'll be a nice emotional relaxer for me. Even though this whole experience can be a big emotional stress every once in a while, I'm glad to be here. I'm undergoing a lot of valuable training and learning a lot of things that I know will help me later on in life. I'm learning more about how to rely on the Lord, and how to let him really take your pains and worries.
My study is improving, it feels a lot better!
Thank you for your prayers and love, I need them so much!!
Hear you on Sunday!!
Dear Family,
I love you and miss you!
Yes, as the subject line suggested, a new transfer started today. My new companion, Elder Atkin came on Thursday. Wow, watching Elder Kobayashi ride off in a bus was another one of those really weird experiences! I then rode back to the apartment with a ward member where I stayed alone for a whopping 10 hours till Elder Atkin arrived. It was long, but I survived.
Oh yeah, I'd like to set up the phone call that's coming this week. Make sure you get everything figured out so we can enjoy a nice conversation, up to an hour I believe. :) I am SOOOOO excited! Oooh, and I'm going to be sending out a little mother's day package today, with a few of my favorite Japanese goodies (Hi-Chews and Black Thunder) and the tape I'm just about done with. It probably won't get there in time for Mother's Day, but hopefully not too long after.
Okay, onto the week's events:
Wednesday night, Elder Kobayashi and I went out for sushi before FHE. I actually tried the raw squid, and it wasn't too bad. I'm getting more and more used to raw fish. Sushi bar trips are so much fun!
At FHE we watched Labor of Love, followed by a powerful testimony from Elder Kobayashi. I couldn't understand everything but as with most spiritual experiences, I guess spoken language doesn't always matter very much. And we had three non-members there, including one of our investigators that we had lost touch with, Miura-san. Our last lesson with her was at the end of March, but she has appeared again, so hopefully we'll start up with her again soon.
Well as Elder Atkin and I walked back to the apartment with his luggage we were talking a bit. He looks really familiar. I told him that and he said he was famous. I know he was probably just joking, but I guess his family lives in Oklahoma and has an Atkin line of beef or something. Maybe. . . Hah, anyway.
I can tell that this transfer is going to be completely different from the last one. For one thing, even though I'm the junior companion, I'm the area senior so that means I have to know where I'm going. . . And like yesterday, I got us a little lost trying to find Miura-san's apartment, which we never did find. Yes, we found it on the map, but the map is really hard to read, especially since the helpful over view map was ripped out of the book and we can only find half of it. . .
So, looks like Elder Atkin and I are going to be starting up a Kid's Eikaiwa class this week, (Eikaiwa = English Conversation). It's supposed to be one of the most effective activities to find people to teach here. Izumo's Eikaiwa kind of died back when there was a Brazilian and a Japanese elder, and then two Japanese elders in the area. Yeah, they had one Friday night a month for Eikaiwa, which I taught last month, but I think I was a little boring. Anyway, Elder Atkin loves kids, and he's a pretty "genki" (upbeat or energetic) person, so this Kid's Eikaiwa thing should work out pretty well. We even got a couple of our investigator families interested in the class, so this could lead to more interaction with them!
For our weekly service, we had been going to a rest home to talk with the obaachans and ojiichans (grandmas and grandpas), but it looks like that's probably going to change. I feel a little bad, because there were a couple of people in particular that Elder Kobayashi and I had a pretty good relationship with. Kuruma-san, this nice old grandma was even a little sad to think that Kobayashi choro would be transferred.
But, I guess as far as people to teach from service efforts goes, it wasn't all that effective. Looks like we're going to try and start working more with some of the schools around here, like English tutoring and such. We'll see how it all works out.
Wow, we did a lot of walking this weekend -- especially when my tire popped on the way back from a far-investigator's house. . . Hah, I'll tell you more about that when you call.
Well my dear family, I am greatly looking forward to talking with you this coming weekend. I need a phone call, it'll be a nice emotional relaxer for me. Even though this whole experience can be a big emotional stress every once in a while, I'm glad to be here. I'm undergoing a lot of valuable training and learning a lot of things that I know will help me later on in life. I'm learning more about how to rely on the Lord, and how to let him really take your pains and worries.
My study is improving, it feels a lot better!
Thank you for your prayers and love, I need them so much!!
Hear you on Sunday!!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Snail Mail; April 6th
Dear Family,
This morning a really nice lady, Fukushira San, paid for our lunch at a nice hotel buffet. She's an Eikaiwa (English Class student) and has been, for about 20 years -- still not a member. But she's really kind and loves the missionaries. It was so nice of her, and so nice to eat while overlooking some of Izumo's only Sakura trees in full bloom.
So, I got a letter from Grandma and Grandpa. Jared got called to Guatemala??!! Awesome!
Something happened at Family Home Evening that gave me a little boost. While we were packing up on our bicycles, one of the members -- Aiko Yamato, started talking to a fellow member, probably not knowing that I could understand her. Something to the effect of, "Wow, most bean-chans (greenies) don't talk very much at first. He's pretty smart." I don't talk a lot; my conversational skills still aren't very good. But I'm trying, and someone making a comment like that made me really happy!
I'm really going to kick into gear. The Lord is preparing people to talk with us. He's just waiting for me to step up and prove that I'm willing to talk with everyone. So I will. I have had some amazing experiences when I have opened my mouth. Wow. The power is real. I just have to be bold and open my mouth.
Love you!
Elder Peterson
This morning a really nice lady, Fukushira San, paid for our lunch at a nice hotel buffet. She's an Eikaiwa (English Class student) and has been, for about 20 years -- still not a member. But she's really kind and loves the missionaries. It was so nice of her, and so nice to eat while overlooking some of Izumo's only Sakura trees in full bloom.
So, I got a letter from Grandma and Grandpa. Jared got called to Guatemala??!! Awesome!
Something happened at Family Home Evening that gave me a little boost. While we were packing up on our bicycles, one of the members -- Aiko Yamato, started talking to a fellow member, probably not knowing that I could understand her. Something to the effect of, "Wow, most bean-chans (greenies) don't talk very much at first. He's pretty smart." I don't talk a lot; my conversational skills still aren't very good. But I'm trying, and someone making a comment like that made me really happy!
I'm really going to kick into gear. The Lord is preparing people to talk with us. He's just waiting for me to step up and prove that I'm willing to talk with everyone. So I will. I have had some amazing experiences when I have opened my mouth. Wow. The power is real. I just have to be bold and open my mouth.
Love you!
Elder Peterson
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