Monday, August 26th, 2013

Dear family,

 

We had an incredible week.  I'll start off by telling you about this miracle kinjin (golden investigator) we found. 

 

There was this Eikaiwa (English class) student named Adachi and he is about 33 years old, fluent in Chinese, very humble, nice business man.  He came up to me after Eikaiwa, after everyone else had departed, and he leaned in really close to me and asked me how much it would cost him to buy a Doctrine and Covenants.  I leaned back a little and looked at him a little funny and asked why he wanted to know.  Then he told me that he had just finished reading the BOM and wanted to read the D&C and Pearl of Great Price, as well.  He asked me once again how much it would cost him.  I then looked at him square in the eyes and told him it was free!!!  I then got him a Doctrine and Covenants and started doing some standard how to begin teaching!  I found out that when he first came to Eikaiwa two months ago, Elder Call gave him a BOM.  Adachi is a convert of three years to the Protestant faith, his wife is a convert of 8 years, and he is really interested in learning everything about all religions.  He actually said this to me, I will never forget it 'cause we never hear this phrase, " 宗教のことでたくさん興味がありますよ！”って (I am really interested in religion).  We never hear that!  It's a miracle!  We asked him if he had any questions about the BOM and he said I've got too many questions about the Book of Mormon!  We asked him when we could meet to discuss those questions.  He told us that he actually just quit his job and so he can meet us any day, every day if we want.  We set up an appointment for Friday and went over to his very well kept house.  We read the intro to the BOM with him so that we could establish the basis that the Spirit is what will testify of truth and that it is his duty to pray about the BOM and the things we talk about.  He understands everything so well and has a very strong testimony all ready in the gospel and fundamental Christian beliefs.  We then turned the time over to him for his questions and he told us that in the 1 day he had the D&C, he read 100 pages of it and loved every written word.  We then talked about the priesthood, baptism, and a host of other topics and questions he had.  To sum it up quickly, he believes that the BOM is true, he said that if the BOM is a lie, then the Bible and all of Christianity is a lie!  He said that they are so complimentary that it has to be truth.  He is very active in his other church and has some responsibilities over there, so it has been hard for him to switch to coming to our church.  But he told us that he really wants to switch religions.  He served us dinner and spent the whole time pointing out all the flaws in his church and how our church is more functional and actually follows gospel teachings.  After dinner we got serious in our discussion again and gave him the baptism commitment.  He agreed that once he is able to switch religions, feels the confirmation of the spirit that it is the true church, and hears all the lessons he will get baptized.  We asked him when we could meet next, he said not 'till he finished the D&C.  We asked him when that will be and he said Tuesday.  We set up a time to meet Tuesday. :)

Just to put a cherry on top of it all, he brought a BOM to his church with him and shared it with his pastor.  His pastor had a lot of interest in it so he is currently reading the BOM as well!!!  We are going to convert the entire 20 person congregation of Protestant Christians at Musashi Kosugi station!!! 

 

Then on Sunday, before church, we were waiting for our ward missionary council to start when Elder Whiting of the Seventy, Bro. Richardson, who is the General Sunday School President, and another Japanese Area Seventy showed up to our church.  We got to hang out with them and get to know them for a while.  Exchanged some contact info and swapped some missionary stories and talked about the status of the ward.  They taught both priesthood, Sunday school, and then talked in Sacrament Meeting.  Brother Richardson did a great job of fellowshipping the 4 investigators we had come to church, and what not. 

 

That night, we went over to the mission HQ for a devotional that Bro. Richardson was giving and we got to talk to him once again afterwards with our investigators.  Then I ran into President and Sister Budge at the fireside and got to talk to them :)  They still remember me, haha.  We also got to introduce some of our investigators to President Wada who gave them some great words of encouragement. 

 

With Adachi San being able to meet like everyday, and also getting Masaru ready for his baptism this Saturday, we are looking to have a busy week!  Also, Sis. missionaries are going to move in on Thursday and we are helping get their apartment ready for them and such.  Transfer calls are tomorrow, I'm really nervous, I don't want to leave at all, but we will see what happens. 

 

I love you and hope you have a wonderful week!  Bro. Richardson talked a lot about becoming the best you can be and enjoying our roles in life.  So put some butter on your roles and go do some good in the world.  :)

 

愛をこめて

 

クランダル長老