Missionary Life in Japan

Because our seasons have changed slowly, each tree species changes color at a different time. This week the ginkos are a golden yellow. However, we may see our first frost this week since the forcast is calling for snow on Wednesday.

We haven't shown many missionary pictures on the blog because you don't know them and would quickly tire from seeing endless pictures of missionaries. However, tonight we are going to tell

a few missionary stories and add a few pictures.

During our time of serving in Japan we've seen some outstanding examples of dedication and service from various missionaries. One young missionary's mother has cancer and is fighting for her life. He has remained focused on teaching people about the Savior and has served as an excellent trainer to a new missionary who just arrived. The mission president just made him a zone leader and he is now out working on the problems in the zone.

We have a young energetic missionary who has sinus problems. His medicine failed to arrive and pressure began to build in his ear so he had a local doctor make a hole in the ear drum to relieve the pressure so that he would not lose time as a missionary. His medication came one day later.

We have one junior missionary who was assigned to work with a senior companion who's feelings had been hurt and he almost stopped doing missionary work. The younger elder, instead of letting this problem get him down, worked on his language skills harder. When transfers came, it only took him a short time to get a baptism and he and his junior companion have lots of people who are being taught.

About 2 weeks ago, one of our elders was hit by a car and was taken in an ambulance to the emergency room. When the doctors checked him, they could find nothing wrong but a few bruises. He went back to teaching the gospel and except for a few scrapes his bicycle was ok too. That was not true of his helmet. It was nearly cracked in half, but he was prepared to keep using it if needed. We are getting him a new one.

The conference picture was taken at one of the zone conferences when Elder Evans toured our mission. He made many crucial comments that have helped the mission to move forward. We see more lessons being taught and more people serious about the church than we've seen since we came. It's great to see the enthusiasm among the missionaries.

Here are 3 pictures of our office elders - Narakino, Vaughan, and Porter. The 4th elder, Elder Edwards, just arrived and we don't have his picture yet. Two of the 4 missionaries are converts and the only members of their families who have joined the church.

They don't let that bother them, even though they get less mail than most of the missionaries. They have a young man who is progressing well and should be baptized soon.

Last Friday after transfers were complete, the president called a meeting of the office staff and told us that they wanted us to lead the mission by example - by hard work, by teaching and by having people join the church.

The last two elders are the assistants. Both of them are diligent and follow the counsel of the mission president. They are trying very had to fulfill their responsibilities.

In an earlier posting we told you about the Matsune couple, but have not said anything since. Elder Vaughan and Elder Porter are helping us and progress is being made. We have faith and confidence that this family will make the decision to join the church. They've been unable to have children and are going to Vietnam in two weeks to attempt to complete an adoption.

We want you to know that we are thoroughly enjoying our experiences and are glad to be here. It is a joy to serve our Father in Heaven as we labor to assist the younger missionaries.

We miss all of you, but this is where the Lord wants us right now and it the place we most want to be. It isn't often we can dedicate all of our time to the Lord's service. It is a wonderful feeling. We hope to be able to do more. We love the gospel and know that the only way we can be truly happy is through keeping the commandments and following the prophet. No amount of worldly possessions can bring happiness. Those possessions can be gone in a second. Only things of eternal value will last. Heavenly Father loves you and is watching over you. I know this to be true. Keep smiling and share your testimonies at every opportunity. Be bold, but not overbearing!

Love,

Dad & Mom (Dale & Ruth, Elder & Sister Hansen)