Week 35: Meetings and a week-long comp exchange... again (week 26th on the field)

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Hey,
    
   If y'all don't already know, this is my 6th-month mark out in Japan--That's right, today!  This week was full of conferences and meetings.  We had Zone conference over here in Naha so I got to see some old and new faces.  From Monday night to Friday afternoon, I was with Elder Bodily-- who became district leader by the way-- and we went around Urasoe and Dendoed.  We also Dendo slammed with the entire zone; a Dendo slam, by the way, is when all of the missionaries in a zone gather together and proselyte an area together.  This week was also White Day.  Now, White Day is a holiday made in Japan--I thought it was in America as well but it's not--and it's the opposite of Valentines Day.  Here in Japan, Valentines Day is a day that the GIRL gives a present --typically chocolate based candy or cake -- to GUY,  and White Day is when the GUY gives a present --  white chocolate based candy, marshmallow or cookie --  to the GIRL.  So we went around in groups of 4 and asked people what their Love Language was.  The picture below holds the results.
   Zone conference was focused on how to invite and help keep commitments.  Commitments are one of the ways that we can tell if someone is progressing.  If our commitments are weak, then the people we teach would have a hard time understanding and keeping the commitments.  We followed a cycle that we can make our committing and following up more effective.  If the people we teach don't know what's going on, it's hard for them to learn by the spirit.  It is our job/duty to guide and direct.  It's hard being an imperfect person but having a perfect message makes the difference count. We, as humans, make mistakes; it's our nature to do so.  Because we have the Atonement, every one of us can be perfected in Christ.  I have a witness to know that this is true.  I don't realize how much I've changed yet, but I sure know that almost everyone around me has said that I have changed in a better way since coming out on this mission.
   Yesterday, we had a dinner appointment with this really great family.  This family, the Kinjo's are super strong in the church.  The son is planning to go on a mission and Elder Larsen and I are trying to help him get ready to submit his papers (it's like an application to go out on a mission).  We had great conversations about their past, about our past, and shared some funny stories.  Since both the parents are converts and served in the same mission, we asked their conversion stories and mission experiences.  Then, as it felt natural, Elder Larsen and I were able to bring in a lesson on missionary work and the future of Japan.  We believe that in the years to come, way down the line, Japan will be a different Japan from the one we see today.  This change won't come from the outside--foreigners--but from people on the inside--the Japanese members.  I believe that the Japanese people will accept this gospel eventually.  It may not be as soon as we expect but it will happen.  The Japanese missions would be as the missions in South America when it comes to bringing closer to Christ.  We shan't give up on these people! They are all our future!  There is no need to fear for the future when we see that as parents lead in righteousness, their children will listen and will bring to pass a better world than we now know.  There will still be opposition, for as the Lord says "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so... righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad..." (2 Nephi 2:11).   Maybe we are all meant to swim in deep water, but better deep than shallow.
   I bear a sincere testimony to the truth of this Gospel.  I know that as each of us follow the commandments, we will be blessed.  I know that as we challenge ourselves to be better than we were yesterday, we shall see change.  I know that as we deeply study the resources given from the prophets of old-- the Book of Mormon and Bible--along with pray sincerely to our Father in Heaven, we will see blessings in our daily lives.  I know this gospel is true and I can never deny this Love I feel for the Saviour.  For all those who may have challenges or wonder how I KNOW these things to be true, you can ask God for yourself for comfort and truth.  He WILL answer you.  Stay safe out there!

Sincerely,

Elder Jacob Wilson

Dendo Slam Pic

with Elder Tani - part 1

with Elder Tani - Part 2

The Fisher of Faith by Kelsy and Jesse Lightweave


 
Zone Conference





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