Week 40: Reignite the DENDOU FIRE (the 31st week on the field)

Hey,

   This week was transfers and I've got to say, it was hard.  It was hard waiting to be transferred. Elder Larsen was transferred to Naha so we basically already lived there last transfer.  Elder Bodily then took the throne in Urasoe so I felt super left out.  Everyone was moving on and I felt like I was waiting... and waiting... and waiting.  The others were already accustomed to the other area and I was waiting for my companion.  I've found out--especially on my mission-- that change is hard for me.  The last days in Okinawa were pretty much goodbye's.  I can't wait to go back there again.  My second to last day, a friend that we hadn't been able to meet for 5 months came to see me since I was transferring out.  That was a blessing because not only was I able to see her, I was able to introduce her to the new Urasoe missionary, Elder Bodily.

   I was also wrong about the boat ride.  It wasn't 12 hours... IT WAS 15!  We had stops on the way for other passengers so it took a bit longer.  Because of the vibrations from the engines, I couldn't lean against the wall.  I was also disorienting to walk, and reading was a bit hard, so I slept for 13 hours (not continuously mind you).  The "Bed"'s were small comforters with a stiff foam brick covered in leather as a pillow and a blanket to cover. It wasn't the best thing in the world but when you've gotta sleep, you've gotta sleep.  I gained that ability as a kid.  When I got off the boat, I still felt like I was on it...haha.

   

  Amami is Paradise.  I haven't lost the Okinawa feel yet.  They still have A&W Root Beer and Shiquasa juice (It's like a lime or a lemon in a shape of an orange but is only found in Okinawa--or the surrounding islands).  The apartment is pretty big-- as it used to be a 4-missionary apartment.  Now, the church is 3 minutes away by walking as well!  Score!  The building isn't that big but at least we have one so I won't complain.  Yesterday, during church, I was able to say the sacrament prayer in Japanese... I did really well too.  New island, new adventures, and a whole lot of Dendo fire.  Now that I'm in a new area, we're going to serve with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength again!  Time to do what Elder Groberg did on the island of Tonga, Convert the ISLAND! (Shoutout to my G-ma for that reference).

Love y'all always,

Elder Jacob Wilson

Me!!!

An island the boat stopped at on the way to Amami Oshima

Picture from the window

                                           On the boat to Amami-oshima