I want to start by talking about a young men in the ward here, Daiki. I talked about him a while back. We hung out with him last transfer after he got in some trouble at school and was hesitant about serving a mission. I shared a lot about my personal experiences in deciding to serve and encouraged him to figure it out. Later he told me he wants to go on a mission as soon as possible because of missionaries examples. Around that same time he brought his best friend to church who started meeting the other missionaries here. His name is Riyou and Daiki became a big example for him... Well yesterday Daiki baptized Riyou. You can just see Daiki's happiness in making an eternal friend and strengthening his own testimony. You can do the same for others and yourself, sometimes all it takes is an invitation.
It was funny Daiki had to redo the baptism three times. The first time he said the prayer wrong and then just threw Riyou in the water super fast and fell in with him and splashed the first row of kids haha. Hopefully that didn't scared my friend Keiji Nakamura because he is getting baptized this week! As well as the the sisters investigator, Wada. Three in one week here in Yamate, craziness!
I'll give you the Nakamura update now. We met Wednesday and taught him the Ten Commandments. He had no problem with them and the bishop here joined us and did a great job helping. We were pretty scared because the bishop here is one of the most fiery people I have met and goes too hard sometimes. Nakamura admitted to us that he drank at his Grandmas funeral thing and he felt terrible. He prayed the next day and felt ok, but THEN he read the Book of Mormon and felt amazing. He reads it and just finds answers and teaches himself. It's just been the biggest blessing. Read the book guys! Nakamura went off about how we HAVE to do ALL three things of CPR (come to church, read scriptures and pray). It was so dope. We just can't stop smiling when we meet with him. He is way funny too, says the funniest stuff over text.
Then next lesson on Saturday started off good. He hasn't drank since that slip up and is committed to continue resisting. We planned to teach tithing, read the first page of the pamphlet and he told us he thinks it's a good thing to pay tithing and makes sense, but doesn't think he can afford to do it financially. We told him to consult with the bishop which should be happening this Wednesday. That was about 15 minutes in. Then the member that was with us there talked about blessings and prayer. Nakamura admitted he doesn't pray for blessings for himself. He is so humble that it almost hurts him a little. He is too hard on himself. He went off about his depression and even said he might as well go to hell. The member went pretty hard telling him the gospel and God's plan is so that he can be happy, but if he doesn't ask for blessings he won't get them. He went a little too hard and we watched Nakamura close off more and more. I had trouble following it all and didn't get a word in. Elder Johnson was able to testify a little. We came out of that lesson feeling pretty crappy. That member is one of the best men I have ever met, we were shocked he went off. He is really concerned that he doesn't pray for blessings he is in trouble. We really left that lesson feeling crappy and stressed. Though things turned around a little that night as we went to an event held by our mission president where we watch Indiana Jones and he talks
about faith. Then we texted him that night Either 12:27. He told us for the first time he believes everything. I think it helped him to kinda hit the bottom then read the scripture and see why we have trials. Then he came to church and saw the baptism and finally got close with a couple members!! He still seems committed. We think his actions show that he wants blessings. Maybe he doesn't realize it and is too humble to outright ask for blessings but he also is asking for help and answers in prayers and I would say those are blessings. He is looking great.
At the event with President Wada he has the biggest person trust fall with the smallest. Well that happened to be me and my first companion Elder Nagano! What's funny is about a year ago when we were companions he came to Tokorozawa for the same presentation. I don't think Pres. remembers but Nagano and I did it then too. Pretty ironic and nostalgic. I may have shed a tear ;)
President also came to Yamate for interviews and to join in our district meeting. I learned a ton from him. I love president. He also bought us all food <3 He basically told us what's happening next transfer. He said we are both staying, but not together... The other two elders we live with are going to America. One because he got his visa one because his mission is over. A bunch of people leaving at once is bad so one of us will hop in their position. Though you can't ever trust president.
Also our weekly basketball activity had a huge turnout. About 14 people there between missionaries, members and non members.
Anyways, love and miss you guys! I don't have a lot of pictures BUT (mom listen up) I tried cutting my own hair in the bathroom and actually did really good!! Check out the pics.
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