Konnichiwa!
I didn't transfer! By the end of this transfer that will make it 10 months on Okinawa!
And before you know it, I am a transfer 7 missionary. 7 is not too old but then again its not a young missionary either. By this time we should be an "experienced missionaries".... WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??? This language is crazy and I still have so many things to improve on. BUT I seriously LOVE being a missionary. I don't ever wanna be not a missionary...okay i cant speak English either now.. I'm not gonna lie, things can be hard, people are people whereever you go, some are nice, some are not so nice. But whereever you go, the gospel is always true. No matter your situation, the gospel of Jesus Christ will ALWAYS bless your life.
Another sister area opened up in Okinawa so there are now 10 shimai on the island! One of the shimai is a brand new Japanese bean! We picked her up at the airport!! We will get to do junkais (splits) later this transfer with them!
This week we had a AB (after baptism lesson) with Miyazato Shimai. We were in the church with two other members and we watched the Joseph Smith Restoration movie (the missionary 20 minute version). I prayed so hard (and later found out my doryo, comp, was praying so hard) that the spirit would be there and touch not only Miyazato Shimai's heart but the other members as well. More than ever before Holy Ghost witnessed to my heard that Joseph Smith did in reality see God the Father and Jesus Christ! This story, no matter what language, is so powerful. As I again testified with my whole heart that it was true I fought through tears. I will never forget the spirit I felt in that tiny room, in a small chapel, on a small island of the coast of Japan. It makes me think of the powerful words of the Hymn Praise to the Man
Sorry i copied and pasted that and it got all weird but I bolded, millions shall know Brother Joseph again. I remember singing that in the MTC and getting chills and tears realizing how everyone in the room was about to tell the world about Joseph Smith and then flashing back to now, here in Okinawa one more person was able to come to the knowledge of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel.
I had the idea that serving in Japan would only strengthen my testimony of God and because they have neither the bible NOR the Book of Mormon it would just strengthen my testimony in scripture. But my testimony of the restoration of the gospel and the truthfullness and power of the Book of Mormon is what I have gained most thus far. Yes, my testimony of God has been strengthen but it is because of the restoration and modern day revelation that I can know these things to be true.
Sorry I kind of went on a long rant this week and dont have time for much else! We are teaching this mother of 5 kids from ages like 4-19. She loves hearing our message. She is half american but her parents divorced when she was 4 so she never learned English. She is feeling torn between her heritage. She is asking herself, should I be Japanese and Buddhist? or Gaijin (foreigner) and Christian? Pray for her that she can come to church and feel and RECOGNIZE the spirit!!! Her name is Sari.
Thanks again! I love you all!!
Capener Shimai
