Dear Mom & Family
This week good week was. Fun Halloween party had. I you these sentences can read hope. They Japanese grammar in are. Interesting, huh? Can read?
Well, last week part of kind of sad was. Kioka san us on canceled (nine member family). Canceled because (in English, ‘because she
canceled, "the 'because' part always comes first), we her first discussion didn't teach. We sad were.
Eda san good person is but everything yet doesn't believe. Now, you can understand that, I English grammar in will write.
Whew! Isn't that a relief? Chinese grammar is about the same as English, but Japanese is kind of backwards. Except for a few words, you can start at the back of the sentence and read toward the front and it will fit with English grammar.
The Halloween party was a lot of fun. My companion made a great "grim reaper" costume. He had a black coat and hood. For the reaper, he took a broomstick and cut a reaper looking thing out of a cardboard box and attached it to the end. Then he made a cardboard skeleton mask! It was really creative and really funny, especially when he related it to missionary work and D&C 4 (the field is white, all ready to harvest... thrust in sickle...)
The party was great! Upstairs they made an
incredible maze out of cardboard boxes (you crawl through them), we had an apple peeling contest (who could peel the longest continuous strand with a knife), then bobbing for apples. One of our Eikaiwa students came and Eda san came for part of it. I only wore my black coat and was Dracula (it was pretty good when I pulled my "cape" up over my face, wiggled my eyebrows and said, "I vant to sahck your blooahd!") I scared a couple people : ) There were some other really good costumes there. Our ward mission leader dressed up as Nephi (he had a bow that came apart too: ) and one man was a samurai - really cool. It was a fun party. The members are great.
That night we had dinner and taught at Kawa Kita shimai's. The Halls came too, as well as three non-members! We shared a good message about making wise choices through the spirit (used a maze as an example - it's hard to know which way to go on your own). The food was great and the company was excellent. The cutest little girl I've ever seen (Eri chan) was there - she's 2 ½ years old, and we played dominos together with another young friend of hers for awhile. It was a fun night.
After church on Sunday we had kind of a choir practice. There were about six of us, and it was just a primary song, but the director seemed to know what she was doing - it's been a while since I
really sang with people. I sure enjoyed the opportunity.
Tuesday was an awesome day! I split with the district leader, Elder Stevens, in his area, Adachi. We visited some great people! First,
a a Philippine woman who speaks English, Japanese, Tagalog (?), and others I think - we be spoke mostly in English and Japanese. When we got there her husband (well, the guy she's living with) left and told us it was fine with him that we come in the house to teach her and insisted that we do. Of course, we couldn't break a rule, but we told him okay, then as soon as he left, we set up chairs in the genkan (doorway) and talked there.
Wow! This poor woman! She has a baby with this man, and another son from her previous marriage, but her husband died. She tells us this man beats her, ignores and doesn't care about the baby, and accuses her of sleeping with other men, etc. while he goes off with other women. He left her when she was pregnant and treats her very poorly all around it seems. I felt so bad for her! I empathized greatly and even shed a hidden tear or two for her sorrows.
As she told us of her trials, I thought of a scripture which I then shared with her. It's D&C 122 where the Lord is telling Joseph Smith about all the horrible things that will happen to him and then saying that they will give him experience and be for his good.
The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than He? She nodded her head in agreement (of the part about experience for good).
I testified that while we may not, God understands her and Jesus Christ suffered for her sins and pains. She said she had been praying for help — I told her that was great and encouraged her to continue. She seemed more comforted. It's such a difficult situation and she doesn't know what to do. Oh! I so much just wanted to help her! To reach out my hand and take away all her problems.
I've been praying for her.
Then we went to see Carl! Remember Carl? (The genius inventor we played football with and who knows so may things and has had some very bad experiences with churches in Japan). Well - he's doing great.
He told us many great stories about Reverend Nicholson, a Quaker gentleman of 97 years (old), who was the most ultimate example of
Christ-like love. He worked for 14 years helping 1st generation Japanese people who had been in the concentration camps. We talked about a lot. He has very
"deep doctrine" type questions... "Do Mormons believe in a Heavenly Mother?" "What's this stuff about using oil and blessing people?"
He's been reading some good church literature, but he hasn't even heard the discussions, so it's bringing up some big questions. But he's recently been having dreams about all his positive experiences with the missionaries — and also about his dead grandfather who's presence he still believes exists. He had great interest in our beliefs about the spirit world and baptism for the dead (a way to give something back to your ancestors). He is such a great guy. His heart is so good. We just need to teach him about the spirit so he can become converted inwardly instead of on the outward doctrines. Wow.
On the way back to the Eki, I broke (while riding) Elder Schofield's brand new bike! The metal that holds the gears on just snapped in half! I felt so bad! It should still be under warranty, but I'll pay for anything he needs. It was a strange part to break. Poor Elder Schofield!.
Also, on Wednesday, Chao Chen (from China) came to Eikaiwa! He had work off because it was a holiday - culture day. He's great and still wants to hear the lessons, but is so busy. He works overtime everyday doing web page designs. I invited him to church, but didn't get a commitment.
Things are going great. I'm happy, I love my new companion. I think my Japanese is improving some. Sometimes I start thinking in Japanese without realizing it, until I find I don't know a word or grammar principle. I love being a missionary! I love this gospel! It is joy and love bringing! I love Jesus Christ. He truly gave us everything! He is the center of this gospel plan, and can be our best friend if we let him. I love you all! Thank you for all you do!
Love,
Elder Brandon Pearce
