寂しい (lonely) (May 29, 2011)

Hey,

So the Tokyo missionaries have returned home. It was very sad to leave them because they were cool and we won't even ever have the chance to see them at zone conference again but thats ok life goes forward and we will continue to do the Lord's work. Life in Ogaki is good. We had a typhoon blow through this week. It was really crazy but it has pretty much finished so that is good. Members have been telling us that the rainy season is here so that is exciting. The members were all like I feel so bad for you. I would not like to be in your shoes. A mission is hard in Japan isn't it. We're like yes so can we come visit you sometime and they usually say sorry we are busy this week maybe next week or some other time so it is really tough. Not everyone is like that either but it just make it that much more difficult.

Today we met an investigator and had an awesome lesson. He told us all about Shintoism. It is very interesting and while he was telling us about it we were able to realize the similarities in our religions. For example before you can enter their shrines you have to wash your hands and your mouth because you are impure. Through that we were able to compare it to the sacrament and how by taking the sacrament our sins can be forgiven and we can be made clean again. We talked alot about the sacrament and he was very intrigued. We talked about all the similarities and there are a lot. It is really crazy.

Our english class is doing way good. We have gotten 2 new people that have started coming and they both are planning to come to church this week. It is really good. We are really excited. As people read the Book of Mormon they see the good that it teaches and have started to become more interested. We still have a lot of people just interested in English but people are starting to notice the good things that we are doing and that we are willing to help people. I am really happy with the english class and I think a lot of good will come from it.

I can't remember if I have said this before but once a week on Wednesday we go to a book club and they are really nice to us. Honestly we get more meals from investigators than members but they always give us snacks and things from their gardens. But it lasts 2 hours and we get about 20 minutes to share a lesson and last week we read with them the third to last paragraph in the family proclamation...and they Loved it. They complimented on how important this is and the women especially love how it says that men and women are equal partners. It was very good. And it is great when we can connect with the Japanese people and show them that what we teach is a good thing.

I Love this church and am excited to continue working here in Ogaki.

Take Care

Love
Elder Nelson