Hello from Japan,
Some weeks it amazes me how much the Lord blesses us to accomplish. I
think one of the miracles from last week was the strength to push
onwards and keep biking, no matter where the Lord needed us to go. For
example, on Monday, Elder Hafen really wanted to go dendo out near the
airport, which is a 30 minute bus ride away. So, we pack up, bike out,
and spend the morning of pday handing out eikaiwa flyers to ever
building we can see. Pack back up, and start home, stopping at the
farm of one of our eikaiwa students to see how he is doing. As things
turn out, he actually isn't even home, but the Sekihara couple is, as
they live on his farm in the winter. They will be heading home to
Niigata this week, but we just got to talk with them, learn about
Japanese culture while enjoying the weather. But, the Lord wasn't done
guiding us, and Mr. Sekihara had actually been looking for a bible for
the entire five months he had been on Ishigaki. It was an amazing
experience to teach and testify not only of the divinity of Christ,
but of his role in our individual lives, and how we learn of that
though the Book of Mormon. And we returned home without sore legs.
That theme continued on Friday, when Elder Smith said we needed to
visit one of the members who lives on the Far East of our area. As
time would have it, we had a return appointment on the far west side
only about 30 minutes later, but not only did with visit with this
sister, who had been having an especially rough morning, but we also
made it across the city in time. Again, without physical fatigue.
I don't want to sit and sound like we have it rough, because our lives
as missionaries are extremely blessed. But those blessings of modern
comfort are multiplied tenfold as the Lord touches our lives with His
hands. Some days, it's as simple as that physical comfort, and others,
it's a deeper feeling, within the heart, of spiritual growth and
healing. I've been blessed to see that no matter the circumstance, as
the youth theme teaches this year, there is peace in Christ. Only
through His love and Endless Atonement, which were prepared by our
loving Father in Heaven, can we find the strength to push onwards in
our lives. He who knows all knows us perfectly, and through His plan
there will be a day when we gather together as families in joy
according to our faithfulness. I am grateful for the lifting power of
His love, and know that it is a true component of the only plan for
lasting happiness.
Love you all,
Elder Mitchell Woodhouse
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