Dear Family,
Well this week was an
interesting one! We were able to meet with a lot of our investigators, but
almost all of those were on splits when I was in the zone leaders
companionship, so I didn't teach any of them this week except Watanabe. But
they were all still taught by Elder Rockwood and Elder Eaton. Which is ok I
guess, but neither one of them know the investigators well and neither one of
them are good at building relationships with investigators, kind of treating it
all like business. Which I guess isn't a bad thing, but I feel like I should be
friends with them and really know them as well as I can, because when I do that
I can understand their concerns and worries and can teach to their specific
needs a lot better. So from what it sounds like those investigators from that
day (Takahashi, Hagiwara, and Tarik) are still willing to meet with us. But it seems like the relationship with the
missionaries has dropped significantly. Which is a really big bummer. But
nothing I can do about it right now. Other than that we have done a lot of
calling to keep in touch with our investigators and a lot of splits and a lot
of finding this week. Which has been good.
Watanabe is a really funny
guy. I think sometimes because we talk to everyone as missionaries we end up
with a lot of interesting people that we know, such as Watanabe. He is always
incredibly stressed out for our meetings so he comes in sweating worse than
anyone I have ever seen by reason of stress. So that always makes the beginning
of the lesson interesting, but by the end he is completely relaxed and laughs
and enjoys life. He has been undergoing rehab for depression and stuff for 4
years ever since his job kind of drove him crazy. Here in Japan everyone works
6 days a week and about 12 hours a day not including train time, and so that's
hard in general, but then you add some mean coworkers in and some extra
workload and bam people snap like a dry twig under a tank track. So it seems
that that is what happened to Watanabe San. So meeting with us is a big step
for sure, and he is setting up a weekly meeting. So in the last lesson we
talked about the restoration and about his questions, such as why we have Elder
as our name and things like what goes on after we die. And at the end we asked
him to pray and he said no, but we talked about it and about Heavenly Father a
little more and testified and he really felt good about it he said. So he said
a prayer at the end! It was really short, only about one sentence, but it was a
way good prayer! I love getting to see those first prayers that people do. They
are really special times.
Other lessons from the week
were on splits with Elder Cook in the zone leader companionship. I taught a guy
named Aruna who is a man from Shri Lanka but called up Elder Cook and asked us
to visit, so we went and taught him the restoration and he prayed very simply
and humbly and it was a really good time for him I think. The language barrier
of teaching a man from Shri Lanka in Japan with two American missionaries
speaking English is pretty interesting for sure! But it went well. And then I
taught their baptismal date investigator Ono San. He is a way funny guy, who
meets them every single day for a lesson to get ready for his baptism in 2
weeks. His voice is a cross between Stephen Hawking and the Garmin GPS voices.
Especially when he speaks English. So that was a lot of fun! And then as soon
as that split ended, I went on splits with Elder Dunn who has become a good
friend so far this transfer, so we went on a couple adventures coming home from
scouts ekaiwa which was as good as usual. There were only two kids in my group
so it's really awkward teaching but it's alright I guess. It was fun!
Well I hope this week was
good for everyone, it sounded pretty busy, but still good! This Saturday is
transfer emails again! Seems like it came way quick this time, so everybody
cross your fingers for me to stay in Hachioji! This morning while in the shower
I entertained the thought of maybe becoming a trainer this next transfer, that
would be sick! But we'll have to wait and see. I've been discussing motorcycles
a lot with Elder Dunn recently, and I am way curious to know how much the
Ducati from Tron is. Anyways, that was pretty random. If the Cunninghams are
still there tell them that I want to visit them while they are here, because
who else gets to visit one of their best friends parents on their mission
right? Brandon and I have emailed each other most weeks since he got on his
mission. Anyways, I'm glad everyone has been having a fun time, I'll send some
pictures in here real soon and I love you all!
By the way, HAPPY FATHERS
DAY DAD!! I love you tons and tons and 2! In my next package I'll hopefully be
able to get you your stuff!
Love,
Elder Gailey
P.S. I have a favor for
you guys this week, do you think you could ask the missionaries if they would
have you be a member present at one of their lessons this week? Or maybe to
have one of their investigators come to our house with them to eat dinner and have
a lesson? I dunno why I felt like I needed to ask that but a couple days ago I
felt like I needed to ask.
Scout Eikawa
Elder Gailey's Ramen
Elder Gailey likes these shoes!!
Normal Train Ride - really crowded
Ahhh - American style food
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