83rd week in Japan
3/13/2017
伝道

Dear Family and Friends,

We have had a fun week with more exchanges and the opportunity to get to know more missionaries. The mission is such a blast! It is great to be able to continue to learn new things every day.

Last week we had Zone Training Meeting on Friday. There is 31 missionaries in our Zone so it is currently the biggest Zone in the mission. It is weird to stand up in front of a bunch of missionaries that you hardly know and give a training, but I am grateful that I can get to know all of these new missionaries. We have exchanges with Elders about 2 times a week. It has been fun but at the same time a little odd because I feel like I still don't know my own area very well yet. Exchanges are always in Amagasaki so we just go out and get to work without knowing to much about the area. 

This transfer I have been able to exchange with a lot of younger missionaries. It is so cool to see the faith of younger missionaries. Even if younger missionaries cannot speak the language 100%, hearing their simple, yet powerful, testimonies really brings the spirit. One thing that I want to work on is bearing more simple and frequent testimony. 

Today we went to the Himeji castle with a group of some of the missionaries in the zone. It was interesting to see some of what went on hundreds of years ago in Japan. It kind of reminded me of the scriptures and the importance of keeping records of our history. I am grateful to be able to read God's word written by prophets long ago. I know that even though the scriptures were written many years ago everything applies to us in our day. 

The highlight of the week was that an investigator that Elder Zollinger and I found named Shingo in my last area was baptized yesterday! I wanted to go, but I couldn't make it because we had a missionary fireside. He is going to be such a big help to the branch in Fukuchiyama though. Nobody in the branch is under 40 years old except for him and one other sister. I am filled with joy that he made the decision to follow the Savior and be baptized. It is great to see our brothers and sisters come unto Christ. 

Ponderizing scripture: Mosiah 8:18 "Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings."

Questions:

Have you used your family tree with pictures that we sent with you?  Do they talk about family history much in your branch?

I actually got it out recently to use it while housing (tracting). They have a bit more recently. I want to start filling out the my family pamphlet.

 Did you cook up some Alfredo this last week?

We have not yet. We haven't had much time to do so.

What are some of your favorite people in Amagasaki?

I like brother Usman a lot. He is from Nigeria. I also like our investigators. Sakamoto san and Shirakawa san are good. Brother Ogawa is really awesome. He took us out to eat on Saturday.

Have you or Elder McArthur talked in church lately?

I haven't had to talk other than my self introduction the first week here. Elder McArthur gave a talk yesterday.

Did you get a chance to practice the song we sent you for the piano?

Yes. I tried it out. I could remember most of it, but I was a little rusty.

 Is Elder McArthur pretty good at ping pong? 

Yeah, he's alright.

Do the Japanese people like to go camping?  What do they like to do over spring break?

That is a good question. I actually haven't heard of anyone going camping in Japan. I think that is a Western thing. I'm not exactly sure what they like to do over spring break. Usually just hang out with friends.

I hope everyone is doing well at home. It is great to hear how you are doing. Logan seems to be doing well on his mission. Love you all!

Elder Hirschi