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| We did facials one night... |
"You're getting so tan you are becoming a Lamanite. Watch it," said an Naha ward member--Sister Kinjo-- at the grocery store. We had just run into her by chance, but before we could blink, she was bustling away again.
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| Saki's baptism day |
The following Sunday, an eight year old girl named Saki was getting baptized and Sister Kinjo was speaking at the podium: "When Saki's older sister was getting baptized two years ago, that was the last time we saw the father until today... Maybe he figures he just has to wait until the next daughter is getting baptized for him to wash away his sins in the waters of baptism too. Ouch. But everybody was laughing, and the less-active father smiled a little. Okinawa sure has been interesting these past few weeks, but the typhoon missed us.
I have been out proselyting with 5 other people besides my companions. It's been a blast, and I love to see how different people go about missionary work. I didn't realize how much I missed having a Japanese companion (shoutout to Sister Sakamoto and Sister Omi) until these past two days when I've had the opportunity to go streeting/housing with Sister Kirihata, the ward service missionary, while my other two companions stayed in the apartment and recovered from sickness. Sister Kirihata's responsibilities are slightly broader as a service missionary. Even though she was just called to teach early morning seminary, she is just about the most high-energy missionary I've ever seen and I feel like a new missionary again! I teach her how to ride a bike, how to get to a potential investigator's house, and other logistical things...It almost feels like training, but not quite, because she's a stellar teacher already. We have found three new investigators together.
I mentioned earlier my companions are sick. It's basically been this whole transfer! First, Sister Perkins, and more recently, Sister Page have this kind of virus. I think Sister Page is already starting to feel better today though. Please pray that they can be healthy so we can get back to working together! Sister Perkins tried going out housing last week when she was still very sick. She said (trying to be upbeat and pretending not to be sick), "I feel tired, but I'm still walking."
"That's what zombies say, weirdo." I think she's learned her lesson on being patient when she's sick.
Missionary work can be absolutely grueling at times. President Egan said when he shakes hands with the missionaries down here in Okinawa, he has to go to the bathroom sink and ring out his hands afterward because of all the sweat. YAYYYYYYYY
I gave a talk on charity and love for zone conference meeting a while ago and I felt so nervous. It went ok though! Thomas S. Monson said, "True charity is love in action." The call-to-action of charity was the key message of my talk. After the talk, I was asking Sister Perkins why in the PMG (Preach my Gospel missionary book chapter 6) does it refer to both charity AND love, and not just charity? She thought that maybe the reason why we talk about charity AND love jointly is because it's like fasting and prayer. You can have love without charity. You can have prayer without fasting. But when you add charity to your love, when you add fasting to your prayers, both those things become more elevated and noble. When I study charity, it inspires me to understand the motives behind why I'm trying to serve others. Have a great week!! (Or two!)
Rogers Shimai
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| Naha Cityscape |
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| The District |
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| Our trio |
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| P-day lunch at Fuyjya - July 31, 2017 |
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| Latest yummy treat! |
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| Zone Conference August 2017 |
