FUNBUN to FUKUOKA

November 7, 2016

This week had some really amazing parts, really sad parts, and really interesting parts. Let's start with the interesting parts at way we can end the email on a spiritual note :) We were dendoing Monday night and walked up to a big apartment building and got to the top, seventh, floor and it was pitch black. So o started feeling around for the doorbell and pushed the button, and it mysteriously got stuck so I tried fiddling with it a little, all in the dark, and decided just to pull out my iPad for some light and right as I got it out the apartments fire alarm starts blaring. Yes, I had pushed the fire alarm button that was so conveniently placed and sized just like a doorbell. As we started to flee from the building, because really what could we do in the situation, a mom comes out of an apartment and we explain to her what happened and profusely apologize. We will be bringing her cookies today. Mind you this was all after a lesson cancelled, it was pouring, and no one was answering. Not our finest moments.

But really now onto all the actually amazing things of the week. I could brag about our members here for hours! They're incredible! The American branch is doing a mission plan that is specific to each family, so we as missionaries get to meet with them and help them create the plan. Our family, the Bergmans, are incredible member missionaries! They talk to so many people about the gospel and are so excited to invite people over for dinner with the missionaries. We were able to meet with a ton of members this week and are so blessed to be serving with each of them. Jorgensen Shimai and I taught young women's yesterday and these girls are so special. They all just radiate and are such incredible examples to those around them. We get to do an activity this week with them on self reliance and we are really excited about it!

We had another junkai this week and I got to dendo with wieland Shimai! My dendo sister! Anderson Shimai trained both of us and both of our first areas were Maebaru! It was a tender mercy getting to hear about her time in Maebaru and how well the ward is doing. Wieland Shimai is a powerhouse of a missionary. I swear these junkais are just completely for me to learn from the other Shimai and they just bring me along for the ride!

We were dendoing downtown this week and right after we finished a contact a guy walks up to us and tells us he's a member! He hadn't been to church in years, but saw us and decided it was time to come back. And he actually came to church on Sunday! Miracles!

We were able to have dinner this week with the amazing former investigator and her dad from the bike crash thing. Last week when they dropped off my bike I expressed to them how I didn't hunk it was a coincidence that we met like that and that we wanted to share our religion with them. We set up an apt for Saturday. Jorgensen Shimai and I were so excited about it. We thought they were doing to pick us up them we were going to go and eat cake and share a message. So they start driving us up this mountain and twenty minutes later we pull up to this super fancy restaurant with a view over all of sasebo.

Jorgensen Shimai and I were speechless! We had a really nice dinner and then shared a message, but when we asked them if they were willing to learn more they politely declined. It was so heartbreaking. We were sure that this would be their time to finally accept the gospel, but I guess there is a different plan for them. I've been trying to maintain the faith that we did what we were supposed to and that it just wasn't the right timing. I love them each so much and am praying for them to remember the gospel at some future time of trial in their life and receive it then.

This work is full of so much joy, and so much sorrow at people not being receptive to the message. But we just need to keep doing our part and have faith that it is enough!

I love you all!

All my love, Sundell Shimai

View from the restaurant

We were sitting in choir practice yesterday and realized we have the same toe thumbs! She freaked out! She had never seen them on Americans before and just kept saying "I can't believe it!" Instant best friends.