FUNBUN to FUKUOKA

Jan. 29, 2017

Konnichiwa all I love!

This week had so many fun unique experiences!

Craziest one of all: we were on splits and I was with Macleod Shimai, who is in her first transfer just like steed Shimai. We were walking around in a outdoor shopping mall contacting people and there was a guy sitting down playing a guitar and singing in English. His accent was perfect and he was so good! So we stopped and talked to him and complemented him. Though he actually speaks no English, we got into a conversation about what we are doing here, and ended up discussing happiness. He expressed how he doesn't know what happiness is, and we were able to share with him what happiness is to us. We asked if we could meet with him again and he said he would be in the same place the next night, so we agreed to meet again! We showed up yesterday and he was there! We got to sit down and share a message with him and even give him a Book of Mormon! We shared 2 Nephi 2:25 and it really struck him. We were truly created that we might experience joy. Though there are many difficult things in this life, and a lot of tragedy in the world, our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ created us so that we might have joy through all experiences. The spirit was so strong as we testified and promised him happiness and joy through reading the Book of Mormon and relying on God. Before we left we asked if we could pray together and he agreed. We explained prayer and said that if he agreed with the things we say in the prayer, to please repeat 'amen' at the end. We prayed for him and his situation and happiness and through prayer, testified that this man was a son of God. And at the end of the prayer he said amen! Such an incredible experience. The craziest thing about the story is that I have seen this guy countless times before in the shopping center. Every time we walked past him I told Jorgensen Shimai how cool I thought his hair is. And now we are teaching him and helping him feel of our Savior's love! What incredible timing. It reminds me of the line in PMG that states 'You are surrounded by people. You pass them on the street, visit them in their homes, and travel among them. All of them are children of God, your brothers and sisters. God loves them just as He loves you.' How many times we have passed him on the street! PMG knows what it's talking about.

One thing I've learned this week is how easy it is to focus on ourselves and become selfish. Often when investigators stop contacting us, I get impatient. Countless times, as we come to understand their situation and things they are going through, we find out that there are a lot of really difficult things going on in their lives. One investigator we had that I instantly loved has been having health problems and that is why she has been to overwhelmed to contact us. There are always things going on in others lives that we do not see. Our job is to just love others and show support. It's much easier said than done, but I know as I have focused on showing Christlike love, I have felt more peace and joy in my life.

All my love, Sundell Shimai