What in the world? This transfer is already over! Happy St. Patty's Day (almost there right?) and Happy March Madness! Let me just say, that I know it’s March Madness over there, but I'm pretty sure that's an apt description of the goings on over this side of the globe, too.
So, Transfer calls, it's a crazy day on that Wednesday, everybody wants to know what's going on. But equally as terrifying is the Monday before. Because if something is happening in your area that is extreme or out of the ordinary, Monday is the day the AP's (assistants to the President) send you a call. So you can imagine how I felt while climbing up Mt. Misen overlooking Miyajima and the phone rang showing AP 1. So, we just got a new AP (the previous one just finished his mission) and he just so happens to be my Trainer! So Elder Clements (it's been a while since I've typed that name in here, huh?) asked me if Okada 長老 was near so that he could tell us some news. He says "All right, I'm going to tell you half of your transfers."
WHAT, you're going to tell me half? I thought you loved me!
Ok, so here's what I've got. Yasufuruichi is becoming a Sister's area and the Elders are closing! So now Okada and I have to pack up and gut our apartment of all food before Wednesday! Man, that's the second time I've cleaned out an apartment in the same area! It's pretty funny because only Okada 長老 and I have lived in that apartment, and no one is coming in after us! So, I don't know where either of us is going yet, but, one thing is for sure, the next e-mail won't be coming from Yasufuruichi. (oh man, that's so sad to say)
Ok, so other exciting events on this side. Thursday we get a call at 6:50 from the Elders in Takasu saying "Hey, can you guys come over and teach our Eikaiwa (at 7:00), we have to go to the Hospital." So, two train rides, a series of phone calls, and a half hour later we finally end up at their Eikaiwa. So Elder Mitton, about 200cm, was running down the stairs to catch a phone and jumped the last two steps.....jumped straight into the ceiling. He was running pretty hard apparently because it knocked him out for a few seconds. He ended up with a 3cm deep gash on the crown of his head. He walked up to the second floor to get his companion, and to get some help from the members, and blood was just all over him. In his own words "I've never seen that much blood come from my body in my life." He may or may not have scared the kids that were there, but 5 stitches and a day of recovery later, he's back in action.
It actually ended up being a really good Eikaiwa, they had 5 new students come, and I'd have to say it was one of the most successful Eikaiwas I have ever done! Too bad it wasn't in my area....
Alright, here's the feel good story of the week. So, Okada 長老 and I have been going to a sign language circle every Tuesday this transfer. One of our Less Active members teaches over there (she's been deaf since she was about 5 years old) and we've been making a really good relationship with her. Last week we finally got to talk to her straight, and invited her to come to church. She was a little worried about coming because last time she came there wasn't really anyone there to translate for her, so she kind of just felt like a burden, and left out. But luckily, our Branch president (and his wife) are fluent in Japanese Sign Language 「手話」 so she felt a lot better about coming. This past Sunday she came to church again (the first time in I don't know how long) and it seemed to go really good. The Branch President translated for her during Sacrament meeting and Sunday School (which one of our other investigators randomly showed up for, but that's another story) and his Wife translated for her during Relief Society. She seemed to really enjoy it, and hopefully she'll come back again! But that's not the end of the story.
Previously when she came she was always helped out by this one Member. That member has been less active for the past several years now, and had actually cut all communication with the Missionaries for a time. But, when the deaf member came back she asked if the other member would be there to help out. I think she even might have texted her, but, through a series of events the Less Active member let us know that, "Well, this Sunday is a little bit rough, but I'll see if I can help out another Sunday." The whole time I've been in Yasufuruichi we haven't been able to talk to her once. But this past week, with visits from one of our ward missionaries (Brother Schrubb who just got reactivated since I've been here) and the deaf member coming back, she finally accepted a visit from the Sister missionaries! Over the past 3 years it's been a rough battle to even get a good conversation with her, but now, with a little work, faith, and a lot of prayer, she may even find her way back to church again! She used to be the heart and soul of this branch, and she may have burnt herself out working too hard, but it looks like there's the start of a flame; the spark has started, now we just have to feed it. How great shall be your joy if you shall bring one soul into the presence of God!
Good luck this week and have a wonderful March!
Elder Everett
エベレット長老
Elder Benjamin Charles Everett
Japan Fukuoka Mission
9-16 Hirao-josuimachi
Chuo-ku
Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka
810-0029
JAPAN
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