New District and Zone Leaders

Each transfer brings a change in assignment for some Zone Leaders and some District Leaders.  The newly called leaders all meet at our home for a few hours of trainig.

 

 

Elder Uchida and Elder Chipman-two funny Elders that keep us smiling.

Visit From Maeda Family

We received a call from Sister Maeda who introduced herself as the wife of a man Gary baptized 40 years ago in Tokyo.  She asked if she and her family could come and meet us.  We were thrilled to meet her and her two sons and her parents who live in the Nagamachi Ward.  We learned that after Bro Maeda was baptized, he went on a mission.  He was married in the Temple and within a couple of months of their wedding, he was called as a new Stake President-at a very young age. They had two sons-one went on a mission and the other joined the military .  Both are great young men.  Sis Maeda's parents finally joined the church at the request of their (then) 3 year old grandson.  They have served in the Temple and are wonderful people.  Bro. Maeda passed away of throat cancer 3 years ago.  He left behind a faithful family.  It has been an honor to know them.  They continue to visit us when she is in town visiting her parents.

 

 

 

Finishing Missionaries in October

We say good-by to Elder Tanaka and Elder Ikeda.  Elder Ikeda was an Assistant to the President for  4 months and served very well.  We will miss these two good Elders.

Relaxing at the Mission Home the night before going home.

With the AP's, Elder Takei and Shin'no.

Elder Tanaka

Elder Ikeda

After the final Testimony Meeting, it is time for the famous Skiyaki dinner.

The morning of departure at the Eki.  Elder Ikeda will board the train for Tokyo where he lives.

4 great Elders!!

Elder Tanaka's Mother came to pick him up at the Mission Home.  We enjoyed meeting her briefly.

Arriving Missioinaries in October

The AP's and Gary and I always get to the airport early to wait for the missionaries to arrive.  We find people to talk to as we wait.  These two adorable little twins were waiting with their mom for their dad to fly in.  I asked mom if I could take a picture of the girls.  Aren't they precious??!!

We had 5 Elders arrive in the mission this transfer.

 

Their plane arrived late and we were hurrying to get them on the train back into Sendai.  They are given a Book of Mormon, some Pass-along Cards and Eikaiwa flyers to pass out on the train--their first dendo experience in Japan. 

Elder Yamanokuchi and Elder Taylor

Elder Fukuta and Elder Kuiken

Elders Brown, Kobayashi and Takase

Elder Whittle and Elder Kim

Elder Takeshita and Elder Furukawa

The group of new missionaries with their new trainers watching the

 WELCOME TO THE SENDAI, JAPAN MISSION

 video that our great AP's put together. 

Enjoying the traditional Curry Rice lunch.

Elder Furukawa from Gifu, Japan.  (His sister left our mission last transfer!)

Elder Takeshita will train Elder Furukawa in Yamagata.

Elder Kuiken (pronounced Kie-ken) from Boise, Idaho

Elder Fukuta will train Elder Kuiken in Yamagata.

Elder Whittle from Santa Rosa, CA

Elder Kim will train Elder Whittle in Sanjo.

Elder Kobayashi from Hokkaido, Japan.

Elder Takase will train Elder Kobayashi in Odate.  Elder Brown will also be part of this threesome.

Elder Yamanokuchi is from Kumamoto, Japan

 

Elder Taylor will train Elder Kobayashi in Tsuroka.

 

The whole group before leaving for their new areas.  Exciting times!

Lo Shimai Baptism in Fukushima

Lo Shimai is a Chinese lady who has been trying to learn the gospel since before the big earthquake.  She doesn't speak much Japanese and no English.  We don't have missionaries who speak Chinese so teaching her has taken a long time.  However, she has faithfully come to church for almost two years even though she could not understand much of what was said.  She loved the peole and the spirit she felt there.  Elder Dowdy began teaching her when he was a brand new missionary in Fukushima.  10 days after he arrived in the mission, the big earthquake happened and there have been no missionaries in Fukushima since because of radiation issues.  He had the great blessing of teaching her again when he became an Assistant to the President and was asked by Pres. Rasmussen to attend the Fukushima Ward once per month to suppport the Ward.  He found that his investigator was still attending church and was very interested in the gospel.  Many times, Brother So who was baptised 3 months ago and is from China, went with the Elders to teach Lo Shimai.  We are thrilled to have her in the church.

 

 

Elder Dowdy filling out the Baptismal record after the baptism.

Many families in the Ward wanted to have a picture taken with Lo Shimai.

The Bishop's wife has been a wonderful friend to her.  Because konji is understood by Japanese and Chinese, Sister Nara would write what was being said in church in konji so that Lo Shimai could understand.  That was a labor of love.

Our wonderful AP's, Elder Takei and Elder Dowdy, who taught the gospel to her.

Some of the children in the Ward.