A God of Miracles

First of all, I want to testify that the Lord always pulls through, in one way or another. His miracles are real!

We set a baptism date with Nakata San last Monday. The following day, we did a joint with Sister Sekiguchi. Nakata San seemed a little blue that day. During the lesson, he showed us a letter he received the day before - the same day we invited him to be baptized. The letter disclosed the information that his daughter has passed away.

He lost contact with his daughter many years ago after his divorce. He was heartbroken and spoke of his future dream of meeting his daughter and catching up on all the lost years. It was interesting becuase we had planned to teach "The Plan of Salvation" that evening. We testified to him that families are eternal and he would see his daughter again someday. He felt at peace and reconfirmed his desire to be baptized.

Then two days later we received a phone call from him saying, "I can`t be baptized anymore." In the midst of planning his daughter's funeral, he mentioned to some family members that he was taking the missionary lessons. They reacted angrily, telling him he needed to respect his Japanese culture and if he were to become a Christian, they would cut off all contact with him. Fearing for his relationship with family members, he told us to not come back ever again.

We were heartbroken. I decided to write him a letter, which we planned to drop off later that day. There was a lot of hesitation on whether to visit him or not, but with the assurance of Sister Sekiguchi, we decided to go.

We visited and surprisingly, he answered the door in his usual friendly manner. He let us inside - not what we were expecting at all. He opened up to us, sharing his fears about losing his family members, especially after losing his daughter. He apologized about not being able to be baptized, but that he still had the desire. Then, with tears in his eyes he asked, "How can I make this hurt go away?" We cried with him. We testified of God's infinite love and that through His son Jesus Christ, we can overcome all things.

The amazing miracle is that he believed us. The spirit testified to him that what we taught was true. He told us he prays to God three times a day and has felt a warm feeling in his heart every time he does.

Right now we are praying for the miracle to soften the hearts of his family.

This is where we are currently at with Nakata San. We still don't know what's going to happen, but I am filled with the assurance that the Lord will work His miracles.

Love you all!

- Matsuura Shimai

Doctrine and Covenants 35:8

 

 Artwork done by our friend Nishiwaki San. She is Buddhist, but created this beautiful piece of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus during a difficult time in her life.

You don't want to miss this one

 

(From two weeks ago) Sending off Ikehara Shimai to open one of the first sister-only areas in our mission! (Yes Sisters are currently taking over the mission!) She is companions with none other than the legendary Sister Jacobson!

Last week Sister Burrows and I housed into a man named Nakata San. He was your typical nice man who listened to our message and accepted a Book of Mormon. We didn't think much of it. Fast forward a week later and we decide to visit this man again. It was the day after our mission-wide fast for missionary work. We were hoping for some big miracles to take place.

Nakata San greeted us at the door and seemed pretty excited that we returned. After welcoming us back, the first thing he asked was, "Why did Jesus have to suffer?" It turns out he read a little bit of the Book of Mormon. He said it was a little hard to understand but he wanted to learn more. He then asked if he could come to church, remembering that we briefly mentioned it last week.

We introduced Jesus Christ to him, explaining who He is and what He has done for us. This led into the topic of Christ's perfect example and how we need to follow Him. We then showed him the video of Jesus Christ's baptism. As the video finished, Nakata San started clapping his hands! I remember  looking at Burrows Shimai and both of us knew we were going to invite this man to be baptized. So we did. His response was, "As long as it's not in a river like Jesus!" We assured him that our church building has a "large bathtub" and that it would be a very nice experience. We were able to set a baptism date for the 22nd of this month.

We made it to the starting line with Nakata San! Until then he said he's determined to come to church every week and study the Book of Mormon. Tonight we're doing a joint lesson with President and Sister Sekiguchi. At this point I'm not quite sure whether we'll continue teaching him or if we're passing him to the elders. Either way, I know it will be the best for Nakata San!

I know that the Lord answers prayers and that there are people in this world who are prepared to hear the gospel! Something I've learned in my mission experience are the two main ways in which these people can be found.

Number one: We need to actively seek them, whether it be knocking on doors, chasing people down the streets or asking for referrals. The Lord will recognize and bless all our efforts.

Number two: We need to prepare ourselves so they can find us. This means living righteously so our light will be easily recognizable. There's a scripture in D&C which mentions how "light cleaveth unto light" (88:40). Those who are prepared by the Lord will naturally seek out the light that emanates from our good works and desire to follow our Savior.

Church is true!

Love,

Sister Matsuura

愛するお友だちや家族みなさん!

先週私とバローズ姉妹は中田さんと言う親友見つけました。最初から彼がとても優しくてメッセージを聞いたりモルモン書をもらいました！一週間すぎて彼とも一回会いました！今回会う時彼の最初の質問は 「なぜイエスキリストが私たちのために罪を払いましたか」彼が少しだけモルモン書読みました。理解できなかったのところがありました、しかし彼はもと学びたい気持ちがあります！そこから私たちは彼にイエスキリストを紹介されました。イエスキリストのバプテスマビデオを見せた後、中田さんにバプテスマ決意を進めました！彼が９月の22日バプテスマ受ける予定があります！

今日関口会長や姉妹とジョイントレッスンします！その後おそらく中田さんが長老宣教師にパースします！

祈りの答えが真実であったりそなえられた人々が東北にいると証します！その人々を見つけるためにイエスキリストの光を持って一緒に頑張りましょう！

教会が真実です！

愛してるよ！

松浦姉妹

教義と聖約 88. 40