Email sent on 5/24/09!

Hello everyone?
How are you! Thanks for the letters this week, I know you are all busy, and so I definitely appreciate it. This last week was really great, we're having the opportunity to work with some really good people and to see a lot of miracles as a companionship. I've been learning a lot, and the Lord has placed some very special people with great knowledge of missionary work and the Gospel in order to teach me what I need to know. It's been a blessed week, so I'd like to share a little bit of what's been going on.
We started the week out with a surprisingly nice p-day - although we didn't get everything done that needed to be done, it was still a really nice day to just be out. We ended up going to an Italian food buffet, but somehow I'm still losing weight - I think it's the irregular eating that gets me more than anything.
I worked with the APs on Tuesday and we had a couple of really good lessons; including a really good find. We taught one of their Chinese investigators and it was a really good lesson, where we committed her to baptism - she picked the date all by herself! It was really wonderful. As we planned for her lesson, we weren't sure of what to teach her, but as we sought for inspiration, I remembered a recent article in the March Liahona of "Not Burning the Midnight Oil". It was funny because as we read it with her, it was as if the article had been written about her! It was really Spiritual and the Lord guided us to know what we should teach.
Then as me and Elder Smith went to the next lesson, we decided to knock on a few doors, seeing that we still had some time. We knocked on a 3 doors before a little grandma inquired through the door about who we were. As we told her, she came out and we had the chance to talk to her about. As we talked, the conversation turned to the the topic of miracles - what is a miracle?, she asked. The only thing I could think to say was that maybe someone who has cancer is cured by some unseen power. Well, as we talked she told us that she was sick. She lifted up her little cap, and we saw that she had no hair - she had cancer and was receiving weekly chemotherapy treatment. I was shocked because I had no idea. We talked about how the Book of Mormon helps us overcome our challenges and increase our faith, and she gladly took it. We set an appointment for the coming Sunday. Sadly, as we went to go visit her again she wasn't there, but left the Book of Mormon with a note: "This book is hard to understand. The characters are to small; I got a headache. It wasn't written in easy to understand language; it was bad. Sorry." I was puzzled at that. I mean, it's not anything that I did, she tried to read it. But I've been thinking about it and that's kind of the special power of the Book of Mormon - the people that are prepared to receive it will read it and enjoy it. Those who aren't, will reject and throw away the rich goodness of the power of the Book. It was quite a learning experience - and I felt blessed to be an instrument so that she would at least want to try it. Oh well...
On tuesday and wednesday I worked with the Zone leaders and learned quite a bit about teaching and finding. I had a really special experience with their investigators, Mr. Fujita. He's about 70 and he has a disease that doesn't allow him to eat very much, and sometimes it's hard for him to breathe. This causes a severe depletion of his energy and binds him to a wheel-chair (a jazzy scooter if you will :) ). We taught him once and the next morning he needed our help to go to the Hospital. I ended up being the one who carried him up and down the stairs of his apartment, to his wheel chair, and then again at the doctor's office. It was actually quite a comical site if you think about it: a 1.95m foreigner carrying a barely 1.50m tall little japanese man, who can speak both english and japanese, but you can't hear either of them! It was a wonderful service experience, and you could just see the gratitude in his smile. He wants to be baptized and as missionaries we realized that the Gospel will bring him more comfort than he realizes.
We were also able to meet with several brazilian families this week. 2 of which we have appointments to go back and teach. The Izumi family is a mom, and really funny cute daughters: 12, 6, 4. They are fluent in both languages and they seem to really like the missionaries, and we have an appointment to go back and teach them (and we're also hoping that the mom's boyfriend will also be there). Then we also taught Van (Evandro), a father of 2 (keep in mind, he's only 21). He's great and really seems to like what we taught (we've taught him a couple of times now). He was a little drunk last time, but we gave him a pamphlet and the Book of Mormon so that he can read when he's not drunk. It kind of defeated the purpose of meeting him in the first place, but at least we can go back this week.
We taught the Peruvian family, the Kiwakis, lesson 1 again (in Spanish), and it was amazing! The mom really wanted to come to Church, but slept in. However, the daughter came and really seemed to have enjoyed it, making new friends. It was a wonderful experience, and we see a lot of potential in these families.
On saturday we taught a couple of Japanese investigators, Mrs Doi, and Mr Funai. Doi's lesson was amazing - she really needs the Gospel right now, and we feel she is ready to accept it. Funai was good, but the member doing the joint-lesson kind of talked a lot and it didn't end up as effective as we hoped. But it was good. Japanese are really hard to make appointments, everyone is always busy and kind of hard to meet.
It was a really great week, and we're feeling the miracles coming! It's so amazing. But now that we're seeing success, I know I'm gonna get transferred, haha. It seems to have happened that way the last 2 areas, so we'll see if 3rd time is a charm, hehe. I don't want to transfer, but I will do what needs to be done.
I love all of you and pray for your happiness and success. Just remember that Heavenly Father does too, and that He works for every one of you Individually so that you can have peace and happiness and return to Him. I know He loves us. I know He wishes to help us, and will encircle us about the arms of His love, if we come to Him. This work is amazing - it's too fast! I know God cares about each of His children and that's why we're here. I'm thankful everyday for this opportunity. I wish you could all experience this, if you haven't yet. It's truly a marvelous work and a wonder. Christ lives and is our Savior. I bear witness of this in His name, amen.

Love,

Elder Mourao

Konnichiwa!

Minasan, osoi ni narimasu!! (That's the new one I learned recently)
How are you guys doing? Good to see that the pig flu hasn't been deemed any more than just a strong flu. It kills every year but no one seems to be making a big deal out of it, I don't get it.... oh well, but it sounds like it came over to Japan pretty recently and there are some people in Kobe and Osaka and there's some fear that it will be getting into our mission in places like Okayama and Tottori - but again, it's a strong flu, as long as I'm not a slob and wash my hands I should be ok. I was just reading recently in Mormon chapters 7.8.9 and it talks about the time of the coming of the Book of Mormon, and it describes exactly the same things that we're experiencing right now. It truly is amazing to have prophets who wrote for US! Well I'll go into that a little bit later.
Our baptismal candidates are still a no show. We've tried calling them from different phones, gone over there, everything! They only call if they need to park here at the Church, it's ridiculous. I'm pretty sure that the 23rd is not going to happen, but we hope to be able to work with them - if we can ever get a hold of them again. But as always, where one door closes, a massive gate gapes open and the blessings of Heaven rush out like Niagara. This last week we had 2 lessons with Mario and Sueli, a couple that was brought to Church about a month and a half ago by a recent-convert Brazilian family. We talked to them every once in a while and got to know them a little better and this last week they became investigators. They said they read the assigned parts of the Book of Mormon and that they'll read the next assignment. The wife however (who seemed to be the better one of the two) has proved to be a little bit more difficult, as she is currently involved in a lot of activities for her current religion: the infamous "Assembleia de Deus". For those that know I can tell you're smiling. Not because I'm making fun of their religion, they have a lot of good people, but they do have a tendency to do these big, overt performances of faith and such. It's quite interesting, but I digress....Anyway, so Mario ended up coming to a little soccer game we made for some investigators and missionaries, and the threat of rain didn't stop the Brazilians from coming. Au contraire, it motivated us to play because it wouldn't be as hot! It was fun and he brought his friend Fernando Norishi (another way cool Christian). Everyone had a good time, however the day after - and even today - are still filled with pain- filled moments of delightful recollection. i.e. my body hurts so bad right now!! Mario has come along from first being an atheist to now wanting to talk more and more about our beliefs. It's funny to watch him during lessons: while his wife is talking he doesn't even care, but as we speak and expound the Restored Gospel, he focuses like no other; it's so awesome!! And this last Sunday, we had our recent-convert family testify of the Restoration and the blessings of faith it brings.
It really touched when they said: "One of the blessings of the Restoration is the strengthening of faith. There are so many religions, and this brings doubt. Doubt diminishes faith, and so having a certainty of the fulness of the Gospel on the Earth now strengthens replaces that doubt with faith." It was beautiful - they've only been baptized for 10 months!
Then our other progressing investigator, Funai-san (yes, he's Japanese, crazy huh?), came not only to play soccer, but to Church again. And this time around he really liked it. It was such a blessing! It's too bad that my translation burdens... aham, I mean priviledges, kept me from talking with him much, but my companion is amazing and he took care of it all, I'm really thankful for him.
We're seeing miracles here, and I love this place. Recently we had an amazing Zone Conference, and our Zone Leaders did a very interesting Instructions. They talked about the qualities of that most-sought-after "Golden Investigators". The number one was "dilligence". Dilligence in keeping commitments and doing what the missionaries ask them to do. To do the will of the Lord and come unto HIm with broken hearts and contrite Spirits. Then he related it to us as missionaries. If we really want to help those people, shouldn't we be leading by example? In Preach My Gospel it states that we can't convert others beyond our own conversion. And it's true.
The next thing (which really touched me, actually) is that we need to become kinjin (golden) missionaries. It's true. If you look at it from an eternal perspective, we are all investigators of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We come unto him with broken hearts as we repent daily, and witness the renewal of our convenants every week at Sacrament Meeting. So what makes us golden missionaries (or investigators)? Dilligence! Dilligence to do what the prophets and the Holy Ghost tell us to do each day in order to come closer to our Heavenly Father. Part of that dilligence is the way we study and apply the Gospel in our lives. We need to deeply study and then live it. That's how we show Father in Heaven that we're repenting and we want the blessings of the Atonement in our lives.
As for us, missionaries, part of that guide is Preach My Gospel. It gives us a promise that if we follow it, we'll be more successfull missionaries. Since then, I've been studying it more deeply and seeking to understand what the Lord would have me do. And it's been amazing.
So I would like to challenge all of you to also become Golden Members! (And if there are any non-members reading this, Golden Investigators!). If you start sutdying the scriptures more in depth, prayerfully, taking notes, pondering about it, you will become more enlightened. And as you apply the principles you learn in your daily lives, you will come to know more deeply the blessings of the Atonement, and strenghten your relationship with Heavenly Father. Which, in turn, will strengthen your testimony, which will support you through your trials and difficulties "through the joy of His son" (Alma 33:23). I know this is true, and this is His work. I know Jesus Christ lives and is our Savior. I know as you take these steps to come closer to Him, you will feel His love more profoundly in your life, and give you strength. I promise you this in His name, even Jesus the Christ, amen.

Love,
Elder Victor Mourao

Elder Victor M. S. Mourao
Japan Hiroshima Mission

Piggy disease

Hello everyone!!

How are you doing? Sounds like this Swine Flu is getting everyone and their dog sweating right now. Mission medical sent us a couple of e-mails about it. But nothing anyone can really do about it here. I don't know, it's kind of funny being a missionary: we're so concerned about people's salvation and their wellbeing, that we don't notice all these little things that people keep freaking out about. I mean, they're not necessarily little, but being closer to Heavenly Father definitely gives you a better perspective on things. Like it says in 1 Ne 11:17 - I do know that God loves all of His children; nevertheless I do not know the meaning of all things. The Gospel is really a blessing, and this work is amazing. I can't believe I'll be hitting my year mark next transfer! It's just going sooo fast. I don't have time to think and all of a sudden I'll be going home soon. For you, it might not seem as fast, but it's like we want more time so that we can help these people. We truly want to see them happy. And it's so frustrating, that even though they have received a confirmation, they still choose to follow the path of least resistance, and therefore, missing out on all the great blessings of the Gospel. I can kind of relate it to flying. The faster you go, the more drag (or resistance) you will encounter. However, as your speed increases, you are able to get lift (or the force that pushes you upward). As you ascend, you encounter less resistance, and realize that pushing the limit below has allowed you to travel safer, faster airways. Of course, turbulence is a given (it is still the atmosphere), however, as you focus on keeping your attitude straight and level, not worrying about the slight altitude drops (or things that have minimal importance), you are able to safely, quickly, and happily reach your destination. Maybe that's why I like planes so much... what's not to like right?

So this last week we were able to contact 60 people with only good 23 hours of working time. We did find 2 investigators, and it holds true that the more people you meet, the more likely you are to find those prepared to teach. However, as one of the things that I've been thinking about lately, it has more to do with the quality of these "natural invitations" (as our APs put it), than how many grandmas and grandpas you can gab with in a week. And the principle of you find what you look for. If all you're doing is ineffectively housing places where the old folks live, of course, you will find them. If you are looking for young, normal kids, who are searching for their purpose in life, well, you go to the college. Now you're thinking: "Mourao, it took you that long to figure this out? What's wrong with you? Did Japan mess with you?" Haha. No. But, surprisingly, missionaries set on autopilot and don't actually pay attention for all the great opportunities there are around them in order to find those prospective priesthood holders, bishops, stake presidents, worthy husbands, etc.

For example, we went to go get some new stamps (not mail stamps) for the office and we ended up talking to the man there for 30 minutes. We invited him to hear the lessons, and even though he might not seem that interested now, as we continue to talk to him, that interest will spark. Another example is Fujiwara-san, who we met last night. Good kid. Good job. Doesn't have that much going for him. But, because he works at a Hotel, he wants to learn English. Then, as we teach and show interest in him, he will naturally have those so-called "questions of the soul" come, and we'll be there to help him.

Missionary work is sometimes a lot more simple than we give it credit. In Jacob it talks about those who "look beyond the mark" and miss the simple and plain things. We've decided recently that instead of Investigators and Potential Investigators, we're going to find Friends and Acquaintances. Now, that might sound pretty cheezy, corny, or whatever. The point is, these people aren't numbers. They are children of God, who need the Gospel, even if they don't realize it. So, as we become friends with them, truly show love and charity towards them, show unfeigned interest, and apply the Gospel to their own concerns and questions, they will naturally feel the Gospel bless their lives.

Sounds so simple, doesn't it? Well, saying it is easy. Putting it to practice takes courage, faith, and determination. All of which I'm not sure I have. hehehe. But I'll try. And I know that I'll succeed. I know God lives. I know that because He talks to me and I can feel His love. Prayer is amazing. If you haven't tried it lately, please do. He knows you better than you know yourself. Trust Him. Rely on Him. He'll literally carry you if He has to.

I'm glad to see most of you are doing better, and I continue to pray for your health, happiness and success. I love you all.

Elder Mourao

Japan Hiroshima Mission