Konnichiwa! ichinen tatte omedeto gozaimasu!So this is it: this thursday marks the year since I entered the MTC in Provo. It's been an incredible journey, filled with Spiritual experiences, and I have felt the love of the Lord as I served among HIs children, the wonderful people of Japan. I've been richly blessed, and I hope for many even greater things for the next year. I am so excited for what's up ahead. I can't wait to become an even sharper tool in the hand of our Lord as I try to align myself more and more to His will.
So to begin, I've got an announcement: .... i'm pregnant.
No, I'm staying here for at least one more transfer. One who will not however, is my beloved companion, Elder Goto. I am, however, about to be richly blessed by another companion (again, Japanese), Elder Masui. He is a great guy, and just came out of the area where I started (Hatsukaichi), with another Brazilian companion, Elder Magno (who I get to work with tomorrow on exchanges).
This week has been incredible and we saw a lot of miracles, in our area, in myself, and as a mission.
We were able to find 2 good investigators, 1 peruvian (Wagner Flores) and also 1 brazilian (Our investigator's wife, Marcia - who is already almost done with the Book of Mormon, crazy huh?!). The work is moving along more rapidly now, and my next challenge is getting investigators to Church. That has defintely proven to be the hardest thing to do around here, but I know with the help of the Lord we can do many and great things.
The Izumis are still there. They've really slowed down in their progressing because we haven't been able to meet them and do a lesson - her work (which BTW is a place for "female company" - that's another problem we're gonna have to tackle) has lost an employee, and now she has to work her shifts, making her work everynight, along with her regular full-time day-job. It's frustrating, but I'm excited because it will be an oppportunity to show faith and conquering a challenge. I'm really starting to enjoy those now, because they always strenghten my testimony of the blessings of the Gospel. Please pray for them.
Well, I'm doing good: I think I've finally started to gain some weight (I think), although fatigue from the heat is starting to kick in big time. Japan is the hottest place I've ever been to! It's quite ridiculous, actually.
Thank you so much for all your prayers, your love and support. I'm grateful for all of you, and all that you are doing. Hang in there, ttrust in the Lord, follow HIs path, and HE will NOT let you down!! I'm so grateful for this Gospel, and this work. I'm especially grateful for the Atonement, and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray that all of us will come to understand His eternal sacrifice more deeply as we live this wonderful Gospel, in His name, Jesus Christ, amen.
PS:the first picture is what happened to my shoe. Then the second is Elder Goto (top), Elder Masui (Middle), Elder Mourao's nose (bottom), and the AP (Elder Bishoff) who is partially hidden. He does talk a lot, so just seeing his mouth is enough I think (just kidding, I love the guy!). The third one is me and my companion on an actual contact: it was after we left the restaurant we were eating at with Pres Isa and his family. So his daughter took this picture and gave it to us. There you have it, missionary work in Japan!
Oh, and we had a barbecue at a member's house this weekend, and as a good Brazilian, I manned the grill: it was incredible, if I do say so myself :).
Elder Victor M. S. Mourao
Japan Hiroshima Mission
