Konnichiwa!! Hows everyone doing? Hows December treating you now. Cold? Over here, ...`not so much`.
Anyways, now that were over my terrible English, not much has happened this last week. It was good and weve been able to find some good people to teach. Recently the number of people in our teaching pool has increased (a lot - and dramatically when compared to the missionaries in the past)- however hard it is to get appointments with people. The members, especially the Bishop and our Ward Mission Leader are really thrilled with whats happening in the ward. They are super excited and keep telling us that they dont want us to ever transfer haha.
Although were hearing that, I feel like we could do so much more. My vision of this area is over 4 times of what were doing right now. I feel like were working hard, but not as effective as we could. For example, time wasted on travel, not being effective when visiting members, etc.
Its been an incredible past few months in this wonderful city that has grown in my heart. The members are incredible. The finding - while difficult - is fun. And weve been able to see so many miracles. Many which happened within myself. But, all these things are just a shadow of I think the Lord has in store for this place. Like Paul, I resound, "Although I sound with the tongue of angels, if I have not charity, I am nothing." Like "tinkling cymbals". And thats where we come back to. The old age problem (and the sister missionaries complaint) "I dont have enough charity." Thats something Ive been working really hard on lately. "Why do I want to see baptisms?" "Why do I want to teach more?" "Why do I want to find people?"It all lies in love - or better, charity, the pure love of Christ. The same love that endured until death, that has patience with my weaknesses, my sins, and mistakes, and the same love that freely forgives. If my motives are pure in the Lord, I can become a stronger instrument in His hands.
I love this work. I love Japan and the Japanese people. But I need to love them more. But not just them, everyone. If I seek to love God, I need to seek to love my fellow brothers and sisters more too. And that love fills with joy and peace. Its incredible.
I love you all, and I hope that together, we can all seek to develop that kind of love by asking the Father, this Christmas season, as we remember the birth of Him who loves us so much, I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Love,
Elder Victor M. S. Mourao
Japan Hiroshima Mission
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Called to serve the Lord as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hiroshima, Japan
Map of Japan (for a complete map of where he's been, look at the bottom of this page)
Elder Victor M.S. Mourao
Called to serve the Lord as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hiroshima, Japan
Hiroshima, Japan
Map of Japan (for a complete map of where he's been, look at the bottom of this page)
Our Elder's address:
Elder Victor Mourao
Japan Hiroshima Mission
Tottori-ken Yonago-shi
Nishifukubara 3-6-27
Mezon Pineru 201
683-0805
JAPAN
Japan Hiroshima Mission
Tottori-ken Yonago-shi
Nishifukubara 3-6-27
Mezon Pineru 201
683-0805
JAPAN
You can write him an email at
Victor's time
Hiroshima |
Elder Mourao's favorite scripture: Alma 32:42
"And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst."
Thanks for reading Victor's blog!
Mission pictures
Where Victor's been!
Dramatic Growth
"Under the inspiration of the Lord and the courageous action of Joseph Smith, the first Latter-day Saint missionaries ever to serve beyond North America brought the restored gospel to the British Isles in 1837. Heading that first group of elders was Heber C. Kimball, who set a great example for all newly called missionaries. Humbled by the responsibility and fully aware of his limitations, he poured out his heart in prayer."
'O, Lord,' he cried, 'I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work; how can I go to preach in that land, which is so famed throughout Christendom for learning, knowledge and piety; the nursery of religion; and to a people whose intelligence is proverbial!'
"But rising from his knees and accepting his duty, he said, 'The moment I understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me by His almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I needed' (Life of Heber C. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1945, p. 104). Surely God responded to the faith of that young elder, because Brother Kimball and his companions were endowed, 'with every qualification' they needed."
-Jeffrey R. Holland
'O, Lord,' he cried, 'I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work; how can I go to preach in that land, which is so famed throughout Christendom for learning, knowledge and piety; the nursery of religion; and to a people whose intelligence is proverbial!'
"But rising from his knees and accepting his duty, he said, 'The moment I understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me by His almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I needed' (Life of Heber C. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1945, p. 104). Surely God responded to the faith of that young elder, because Brother Kimball and his companions were endowed, 'with every qualification' they needed."
-Jeffrey R. Holland