So I will skip the intros, got some announcements (sorry, kind of cold today hehe):
If you have been following up on Church News lately they have just made an announcement in the Asia North Area - that means us in Japan. As of July 1st, 2010, the Hiroshima Japan Mission will be closed. It was quite a shock to us, last week during an urgent Mission Conference. Apparently President and Sister Isa heard it from President Aoyagi back on November 17th and had to keep quiet about it for all this time. They will also be returning home on an early release. This technically doenst affect me as to my transfers, since I will be the last group departing from the Hiroshima Mission. The transfer after the Mission will be split into 2 - Yamaguchi District and Hiroshima Stake going to the west-neighboring Fukuoka Mission, and the rest (including Matsue) will be going to the neighboring Kobe Mission. It was quite a shock. Im really sad, especially for President and Sister Isa, who will be going home to leave all their missionaries to other missions. And also the fact that the place that I served and loved for 6months (Mission Office) will be no more. Mixed feelings, but we all know that its the Lords will in moving the work in this wonderful country. :`(
In other news, there will be a new email system being implemented next week, and so the email I now use is subject to change.
So, moving on.....
Last week was really good, kind of a Spiritual high that capped off last night. I had thought about things that I could do to redouble the work (as it is the theme here now, so we can hit 90 baptims by June), and I came to different conclusions and ideas. Im still having fatigue and pain issues so I kept thinking that working double (on a figurative sense) would just completely destroy me. I thought about waking up even earlier than rules call for, and thought it impossible - Im already having a hard enough time as it is!!
Then as I prayed, thought, then prayed, I really felt that I should be doubling my study. Gain more power from the scriptures. And the only way to do that was to wake up at 5:30, exercise, prepare, then start study at 7. As I prayed, I felt that this is what I should do, and so I covenanted with the Lord, that if I tried my hardest to make that new limit, that He would give me th strength (both Spiritual and physical) that I needed and I felt an overwhelming confidence at that promise. The next day, 5:22 - not even a little tired. It was an incredible testimony building experience.
Because of that Ive been feeling more Spiritually acute, and powerful - having a stronger confidence in all aspects of the work. It got to the point where, for the first time, I cried during a normal street contact when testifying of the plan of salvation. It was incredible.
Then yesterday, after several disappointing referrals; then a ward mission leader who seems intent on not sharing the gospel with his family; and several bad door knocks (where people came out either not half-clothed, or have never had a thought about life before) we came to a young couple on the way home. It was still a little early and I usually want to stay out as much as possible, but I felt an incredible sense of peace on the way there. As we talked to these 2 young people, I talked with the 18 yrold boy, who was really friendly, and had a conversation about 2012. I mentioned the Mayans and how their ancestors` records are found in the Book of Mormon. I felt the Spirit testify so powerfully, and I knew that he was ready to accept the Gospel.
After so many trials that day, that one moment, being led to someone who will accept the message of the Savior, made it all worth it. How great was my joy! I bowed in thankful prayer, remembering the Savior as He walked the roads of Galilee, Judea, being rejected - and how He knows what I experienced . And because He paid the price, my burden was made lighter, my heart was in peace. I testify that He truly is the Savior of the world. He died for us. He suffered for us. Because of Him, we will overcome. I praise His name, and thank for the opportunity to serve HIm and come to know Him, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
With all my love,
Elder Mourao
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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