Daddy

So because of the Christmas season and the transfer schedule, the worldwide transfer schedule was cut short by two weeks which means that transfers are actually this week. Well Elder McColm is unfortunately transferring up to Miyakonojo and I got a special call on Monday from President Egan and I'm going to be a daddy. Or in other words, I have been asked to train a new missionary. I don't know who they are but this is my schedule for the next couple of days. I will fly up to Fukuoka tomorrow and be there all day and have the trainers training and then I met my companion and then stay the night in Fukuoka and then I will fly down to Okinawa with a brand new missionary or a "green bean" here in Japan, or more correctly termed a "bean chan." While its really sad to see Elder McColm go after only four weeks this will be a great experience. Elder McColm is one of my favourite companions I have had my whole mission. Way cool kid and will see miracles throughout his mission. 

He goes on to write about some stress he is dealing with that I didn't want to put on the blog (to protect the innocent and not so innocent!) Nothing to do with his companion...he LOVES Elder McColm!

But while there is so much stress and hard things going on we continue to see miracles and the work goes on. We actually were able to meet with a referral named Joshua and pretty much he kept talking about how great of an example a member that he works under is in his life and how he truly exemplifies Jesus Christ. Joshua is from Ghana and is in the Marines I believe, and he is the most golden person Ive ever met. We went to his house with a member and taught the restoration to him and h just accepted everything without problems. He already believes it. He wants the blessings of the gospel and he wants to join a church where he feels the spirit testify to him. He wants to grow closer to God and strengthen his relationship. He kept telling us how grateful he was for us to be there. He kept saying gratitude and how happy he was that we could come. He committed to come to church and read the Book of Mormon. But here is what the most profound part to me was. We were talking about the First Vision and afterwards we asked how he felt and thought and he said "well of course if you have enough faith and desire to follow Christ and God then you can be strengthened to the level you see God and Christ in person and talk with them." He truly has so much faith and no problems at all. Our member from the Army said that in his time at Quebec on his mission where he taught a lot of African people especially, he hasn't seen someone with so much faith and intent as he did. We are so excited for him. And the thing is is that this isn't uncommon. There are people out there that are prepared to hear the gospel and oftentimes just through our examples we can share that light and love of God to them and their hearts. They will want to know what we know and believe what we believe. They are out there so may we ever be examples of Christ to everybody out there that we meet.

Love you all!

Elder Tschirki

シャーチャン

日本最高ヤゼ～

 

Traditional house in Okinawa

Way pretty sunset from the apartment.