Continuing in Kawasaki

Elder Mumford has tried many new and interesting foods while serving in Japan...

Including INAGO-  (Grasshoppers)

"I'm supposed to eat this?  You're joking, right?"

"Actually, they're kind of sweet and crunchy!"

"Now only 18 more to go"

Exerpts from Elder Mumford's e-mail dated April 30th

Dear Everyone,

1.  I am staying in Kawasaki with Elder Kowalk!  This will be the first companion I have stayed with for 2 transfers, and we are already lined up for a great transfer.  This last two weeks, have been packed with miracles, and they just seem to keep coming.

2.  The Bednar Conference was great!  He is a really funny guy.  We got to ask questions and he asked us questions and it was simply amazing.  (By the way, you know how he gave the parable of the pickle a while back?  Well it turns out that now, whenever he goes to a Stake Conference, the members always give him several pickle recipies.  But the thing is, he hates pickles! He said that looking back, he should have made it the parable of the apple pie.  :)  So just a heads up, if Elder Bednar ever comes to Stake Conference, give him Apple Pie recipies, not Pickle recipies.

We were walking to the second conference in the evening with Ishitani-san, and all the sudden I look back behind us and theres Elder Bednar walking about a meter away.  It just took me way by suprise.  He's really nice though, and it was the best 'meeting' Ive ever been in.

Anyways, this week is Golden Week, where everyone has the day off, all day every day.  Its really cool.  Unfortunately all the post offices are closed at random hours, and only open briefly at times I dont know. :(

Which means I'm not sure if I will be sending my Package today.  This is going to be a Mothers Day/Dad's Birthday Pakcage, and its really packed!  Inside you will find my Journal, Transfer 3 plaaner, lots of fun cool Japanese stuff, some letters, and an SD Card with 140 pictures!  Unfortunately I couldnt find a chess or Shogi set for dad.  I looked around Kawasaki, and even checked some of the little antique places up in Shibuya, but nothing sold chess or shogi sets.  Ill keep looking, but Im not even sure where to go to find one.  :(

What???  Is that what I think it is?

Don't worry folks, it's just "Kid Beer" (Non Alcoholic)  Elder Fukuda received a bottle of "Kid Beer" from his parents, as a joke, on his 20th birthday (20 is the legal drinking age in Japan.  Since they know he can't drink real beer, they sent him "kid beer" instead)

We also had a few more lessons with our Miracle man, Tetsuo-san.  We wrapped up the commandments, and he has no problems with any of them, except for maybe the word of wisdom.  He smokes and wants to quit, but Its difficult.

One funny thing though, he wants to be baptized, but he doesnt want anyone else to see.  We told him that the ward would probably attend, and he wanted to know if there was any way to avoid that.  Come to think of it, it would be pretty scary for someone to be baptized in front of a lot of people, but he'll remember it as a good experience later. :)

He's all set, but just needs to overcome smoking.  Its just wierd though, because he doesnt have the slightest problem with anything that is required of him.  Usually people have big problems trying to adjust their lives to the standards of the church, because in all honesty its a really difficult thing.  But he is willing to try, and is simply waiting to 'feel ready'.  He hasnt got his big spiritual witness yet, but he feels good about it and wants to go foreward with it.

If you could simply pray for Tetsuo-san to have the strength to overcome smoking, and the faith to get his answer, that would help him so much.

Now for some Q's & A's:

1. What is your church schedule on Sundays?  We need to figure out a time for the Mother's Day Phone Call.

Church in Kawasaki

9:30 Get on the train (1H)

10:30 Ward Planning (Missionary Work)

11:30 Priesthood Meeting

12:30 Sunday School

1:30 Sacrament Meeting

2:30 Set up appointments with members

3:30 Leave Church on Train (1H)

4:30 (about) Get back to apartment

That whole block is pretty booked solid.  But I would probably be able to make the call before or after.  I havent heard a single word form anybody about calls yet, so I still dont know when they will actually happen.  All I know is that it will be like the Christmas calls.  We will call you first (5 min) and set up a time, then you'll call us.  Ill be sure to include more details next week when I find out.

(Elder Fukunaga is having a difficult time making his Mother's Day phone call.  Too bad he picked a phone booth that is over 60 years old.)

2. Are the people in Japan worried about the swine flu?  I noticed that people in Japan sometimes wear face masks in public.

Everyone wears masks when they are the slightest bit sick.  If they have a sore throat, or a cough, or a runny nose they will wear a mask.  Some people just wear masks because they think they are cool, or dont want to talk to other people.

Its not an epidemic or anything, just everyone in japan wears those face masks.  Kinda wierd when I got here, but now Its just normal.  Missionaries do it too if the get a cough.  Its just polite.

I dont think many people in Japan are worried about swine flu.  Its just rare and Mexico is so far away.  Nope, not much fear over here. :)

3. The Kato Family said they may try to visit your church.  (This is the wonderful family that Martin stayed with in Japan when he visited 3 years ago, as a high school student.)

Yup, they called and are coming to Sacrament Meeting.

However, Sacrament meeting isn't really the best place to chat and talk about old times, so Im seeing If we can't meet at a members house or go somewhere afterwards.

I cant wait to see them!  WooooO!

4. Japanese is difficult.  We've been trying to learn a little here, incase we ever go to Japan.  But there's this thing you add sometimes at the end of certain phrases and it sounds like "hakuna matata"  It's so confusing to know when to use that.  

Yes, that is really hard in Japanese.  For example, 'If it won't be warm'... becomes 'atatakakunakattara'.  Or 'It must have been warm'... 'atatakakunakerebanarimasen'.

5. I would like to get your egg nog recipe.  Would you be willing to share?

I have the Egg Nog Recipie!   Here it is;

1 Egg

3 Cups Nog

Mix.

(just kidding :)

Ok, here we go;

The Tokyo Missionary's Noggin Fogger Egg Nog;

1 Egg

1 Cup Milk

1/4 Tsp. Vanilla (probably extract)

3 Tbsp. Sugar

1/2 Cup Whippin' Cream

1 Tsp. Nutmeg

Beat Egg till thick, Add vanilla and a sprinkle of salt.  Gradually beat in sugar, stir in milk, then whipped cream.  Add Nutmeg.

(However, we usually just throw all the ingredients into the blender at once and blend away, it still turns out just fine).

Thank you everyone, for everything.  Keep on keeping on and good luck and have fun!

"If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right" - Elder Cook  (That applies in life as well as in missionary work).

-Love,

Elder Martin Mumford,

nTaopkayJo :3

From The Land Of The Rising Sun

(Martin visited the famous "Ramen Museum" - which is designed to look like a busy street in Tokyo in the year 1958 , before modernization changed the face of Japan.)

 Exerpts from Elder Mumford's latest e-mail: 

Dear Everyone,

First of all, I appreciate all your help, but you've got to stop praying so much.  We had way too many miracles this week, and maybe you could just keep it down a little bit next time. :)

Essentially, we have been teaching 1 or 2 lessons every day since the day I emailed last.  It's just a non-stop stream of people who are interested in the gospel.  Let's start from the beginning...

Right now, we are working with these people:

1. Tetsuo (new)

2. Urushizako

3. Ishitani

4. Ippei

5. Taku (new)

Tetsuo.  He is our miracle man.  He recieved an Eikaiwa (English class) flyer, and gave us a call, wanted to know 'the things of God'.  Which was amazing by itself because I can count the people I've met that want to have anything to do with God here, on my fingers.

So he wanted to meet the same day.  We hurried back to the building where we teach, and met Tetsuo.  It turns out he lived in Nebraska for 4 years, and some missionaries there helped him out with learning English.  Now he speaks perfectly fluent English.

So we sat down and started talking about God.  We explained that God's church has been restored through Joseph Smith and introduced the Book of Mormon.  Of course, first of all, he needed to know for himself if any of this is true, so we explained how we can get that answer.  Not just hoping and believing, but an actual answer.

And he wanted to know.  He said, 'what do I have to do?'

Essentially, by the end, we left with a goal for him to be baptized on May 2nd, by which point he would try and get an answer.  He also said he would read 100 pages a day.

Since then we have met with him 2 more times, and are meeting again this Friday.  He already knows about lots of the commandments from his time in America and with the Nebraska missionaries.  He is simply the most amazing person we have ever taught.  Right now he doesnt have a job, but goes to many seminars and job interviews every day.  We'll have to see what happens!

(View of Mount Fuji, across Tokyo Bay in Jogashima)

We also had a fun lesson with Urushizako.  Normally, because he is 76, I cant understand a single word of his Old People Japanese.  So we brought a member couple about his age to help translate.  The downside is that each one of the older people, at some point went on kind of random tangents and told stories that didn't really have to do with the subject at hand.  But, it was a good way for him to meet members of the church.  We taught him about the plan of salvation.

When we taught about 'paradise', he really liked the sound of it and wanted to go there.  However, when we taught about the 3 kingdoms, he didnt want to LEAVE paradise.  He said that the judgement sounded too scary, and he just wanted to stay in paradise forever.

He also believes some very interesting things.  He read a book about how the Universe knows what you want, and if you want something bad enough, you will get it.  I think I heard about that book before my mission too.  Anyways, he asks the 'Space God' to tell him where to go and what to do every day.  For example, after coming to church with us, the space god told him to WALK back home instead of taking the train, which took him a good 5-6 hours.  Every day he goes out and buys random things... instruments, kimonos, childrens toys, all because the space god tells him to.  Makes me a little worried, but hey, Im just hoping that he will have a good time and feel good influences from coming to church and hearing about the gospel.  Maybe we can even build upon that, talking about the Spirit, how it can direct us... not exactly in the same way though.

So he's a funny guy.  He just laughs at everything and is just the most energetic little old guy youve ever seen.  

Taku-san is a person we met recently, wants to know if this church is true and is reading/praying to find out.  He's a really nice guy, a high school student.

So that's essentially the people we are working with right now.

(Food is very expensive in Japan.  Here is a single cantaloupe with a price tag of  3980 yen, which is equivalent to approximately $40.00 US dollars.)

As far as transfers go, Im not sure yet.  I have a feeling I'll probably leave Kawasaki, but I dont know.  President Hill sometimes tells you in the interviews if he has already decided, but I havent heard anything, so I'm still not sure.  We will find out this Saturday, and then the following Thursday or Wednesday?  Im not sure, but that week I'll email with the new info If I go.  Elder Kowalk is for sure staying in Kawasaki though.  It's been lots of fun, so I'll miss him if I have to leave.

Oh yeah, the term, 'Bruce'.  This comes from an Elder Tilly, but essentially "when you see an American walking with a Japanese girl, he is a 'Bruce', because to the Japanese they are Batman, but we know who they really are."

Lots of times, in Japan, all you have to do is be American and everyone loves you.  At least thats the opinion of many missionaries here.  It seems to be true, too. :)

Anyways, I'll give you the new information as soon as I can.  Thanks for everything!  I've been having a great time this week, and Im way exited for the Elder Bednar Conference tomorrow.  We get to ask questions for 3 HOURS!  Its going to be intense.

Good luck to everyone wherever you may be, whatever you may be doing, and whatever kind of food you like..

Love,

Elder Mumford,

Tt Oo Kk Yy Oo

Jj Aa Pp Aa Nn

Dominos Pizza? And Other Japanese Specialties

This is an ad for dominos pizza in Japan.  When you call the number, you have a choice of ordering a chicken with apples and almonds pizza; or a bologna with grilled eggplant and zucchini pizza!  (Or half and half) Though this sounds interesting, we recently sent Martin some ingredients so he could make some good old American style pizza.  The following is his report:

(Click on images to view larger)

I am so full!  Today we baked the pizza, and used all the ingredients in one go.  We decided to make an AMERICAN style pizza, with an extra thick crust (stuffed with pepperoni and cheese and sausage), and then the normal toppings (double layered) on top.  It was so beautiful.  Then Elder Kowalk made 'Chocolate Melting Cake', a rec5-5e he rec5eved fr60 a fr5end.

H00... the 2eyb6ard 5s 25nd 6f 0essed 4- and  5 d6nt 2n6w h6w t6 f5x 5t...  5 g4ess 533 14st g5ve y64 th5s 35st

4 = the 3etter after t

5 = the 3etter after h

6 = the 3etter after n

- = the 3etter after 6

1 = the 3etter after 5

2 = the 3etter after 1

3 = the 3etter after 2

0 = the 3etter after 3

Yeah, 5ts 25nd 6f strange, b4t y64 05ght have t6 trans3ate th5s.

S6 th5s wee2 was a0az5ng!  We went t6 Ha242ar4 f6r c6nference, and 5t was s6 c663!   g4ess that 14st as a 05ss56nary y64 have s4ch a d5fferent -ers-ect5ve and you get way exited about different things.  Ah, I found out how to fix the keyboard.  I guess Ill just leave the stuff above for you to figure out! :)

Anyways, they had all 3 wards meeting at the same time, which was all around 350 people or so.  They had a separate room for English, which was pretty much just missionaries and a couple people from the wards who spoke English very well.  As a missionary, conferences are the big events that you look foreward to, and the week essentially ends on Thursday.

(Here is one of those Japanese specialties: Ikameishi- Hollowed out squid, stuffed with rice and tasty bits)

When we ate the pizza and kake today, we both felt so sick, because we werent used to such greasy food.

Pretty much everything in Japan is good for you, and when you havent had a slice of greasy pizza in a long time, it hurts when you do.  I think that is a good warning to all the missionaries returning home soon.  Take it easy on the foodstuffs.

(Konnyaku: or Devil's tongue popsicles - Only in Japan!)

Some cool things we have made in the apartment:

Melon Pan (delicios bread in Japan)

Egg Nogg (Elder Kowalk has a recipie)

Fried Rice

Okonomiyaki

Every kind of Spaghetti you kan think of

(The name "Calpis" doesn't sound very appetizing in English, but in Japan it is a very popular drink.  The taste is similar to a watered down yogurt smoothie.  The name "Calpis" was formed by taking the "cal" from "calcium" and the "pis" from the word "sarpis"  which means "supreme taste"!  The Word "sarpis" is also used to describe the "essence of Buddhist teaching." )

Missionary work in Japan is a very different experience.  Everyone you talk to here will tell you that they have never even thought about whether or not God exists before, and they have never even imagined there was a purpose to life before.  For some reason, everyone knows the Catholic cross -cross thing where you point to your head and shoulders.  When they see our nametags they always do it and laugh.

Most people have heard of Christianity before, but dont have any real image of it.  Some people know the titles 'Protestant' and 'Catholic' and ask us which one we are.

And as I mentioned before, by far the most common response we get when religion is mentioned is 'Im buddhist'.  It always bugs me a little, because were not here to talk to Christians, were here to talk to Buddhists, thats exactly the point!

However Im finding out good ways of talking to people that helps them understand the deeper message.  Even though we are two completely opposite people from different countries, different religions, and different stages of life, we both NEED this gospel.  The fact is that it helps everyone, and it may sound arrogant to claim that there is only one way to be truly happy, but it is true!  If there really is only one way, then how important it is to find out what it is!

Recently we had someone correct us.  We told him that we knew that what we are saying is true.  He stopped us and told us that we couldnt know, that we are too young and havent experienced enough, researched enough, thought enough about it to have come to such a decision of truthfulness.  I thought about what he said, and he is right.

We cannot know that this is true by ourselves.  We can think it is true, we can have a 'good feeling' about it, and it might even make sense to us.  But unless we KNOW, and can guarentee, can proove that we KNOW, we have no right to say that we know.

Fortunately, this church is an exception to the rule.  We CAN know.  If God actually gives you an answer, a witness, if God actually individually proves to you that this is true, you can say that you know.  I know.  God told me that this church was true a long time ago.  I will never in my whole life, no matter what happens, be able to deny that there is a God and that he gave me a real, physical answer that proved to me the truthfulness of it.  And thats not all;

Everyone can get this answer.  Its not even that hard.  Just follow the promise that Moroni gave, and you will get an answer that will prove the truth to you.  And this is what we are sharing with people.

Despite all this, there are very few willing to listen or try it.  We're still looking! I still have yet to meet someone willing to try it out.  Many people are curious about religion, or english, or whatever, but simple arent willing to try and get an answer.  Im having high hopes though, some of the people we are teaching may very well try it soon.  All they have to do is try.  :)

(Marborofu Gyoza- This is what you get when food is scarce and you have to start combining random foods that are in the apartment.  (Don't wory, we only had to do it once)  We learned that Maborofuba and Gyoza don't really go together.)

Anyways, back to the daily happenings.  There are these huge black alien-bugs called 'Semi's.  They are massive, dumb, and extremely loud.  Theyre starting to come out (summer), and it really raises a din sometimes.  Its like a cricket, but they just put off so much more noise.

Also, where we live there are lots of 'Nora nekko's (stray cats).  Just everywhere you go there are these cats darting off into the bushes.  I think its cool, but not when they get into the garbage.  The crows also get into the garbage here, and spill it everywhere sometimes.

Anyway, The time here is just rushing by... this last week and a half I cant even remember it.  Each day is just so quick that its just a series of getting ready for bed... and next thing you know you are getting ready for bed again.

Yes, good luck to everyone.  Keep working hard, studying hard, and have lots of fun!

-Love, Elder Mumford

T       J      T      t       E

 o     , a    . h   s  p    e v

  k  o    p n   e e    l   c   e

    y       a      B       a      r!

P.s. remind me to tell you about 'Bruce' in Japan. :)

The Lost Letter.

Elder Mumford wrote a letter about a month ago, because he didn't have much time to e-mail.    The letter was "lost" for a time, but was finally  found and arrived in our mailbox  this past week.  Here are exerpts from the letter, written  on March 5th:

Before:

One day we were on exchanges, and I get a phone call from the APs asking for Elder Fukuda.  Guess what?  He's the new Commissarian!  See you tomorrow! So off we go with hastily- packed suitcases, making our way to the honbu (Mission home) where there was another surprise waiting for me: 

After:

 A new companion: Elder Fukunaga!   More surprising still, Elder Fukunaga had only 2 weeks left of his mission, I discovered.  Neither one of us knew exactly why he was pulled randomly here, but we worked hard those last 2 weeks!

Elder Fukuda Quickly packs his suitcase for the sudden trip to the Honbu (Mission home)

Today is Elder Fukunada's last day of his entire mission, but he is still just as hard working as ever.  He was pulled very suddenly from Kofu, where he was about to baptize a whole family!  But he wasn't disappointed at all (He never said a word about it and never complained) just moved in and immediately began reading the records in the apartment, trying to know Kawasaki better.  

Most missionaries in a similar situation, with only 1 -1/2 weeks left in an unfamiliar area, would probably not put any effort into missionary work.  But Elder Fukuanga really inspired me, working hard every single day, up to the hour he left for the Honbu.  He takes his mission very seriously, I think because he had to give up everything to come here.  His family is SGI and really don't care for the idea, and he's basically on his own.

SGI is a mix between a club and a religion.  It was started by a Japanese man who came to BYU, took all the lessons from missionaries, studied the structure and organization of the Church, then returned to Japan and started his own.  It doesn't exist in America, but it's somewhat famous in Japan.  For some reason, members of SGI believe that it's huge and famous in America, the #1 religion, and are surprised I've never heard of it.  Just an interesting thing about Japan I never knew before I came here.

(Elder Fukunaga, studying the Kawasaki record books)

However, Japan is still amazing!  The people are usually extremely kind.  I realized this during the past week, since both of us are new tho the area, and we got lost a LOT!  If you ask for directions in Japan, EVERYONE is willing o help; passers-by will come over and help too.  Once  I asked an older man for directions, and by the time he finished explaining, there were 3 other unrelated strangers surrounding us, also trying to help.

Of course, the moment "Church" or "Christ" is mentioned, people are a lot less friendly.  I guess I've given the wrong impression so far, because I am a missionary. (No one actually wants to talk to a missionary on the street)  but as a normal person, on p-day, or when I am lost, the Japanese people are extremely kind.  

(Lost again)

By far the most common reply has been "Bukkyo Desu" ("I'm Buddhist")  As if that somehow invalidates my purpose as a missionary.  When pressed further, people usually explain to me, "You're Christian, I'm Buddhist, see?  Our religions are different, so there's nothing you can do."  It's always rather frustrating, because logic simply doesn't work in this case.  I try to explain that we have a message to share with EVERYONE!  But the same thing always surfaces again "I'm Buddhist, and you're Christian, do you understand?"

It's just that there's a sort of "This is the way it always has been, the way it is now, and the way it always will be.  I'll never change." attitude.  I want to exclaim: "Of course you're Buddhist!  95% of everyone in Japan is Buddhist.  I didn't come here to talk exclusively to Christians, I have come here to talk to you!"  but,  1- that would be rude, and,  2- I don't know how to say that in Japanese.

(Elder Mumford and Elder Fukunaga)

And then we meet people like Ishitani-san.  That person is a miracle investigator.  We had a lesson with him this week, and are meeting him every Thursday before Eikaiwa. (English class)  We talked about prayer, and he wanted to try it.  He is an amazing, open minded person.  His story reminds me of a quote: "There is no such thing as luck in the mission field, just a lot of micromanagement from God."  Somehow he applies for a job that requires knowledge about Christianity, and receives a flyer for....missionaries who are willing to teach about Christianity!  I have very high hopes for him.  We asked him to read the first 40 pages of the Book of Mormon.  "Sure, no problem!"

There are lots of people here who are ready to hear the Gospel.  I need to remember to not get weighed down by all those who are not ready.  We just need to keep looking!  If I could have ANYTHING I wanted right now, I would have a GPS that puts a little green dot on the map wherever there is a prepared person.  

Anyways, good luck at home, at school, at work, or wherever you may be.

Yours truly, from the great land of Japan!

-Elder Martin Mumford

日本 ( Japan)

(Elder Mumford is ready to shed his rain gear)

Dear Everyone,

Its already been another week!  It feels like I was just here emailing last week.  We went and bought coconuts again this week, because they were so delicious.  We also made coconut rice (just put it in the rice cooker with coconut milk + sugar instead of water), and put that in the coconut shells.  It was so good, and I got pictures.

The Sakura season is going to end next week.  Its a shame that it only lasts 3 weeks or so, and then all the petals simply blow away.  I got LOTS of great pictures though.  There are so many sakura parks around, and everyone just picks a day or two to sit all day under the trees (normally drinking beer) with their families.

(This Sakura photo was sent to us by the Kato Family in Japan.)  

(Photo was taken at the Ninna-temple in Kyoto, Japan)

Yesterday we had a way interesting experience.  We decided to visit our old investigator, Urushizako-san, and he was as nice as ever.  He wants to come to conference on Sunday too... but theres a problem.  The conversation turned to his DVD player that he had just bought.  He was kind of old, and didnt know how to set it up, so we offered to hook it up (red wire in the red hole and such).  So we got it working, and he wants to test it out with a DVD.  So he goes back into the back room, searches around for a bit and brings out a DVD of ... questionable repute.  "Will this work?" he says...  "Aaah! no no no that wont work, put that away!", and he just laughs and puts it back.  Apparently he has a very large collection of rather disreputable materials back there.  Its just that living as a missionary, you sort of forget that that kind of stuff even exists in the world, and it was just so shocking I didnt even know what to think.  So... we are going to have to teach the law of chastity sooner than we anticipated.

But, he had a good time at church and seems to recognize that there is something about this religion that is different from the others.  He loves to read and I think he will enjoy the Book of Mormon.  We'll see!

He has also been named 'the C.C. Lemon Guy' because every time we come he pours us a huge class of C.C. Lemon.  Yesterday, we saw probably 15 or so empty 2-liter bottles of it that he had drunken himself in just a week.

(C.C. lemon, a popular soft drink in Japan.  The bottle claims to contain a the same amount of vitamin C as 70 lemons.)

Also, Ishitani-san is starting to avoid us.  He said he would call us first if he ever wanted to meet again :(

So, we're back to finding more people.  I guess its better to have a large group of people we are teaching who are constantly dropping out and new people coming in, than one or two 'eternal investigators' who arent willing to change, but like the missionaries a lot.

But on that note, we are still finding a lot of people recently.   Every day is a new day to find more people, and maybe one of them is ready to hear what we have to say.

General Conference is this coming up, so I cant wait! Conference is a lot more exiting to missionaries than everyone else I think, because its just such a special event that is completely different from normal.

(Melon Pan: yes, it's melon flavored bread- very popular in Japan!)

Im still eating lots of Melon Pan (its the best!) and drinking lots of sports drinks here.  Im starting to feel the onset of summer now, all the days are hot and it doesnt rain anymore.  I can feel the humidity now.

(Summer time in Japan is terribly hot and humid, and air conditioning is rare!)

I asked some of the older missionaries, on how they deal with the brutal summers, and I got some good advice.

1. DRINK A LOT, and take BREAKS durring the day.  This isnt a suggestion, its a commandment.  If you get too hot, you simply  must get inside, get cool, and drink something before going out again.

2. Always put something plastic between your shirt and your Flyers that you give out.  You dont want them to be sweaty when you hand them to people.

Also as for when it gets hot, someone said;  'April is warm, with some hot days; May is very warm, lots of hot days; and then you hit a day early in June thats just unescapably, unbearably HOT.  And after that begins what Sister Hill calls 'The worst 90 days of your mission'".  

Its good to keep hearing about all the events at home.  It sounds like a lot of fun!    I also am starting to put together a Mothers Day package, so hold out a little longer! :)  

This week was swamped with letters from family, thank you so much!  It always makes a missionary's day! :)  Its going by so fast I can hardly believe it.  The weeks rush by, the months just cruise past, I dont know what to think.  Everyone says that the longer you have been here, the faster it goes.  Thats definitely true so far!

I love Kawasaki and all the people in this area.  I wonder whether or not I will have to leave next transfer, and I hope I can stay.  But wherever I go Ill be happy in the end.

Im learning a lot (of Japanese and everything else).  Our purpose here is focused on others, but I think when its over Ill look back and see just how much this has benifited me.  Good luck everyone!  Have a great week wherever you are!

-Love,

Elder Martin Mumford

                    k     y

           o                      o

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Things are Looking Up!

Dear Everyone (and the cats),

A mission has its ups and downs, and right now it's in the middle of an up!  Last transfer, just about every one of our investigators dropped or moved away, but now, we are finding lots more people who are interested in the church.

1.  Ushiruzako-san, a way genki old fellow who likes C.C. lemon (the popular drink here).  I might have already mentioned about him before, but theres something new;  we visited him on the way home one night, and the first thing he said was, "So, when's church?"  It turns out he would like to come to church this coming Sunday (the 5th) and see what he thinks.  :)

3. Ishitani-san is really cool.  He wanted to have sushi luch with us, and we are teaching ANOTHER lesson today after this email!  We want to get him moving along, because up till now he hasnt had any real goals, but still likes meeting with us.  He showed us his drivers liscence from 2 years ago, and he looks way scary, long hair and angry, but you would never be able to tell now, because he is so happy and bright.  Wierd.

2.  Ippei-san, a High School student we met just outside a conbini.  I tried Melon Pan for the first time, and had a conversation about that at first.  He seemed sort of interested, but just yesterday gave us a call and had a lesson!  Now he wants to learn about Jesus Christ.

And we keep finding more people every so often who might listen, so right now things are going really well.

Also, thanks for the April Fools package!  It was really good, and we immediately shredded the cheese to make breakfast burritos.  Also, I just got that 'looking to the mark' talk you sent, and Im going to read it.  President Hill leaves in 2 transfers (and a half).  I think I'll have 2 more interviews with him before he goes.  Its kind of strange,  because Elder Kowalk will have his final interview with a new mission president.  They already told us who the new mission president was, but I forgot :(

Im sure the other missionary moms already know, though :)

Also, today we went and saw sakura (cherry blossoms) in Okachimachi.  There were people everywhere and it was a beautiful sakura park. (Ueno park)  I took pictures! (HANAMI is a Japanese custom to have a picnic lunch and karaoke under the cherry blossoms at the famous sights.)

We also went to this massive, stretch-into-the-horizon shopping street that just had tons of little shops selling everything, especially fish.  I got some good pictures.  They were selling huge buckets of massive, live crabs.  The owner of the store came over and saw my nametag and said, "Aa, Kirisuto-kyo!" ('Christianity!'), "Kirisuto mo, kani o taberareta" (Christ also ate crab, (please buy some)).  It was way funny.  Instead, we just bought a coconut from him, he punched a hole and we drank coconut juice.  It was way tasty.  I checked around for some sort of Japanes-ey chess or Shogi set, but no such luck.  Ill keep looking.

(Takoyaki)

I ate Takoyaki for the first time today.  It was so tasty!  (Little octopus balls that are fried in batter, with souce and fish flakes, topped with lots and lots of MAYO.  Everyone loves mayo here.

(Japanese Mayonnaise)

Also, In Japan they are doing sort of the same thing they did in america, where they just give money to everyone that lives in the country.  (we wouldnt actually get it for ourselves, but it might save the church a heck of a lot of money, so Im thinking about it)

Also, Dry cleaning is way cheap here.  I just got a suit and pants cleaned for about $6.

Elder Kowalk also brought some cool music with him.  It is called "Dashboard: confessional instrumental" or something like that.  Apparently it's the Vitamin String Quartet, creating a remake of an actual band.  I love it though.  Oh, and thanks for the folk hymns!

Thanks for everything!  Japan is amazing!

Good luck to everybody!

Have a great week, I know I will!

-Elder Martin Mumford,

T o k y o,

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