Happy Birthday Buddha!

Japan celebrates the birthday of Buddha on April 13th, with a holiday called Hanamatsuri or Flower Festival.

Martin happened across a Buddhist Temple in April, where the Buddhist priest is singing Happy Birthday to Buddha!

VIDEO: Click on the "Play" arrow to view.

In early Japan, the Kumusou (Buddhist priests) would place baskets over their heads, to indicate the suppression of the ego.  (I guess this is their version of the brown paper bag)  Here  you will see the Kumusou (or "priests of nothingness") preparing for a reenactment of this ancient Buddhist ritual.

VIDEO: Click on the "Play" arrow to view.

Now here is Martin's e-mail, dated June 28, 2009

Dear Everyone,

This was a way quick week.  We met a lot of cool people;

1. Hiroki - He wants to read the book of mormon and pray about it.  He has thought about the purpose of life a lot and wants to know. :)  Awesome guy for sure.

2. Michael - A cool guy from Canada.  He's here for some school, but mostly wanders around Japan looking for fun things to do.  We're going to eat some American Burgers with him tomorrow.

3. Russian Lady - We did not meet her this week.  Which wasnt too terribly shocking, seeing as she left our last appointment in a hurry, thinking that we were the police trying to trap her.  I wonder if she said she would come back, just to 'throw the police off'.  Wierd.

4. We got a random call from a lady who is a member (??) and would like us to teach the lessons to her children who are 5 and 8.  She also wants a Tagolog Liahona.  Sounds like fun!

5.  Another lady, apparently she was baptized in America without ever hearing the missionary lessons (it seems) ... therefore we need to teach them to her... maybe.  The problem is its just speculation from a couple of ward members, because she drinks tea.  I have no idea what will happen there, but we're always up for teaching the lessons! :)

6. Shimizu wants to meet us sometime, (the person we met about 2 weeks ago).  He wants to bring a friend (they are both SGI) and we can talk.

7.  That lady we met outside of the Conbini, it turns out she didnt actually have a son interested in Christianity, she just wanted to give us some SGI magazines.  So at least we traded pamphlets.  The magazines are kind of fun too, theyre all pictures of their leader person shaking hands with famous people... Obama, presidents and prime ministers, ghandi.  Ill have to google it when I get home.

Children dress in traditional costumes for a festival during Hanamatsuri.

Nothing really shocking happened this week, but everything is continuing as normal.

Also, I heard some rumors...  I think I will be leaving Kawasaki this next transfer, so all those letters you are about to send me, just adress them to the Honbu for now. :)  Ill send you the information as soon as I can (address, new area, new companion).

The transfers just keep getting shorter and shorter, this one seemed like it didnt even happen.

Oh and one last thing, I may be sending a package soon.  Just a little one, I have kept all the letters I've recieved since coming to Japan, so I can read them all when I get back.  So... I might be sending those home, along with anything else I dont use here but might want later.

Ishitani-san (the coolest guy ever) gave us these authentic Japanese fans with the traditional paintings on the front, it was even cooler because he got our names cut into the wood!  He's a way nice guy.  Ill be sending that so I dont lose or break it. :)  You can open it up and see when you get it though.

Elder Mumford tries on Ishitani-san's really cool glasses!

Anyways, Well just keep on keeping on.  Good luck everyone with whatever you're all up to.  It sounds like a blast over there on the other side of the pond. The mission just keeps getting more and more fun!

With lots of love,

Elder Mumford.

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Another Great Week In Japan!

Dear Everyone,

We had a lot of interesting experiences this week, so I'll just share a few.

1.  We met Christina again, the lady from Russia.  We already gave her the Russian Book of Mormon, and this time we wanted to see what she thought about it.

Unfortunately, we had overestimated her English ability before.  It turns out that she really doesn't speak English that well, OR Japanese, and it's just one huge blend of English, Japanese, and Russian.  So we started explaining about the Book of Mormon.  We started by talking about God.  It was good, but she suddenly said 'I dont vant to talk about this sing, I vant to talk about... (flips through the pamphlet) THIS.'  She points to the First Vision.  Well, that's still a good topic, so we talked about it.  Then she said a word in russian and wanted to know how to say it in English.  'You know, two man, one face'.  We figured out she was talking about twins.  'No, no, those two people that Appeared to Joseph Smith wern't twins, they were God and Jesus Christ'.

So we read Moroni 10:4 in Russian, Japanese AND English, and all testified.  She felt the spirit, and was very moved.  It was very good, but then she had to go and have a smoke suddenly.  So she went outside, then came back.  And when she came back she was completely different.  She freaked out.  'Vat do you think you are doing?  Do you think you can trick me?  Try to (random russian words) money.  I cant help you with the Police (russian) Im not from this country so the (russian) no help (russian).  You think you can trick money (russian) and Joseph Smith with (russian) smoking.  (russian) in California.  Police are (russian).'  Then she said 'I have to go now.  I will come back next Wednesday, see you'.

Anyways, it was the wierdest lesson I've ever been in.  She just completely went nuts and ran out of the room.  I think she thought the lesson was some sort of a police set-up or something.  Anyways, she may or may not actually come to next weeks lesson, but if she does we are trying to find someone who can explain in russian what we are doing.  This is just us explaining about our church, not some crazy police stake-out.  Wierd.

VIDEO: Click on the play arrow to view.

(Sakura  (cherry blossom) video and pictures below,were taken on April 1, 2009)

Also, earlier that day we found a cool place. 

We were riding to a University we hadn't been to yet, and along the way there were all these little old grandmas dragging their little old husbands up this huge road.  There were people directing traffic and there were just people everywhere.  Last time we went that way there was no one there, so we decided to check it out.  So, we start to climb this huge hill.

The whole time we are passing all these old grandmas.  After many long tiring switchbacks up this mountain, we come to some stairs.  Still the river of grandmas are pouring up and down.  So we climb the stairs (super steep), and lo and behold, MORE stairs!  And more grandmas.

At this point we're really curious whats at the top of this thing, so we press on.  Finally we clear the stairs and theres a huge... rose garden.

I should have guessed.  Anyways, we found this giant rose garden and its just packed with old people with giant cameras.  So we walked around and talked to all the grandpas with cameras, and all the grandmas painting flowers, and it was just a jolly 'ol romp though the rose fields.

(Viewing a sakura park at night, with Japanese lanterns lighting the path, far into the distance.)

Anyways, Elder Kowalk's computer keeps shutting down, Im gonna switch him computers so that he can get his email done.

Thanks everyone, Good Luck, Have Fun!

Im loving all the support, letters, emails, prayers...

Love,

Elder Mumford

T.[J].o.[A].k.[P].y.[A].o.[N]

Another Miracle Week!

(Elder Mumford in Tokyo with Kato-san)

(From an e-mail dated 5/14/09)

Dear Everyone,

Well, a lot has happened since we talked on the phone.  It has been another miracle week.

Things are definitely looking up out here, yesterday we had a unique day:

6:30 - wake up, study, eat...

1:00 - lesson with Urushizako-san (the 76 year old one).  He had some pretty wierd ideas about the space god, but we felt it wouldnt hurt to ask the space god whether or not the Book of Mormon is true.  He tried it and said it felt like a good thing (or at least it didnt feel like a bad thing).  We watched the Joseph Smith DVD, and he thought that was good too.  For some reason he bought us watermelon slices (and we're not about to turn down watermelon!).  Very interesting.

(Fresh fruit is VERY expensive in Japan.  Martin took this picture of grapes for sale at a street stand. The cost: 1000 yen or about  $10.00 for one bunch of grapes!)

2:30 - Walk around town looking for more people who are interested.  We decided to go down to the river (the Tamagawa).  On the way there we met Shimizu-san.  He's mid-20's, SGI, and also has lots of interest in religion.  He said that talking to us made him feel really warm for some reason. :)  He wants to meet again, and gave us his number.

3:00 - Walking a little more, we run into Kobi-san.  He was sort of offended that we said hi (in Japan it is kind of rude to greet someone on the street.  Just saying 'hello', people get offended.) But we ended up having a great conversation.  It kind of bothers me sometimes, the whole "avoid interacting with other people at all costs" culture that you see here.  People simply dont talk to someone they dont know, ever.

Anyways, he was on his way to do some voulenteer work, which was cool because we are also voulenteers.  Wa talked a little about religion, and voulenteer things, and he wanted to meet us again sometime.  He said 'I cant describe it, but you make my heart ... happy'. :)

4:00 Stopped at a Konbini (Convenience Store) and bought a Yakiimo (baked sweet potato).  I was just standing outside eating it, and said hello to one of the workers who was stacking boxes.  Turns out he was a less active member from another ward, who had moved here and stopped going to church.  Way interesting, we'll have to come back to that store again and see if we can meet sometime.

6:00 Headed back to the Eikaiwa (english class) building for a lesson with Ishitani-san.  It was great, he learned a lot, and had a lot of questions.  He was reading Isaiah, and was very, very confused.  We explained how even WE dont really understand Isaiah 100%, but you just have to keep trying, and throught the spirit you can get more out of it.

(Martin has made it safely past the "Isaiah" chapters in his reading of the Japanese Book Of Mormon!)

Then in the middle of his lesson, this russian lady walks in and sits down.  We had met her the other day and told her about English Class, but she just showed up randomly a day early, sat down and started asking 'What is this?  What does that on the board mean?'  We had been drawing the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the board.  'Baptism, vat is this?'  And so we explained everything in simple English, and she sounded more curious than interested.  But she also wanted the Book of Mormon in Russian, so we made some quick calls and got one today.

Very interesting day.  Lots of things happening, lots of miracles and suprises.  I hope every day is like this :)  But even if its not, Ill still have fun, and be able to reflect on these times.

(The Tamagawa River,on the outskirts of  Tokyo Japan)

If I could just ask for 2 more names to add to the list of prayer;

1.  Takahashi-family.  They are less active and are struggling.  The love meeting the missionaries, but for many reasons cannot come to church every week.  They are having a difficult time and would appreciate your prayers for them.

2.  Shoichi.  He just got back from California and randomly called us up.  Wants to meet again.  He had heard all the lessons before, but had only read 2 pages of the Book of Mormon before.  Again, prayers would be appreciated.  Thank you so much.

Thanks everyone for the love and support.  Things are looking up in Kawasaki.  Exciting things are about to happen here, I can feel it.

Good luck everybody!

-Love

Elder Martin Mumford

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Happy Mother's Day!

Hello, It's Missionary Mom here,

We had a wonderful, hour long phone visit with Elder Mumford on Mother's Day.  (Missionaries are only allowed to call their family 2 times a year: Mother's Day, and Christmas.)  He sounded great, and has not lost his fun sense of humor!

(Here is a picture of the "Milky" candy he sent me for Mother's Day!  The taste is similar to sweetened condensed milk, only not as sweet.)

 The package says: "Tastes like Mom".   (I'm sure that probably sounds better in Japanese than in English)

Reunion With The Kato Family!

In 2007, Martin stayed with the Kato Family in Hamamatsu, Japan, as part of a 2 week school exchange trip.

In 2008, we had the privilege of hosting Ryosuke Kato in our home in Camas Washington, as part of his school trip.

(Martin was away at BYU during this time, and when he saw this picture, he thought maybe we had replaced him, because Ryosuke seemed to fit in so well with our family.)

This past Sunday, May 3, 2009, the Kato family traveled 3 hours from their home to visit with Martin in the Hakuraku area of Tokyo.  They met Martin at the church, attended Sacrament Meeting with them, then took the Elders out to dinner.

(Kensuke Kato, Sakie Kato, Elder Mumford, Ryosuke Kato, Elder Kowalk, and Ikuko Kato;  in front of the church building.)

Here is a portion of an e-mail that I received from the Kato Mother, Ikuko:   (I am sharing her report of the visit, as she gives much more detail than Martin did :)

We could meet your son at the church early in the afternoon.(about 13:40)

We could come into the room Sacrament meeting by Martin.

After 14:30,we could talk with church members and staff, a little time. 

We could take a pictures in front of the church.

Martin and his room mate(Elder Kowalk)came back in KAZIGAYA hotel with us.

then,we went to family restaurant(Bikkuri-donkey)

We ate hamburger steaks and drinked a glass of soda etc.

Martin said:I came to Bikkuri-donkey...for the first time Today

bikkuri donkey meal:we ate...  

 Martin...three slice of pineapples and hamburger steak,rice,salad,melon soda

 kowalk...three slice of pineapples,rice,salad,coca-cola 

 Ryousuke...general hamburger steak,rice,salad,melon soda

 Sakie...TAKOYAKI(cut octopus and flour ),shortcake

 kensuke...egg hamburger,rice,salad,coca-cola

 Ikuko....mince-Japanese radish and hamburger,rice,salad,ice cream

(The Elders and the Kato Family at the Bikkuri-Donkey Restaurant in Kazigaya.)

We did not know how to live daily life,and moneys of living expense in Tokyo,the relationship 

between BYU university and church of Jesus christ of Latter-day Saints.

until now...Probably,We supposed that Martin can spend in Tokyo by his parents allowance 

every month??? 

But Kowalk said:I am staying in Kawasaki that withdraw 30,000yen from a bank account

                every month by my savings.

               (He worked a part-time job when he was school student.)

I was surprised to the cost of living...really??  30,000yen??

Usually,Japanese people can not live in Tokyo,and even 100,000Yen.

My husband said me:They can live simple life,They have no notebook (computer),and no cellular phone

                   etc...

Martin said:I have no notebook however, I go to Kazigaya every week.

Ikulo said:Why do you go to Kazigaya? 

Martin said: I can use to notebook for free there. 

Ikuko said:I could understand...

My husband said me:Martin and Kowalk are smile and a man of strong will.

                   We need to follow their example.

(Ryosuke Kato and Martin Mumford- two friends reunited again!)

Now here is Martin's report of the visit:

The Kato Family came to visit me here on Sunday!  Hakuraku is a very confusing area, because there are so many different churches there.  But, they made it to the church just fine.  We sat with them in Sacrament Meeting, and then got to talk with them afterward!  It was so fun seeing everyone again!  Ryosuke and Sakie look much older than before.  I still had a picture from my homestay in Japan, and everyone looks so different now.  I also got to hear the stories from them explaining all the pictures that they sent you (and you forwarded to me).  It sounds like they're having so much fun in Hamamatsu! 

Here is the rest of Martin's e-mail this week:

Hey, cool story...  We were sitting in the Email place on the computers, when we got a call!  It was from one of our cool investigators!  He said, "You know that last part you talked about... the Holy Ghost?  I heard it.  It told me that this is true."  And I was just completely floored.  Just a random call from someone who got an answer.

Unfortunately, he's way busy with work and had to cancel our original appointment, but I told him to just keep reading the Book of Mormon and strengthen his faith until we could meet again.  He's so cool!

So, if we could add one more to your prayer list;

Koizumi (or 'kenny' as he calls himself).  He's probably in his 40's-50's, married, sells calendars for a nearby Temple.  Just an incredible guy.  We were passing out flyers for English class and he was sort of lingering around like he wanted one, so I went over and explained it to him.  Turns out he was interested in Mormons, said he thought it seemed pretty cool, and had learned a little from buisness trips he had made there.  Gave him a lesson 1 pamphlet and we met with him later on!

And he already got an answer.  This is going to be way cool. :)

The miracles just keep pouring in.  I think we have a little more space to squeeze in just a few more, so keep on praying!  Thanks everyone for the support, prayers, letters, and something else that I forgot probably!  I really appreciate it!

See you all in 2010!

Love,

Elder Martin Mumford

TOKYOOYOKOT

 JAPANNAPAJ