Expect the Unexpected!

For some reason, this video really made me laugh!

What do you think?

VIDEO:

Click on the "PLAY" arrow to view.

And now for Elder Mumford's e-mail, dated June 14th, 2010:

Dear Everyone,

Some new news,

We have officially entered the perpetual rainstorm that is June-July. Im really glad though, because up till now we have had perfect weather every single day this transfer, and the rain is only just now starting to come down. However, Koiwa is such an awewsome area that even in the hardest rain durring the most deserted time of day we can still meet lots of cool people out on the street who are willing to listen to us. I don't really understand it, because there is just such a huge noticable difference between everywhere I've been before, and Koiwa, in that everyone we talk to will listen to us and try to understand what we are saying. Maybe it's the conditions here, or the area, or the kind of people that live around here, maybe it's our attitude (Elder Williams is the man, he has the best attitude of anyone I've ever met so far on my mission). Maybe it's just our outrageously good looks, or skillfull intelligent Japanese, or maybe our exceptionally great humility (we're probably the most humble companionship in the mission, if I do say so myself).

(Elder Mumford and Elder Williams- Dashingly Handsome!)

Or maybe the Lord just sees fit to show us miracles every day, because in the grand scheme of his great plan (of which we are only a tiny little piece), the timing is just right, in this place, that we should see them.

But whatever the reason, we are working hard and we are happy here in Koiwa. I really hope that I get to stay here, it's been an awesome experience. I think the coolest thing that could possibly happen is if me and Elder Williams get to stay here in Koiwa, but I dont know yet what's going to happen. Whatever does happen, we'll both do great wherever we end up, Im sure.

It sounds like you've been having some cool miracles at home recently as well. I really think that God is willing to give you opportunities to help others, only to the extent that you want to have them, and when you take that step, the chance to follow through and help someone will be given.

Recently we have had some nice things happen;

We have 4 investigators right now, and 1 Less active we're focusing on;

1. Yoshida - met on the street, taught him about the restoration, and he had interest but didnt want to give us any contact info. He showed up to English Class on Wednesday, and signed up for a 30 minute introductory lesson. After the lesson he said he had interest in religions and would like to hear about the restoration, which we are going ot teach him today. We thought that that would be that, and that the next time we would see him would be today, but on Sunday, he just showed up to church, all by himself without us even inviting him, and he stayed for all 3 hours. We gave him a Book of Mormon, and were able to explain just a little bit about it. So today should be really interesting.

(Elder Mumford and the Sumo Wrestler. They meet him at a restaurant, so he can eat, while they teach him.)

2. Higuchi - a genki nice grandpa who has been coming to English class for a long time, but recenetly he would like to hear more about the Purpose of Life, so we are meeting him on Weednesday to discuss more about the plan of Slavation. He is very nice, and has read a little of the book of mormon before.

3. Sekino - The miracle man from a few weeks ago, who just invited us to come to his house and teach a lesson. He cant meet until the 21st of June, so we just dropped off a lesson pamphlet in the mean time. But when that day comes he should ha ve lots of questions.

(Elder WIlliams with the Sumo.)

4. Taiun - a 20's ish Chinese student who we met on the street. He also came to all 3 hours of church, and also a Family Home Evening at a member's house afterwards. Unfortunately, he doesnt really speak Japanese, or even English, and so we are having a very hard time explainign what it is that we do exactly. He wants to meet, but we can't really effectively explain much, only when we write the Kanji whe will understand it. So we are waiting a little bit more until one of the Chinese members in the ward has a little bit of time to come to a lesson and help us out. Both Taiun and Yoshida want to come to Stake Conferecen next week.

(5) Also, Shinobu, a less active, who was baptized when he was 8, but ever since then never came to church. He doesnt know much about the church, but he recently read the entire book of mormon in 1 week. He also cuts the missionaries hair for free, so he has lots of experience with missionaries. Recently he has nwanted to get an answer or a confirmation about the church really bad, but even reading the book of mormon didnt seem to give him what he was looking for. He is going to try to read the whole bible too, but our concern is that reading the entire bible is nice, but much like reading the entire book of mormon, the answer is not information. The answer is not hidden on page ?? somewhere, and knowing more information won't really help you with Faith. So from now we are trying to help him get an answer by building faith, rather than knowledge.

If you could pray for these 5 people, I think that God will assist them in their persuit of happiness.

(Jo (from Brazil) Elder King, Elder Mumford, and Manabu-san.)

Anyways, thanks for everything that you do for me, thanks for the great letters, and packages, and everything else. This is a great time to be in Japan!

Have a great week!

-Elder Martin Mumford

TOKYO JAPAN.