Costco In Japan

No letter yet from Martin, So I though I would use this space to share a few pictures of his recent trip to Costco in Japan.

There's nothing like finding a Costco in Japan, to satisfy a missionary's craving for American food.

VIDEO:

Click PLAY to view:

Peanut butter, which is often hard to find in Japan, is found in abundance at Costco.

Elder Bradley wonders how they are going to get all that food home on the crowded trains.

Goodbye My Brazilian Friend.

(Elder Mumford and Elder Stavi meet together one last time at the Tokyo, Japan LDS Temple)

Below is an excerpt from a letter dated September 1st, 2009

Dear Everyone:

Elder Stavi has been transferred.  He will be leaving and going to Ushiku.

VIDEO:

 Click "PLAY" above, to see Elder Stavi (The Japanese missionary from Brazil) proudly singing the Brazilian National anthem while taking down Brazil's flag, in Preparation for the upcoming transfer.  

I will be staying here in Kunitachi with Elder Chase.  He actually came to Japan about the same time as me.  He's from California.

(Elder Stavi was very sad to have to go!)

Well, a lot has happened since last week.  The ward had a huge Summer Festival Party, and many of our former investigators came.  It was lots of fun.  They had traditional Japanese Summer foods: Yakisoba, cotton candy, curry and crepes.  And all of our investigators had a good time.

(This is the Japanese version of a pinata:  Instead of everyone grabbing candy, everyone ends up with a watermelon slice.  This was one of the activities at the ward Summer Party)

I was especially happy that Ooishi-san could come, because she's been extremely busy lately, and hasn't been able to meet with us.  

Recently we've been having a bit of a downturn in visible success.  It's been a few weeks since we've had a lesson, so we are really focusing on trying to find someone, ANYONE who will listen.  Often times people are willing to listen to a brief 1-3 minute testimony/message, but don't want to hear more, or meet after that.

(Elder Stavi and Mumford with 2 of their investigators at the Ward Summer Party.  One of the members had given the Elders Japanese "Jimbei" jackets, so they wore them to the party.)

One person though, we met a few weeks back:  He's Ishiitsuka-san, and it turns out he is WAY interested in history, including religion history.  So we met, he already knew the whole history of the church, and was very skeptical.  He said the Book of Mormon isn't original because all the ideas in it were probably taken from all these other sources.  We talked a lot about world history, and he enjoyed talking to us.  So we gave him a Book of Mormon and tried to explain how you can come to know something is true, without physical proof.  He might try it.  I think we'll be able to meet with him again someday.  He has an extremely proof-evidence-based mind, so if he can learn to get over that, I think we can do it.

We also had a little typhoon yesterday.  Apparently it was going to be really big, and President Albrecht even recommended that everyone stay close to the apartment that day.  But it turned out to be a little bit smaller, and we were far enough inland not to feel the wind.  It just rained a lot.  So we are still just fine, just a little wet.

VIDEO: 

Click "PLAY" to view.

Also,there's this cat that lives in a tree, just outside our apartment window.  Recently he's been missing (which was good for us because it's a very loud cat at night.  (Always howling.)  But now he's back, just in time for transfers.  In Japan, there are a lot of stray cats everywhere! (in Japan they call them "NORA NEKOS")

If possible, can you send Elder Stavi a copy of the "Hymns That Sound Like Movie Themes" CD that you sent to Elder Morris?  He really wants one.

Speaking of CDs, we were cleaning the apartment, and we discovered this CD form the 80's or so.  It's in Japanese and it's a mini-disk (or whatever those tiny CDs were called in the 80's/90's.)  I'll send it home in the next package, and you can see how to listen to it.

Anyways, I love you all!  Things are looking up here in Kunitachi!  

Good luck and have fun!

Elder Martin Mumford,

JJJJJ  AAAAA   PP   P   AA   AA   NNNNN

  JJ     AA  AA   PPPP       A AA     NN  NN

  JJ     AA  AA   PPPP        AA       NN  NN

  JJ     AAAAA   PP   P      AA        NNNNN

The Letter Has Arrived At Last!

Missionaries Just Want To Have Fun Too!

Some playgrounds are just too hard to resist...Even for a missionary.

Here, Elder Mumford enjoys a quick trip down the slide. 

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Now here is Martin's letter that just arrived in the mail, dated August 27th, 2009:

Dear Everyone, 

Sorry I couldn't e-mail much last week.  Just as I was getting started, the librarian came up and told us to stop e-mailing.  This is the third library we've been kicked out of, and I am getting a little tired of it.  Japanese libraries are a little weird too; the reason you can't e-mail is because the sound of typing bothers other people in the library.  Oh well.  I'm just going to give up and snail mail my letters for the rest of my time in Kunitachi.

("Shhhhh..... You are typing too loud.")

Well, recently, it's been very busy here, because every year at this time, there is a HUGE festival in Tachikawa, and tons of little festivals all around.  Part of it is for Obon, and part of it is for Natsu Matsuri.  For example, there was a parade in our neighborhood the other day, with very elaborate, illuminated floats.  it's called Nebuta Festival.  There were lots of other parades in nearby neighborhoods too.

VIDEO: Festival in Yoyogi Park.

Click "PLAY" to view.

But the bigest parade was in Tachikawa.  Everyone was dressed up in (Traditional?) Japanese clothing- the girls in kimonos, and the guys in top-kimonos, but with a speedo on the bottom.  The fun thing is, there are a few dozen of these teams of people who carry a big...shrine-thingy, around the city.  They all have different team uniforms, (but the speedos are the same) and they carry the big decorated shrine on their shoulders, chanting.

Natsu Matsuri parade in Tachikawa.  

(This was the only picture that I could find that was vague enough to appear on this family friendly blog.)

It's very fun to watch, especially since the are all very drunk and sometimes have a hard time steering the shrine.

As with many Japanese festivals, there were of course, rows and rows of little stands selling takoyaki, okonomiyaki, chocolate bananas, yakisoba, and for some reason, fake guns!  They have lots of stands where you can "save a goldfish" out of a little pool.  Later we went to Kokubunji, and they were having similar parades and events there.  Apparently, the summer festivals are everywhere this season.

Also, I wrote a nice letter to all my MTC district, and today I'll send it out to everyone!  It's celebrating our "one year" mark .

(The missionaries place their wagers on who will be staying and who will leaving, once the transfer calls come in.)

Anyways, Elder Stavi is expecting he will be transferred, so this p-day was especially busy.  Right now it's almost time for us to finish p-day and go back out.  So I'll send another letter next week (If I stay) or an e-mail (If I transfer to a new area)  So just keep your fingers crossed until I can get all the new info to you!  Thanks!

(This is what a transfer looks like: All the transferring missionaries carry their bags, including their bike in a bag, and then meet in a central location.  They meet their new companion and then go on their way to their new area.)

Love, Elder Mumford

Tokyo, Japan

p.s. Yes, I have felt a few earthquakes but only a tiny bit.

While We Are Waiting....

Once again, we received a short note from Martin, informing us that e-mail is not possible in his current area, and that he will be sending letters through the mail for now.  

So while we are waiting for the next letter to arrive, here are some fun videos for your viewing pleasure. These were on the last SD camera card, sent home by Elder Mumford.

VIDEO !: Click "PLAY"  below to view:

NATTO:

VIDEO 2: Click "PLAY"  below to view:

Street performer in Tokyo:

VIDEO 3: Click "PLAY"  below to view:

Jazz In Tokyo:

More Funny Engrish Signs!

Many Japanese signs also include an English translation.  However, sometimes the translation is off just enough, that it makes for some humorous imagery.   Here are a few examples of signs, from the camera of Elder Mumford, along with excerpts from a letter from him,  found in our mailbox today:

(Do not let your dog pee and poo...children have lunch and play!)

Dear Everyone...

Sorry for the missing letter!  We went to our normal e-mail place, and to our astonishment, it was closed!  Upon closer inspection, we found out it is going to be closed every Tuesday from now until forever.  We are certain that they somehow found out when our p-day was, and closed the building just to thwart us each week!

Any ways, so now I am writing a good 'ol paper letter, and nothing says to the family "I LOVE YOU" more than a good 'ol fashioned handwritten letter delivered somewhat later than usual.

(Please do it outside!)

Some important news:  Dad will be pleased to know that I am now flossing religiously.  I've never been consistent. but now I'm doing it.  It's part of my FINAL YEAR RESOLUTIONS.  These are as follows:

1. Floss Daily

2. Exercise Daily

3. Finish the Bible (Old and New T.) in English so I can say I've read it.  (I'm in Jeremiah!)

4. Always be happy.  Even if I'm sick or tired.

5. Work hard, try my best, endure to the end.  This year has been fast, and from what I hear, the second year goes much faster.  So I want to use it really well.

6. Start reading the Book of Mormon (English) with foot notes.  I always ignored them before, but I'll give it a try.

(These must be some pretty special sheet protectors!)

I'm half way through my first Summer in Japan.  It's burning hot and humid, but recently, it's been raining so much that it's not so hot.  In Japan, they have these huge flying bugs called "SEMI'S".  One Semi can make an extremely loud noise, so when there's a group of them, you can hear it from quite far away.  The funny thing is that in the Summer, the semi's get so hot, that they fall out of the trees and lie on their backs until they cool down enough to fly away.  It's something that's definitely unique to Japan, and something that I find annoying now, but will probably miss once I get home.

OK, and now for some relevant news: Our investigator, Ooishi-san, who was very close to being baptized, no longer wants to get baptized.  Unfortunately, tithing is very difficult for her, so she feels that she cannot make that commitment right now.  But she still is willing to learn and meet occasionally.  Just keep her in your prayers.  She KNOWS that she needs to be baptized.  You can tell that she feels like it's the right thing to do.  I think it will work out.

(A cafe for snobbish babies?)

I got the pictures in the mail.  I was so happy to see all those incredible pictures of everyone from the reunion and the family party.  I also just barely got the CHEESE you sent.  It's actually not that melted, but we still threw it in the fridge.  We'll have a FEAST!  Elder Stavi made some authentic Brazillian food and served it with bottles of Guarana (popular Brazilian drink)  It was great!

('Not sure what kind of machine this is, but I think the sign is pretty descriptive as to what might happen to you if you touch it!)

Also Mom, Happy "29th" birthday, again! :)    I hope that things at home are as wonderful as they are here.  I miss you all!  

Thanks for Everything!

Love, 

Elder Martin Mumford

T O K Y O

 J A P A N!

Tour Of Shibuya Apartment

Elder Mumford sits at one of the study desks in the Shibuya Apartment. (His previous area)

It is one of the smallest apartments in the mission, and is shared by 4 missionaries.

This is the sleeping area for the 4 missionaries.   (But it also doubles as a closet!)

Study desk and closet all in one!

We received a brief e-mail from Martin, explaining that he will not be able to e-mail for a while, because their e-mail place is closed on their new p-day.  He will be sending news via snail mail until they are able to find a new place to e-mail.

So I thought I would use this space to share some fun videos that Martin took when he was in Shibuya!

Robot:

Video: Click "Play" to view:

Waiting:

Video: Click "Play" to view:

Every Sunday afternoon in Yoyogi park.

Video: Click "Play" to view:

HOT HOT HOT!

(Elder Gerber, Elder Haight, and Elder Mumford try to stay cool by enjoying a fresh watermelon.)

(From an e-mail dated August 3, 2009:)

Dear Everyone,

This is going to be short, sorry.  We are at a different library with more restrictions so I got to hurry.

A few important things;

P-day was changed again, from Monday to Tuesday.  It was kind of suprise because we found out the night before!  So from now on P-day will be on Tuesday...  probably...  maybe.  Just dont be surprised If Im emailing from all kinds of wierd days.

Ooishi-san is getting ready to be baptized.  She is the most prepared person I've ever met.  Its going to be great!

Elder Stavi is way funny, and we are working super hard.  Its extremely hot recently, so the days have been extra tiring, and Im getting rather burnt to a crisp.  (Its ok, I have sunscreen, no need to send me extra :)

One of these days, I'll have to show you a picture of my White-Shirt-tan line.  Its pretty bad.

(Martin's "Killer" Japanese sunscreen)

Well, this transfer marks my 1 year mark on a mission.  Its been a pretty short year in retrospect.  Probably the fastest year of my life so far.  My life seems kinda short in comparison now, because I've only had 20 of those suckers now, and Ive got a good 80 left to go  (Because Im going to be one of those way energetic genki grampas-- in Japan we call them Genki Ojiichan's).

(Elder Mumford and Elder Kowalk with Urshizako-san, their favorite Genki Ojiichan (healthy, energetic, adorable little grandpa)

Anyways, got to go real quick!  As always Ill promise a longer email next time, but ... we'll see!  Sorry!

Thanks everyone, I love all the letters and support and prayers,

Love,

Elder Mumford,

-tokyo, japan.

Kunitachi

QUESTION: What ever happened to those Colonel Sanders statues that used to be in all the KFC restaurants 20 years ago? 

ANSWER: They were transported to Japan, where they now valiantly welcome Japanese KFC chicken lovers.

Now here is Elder Mumford's e-mail from 7/26/09:

Dear Everyone,

Well, its been only 4 days since the last email, but a lot has happened.

Ive been getting used to Kunitachi recently, and I got to meet all the ward on Sunday.  They are probably one of the nicest wards I've ever had the privelage of serving in.

Just to update, our investigators here;

1. Ooishi, Reina.  She is amazing.  She started meeting with the missionaries once a week, and yesterday she came to church for the first time.  She works at a hospital from Saturday afternoon until 10:00 am on Sunday morning, but somehow she still managed to come to church at our invitation.  She was super tired, but had a good time.

2. Ko.  I havent met him yet, so I really dont know much about him.  Just that he can be baptized whenever he wants, but just needs to decide.

So, if you could keep these people in your prayers, Im sure it will bless their lives.

My companion, Zenon Stasevskas is from Sao Paulo.  He speaks perfect english as well, so no problems there.  He is extremely hard working, and still has that new-missionary energy boost.  It makes me feel old because I get tired a lot faster, but its good because every day we are working super hard.

As far as news goes, nothing immediately pressing.  Its just been good, long days so far.  The rain FINALLY stopped for good, so now we can actually have summer.  This is good because, as much as I love the rain as a normal person, as a missionary it just messes things up because people are just so much less likely to listen to you when its raining.

VIDEO:

VIDEO: Press 'PLAY" to view.

(A rain soaked Elder Mumford)

We went to the Tachikawa Fireworks Festival.  I'd never heard about it before, but apparently its a pretty big deal around here.  There were several thousands of people in Kimonos out on blankets all around the city waiting to see the fireworks. (I got videos! :)  Its every year on July 25.

(Poster from the Tachikawa fireworks festival.)

Well, that just about sums up our adventures in the last few days. Oh one more fun thing, the missionaries here get to water the plants at the church everyday.  Kind of fun :).

Alright, I hope everyone has fun!

Good luck wherever you are!

-Elder Martin Mumford,

TKOAA.OYJPN

We're Not In Shibuya Any More!

"Hey Elder, I don't think we are in Shibuya any more" (Elder Mumford was transferred  from Shibuya, where there are people EVERYWHERE, to Kunitachi, a quite residential  suburb of Tokyo.

And now, here's Elder Mumford's e-mail dated July 22, 2009:

Dear Everyone,

I'm emailing from KUNITACHI.  Yesterday I moved all the stuff from Shibuya and moved into the apartment here.  Its quite a change.  Mu companion is Elder Staveskas (everyone just says Stavi) From Brazil.

Speaking of Brazil, where and when did Dad serve his mission?  Elder Stavi is curious.

Anyways, Kunitachi is a pleasant little area out in the countryside.  A big change from Shibuya.  All yesterday I kept thinking how quiet and peaceful it was.  Its nearly 70% neighborhood/residential areas, which is really nice.  Tons of houses and apartments, which means that lots of people actually LIVE here instead of just work here.

Shibuya was a little difficult as far as that went, because no one actually lived there, just worked and partied there.  Here its nice.  Its a small area, from one end to the other takes about 1 1/2 hours by bike, but there are still several hundred thousand people living here, so we have our work cut out for us.

Yesterday we knocked on the doors of this creepy little village down by our apartment.  It turned out there was a lot of old angry people that lived there :(  However we did meet someone who sounds like he might want to meet us again.  His name is Banba (way cool name).  He voulenteers in Africa every year, and studies various religions.  Should be fun!

We're kind of sad to split up the Shibuya 4-man dream team, but Im sure everyone who is there now is having fun.  Elder Haight actually went to Kawasaki, the area I was in before Shibuya, so I got to tell him a lot about it before he left.  Kunitachi is actually really close to Kawasaki, its on the same train line.

Anyways, there isnt really much time for this email either;  The Kunitachi email place is only 30 minutes as well, but next time Ill write out my email on paper first so I can fit in a good long email when I get here.

The package should be coming soon, I sent it on Tuesday and I took the fastest option they had for packages.  (its by plane, not boat), so you should get it soon, maybe by Saturday.

I still need to send a few more things for everyones birthday that didnt quite make it into the package.  You can look forward to that as well.

Anyways, sorry for the brief email (as always), Ill be sure to have a lot of adventurous stories about Kunitachi next week.  I think we are emailing on Monday next week, so be ready for that.  I know its been rather confusing what with the p-day changing and transfers messing up the regular schedule, but from now on emails will be consistently on monday... unless something else happens.

Hm... right now Im looking out the window and the clouds have thickened into a bit of a storm.  Not good, because we are biking today and I didnt bring any rain gear.  Well, I think were going to get a bit wet then :)

Well, good luck, have fun!

-Love,

Elder Martin Mumford

t #k#o#a#a

#o#y#J#p#n

This Just In....

On July 20th, Elder Mumford sent this brief e-mail:

Hey, I transfered!

Im going to Kunitachi with Elder Stavi.

I cant email right now, and I dont know when my next email will be.

Just thought I'd give you the heads up!

-Love you,

Elder Mumford.