Hungry Anyone?

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Check out this Spagetti, parsley, sausage, and chicken sandwich? (These are sold in the "conbini" or convenience stores in Japan) Enjoy your sandwich with some "Beef Kabob" flavored pringles, shown below!

(How about this tasty morsel: Inago (fried grasshopper) on rice and wrapped in toasted seaweed. Mmmmmm.)

Now, here's Martin's email dated October 27, 2009

Dear Everyone,

Its only been a little while since the last email. We took an hour out of P-day on Tuesday, and so now we can do it durring a slow time of the week. I think we will continue doing it this way for now.

Anyways, not too terribly much has happened since Saturday, but we have met some interesting people:

1. We have been running into people from every possible Japan-based religion this week.

a. ??? - (Mahikari), a nice old man who told us a little bit about Mahikari. He didnt have much time, but he said that the religion is coming out with a movie called 'The rebirth of Buddha', and he would mail us a flyer. So, if you get a random Japanese flyer in the mail, that's the story.

b. ??? - (Happy Science) nice man, very strange religion.

c. ??? - (Reiha no hikari) VERY nice guy, we exchanged pamphlets. I think this is where our Kawasaki investigator got his 'Space God' ideas from. He also talked to us about how he didnt really like other japanese religions because they are about money. Many times a popular self-help author will take his book catalogue and form a religion from them.

d. ??? - (SGI) Nice person, no interest whatsoever in our message. For some reason all Japanese-based religions have one core doctrine. 'pray for world peace'. Everyone does it.

So its been a fun experience so far.

Interjection from Missionary Mom:

Up to this point in Martin's mission, I have always included the names of his investigators on the prayer roll at the temple. It will be interesting next time I go to the temple, to write ???, ???, ???, and ??? on the list. (But I guess the Lord knows their name, even if Martin does not.)

Also, Ive recently dug up that 'fourth missionary' talk you sent me a while ago, about attitude, and it has helped me a lot recently. At the moment we still have very little to work with, with no people on the horizon, but Ive realized that I cannot get discouraged. There are so many people in our area, one of them HAS to have a hint of interest. There is someone somewhere in Kunitachi that has interest and is willing to hear a simple message someday. We will do everything we can to find them, teach them, and perhaps sometime in the future baptize them. I know its possible, we are doing our very best, and Im working harder than I have EVER done in my whole mission. I know if we continue we will be able to get an investigator.

This church is true,

Love,

Elder MArtin MUmford

TOKYOJAPAN.

Dekimasu! ('Can do!)

From Elder Mumford's e-mail dated October 23rd:

Dear Everyone!

We can email again in Kunitachi! Woooo! President Albrecht gave us permission to take 1 hour out of P-day and use it towards 1 hour somewhere else durring the week. So I think from now on we will be able to send emails from Kunitachi. However, the day of the week will probably vary every time, so just be warned.

Well, here is all the new information: You probably already got my last letter, but;

1. I am staying in Kunitachi with Elder Remington.　Hardly anyone in our whole zone changed this time.

(One of Martin's tasks as a trainer to a brand new missionary, is to provide the first NATTO experience! Here, Elder Remington prepares the NATTO prior to his first bite.)

We also have some signs of visible success starting to show themselves. We have recently been able to get in contact with a few former investigators. Hopefully they might want to meet with us again. We also have met a few new people that may eventually have interest in the church.

1. Saito-san. A very intimidating American Football player, we met him jogging and he was so friendly. He recently got injured so we want to see if we can visit him or meet him sometime to see how he's doing.

2. ??? - mysterious man who really likes the missionaries, but will never tell us his name. He always talkes to us for quite some time whenever he sees us in Tachikawa.

3. ??? and ??? - mysterious college students who we said 'hello' to and started talking. We went to eat with them at a restraunt and explained about ourselves, our message, how we know its true... they seemed really interested and impressed. They go to Keio and Waseda Universities, which are basically the equivellant of Harvard and Yale for Japan. Very smart people. But maybe they will have intrest and call us sometime. We didnt get their names.

VIDEO: Click PLAY below to view

Why is Elder Mumford eating moldy bread.... and enjoying it?

Ha ha, It's really MELON PAN- (melon flavored bread- a Japanese favorite!) The melon part is green in color- like a honeydew melon.

Also we keep getting a lot of comments from Japanese people on the street that they were surprised when at President Obama's innauguration, he put his hand on the bible. Everyone we meet tells us that America must all be 100% Christians because of this. Very interesting.

Well, some questions...

1. Melissa Meline asked about where that pirate boat park is... It is in Shibuya, right next to Tokyo (the emperial palace) along the ocean front. Its very close to Sukiji (the massive fish market).

2. Apparently some time ago President Albrecht gave a talk at BYU called 'Be all you can be', or something to that effect. Elder Guy was describing it to me and it sounds really good, so Im really interested in reading it if you can get ahold of a copy. (click here to see this talk.)

3. Also I just got the HALLOWEEN PACKAGE! That was so good! I brought the candy corn to English class and gave everyone some. THey dont have candy corn in Japan, but many stores do actually put up the classic haloween decorations. Now that I think about it it really is a kind of a random holiday. Anyways, THANK YOU for that great blessing. Eating peanut butter while looking at pictures from home was a joy beyond measure.

And we did get to see Elder Eyring hold up Dad's oil vial. I actually hadnt got your letter at that point, so when he held it up I was thinking... wait a minute... is that the same one? No! It cant be!, so I wasnt actually sure. Dad must have been pretty enthused.

(Elder Eyring holds up his oil vial that was made by Martin's Father. Click here to see a close up view of the oil vial.)

Anyways, thank you everyone for your great support and continual prayers. We we enjoying our time in Kunitachi. I hope the best for each one of you, whether at school or work or home or somewhere else.

We'll try to email this next week as well!

-Love,

Elder Martin Mumford.

P.S. Every English class thinks its funny that our cat's name is 'tuna'.

The Typhoon That Wasn't

(Elder Mumford was fully prepared for Typhoon Melor, but by the time it reached Tokyo, it had blown itself out.)

From Elder Mumford's letter dated October 13, 2009

Dear Everyone,

There was a Typhoon on Friday. (Or at least there was supposed to be one.) We got a call on Thursday night saying it would be the worst typhoon in 20 years, so we should take a cleaning day that day, instead of Saturday. But before morning study had finished, the rain had completely stopped, and there was no wind. Apparently the wind had been SO strong that it simply blew all the rain clouds away, leaving us in a perfectly normal, blazing hot summer day with not a cloud on the horizon. A little bit disappointing from what we were expecting.

I have some information!

I will be STAYING IN KUNITACHI , with Elder Remington! Which will be rather cool, because I'll be here during his birthday on October 29th.

(Elder Mumford and Elder Remington)

We had General Conference in the Kichijoji stake center. General Conferences are essentially like a missionary superbowl. Everyone is excited to hear it. Especially with the announcement of the Sapporo Japan Temple.

I think the trend or overall theme that seemed to come out of it was "The Spirit" and also "Families." It's kind of sad we have to wait so long before we read the talks. It's really helped me appreciate what resources we have as normal people. You can just get on the internet and essentially listen to or read every General Conference talk ever, in just about any language. Every other CES fireside or a general address is available whenever you feel like it. I really miss just how easy it was to get ahold of information.

Anyways, I found Jeffrey R. Holland's talk about the Book of Mormon to be especially powerful. (As he always tends to be in his talks.) I'm excited to read that one again, but I'm sure it would lack the effect of actually hearing it.

Well, It's been quite a hectic week, getting ready for the transfer,and with General Conference, but it's been fun. Unfortunately, that means I'll not be e-mailing the next 6 weeks as well. (We still cannot find an e-mail place!) But letters are alright, I guess. (Just a little slower.)

(Ripening rice fields in Japan.

The fields are flooded and by the end of the summer they dry out and the plants mature and are soon ready to harvest.)

Our days are still generally the same: Wake up. look, find, search, try to talk to everyone, go to bed, with no visible results at the moment. It is said that some missionaries see great harvests and some plant the seeds. Right now we are desperately trying to plant seeds, however tiny, and hope that someday they will be ready. We are definitely having a lot more fun finding.

(As the grains ripen and the plants dry out, the tops do start to turn a white color.)

-For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. (D&C 4:4)

This is by far the most difficult time of my mission. It is also the time I have learned the most. We will keep on trying.

Also Elder Remington told me about this amazing Japanese drink called "Ramune." I had no idea it existed. It's sort of a drink/game because it is sealed with a little glass marble, and you have to catch the marble in this little hole in order to drink it. It is both delicious and fun!

(Ramune Soda. Sealed with a glass marble.)

Another fun story: We have recently been knocking doors in a place that has come to be known as "the scary danchi" or "scary apartment complex." We were making out way along the rows and columns of apartments , when we heard this loud, frightening organ music blasting out. The closer we got, the louder it got. Finally we arrived at the door, and it was my turn, so I knocked. The music abruptly stopped, and we heard someone come to the door. He opened it, and in slow deliberate english, he said:

"I'm... listening... to... music. DO NOT DISTURB ME."

In an attempt to salvage the situation, I asked what kind of music he was listening to, and he said,

"Johann Sebastian Bach."

Then slowly shut the door, and the music started again. Very interesting.

(This is one scary danchi!)

Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well in school, at home, and whatever else you may be up to these days.

Love,

Elder Martin D Mumford

東京 日本

(Tokyo, Japan)

Having A Ball In Kunitachi

(The missionaries enjoy their p-day activity: Bowling with the district.)

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

Exerpts from a letter dated 10/6/09:

Dear Family,

Things are nearly the same in Kunitachi. We have been trying really hard to find people to teach. The good thing is, we are both having fun trying to do so, and it's not nearly as difficult to muster up the courage to talk to people. No luck yet, but we will keep trying.

(In Japanese, "DENDO" means tracting, or missionary work)

Random story though: We were walking towards the church, and we met a man named Nakamura. He said he had lessons before, and had read all of the Book Of Mormon. So we let him in the building, and started talking. It was amazing! We explained about Joseph Smith's experience and asked him how he felt about it. He believes it happened! Then, he looked at his watch, got up and booked it out of the church. He didn't even have time to take our phone number. He said he would come back sometime, then rann off. So.... that was a really weird experience. I'll update you if we ever meet that guy again.

(The Elders met this mysterious man, who, after seeing their name tags, lead them to this Christian Bookstore.)

Also this week will be General Conference. It's a week later than America, and so of course the information about the Sapporo Japan Temple has already been leaked all over Japan. I don't think there's a missionary anywhere in Japan who doesn't know at the point.

(Sapporo Japan: Home of the famous Sapporo Ice Festival, will now also be the site of a new LSD Temple.) (However, the LDS temple will not be made out of snow or ice. )

It's finally cold and rainy, so for the first time we had to break out the heavy raincoats. They worked like a charm. It makes me miss Washington weather. I really love the rain here. Well I'm sorry for the briefness of the letter. We had a strange appointment with an SGI man that went long, and the mission recently changed p-day hours so that we leave the apartment at 5:00 instead of 6:00. So I've got no time left.

("What? It's time to go back out already? But we just finished cooking our takoyaki dinner.)

Thank you for the unceasing flow of letters. I love your pictures with commentary, they are great!

I hope everyone is having fun, wherever they may be!

Good Luck!

-Elder Martin D Mumford

Tokyo Japan!

(In the shape of a typhoon!)

Signs Of Life

(The Armies Of Helaman! "We have been taught in our youth")

From Martin's letter dated September 29th, 2009:

Dear Everyone,

We've had an enjoyable week here in Kunitachi. First of all, there have been some signs of life as far as investigators go.

1. Mano (Family) It's a husband and wife with 2 daughters. One day, she called us and said she wanted to come to church again. (She and her husband were both going to receive baptism about 1 year ago, but for some reason did not.)

From what I can gather, they were all set for baptism, but on the day of, there were issues with The Word of Wisdom. So, they have waited all this time, and now they might be able to come back. They say that they are still not ready to meet us or attend church regularly. Just keep this family in your prayers. They can do it, but they need a lot of help.

(Coffee Flavored Cigarettes. Now there are even MORE ways to break the Word of Wisdom!)

Also, yesterday, we had a great "practice" lesson with the Kii Family (members.) Their sons do not come to church, because they don't really believe it is true. Brother Kii works at a company that makes all the missionary name tags in Japan.
Technically, it was a "mogi" (Practice) lesson for Elder Remington to improve his Japanese, but in the end it turned out to be an important chance for the Kii parents to sit down with their son and discuss faith. (Something that cannot be easily done simply by sitting down and saying, "Son, I wan't to talk to you about faith." which would likely be ill-received.) Instead we presented a lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and it naturally turned into what he really needed.

Simply, we talked about WHY we believe what we believe. Elder Reminton and I shared our own personal experiences with receiving an answer to our prayers, and the Kii parents also testified and encouraged. We promised that anyone at all who tries the promise written in Moroni 10, if they truly WANT an answer about the truthfulness of the church, and if they are actually willing to ACT upon that answer if they receive it, then they WILL get that answer.

It was very powerful experience. I hope it made some sort of an impression or impact on him, that if he really wants that answer,he has to TRY first and see.

Also, my bike broke down. Fortunately we weren't too terribly far away, but I did need to give it to the bike shop to repair. So today I took out some personal money to cover whatever it may cost. It turned out all right. The problem was serious and beyond my ability to repair, but it ended up at $50.00 (kind of expensive, but I don't know enough Japanese to haggle)

Anyways, that's about the sum of our week.

I hope everyone is enjoying life, wherever they happen to be! Have a great week! Have fun! And don't do anything that I wouldn't do!

Love,

Elder Martin D Mumford

T O K Y O

JAPAN

Elder Stavi's Letter

(Martin's former companion, Elder Stavi)

Hello Everyone, It's Missionary Mom here,

This week we received a letter from Martin's former companion, Elder Stavi. The following is a quote from his letter:

"Elder Mumford was a great companion. I learned a lot from him. He is always in a good mood, even when his companion wasn't exactly the best. I know he is doing great as a trainer , and as district leader. I am happy he is taking care of my bean area."

OK, so why didn't Elder Humility Mumford tell us that he was now a trainer and a district leader? We have to learn about it from someone else.

"Respect For The Elderly" Day

From Elder Mumford's latest letter dated 9/22/09:

Dear Everyone,

The past 2 days have been "Respect For The Elderly" day here in Japan. Thus we have been going around respecting the elderly. We talked to quite a few grandma's and grandpa's on the street.

(The Missionaries show respect for this elderly man, as he walks by.)

Things are as usual in Kunitachi. We're finding ourselves out on the streets quite a bit, looking for someone who wants to hear our message. So far, no luck, but we'll keep on trying. It's a bit disappointing not to have many teaching opportunities, but it does give us a chance to be out among the people finding. We do meet a lot of really nice people, but at the moment, none of the people we meet have a desire to ever meet us again.

I'm not sure what more we can be doing to find people to teach, so we're just continuing to try.

(Tracting the Streets of Kunitachi and Tachikawa.)

All day, every day, we are spending quite literally every moment outside of our apartment finding people. Then we come back each night, and call everyone who has ever met the missionaries before, and ask if they want to meet them again.

VIDEO:

Click "PLAY" to view

(The Elders climb every hurdle placed in their way, to try to find someone to teach.)

We're having some trouble getting past the wall of disinterest. The good news is that people recognize us as representatives of Jesus Christ. The bad news is that they do not want to have anything to do with Jesus Christ (and thus nothing to do with his representatives.) We have been told several times in the past week something along the lines of: "You two are really nice people, but I'm not going to listen to you, because there are so many cults and scary religions in Japan. I simply don't want to have anything to do with religion. Goodbye! We're still trying to figure out what to do.

(Elder Mumford is tracting the most "IUAKA" (middle of nowhere) street in his area.)

There was also a large festival in Kunitachi (Similar to the Tachikawa Festival, but thankfully, this time everyone still had pants on.)

VIDEO: Kunitachi Festival Parade

Click "PLAY" to view

We met a nice man from Turkey selling these meat-pita things. We also met a family from Uzbekistan (wherever that is) They didn;t have any interest, but maybe they will call us sometime in the future.

(The Elders have met many interesting people, including this authentic Japanese paper maker.)

We did have one cool experience though: We were walking along, and said "hi" to a crossing guard. He said he knew us, he had received a Book of Mormon and read it all 3 years ago. We asked him what he thought about it and what his name was, but then he got really uncomfortable, and wouldn't talk to us anymore. He said the missionaries made him read it. People are weird sometimes.

Sorry, this turned out to be a depressing letter. I know this church is true. I know there is someone in Kunitachi who is ready to hear it, and any-day now the timing will be right and we will be led to them. We are doing everything we can, and essentially waiting for God to do the rest now.

With hope,

Elder Martin D Mumford

T N

O A

K P

Y A

O J

How I Know What I Know.

From A Letter Dated 9/15/09

Dear Everyone,

Another wonderful week in Kunitachi! It's finally starting to cool down over here. There are still really hot days, but for the most part, it is turning into Fall. In Japan, Fall and Spring are fairly short, it seems like Summer and Winter are pretty long. But maybe that's because I am a missionary and out in the weather all day.

Also, I got your letter about your trip to Hawaii. When we went to the Honbu to pick up Elder Remington, I had a chance to meet Elder Ochiai (Who's sister you met in Hawaii) and even got some picutes of him. I'm sure he will be happy to hear about you meeting Sister Ochiai.

(The Mumford family met Sister Ochiai from Japan, while visiting Hawaii. She was in the Provo MTC the same time that Martin was, only she was learning English. Her little brother is serving as a missionary in the Japan Tokyo Mission.)

As far as your home stay exchange students from Tokyo, you can give them whatever you feel is best. If they don't know you very well, it might be a bit strange to receive a big thick religious book. But if you get to know them, I'm sure it would be fine to explain about our church, simply take them to church activities (especially since they are there to experience American culture, which usually includes religion.) Give them the info where they can find church (and English class) in their own area in Japan. The city where they are from is in our mission.

Just be nice, but not creepy. There are many weird religions in Japan that put a LOT of pressure on people to join, and are kind of scary. Sometimes they use scary methods of keeping people once they join, so many Japanese people have a very negative image of churches.

I'm sure they would be happy to participate in any church acitivies, or Family Home Evening though. And any other materials you want to give them, just pray about it. They'll gladly accept whatever presents you want to give them.

I think that in Japan, many people who would gladly listen to our message don't, simply out of a general distrust of religions. But every so often you meet someone who can get beyond that huge barrier, and actually listen.

Many people have the opinion that it is wrong to claim that you are the only true church. I am told frequently that the way to prevent wars is to admit that every religion in the world is correct, and stop worrying about it. But, unfortunately it really isn't that easy. This is simply a difference gap in our ways of thinking that no testimony has been able to bridge so far.

I know this church is true, not because someone else told me it was true, not because I was raised in it, or was brainwashed or tricked into it. I know that it is 100% true because I received an undeniably clear answer from God himself telling me so. That will sound like a ridiculous thing to say by anyone who has not received the same answer themselves, but it is true. I got an answer. It wasn't my own thoughts, opinions, or feelings, but a separate, much greater influence that I felt. I got a real answer to my question, "Is this true?" and since then I have had MANY answers to many other questions.

Nothing short of God appearing to me and personally apologizing for giving me a wrong answer would change my mind. Yes, that's a rather strange way of putting it, but that's how I feel.

Other people may rationalize and say that it was all in my head, or "wishful thinking" but I will always know that the experiences I had were so much stronger than what I could possibly invent in my head. I know without a doubt that God exists. I know that he has a church: This one, and that following it's teachings will bring more happiness in this life and in the next than can any other activity, religious or otherwise.

I am not operating on blind faith. I can be as open as any other person, listening to people explain their own beliefs and opinions, and trying to understand. I can listen to others criticize this church, tell me it is wrong, and I will listen carefully to find out if they have a legitimate point. I don't believe there is anything that could prove my personal experience wrong, so I have no qualms with listening to people try to do so. So far, I have heard nothing that would give me reason to question why I believe what I believe. Because of this, and because of the many other witnesses I have had in my life, I can say without the slightest doubt or hesitation, that I do know that this church is true. That is simply how I feel about it.

Well, that turned into a rather long-winded speech on why I believe what I believe, so I'll have to tell you some of the more "fun" stories of what is happening in Kunitachi next week.

Have fun everyone!

Love,

Elder Martin D Mumford

Tokyo, Japan

Thank You Carrollton Texas, 2nd Ward!

From Martin's letter dated 9/8/09:

Dear Everyone,

This has been a bit of an exciting week, with 2 transfers in 1 week. Elder Chase was here for two days, and then we received a phone call saying there needed to be an emergency transfer, and so Elder Chase went to Koiwa with Elder Tangren, while I ended up staying here in Kunitachi with Elder Remington from Ontario,California. We are having lots of fun together, working hard, and often times getting lost.

We've had quite a few interesting experiences already, and have walked quite a bit (Elder Remington doesn't yet have a bike.)

We met some really interesting people... a 70 year old man who was writing a book on the purpose of life; a young college student who was born in Chile, raised in Japan , and went to school in Europe and England; and a raving lunatic who hates our church. All very interesting people. All in all, it was an exhausting and very fun week.

(The Elders met this cool guy. He was cross country biking from one tip of Japan to the other. (Kyushu to Hokkaido) in one week. They happened to meet him as he stopped in Tachikawa.)

Also, a package arrived yesterday in the mail. I was so surprised! It was full of gifts form the Carrollton, TX 2nd Ward! So THANK YOU everyone for your HUGE contribution. It made my day... and probably my whole year. I especially liked the "Chews The Right" gum, for being witty, and the toothpaste (just because American toothpaste is a rare and precious commodity here in Japan.)

Also, thanks family for all the great pictures you sent. It's so good to see everyone (and the cats) I probably mentioned it before, but we also have a cat here. He lives in the tree outside our apartment and makes a lot of noise!

(Preach my gospel unto every creature)

Not too much has really happened since last week, we're simply trying to find someone to teach now. There really must be a better way to talk to people here. We stopped more than 65 people on the street yesterday, and 62 of them walked away as soon as they heard the word "missionary." 3 listened to a brief introduction about who we are and what we believe, but did not want to meet again.

So at this point we are just pressing on as best as we can, and praying for SOMEONE to teach. There are thousands and thousands of people in our area. There absolutely must be at least ONE person who is ready.

(Isn't there anyone who will listen to our message?)

Perhaps for now, just keep us in your prayers, that we will be able to keep going, and find renewed strength and energy. I really want Elder Remington to have a good experience in Kunitachi. No matter what though, we won't give up.

'Love you all. I hope everyone has a great week.

-Elder Mumford

TOKYO, JAPAN

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.