The Light
"Japan Kobe Mission: A Zion Mission"
December 1999

"they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there were no poor among them." --Moses 7:18

President's Message - December 1999

"Joy to the World, the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King. 
Let every heart prepare him room, ... ."

"Oh come let us adore him, Christ, the Lord."

"Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel!"

"Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King 
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise; Join the triumph of the skies;
With th'angelic hosts proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark! the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King!"

The message of Christmas is truly the important message of all time: The Living God sent His Son to the earth to take on flsh and blood and to become the Savior of all mankind. What a glorious opportunity we have in this season to declare such a message to a world in need of peace and mercy and reconciliation to God.

For those of you who are spending your first Christmas far away from family, this can seem like a bleak time, without the traditions you normally experience and the loved ones you enjoy so much. These are real concerns, and a phone call home for Christmas will be enjoyed by you and your family. Beyond that, however, it is best not to try to duplicate your family Christmas here in Japan with fellow missionaries and members. We are indeed away from home, but we have a special calling which brings us closer than any other time in our lives to the One who is the center of Christmas worship and celebration. If we will focus on sharing that message with everyone we meet, we will encounter those who are prepared and who will be eternally grateful to us.

Trust God and work hard on completing your Area Goals. Don't give up on them. Try to have a baptism on Christmas day. Spend the day out of your apartment, talking with people about Christ. This is not a holiday in Japan. It is a normal Saturday. People will be on the streets. They will be in their homes. They will have available time. What a day to give out one or more Books of Mormon and to make a new investigator. Schedule teaching appointments and share a special message of the divinity of Jesus Christ.

We are called to declare the Gospel like unto angels of God. Like the herald angels of old, let us proclaim the message: "Peace on earth, mercy mild; Glory to the newborn King!"

We love you. We pray for you. We look forward to being with you during December .Most of all, we look forward to serving with you in this wonderful season.

Sincerely,

President Robertson

Dear Wonderful Missionaries,

It was so great to see all of you at the November Taikais. 1 can hardly wait 'til our big Oshogatsu Taikai where everyone comes.

As for Eikaiwa, December is so full of activities. Christmas topics and celebrations can fill your curriculums, so lesson plans should be easier to make. You can teach your classes "Silent Night" and tell them the Christmas Story. Some classes have successfully dramatized it. "Jingle Bells" can be excellent hatsuon practice (jingle not "jinguru," and bells not "beru"). Low level and children's classes could have fun drawing or playing "memory" with the Christmas symbols as they learn their names and how to put them in a simple sentence, Any level class could have fun saying, "I am from ________ so I say "Merry Christmas" like this ________", using the list of Christmas Greetings from around the world (included here).

Sometime during December it would probably be good, also, to "discuss" Y2K preparedness in your classes (at least in the intermediate and advanced levels). This is a hot topic in Japan now, as well as in the rest of the world, so there should be some interest. You could ask them to list the things they will do to prepare for potential Y2K problems. You could provide a pattern and some verbs. For example, I will prepare for Y2K by 1)________, 2________ and 3________. Teach them "buying", "gathering", "storing". Might be a natural lead in to the ongoing church preparedness emphasis.

Another thing you could use in Eikaiwa, or even as you dendo, is the fact that the current Emperor of Japan shares birthdays with the Prophet, Joseph Smith. December 23rd is a national holiday. What a great opportunity to use as a door opener.

Before our next "Light" comes out, the biggest holiday of all in Japanese culture will occur. If this is your first New Year in Japan, make sure you see the Japan Times Article about Gantan or Shogatsu. It's a very important time to Japanese people and much of the last week in December is spent preparing for it. Thorough housecleaning is part of the preparation. This is a chance to look for service opportunities if you have elderly people (members or potential members) in your area.

Well, thank you all for a wonderful 1999. Everyone please have a great Christmas and share your love with the people with whom you work. If you are concerned about another missionary (or yourself) not having a Merry Christmas, for whatever reason, call Sis. R right away! AND, of course please don't forget: 

• AIR YOUR FUTONS
• DRINK LOTS OF WATER
• USE GREAT CAUTION WITH YOUR SPACE HEATERS
• CLEAN THOSE CUTTING BOARDS AFTER EACH USE
• USE PLASTIC SPATULAS ON TEFLON COATED PANS
• DO A THOROUGH CLEAN ON YOUR APT. TOO
• BE AWARE! WE ARE NOW IN FLU SEASON.
• WASH YOUR HANDS A LOT (especially before eating)!
• IF YOU ARE SICK, AT ALL, DON'T SHAKE HANDS! (opt for bowing instead) FLU GERMS ARE NOT A GOOD CHRISTMAS PRESENT!!!!!!!!! and most of all,
• KNOW THAT WE LOVE YOU! Keep up the focused diligence and don't worry about blessings, that's the Lord's department. I promise you that when the time is right, He'll come through.

Love, Sister Robertson

P.S. In the Miso Soup recipe last month, the fish seasoning was "Hon dashi" very easy to buy at most any store. Watch out for a wonderful way to fix mugi in next month's issue.....

Gantan (New Year's Day)

1. Shogatsu, literally translated, means the month of January
2. New Year's Day is called gantan, or ganjitsu.
3. Generally shogatsu means to most people the first three consecutive days of January.
4. Most Japanese people think of shogatsu as being very important because January is the opening month of a new year.
5. The Japanese tend to consider each year as an independent unit.
6. A New Year begins with hope and joy.
7. During the New Year's season, the Japanese try to behave in an exemplary manner, not getting involved in fights or speaking ill of others.
8. They believe that the spirit of seriousness decides their future in the new year.
9. The Japanese eat osechi dishes, special food that is prepared during the last few days of December.
10. Relatives, friends and acquaintances exchange visits.

Message from AP

Masters Choro: So so so so so
Amakasu Choro: Otto otto otto otto
Elder Fry: Ho Ho Ho
Amakasu and Masters Choro: A re?!

Hello Missionaries Merry Christmas!!! "Joy to the World, The Lord is come, Let earth receive her King" We love these Christmas hymns! It's the best time of the year. We're so privileged with the opportunity to represent Christ during this great month of December. There are so many experiences and blessings waiting for each and everyone of us. We can feel it in the air. We can all sense the importance of our calling at this time, to teach of Christ, and to share His love. 

This is a time when we not only celebrate His birth, but all of the wonderful things He has done for us. As missionaries we are able to share this joy with our brothers and sisters here in Japan. We will personally grow closer to Christ by showing Him through our service how much we love and appreciate the things He has done for us.

This past month we were able to visit a few DTM's around the mission. Thank you so much for the opportunity. The DTM's were great. Each district was like a big family and we felt a great spirit there. We are looking forward to visiting every district in the future.

We were also blessed with a letter from President Robertson which really gave us the support and encouragement we were seeking before we entered this month of December. We could really feel the president's love and concern for us.

One message that we have really felt strongly about lately is that of "being of good cheer." Over and over again in the scriptures we are told to be "be of good cheer!" In Japanese it reads "genki o dashinasai." What a perfect time to be genki and of good cheer. Let's all strive together to be of good cheer. I know we will be blessed as we do so. We love all of you and are thankful for your friendship. Remember if you do it His way you'll have His power.

Elder Masters and Amakasu

Message from the Secretary

Dear Missionaries,

CATCH THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we took out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the Spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable and it becomes the Spirit of Christ.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a Lamb.
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part,
Yet what can I give Him?
Give Him my Heart.
  (Christina G. Rossetti)

Love you all,

Sister Fry

Ten Gifts to Bring Home from the Mission Field 

Paraphrasing the words of President Gordon B. Hinckley

 There are few missionaries who don't take home some gifts from their mission. They use their money and often "load-up" with a lot of things many of which are unimportant. I would like to suggest Ten Gifts that every missionary ought to take home with him. They are not "trinkets" or "souvenirs" which can be tucked away in the pockets and pouches of your luggage, or mailed in advance. These are "gifts to bring home" which will give great purpose and meaning to your life. Their acquisition and cultivation is a worthy goal for every missionary. They are the gifts of:

1. A knowledge and love for God our Eternal Father.
2. A knowledge of and a love for the scriptures.
3. An increased love for parents.
4. A Love for the people among whom you labor.
5. An appreciation for hard work.
6. The availability of inspiration when needed and the ability to pray and ponder the things of the spirit.
7. An understanding of the importance of team work.
8. Increased personal virtue.
9. The faith to act and obey.
10. A thirst for knowledge and the praiseworthy things of life.

The development of these "gifts" will make you a missionary that will realize the purpose for which you are called. You will also become an example for good to our fellow missionaries, members and investigators. Upon your return home, the desire to serve God and others that has grown within you will bless the Church, the world and your family.

Missionary Corner

November Baptisms

!!! Congratulations!!!

Missionaries Returning Home December 9 

Missionaries Arriving December 23

Missionaries Arriving in December

Elder Ian Bell
Elder Learon Bird
Elder Jake Fisher
Sister CandiceKay Kiyabu
Elder Joe Alan Lodge
Elder Joseph Otterstrom
Elder Scott Swenson

December Birthdays

January Birthdays

Happy Birthday to you all!!!!!

Message from the Financial Secretary

December MSF/Reimbursements

In view of the potential disruption to banking during the Y2K transition, the Church has directed that your January MSF and reimbursements be paid on December 27. This will give you some extra money to purchase the recommended 10 days supply of food to cover a possible emergency. Some of the storage food which you purchase must be usable without requiring heating or cooking. Make sure that you have a working flashlight and extra batteries in your apartment, and extra bottles of drinking water. Fill your bathtubs on December 31 to provide extra water for sanitary purposes.

Apartment Heating

We don't expect you to be uncomfortable in your apartments during the cold winter months. However, it is necessary to conserve the Lord's sacred funds. For those apartments with AC units, and toyu heaters with temperature controls, DO NOT set the thermostat higher than 22 degrees. BE SURE to turn off the units when you leave the room or apartment, and especially when you retire for the night. It is not safe to leave a toyu heater burning while sleeping in a closed room. Some apartments may have portable heaters which are connected by a flexible hose to the natural gas supply. If such units are not vented to the outside, you MUST NOT use them. Request a replacement toyu heater if your unit is not working efficiently, or you consider it to be unsafe. Electric heaters are very costly to operate and should be used sparingly for short periods of time. REMEMBER we only reimburse 2000 yen per month for toyu per apartment, and a receipt must accompany your reimbursement form.

Message from the Recorder

Hello! This is Elder Hayashi, and once music occupies my head it never leaves even while reading scriptures. Are you o-genki? And again, as an extra, are you o-genki?

I'm recording the DL stats which are sent to me every week. I love this job! Each time, I'm always overwhelmed with your hard work which is always amazing. The number in the stats may only be "a march of numbers," but I can actually feel those many miracles in each one of them. Even I, that normally work in the office can receive such a blessing, and grateful to you for that! ! !

Today, I'd like to five some Q&A's about the flyers or leaflets, which are often asked.

Q. When should we order flyers?

A. For orders, unless they are an emergency, please order them to your DL's when you receive your yoteisha calls from your DL's every Saturday 

Q. How many kinds of master copies of flyers or leaflets are there?

A. We have all the master copies of "Hello" and "Eikaiwa" for each one of the units. As for the ones about the "6 discussions," we have about 5 kinds.

Q. Why are the leaflets printed off-centered, or not right in the center of the paper? 

A. With this "high-speed printer" called the "Risograph" if can't be helped. But if it bothers you very much, please let us know. We'll try to make a new master copy.

Q. Why do we get more or less than we ordered? 

A. As a rule (by Elder Fry) we can print 500 copies at most at a time. With the capacities of envelopes, we put in 500 copies for B5 size, and 300 copies for A4 size.

Q. What happened to the "Toll-free number" that you said we should have?

A. We finally got the permission. So, we can now put the number on the flyers and the leaflets. We are planning to make flyers and leaflets and make tons of copies of them, which can be used in any areas in the mission. We are also doing our best to put the "Toll-free number" in your normal flyers as much as we can, so please follow up with it.

Q. Why is Elder Amakasu so cool and good-looking?

Al. Hahahahahahaha (nods with smiles .....Elder "A")
A2. I'll be in trouble if you let him go too high. Pull him down to where he belongs to. (says Elder "M")
A3. Isn't it the question for me, too? (says Elder "H")
A4. It's nothing important to discuss. Just give me "Love" somebody. (Elder "K")

We are all so grateful to you for all your love and diligent work. If there's any suggestions or questions, just let us know. We promise to do our very the best. Thank you again!!

RABU! Elder Hayashi

Message from MSM

My beloved missionaries in Kobe Mission, Hi!!. It's SO cold, isn't it? I hereby tell of our appreciation to all your devoted hard work. If it's THIS cold, my brain seems to stop working properly (which is normal for my brain?) and my forgetfulness gets even worse! OH. Oh-----I'm in trouble, huh? and that means you are in trouble, too. (you might not get what you should get. Oh. No!) You might have to send Elder Kirigaya a "Warning" even "Warning level 10" (Just Kidding) Well here are several things to ask you. Only a few, only three okay?

1. When there's any needs of repair on your apartment (eg. Bathroom, toilet etc.) please be sure to CALL MISSION OFFICE FIRST!! It's very important. If you do it on your own, it would be on your MSF. Be aware of that, please.
2. PLEASE SEND ALL THE BILLS (GAS, WATER, ELECTRICITY, TELEPHONE, etc.) RIGHT TO THE MISSION OFFICE. NEVER THROW IT AWAY CARELESSLY. (WE'LL CALL YOU IF WE DON'T GET THEM FROM YOU.)
3. When you want to order something that we don't have in the store which is in HONBU, it will take a little bit of time to respond your orders. Thank you for your understanding.

So, we have Christmas in this month. It's my most, most favorite time of the whole year, because it's the time for bofriends and girl frie............oops, no, time..... yes, the special time to celebrate the birth of our beloved Lord. (Yes, that's it, huh?) We can remember the true love of the Lord more than any time of the year. What's more, we can celebrate this Christmas, the one that is SO special, as missionaries because it's very the last one out of 6000 years. Isn't that just "WOW"? I just can't do anything but be thankful for that. I'm sure this would be one of the most UNFORGETTABLE Christmas in your entire life. Also when we do very the best we can do, I'm sure we'll get some "Christmas Presents" from our beloved Heavenly Father.

HO-SA--NNA--!!!

Elder Kirigaya
Mission Supply Manger

We Wish You a Merry Christmas