The Light
"Japan Kobe Mission: A Zion Mission"
February 2000

"I am the light that ye shall hold up." --3 Nephi 18:24

President's Message - February 2000

During January we met as a "Zion 2000" Mission. It was wonderful to be with everyone and to feel of your great love and spirit. We talked about key fundamentals of missionary work such as The Morning Schedule, Committing to and Achieving Goals, Finding and Teaching Prepared People, The Conversion Process, Parent/Spouse Consent, The Convert Progress Report, etc. These are important tools that will help us be successful in bringing people to Christ. Later in January we met with all of the District Leaders to review their key role in achieving the vision of the Kobe Mission. During that meeting we talked about how to bring more people to Christ, more effectively. I want to share some thoughts with you on that topic.

During 1999 we saw more baptisms and better retention than ever before. We also assisted a large number of members to return to activity. We can all be very happy with this achievement. However, I am concerned about the trend of the last three months. From July to October, we saw 74 people baptized, or about 18 per month. In November we slipped to 11 baptisms, a concern but not alarming. In December it deteriorated further to 9 baptisms, the second poorest month of the year. In January we did not recover, achieving 6 baptisms, lower than any month in 1999. By year-end we had increased the number of missionaries by 20 to 150, the highest in several years. Yet, with more missionaries, we baptized fewer people.

We must turn this around and you are the key. Your District Leader is trained, committed and ready to assist you and your companion in seeing a baptism every two to three months in 2000. The adversary will do everything in his power to keep that from happening, as he did during the past holiday season. We must be smarter, mom prayerful and harder working than he is in order to reverse the trend of the last three months and move back to where we should be as a mission. We have the tools. We are more skilled than ever before. There are more of us to find, teach, baptize and strengthen. We know how to exercise our faith. Now we need to combine all of these with our hardest, most focused work.

Some of you return home soon. You are our most experienced missionaries. For the sake of those who remain behind, investigators, new converts, members, fellow missionaries, please apply your skills and remaining energy to the very end. Find one mre prepared person. Resolve concerns for one more yoteisha. Help one more member return to church. And, most critically, pass these skills on to your companion, your district and your zone by showing them how it is done.

For all of us, it is time to "lose our lives for his sake". (Matthew 10:39) It is time to apply the skills we have and continually improve them so that we more effectively bring more people unto Christ. May we do so I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

President Robertson

Dear Wonderful Missionaries,

I'm not sure if the American groundhog saw his shadow or not this year (American folklore says this will predict how much additional cold we'll have this winter), but I do hope you are all remembering to layer your clothing to keep out the winter chill. Also, don't forget your gloves, hats, and scarves. (And Elders, a friendly reminder from dendobucho..... always wear your suit coats from Oct 'til June.)

By now you may have had a chance to throw some beans at an "oni" (devil) for Setsubun. That is a fun Japanese tradition. But, the next official holiday is February 11th (this one doesn't change to a nearby Monday like Seijin-no-hi did). Kenkokukinen-no-Hi celebrates the beginnings of Japan in 660 B.C.--not long before Lehi and family left Jerusalem. (See the Japan Times Article).

Japan also unofficially celebrates Valentine's Day, but a little differently than other places might. Ask on of your P.I.'s about "White Day" or "giri choco" which are interesting additions to the original stateside celebration of love and friendship. (See the items regarding the "Cupid" tradition that you could use for part of an Eikaiwa lesson--make sure they know this is just fun not part of our belief system. Some Adult classes I have taught have even enjoyed making Valentines for family member. and friends. This might be a good chance to teach something about the gospel of love.)

Toward the end of the month you will see even more of the displays that are beginning to be seen in stores all over Japan. Girls' Day, or the Hinna Matsuri Celebration (Doll's Festival) is held March 3rd. This is not an official holiday, just an annual observance. You are likely to see a variety of Emperor and Empress dolls and their courts displayed during this time. These doll collections can range from very simple and inexpensive origami renditions to very elaborate and priceless room size varieties. A full set contains at least 15 dolls. In addition to the royal couple, there are three ladies-in-waiting, five musicians, two retainers, and three guards. These are displayed on a tiered stand. Traditionally, the dolls were believed to protect the family from illness and misfortune. Be sure to enjoy seeing the collections in the homes of members and investigators as you teach the true source of protection and help.

Well, love that Bunka! Love those people! And we love you, too. Let's keep working hard and doing our best to be examples of righteous living. Also, please keep doing what it takes to dodge those flu germs:

• Wash your hands a lot, especially before eating.
• Stay warm (wear a coat) so your body doesn't have to spend so much energy warming you that it can't fight off the germs it encounters.
• Drink lots of water and juice (especially vitamin C types).
• Wear a mask (105¥ at any store) if you have a cold. You will be considered rude and uncaring about others if you don't do this.
• Let your companion take the food preparation turns if you are ill. Also,
• Don't go for days with severe congestion or sore throat. There aree many medications that can relieve these symptoms so you don't get worn down and out of energy.
• Realize that the current strain of flu often results in a case of bronchitis. Please let us know when you're ill so we can strategize together on how to get you well fast.

And one last (different topic) note:

Elder Bateman, who is the 2nd counselor in our Area Presidency, will be coming on a mission tour in February. That means he will be at all our zone conferences. He is particularly anxious that missionaries present a good visual image as well as in other ways. He has often spoken to us about making sure that no one wears stickers on the fronts of their badges. He is also anxious that we not have lapel pins, or "things" hanging from our packs. He loves ironed shirts and polished shoes. He is not fond of white or light colored socks with dark suits (a real fashion taboo in the U.S.). He loves "missionary standard" type haircuts (haven't seen anything too bad recently, but let's try to grow out the "buzzed look" hair before then). It is best to wear a dressy overcoat with your suit. We have noticed that some missionaries are wearing parkas, some very bright in color. If that is the only warm coat you brought, then wear it. However, a dress coat (dark colored, car length or long) is official missionary attire.

Frankly, we have had many visitors compliment us on how well-groomed our missionaries are, so don't worry too much. Just a precautionary reminder! Oh yes, and one last thing. Many of the general authorities have stated concern about missionaries carrying too much in their packs. This is both a health concern for the missionary as well as an effort to have them present well and not look like a beast of burden or some such. So, do what you can in that regard as well.

We love you. We know what you are doing is truly the Lord's work, hard though it sometimes is. Let's keep at it and bring more people to the Lord. It is worth the effort!!!!

Love, Sister Robertson

Kenkokukinen-no-hi (National Foundation Day)

1. National Foundation Day is celebrated on February 11th.
2. This is the day on which people pray for the development of the country. 
3. It is a national holiday.
4. In the past, the day was called Kigensetsu. 
5. It was in 1872 that the government decided to hold the Kigensetsu ceremony.
6. The annual ceremony was held on the day when Emperor Jinmu ascended to the throne. 
7. Jinmu was the first emperor of Japan. 
8. Jinmu's reign is considered to have begun in 660 B.C.
9. It was decided that Japan was formally founded on that date.
10. Emperor Jinmu established the Imperial Court in Yamato, presently an area in Nara Prefecture. 
11. The celebration of Kigensetsu was abolished after the end of World War II.
12. It was then resumed in 1966 under the name of National Foundation Day.

Message from the AP's

Masters Choro: I don't think anybody laughs It your jokes.

Amakasu Choro: I do. I think they are funny. 

Masters Choro: OK 

Amakasu Choro: Ha ha ha ha ha 

What's up, everyone?

How's it going? We're doing awesome!!! We want to thank you for the example you set. Isn't it exciting to see the year 2000 unravel its history? Isn't it exciting that we have the opportunity to influence many lives, and witness Heavenly Father's and our Savior's unceasing love for our Japanese brothers and sisters? We me sooo blessed!

This month we have the opportunity to be taught by Elder Bateman (Second Quorum of the Seventy) and President Robertson. What an opportunity!

Let's manabuing...( ha ha ha ha ha ) 

(Elder Masters:... Elder Amakasu: ha ha) In January, we had the opportunity to meet with your DL's in our mission wide DL Council We want everyone to know that you have the Best District Leaders in the World! Each is the father or the big brother of the district and we trust them to guide you to accomplish our Mission Vision of "more attending sacrament meeting". Our challenge to you is, to obtain and maintain the skills your DL teaches you. The DL's are being guided by the Spirit to train you with the skills you need. Learn them and take them with you to your next area. This is how we grow.

We Love you and pray for you always. 

Elder Masters and Elder Amakasu

Message from the Secretary:

PEDAL - by John Bytheway 

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong so as to know whether I merited Heaven or Hell when I die. He was out there sort of like the president, I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know him.

But later on when I recognized my Higher Power, it seemed is though Life was rather like a bike ride, but was a tandem bike; and I noticed that God was in the back helping me pedal.

I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. Life with my Higher Power, that is. God makes life exciting!

When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places and at breakneck speeds: it was all I could do to hang on!! Even though it looked like madness, He said "Pedal!" 

I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure,. And when I'd say "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, God's and mine.

And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight". So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it. But He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, and to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, my Higher Power,

And when I'm sure I just can't do any more, He just smiles and says.... "Pedal!" 

(KEEP PEDALING!!!) 

Love you all, Sister Fry

Happy Birthday to each of you!!!!!

Dear Missionaries,

Hello there! I'm Elder Wentz and will be the new Mission Secretary until a new couple comes in after the Fry's return. Just wanted to say hi and offer a quote.

"Some become bitter when oft-repeated prayers seem unanswered. Some lose faith and turn sour when solemn administrations by holy men seem to be ignored and no restoration seems to come from repeated  prayer circles. But if all the sick were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency would be ended.

If pain and sorrow and total punishment immediately followed the doing of evil, no soul would repeat a misdeed. If joy and peace and rewards were instantaneously given the doer of good, there could be no evil - all would do good and not because of the rightness of doing good. There would be no test of strength, no development of character, no growth of powers, no free agency. There would also be an absence of joy, success, resurrection, eternal Life, and godhood." 

(Spencer W. Kimball, "Tragedy or Destiny")

Message from Financial Secretary 

Baggage Shipments

When transferring, many of you are allowing the Takkyubin (Black Cat) driver to sell you the more expensive Takkyubin service, which incidentally gives them a higher commission. You must request from the driver the lower cost Yamatobin service and make sure that the receipt which you sign is written Yamatobin in Kanji or Katakana on the left edge. Request Yamatobin service when you phone for a pickup, and if the he driver says that doesn't have the necessary Yamatobin papers, then phone the office back again and ask them to speak with the driver. With the Yamatobin service you may ship your baggage plus bicycle on one receipt for about half the price of separate receipts with Takkyubin service, thereby saving money for you and the mission. In such case, please deduct one third of the total cost to cover your cost for shipping the bike. Be sure that you verify the shipment weight that the driver has written on the receipt. A normal shipment of two large suitcases plus a bike should not exceed 200 pounds or 90 kilograms--recently a driver had estimated and written 330 kg for shipment of a bike and calculated a very high cost on that weight basis. Remember: One man would have difficulty carrying more than 40 kg.

This is a good place to put a poem of interest to each of us

Heaven's Grocery Store!

I was walking down life's highway a long time ago.
One day I was a sign that read, "HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE".
As I got a little closer, the door came open wide,
And as I came to myself, I was standing inside.
I saw a host of angels that were standing everywhere.
One handed me a basket and said, "My child, shop with care."

Everything a Christian needed was in that grocery store,
And all you can't carry you could come back next day for more.
First, I got some PATIENCE, LOVE was in the same row.
Farther down was UNDERSTANDING--You use it everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of WISDOM And a bag or two of FAITH. 
I just couldn't miss the HOLY GHOST, For He was all over the place.

I stopped to get some STRENGTH AND COURAGE To help me run the race
By then my basket was getting full, But I remembered I needed some more FAITH.
I didn't forget SALVATION: SALVATION--that was free,
So I tried to get enough of that To save both you and me.
Then I started up to the counter To pay my grocery bill,
For I thought I had everything To do my Master's will.

As I went up the aisle I saw PRAYER and just had to put that in
For I knew when I stepped outside I'd surely run into sin.
PEACE AND JOY were plentiful--They were on the last shelf.
SONG AND PRAISE were hanging near, So I just helped myself.
When I said to the Angel, "How much do I owe?"
He just smiled at me and said, "Just take them wherever you go."

Again I smiled at Him and said, "How much do I really owe?"
He smiled again and said, "My child, Jesus paid your bill a long, long time ago."

Message from MSM:

How are you all my beloved brothers and sisters? I'm simply marvelous here thank you!

Today let me start my message with several things that I have to ask of you...

1. If there is anything at your apartment that needs to be fixed (i.e. toilet, bath, sink, etc.), please be sure to CALL THE MISSION HOME FIRST! You can't call the repair person directly.
2. PLEASE SEND THE UTILITY BILLS (gas, electric, water) to the Mission Home with the name of your apartment. Be careful not to throw them away.
3. Please keep your apartment nice and clean. Not only cleaning, but also don't make holes with pins or nails. You cannot have ropes to hang your laundry in your rooms. If you already do, please take it out. Please don't break shoji (screen doors), and be careful not to let your hair go into the pipe of the washroom. If you find anything broken or wrong, even after you got transferred, please report that to the mission office immediately. Remember that we can save so much of the Lord's money if we are careful.
4. Please avoid those thing that cause trouble to your neighbors. For example putting garbage or bikes in places other than where they should be.
5. I seem to speak in a low voice when I am on the phone. People often ask me if I just woke up or if I'm in a bad mood. I don't mean to, but, if I sound that way, please let me know. I'll do my best
6. And here is some news about the roles of the staff here it the Mission office. The MSM that's me, is in charge of dealing with purchases and supplies. The recorder makes the fliers and creates all the paperwork for stats etc. (Just so you know.)

Above all, we thank you for your wonderful hard work. I'm always praying for you so that the Hands of our Heavenly Father may be with you at any moment of your work

With love and appreciation, 
Kirigaya Choro

Hello! Even though the winter cold becomes colder, it's a season when we can notice the length of the Daylight extending. Isn't it fast?! It's already February. Are all of you enjoying and using everyday carefully? It might be that I am enjoying myself too much but my Stomach and Attitude is getting bigger. Not good. Thank you for your cooperation with the new stat Sheets. The revised English and the Japanese version are not completed. In order to relay your work more accurately I am thinking of a few changes for this years Zone Taikai Stats.

Our work and personalities might be different but we are all engaged in the Lord's Work. Through trials and mistakes, we are still doing the Lords work. Do you know what I 'm saying? We are doing things that are in line with His will. We have been chosen to serve the Lord for a year and a half or two years, to press forward our Heavenly Fathers Plan. Isn't that SUGOI? There will be times when it's tough. But in those times we need to humble ourselves and remember our Lord. When we remember Him, He will be beside us. He might be sitting next to you right now.

Love
Elder Hayashi

Conversion Stories

We have nine of our wonderful missionaries leaving in February. Surely there are more than nine conversion stories they'll take with them, but here's a sample.

A year ago Nakaya Choro and his companion had biked out to see a less active member and found the member not at home. They tried to decide what to do with that time and remembered an impression they had bad earlier that day as they looked out their own apartment window at a danchi they had never tracted before. So, they rode their bikes to the danchi, climbed the stairs and started the "kekko descent". But, on the fifth floor, Nakano-san's son invited them in. He was busy but suggested they speak with his mother. This woman, on being introduced to the Book of Mormon, "clutched the book to her chest" and asked if she could read it. She came to Eikaiwa the next day, set up a lesson appointment, and had read a third of the book by the next week. This was a true kinjin. She was baptized in very short order.

It's interesting to speculate about the source of the inspiration to dendo the danchi. You see, Nakano Shimai had been searching all her life for the right church. She read any book about religion she could find. She attended church after church looking but had not been satisfied. The week prior to the missionaries coming to her door she had had a recurring dream where her father (who had passed away some time before) was telling her to be childlike (teachable). She decided this must mean she was to learn English. Less than a week later, there were our inspired missionaries offering her English and much more. Now this is a wonderful conversion story, but it's not over. It turns out that not only is Nakano Shimai now ready to go to the temple to be sealed to her husband who has also passed away, but she has a "complete line of ancestors dating from the present all the way back to the eight hundreds". Anyone doubt that that long list of people might have had something to do with Nakaya Choro and "dode" being inspired?

Elder Fisher received a conversion story from a best friend last year. This friend, Crystal, tells how she grew up in a family where physical abuse was the father's idea of child-raising. She lived much of her childhood in fear But she did notice as she grew that not all families seemed to be like that. She did learn from a grandmother to pray for protection and as she grew she added to those prayers, prayers for an opportunity to attend church. Finally, she was blessed with the courage to move away from the physical abuse. She attended various churches and could not find what she was "looking for". When the missionaries found her she was skeptical because she had been disappointed before. But she says, "I listened even though I pretended I was not interested, and their words touched my heart. I agreed with what they were saying and knew their message was true. I committed to baptism in early December and set the date for New Year's Eve. Now every time I celebrate New Year's I am celebrating something truly special to me." She continues by bearing her testimony full of appreciation for the gospel, the Lord and the missionaries...... and especially for the power of prayer in connecting those who are looking with those who can help them find..

And finally, personal conversion also comes to those who may have been baptized already. Elder Bulloch tells about a friend who was less active in high school. Unkindness from others had made this friend turn to worldly and materialistic pursuits instead of embracing the gospel. But, a loving and persistent seminary teacher continued to reach out, even though the first responses to his efforts were pretty much of a "kekko" from this young man. But, after a while, this friend found that cars, stereos, and CD's were not really the source of happiness either. And as he began to be inspired to "turn around" he knew he could talk with the person who had lovingly reached out to him before. This seminary teacher helped him change and return to activity, and get his own personal testimony (conversion). As Elder Bulloch tells the journey of his "friend" he reveals that this is actually his own story. He is grateful for loving people who continue to reach out and comments so truthfully, "Conversion isn't just when you're baptized, it's also when you decide to return to the light."

Thank you, Elders Nakaya, Fisher, and Bulloch for sharing these great conversion stories with us. Good reminders of the important work in which we are engaged! We hope you keep helping to create more conversion stories wherever you go!