Missionary moments

Here's a few more moments from the last two weeks from Jakob's letters. It's nearly time for him to leave the MTC and head to Japan. He is doing so well, and we love hearing from him each week.....

A panorama shot  - (Jakob is on the end right).  - he said...

They brought out these new food stalls at the MTC for Wednesday and Thursdays dinner alternatives.... Subway and Pizza, can you believe it! Crazy. So we could eat outside like a picnic.

Outside the temple on our second day, with all the Australian Japanese elders

Last week he said....

Probably the thing I enjoy the least here is Laundry, it can get pretty hectic. This morning we went there at 7am, but had to wait for ages and spring on people as soon as their washing finishes, so we could get a machine. Luckily though, I obtained two washers for whites and colours.

The language is getting easier/more comfortable every day. If I could remember everything we've learnt so far I'd have no trouble going out and teaching the Japanese. I have retained a lot though, enough to get me by during lessons and to understand most of what has been said. We're definitely blessed with help and the gift of tongues here in the mission field.

Also, on Wednesday night (or maybe Thursday, the days are all one to me right now) Mahler Choro and I were walking to class when a man stopped us and asked if we knew where the Elders were from the class next to ours, as a pair of them had been chosen to perform a lesson in the Demonstrate Teaching night for new missionaries. We said they had probably gone to dinner, and then Elder Mahler was like 'we can do it!' I face palmed, but the fella was like, "okay then, if you think you're good enough." So, we got to teach two 5-10 minute lesson things to these investigator actors in front of a hundred or so new Elders (there are like 6 or so rooms where this was happening because we get so many new missionaries in every week). We got little clip on mikes and everything. It was kinda cool how well we actually went, seems this was the first time we've taught properly in English.

Sunday night we had some guy called Chad Lewis, who all the American Elders got really excited about. He was a NFL player or something. And a motivational speaker too apparently. I enjoyed his talk. He served his mission as mandarin speaking, and as such, is like the NFL ambassador to China now also.

This week he wrote...

I was made District leader last Sunday, and had to try and balance all those responsibilities on top of being unwell, but I've enjoyed it for the most part. 

As district leader you check the mail, conduct classes and meetings, encourage obedience, convey messages from up top and stuff like that. A good taste for what stuff like that could be like out in the field. I like having interviews everyday with the zone leaders, Stirling and Muhonen(phonetcally spelt) Choro. Australian and Finnish respectively. They really know their purpose and why they're out here. 

My biggest concern is the language as always. Although I'm learning fast, I feel like I need to learn a whole heap more, which I do. Yet I think I can confidently listen to any Nihonjin Church member without getting too confused, and even reply, as long as they talked at a reasonable pace.

I feel ready for Japan, at least ready to get out there and get the real learning experience, as great as things are here at the MTC.

We got to host the new Missionaries on Wednesday. 660 new missionaries came in, the MTC will burst soon. Especially as a lot of people's VISA's aren't working for Brazil and stuff, so many temporary assignments handed out. Good thing I'm going to Japan. 

Elder Dowe from Hobart is now here too, he's serving in Nagoiya, another Tasmanian! I've talked with him a bit already, he's excited to be here, although you should have seen how nervous he and his companion were for their first investigator lesson, reminds me of so long ago when I was a Kohai(Jap missionary in their first 3 weeks)...  We're Daisempai now, the missionaries in their last 3 weeks. The ones that give talks and have to lead everything...

Tuesday night we had Russel M Nelson ....so I've got to hear from and see up close two members of the twelve now, an amazing experience. They really are servants of the Lord.