Nagasaki

OK, so things are kind of hectic here. Right now we are at the church preparing the baptismal font for Tung to be baptized. He should be here any minute now. He is from Vietnam, he is twenty seven, and I couldn't love him more. He is a great man, and I hope that I can be like him in a lot of ways... besides that, on Sunday we have three baptisms planned. We also got our transfer calls today and so P-day is on Tuesday (sorry, I didn't know). Elder Harvey and I are not going to be moving.

 

In the short time that I have then I want to tell you a little bit about Nagasaki. The name Nagasaki actually means "long hills", and it is fitting. Everything is hills. The tops of the hills kind of break through buildings where they are the highest and are all covered in green. Nagasaki is (I think) the oldest international trading port of Japan. It was the place where Christianity was first introduced, and where traders from all over the world came to do business. There was a time when the only connection that Japan had to the outside world was through a tiny island called Dejima in Nagasaki (a place I visited my first week here). The dutch traders that stayed there, could not even leave the island. At that time Christianity was outlawed and Christians martyred. 

Since that time many things have changed, among the major events of the city's history, of course was the atomic bomb. The "peace park" is here and a few weeks ago we visited the atomic bomb museum. That is something that I think will never leave my mind. 

Today, Nagasaki's rich heritage of international cultures still thrives. Last week we spent a Monday evening with the Ohira Family (a Family Home Evening type thing) at the  Nagasaki Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival is a Chinese celebration that was taken to Nagasaki because of its trading ties. While there, we saw thousands of lanterns strung across the street and over the river. It was beautiful. I was also able to see a Chinese dragon, and that is something I will never forget. I wish I could send a video.

While I was there I was able to get a better grasp on my purpose here, and I realized how much I really do love these people. I love the people of Japan more than I can tell. I love my God, and am immensely grateful for the blessings he has given me. I pray that He will give the power to continue in His graces. I love Him.

Truly yours, with love,

Elder Bevan