Baptism!

This week went by like a blur. Le Thanh Tung was baptized on the 11th by Elder Harvy only a few hours after I finished writing my letter. On Sunday I was able to confirm him a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

I know the Church is true and that the fullness of the everlasting gospel is found in it. 

Mostly this week we just worked. We "streeted", and we planned, and we were able to attend a district (a stake) priesthood meeting with the recently baptized Zahn. In church we sat in class with three members who were each baptized in the last month. It was so cool! 

Besides that we just tried to find the people who are prepared. As always, miracles attended us. On Wednesday we have an appointment with a man who we met a few weeks ago after just bumping into as we were parking our bikes. He is awesome!

The three friends that we were hoping could be baptized this last Sunday couldn't make it. They are all from Nepal and their financial situation is dire. They do not know what to do, and in many ways this makes it hard for them to make the gospel the focus of their attention. We are praying hard for them, but as of yet have not quite seen how the Lord will do His work with them. I hope that we might be able to find a way to get the seed of the gospel rooted in them. 

That is basically my hope for all whom we are teaching, and for all.

The Lord is Good,

my love to all!

Elder Bevan

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

Miracles!

OK, Sorry this came late and I didn't say anything about it. I didn't know until later that p-day was moved this week. We had interviews with the mission president and so they moved us to Tuesday.

  

Two days ago we had ten minutes to get to a train station to pick up some incoming elders. We stopped maybe four people on the way (that's how we find most of our investigators) and we found a new investigator. While we were at the station waiting we stopped maybe five or six more people, and found a new investigator. The Lord truly does bless us as we set about His work. I see it every day without fail. 

     This Sunday was a particular blessing. Our branch is not very large, maybe sixty members. We have an outstanding mission leader and all the members are supportive. In the area we have eight missionaries, so we are a big part of the branch, but this week rocked the boat. We had eleven investigators in sacrament meeting, and when the meeting finished the president asked if we could introduce everyone. It was so Awesome!!!!! I am absolutely astounded to see how many lives are being blessed by God's great hand.

     Also I love to see how the Lord prepares those who He sends us. Right now we are teaching a Chinese college student named Zan. He is the Bomb!!! He is going to be baptized on the 28th. As we taught him the word of wisdom he told us; first, that he didn't even like taking prescription medication, then, that he didn't smoke, then, that he didn't even drink pop, then, that he hated coffee, and then that he didn't even like tea that much (although if anything at all he was surprised by that one). It was Amazing ! I love to see the Lord at work!   

    I'm out of time again, But thanks to all you all for your great support and all you love!

With all my love,

Elder Bevan

Mom, I love you sorry i was late, the pictures below are of last pday at a buddhist temple with Tung, a Vietnamese friend. im safe and am glad that you send this to so many people I love you

Tung and Elder Bevan