Japanese>English

Hey hey hey everyone! I spent a little too long on my Japanese email today and I'm tired so I'm just going to translate it and send that one! Gomen! I love yall! Hello Everyone! It’s been a while! This is my first email in Japanese! Since Japanese is difficult, this might be short, but I still want to share my missionary experiences with my Japanese friends! How are you? The Shimada couple has returned! One of the difficult things this week… the Shimada couple returned to Abashiri City. 😭 Actually, Ishigaki Island is just as far as Abashiri. But that’s a good thing because the Shimada couple is now with their family again! Here’s a cute photo of them! [Insert photo] Thank you so much, Shimada couple. All of us in Ishigaki Branch are grateful for both of you! From now on, the Zoom meetings for the missionary department will probably be a bit lonely, but I will always remember the things I learned from the Shimada couple! When my wife and I become senior missionaries, the first thing I want to share is the love of Jesus Christ, and second, I want to share the love that the Shimada couple shared with us! Transfer! I’ve moved from Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture to Yatsushiro City in Kumamoto Prefecture! Elder Miller (my second companion, Bean-chan) is working with Elder Johnson in Shimonoseki! My new companion is Elder Billings! Yatsushiro is his first area, and this is his third transfer. His first two transfers were difficult because he wasn’t able to follow the standards, so they were hard times. But now we are working hard together! He told me that he is thankful for my example… we’ll do our best! Yatsushiro Branch is a little small, but 23 people came to church yesterday! Elder Billings said there are usually about 8 people. I think the usual is around 10-15. It was really sad to leave Shimonoseki. The members there are truly on fire for the gospel. I’m so grateful for all of them! If you are a member from Shimonoseki, thank you! I hope to see you again! Brother Ayumu received the priesthood! I heard he gave a baptismal blessing yesterday! I also heard he plans to go to the temple. Brother Ayumu, I love you! There are many foreigners in Yatsushiro. There are a lot of Filipinos and Thai people. It’s quite rural, so I can find many people on Facebook. There aren’t many people on the streets since most Japanese people own cars. Housing is also difficult (??). There are many large houses owned by Japanese people, but it’s easier to find foreigners who own small apartments! This area is very large, and the nearest station is far. Guidance of the Holy Spirit! Maybe Elder Miller and I were a bit strict. But before receiving Elder Billings, many missionaries told me things like, “Hang in there” or “Elder Billings really needs you, Elder Rasmussen.” It made me a bit scared. What I felt from the Holy Spirit is that it’s better not to be too strict. I always teach the standards and follow what I can do. Elder Billings has really become an amazing missionary. The missionary experience is very different now, but with Jesus Christ, anyone can change (it’s okay, it’s not about the sins — the power of Jesus Christ works in everything). My first companion and Elder Billings hadn’t really done housing or street contacting. But we have started doing a lot of that now. Elder Billings doesn’t like it much, but he loves cats! Whenever he sees a cat, he wants to pet it. Before yesterday, he hadn’t touched a cat in Japan, but by the guidance of the Spirit, when we returned home and knocked on a door, a cat was about to come out! But I caught the cat by reflex, not Elder Billings! From there, we met a friend named Risa. I explained the mission of Jesus Christ and taught her about the plan of salvation. She was interested, so we are going to visit her again on Thursday! Spiritual Message! Hello! I’m writing a message in my free time. The title of this message is “One Flock, One Shepherd.” Recently, what I’ve learned from the Book of Mormon, specifically from 3 Nephi, is that we must become like Jesus Christ, the Shepherd of Israel. There is one Shepherd in Israel. Jesus Christ’s invitation is for us to also become shepherds. As missionaries, this is clear, but sometimes it’s difficult for the members to understand. I think as members, we also have this same calling. We can work together with the missionaries and show the example of Jesus Christ. I want to testify to our friends that they are children of God. I testify that the gospel of Jesus Christ can be a blessing in everyone’s life... I am writing this now, so I will send it when I finish! Sorry, I haven’t written the English email yet, so I’ll finish here. I love all of you! If you have time, please send a reply! (It’s okay if you can’t!) Oh! I forgot one more thing! On the first day, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we set a baptismal date for our friend, Akumar! I want to help him! He is going through some difficulties, so please pray for him! I love you! Elder Rasmussen (By the way, since Rasmussen is hard to remember, sometimes the members in Ishigaki call me “Sumimasen Elder.” So, feel free to call me “Sumimasen Elder” too.)