Week 102 - 07/28/19 - Email

Hey everyone! 

This week was really good! The African man we are teaching, Solomon, went to church and had a really good experience. In our latest lesson he also mentioned how grateful he is that he decided to walk home the day we found him. It feels good to hear those kind of things! 
Our other friend Yabuki came to church again as well and we were able to teach him about the Word of Wisdom. It's going to be a challenge for him to overcome some of his habits but he seems to have a strong desire to change. I'm excited really for him to make those changes and continue to improve his life.

I had my final interview with the mission president the other day which went really well. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to serve with him my last transfer. 

I was able to share my final testimony at Church yesterday and then some of the members invited us over for dinner and made my favorite Japanese food, okonomiyaki!! They also gave me a fan with my named engraved in it as a gift! The members here are so great and I definitely felt their love these past few days. I'm very grateful I had the opportunity to serve here in Hodogaya! 

These past two years have been a rollercoaster for sure. I have learned so much and my testimony has grown immensely. The mission has definitely been harder than I thought it would but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Experiencing the Japanese culture and being surrounded by the Japanese people who I've come to love has been an amazing experience. I feel like I can say that I gave it my best shot! I've learned to appreciate the little things and not get so caught up in what others are doing/accomplishing.  I've come to know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Jesus Christ is my savior. I've been able to recognize that relationships are really what is most important in life! I feel like I have grown so much closer to my family and friends despite being on the other side of the world. The gospel really is the key to true happiness and satisfaction in life. Words can't describe how grateful I am to have been born in this gospel with the knowledge and opportunities that I have. It's been a major blessing to be able to focus all my time and energy helping others learn about this gospel and strengthen their testimonies of Christ. 

Thank you all for your support these past 2 years, it has been such a blessing! 
See ya'll soon!! 

Elder Dean 
ディーン長老