My last entry was quite a long time ago.. I'm starting to receive emails asking if I was still around... SOOO yes, I'm still around!! and I'm absolutely loving my mission!
I'M FINALLY WITH A THAI COMP!!! There are 5 Thai Elders in the mission (an all-time low) out of about 140 Elders.. so I feel honored to be companions with him! His name is Elder Kandun from Udorn (Northeastern part of Thailand) He's going to die (Finish his 2 years) in October, so he's on madman mode when it comes to work. He's honestly one of the most consecrated missionaries I've had the opportunity to work with. He doesn't care about anything but to glory our Father in Heaven. Just in the short 2 weeks that him and I have been comps, I've learned so much on how to become a better missionary.
So I only have one entry for today. This is from a little while ago...
Btw.. Elder Holland is visiting us on August 15th!!
7/15 - God's Mysterious Ways
From what we learn in the scriptures, God works in mysterious ways that can be difficult for us to understand at times.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord" - Isaiah 55:8
Today, we were contacting by the biggest market in our part of the city. It honestly isn't the most pleasing experience at times because many people that live here belong to other faiths - especially the Islamic and Buddhist faith. On a regular day, we contact on the busy streets for about 3 to 4 hours a day. I personally like contacting, because that's where most of our baptisms come from... but it honestly is challenging at times.
So anyway, we were inviting... and it was a difficult day for my companion and I. We've had a tough week... The people who were teaching weren't progressing as we hoped they would be. We were trying our best to find the elect.. However, even that wasn't going as we wanted it to be.
It came to the point where I walked over to a street corner, and despite all of the busy noise around me, I offered a prayer. I let my Father in Heaven know that things weren't going as we hoped to be. We're missionaries! We carry the message of truth. The Gospel blesses and changes lives... We can help them... We're right in front of their faces inviting them... But these people were still choosing to reject our message... It wasn't a prayer of complaint, but I asked for help. I asked for the elect to receive our message. I ended the prayer.. still feeling pretty heavy inside.. and continued inviting everyone on the street.
It was when I took a few more steps.. when I heard a familiar song that a nearby music store was playing out loud. If I'm correct, I think the song is called Stronger by Kelly Clarkson... I was in the middle of inviting someone when the chorus echoed through my ears.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
and so on.. I don't quite remember the rest...
I've never really knew the song before my mission, but just that one sentence made me dumbstruck... It was as if God was encouraging me through a way that seemed so silly...
Was it mere coincidence... Was it just by chance that that particular song was being played in a country in Southeast Asia? It can be argued so.. But when I heard that part of the song... I instantly received so much energy from inside of me to keep working.
God works in mysterious, and sometimes even in weird ways. This experience is a testimony to me that God is on my side. He isn't going to let everything go smoothly by leading me to only those who are ready to receive the Gospel... But He leads to me all of them who needs to receive the chance to hear about the Gospel. It would be such an easy thing for Him to lead me to only those who will accept our message, and be baptized.. but what good will that do.. In that moment, I received a special witness that I have work to do... Inviting from then on has never been the same. I testify that the elect to respond to the message.
Currently, we have quite a few people set up to be baptized on the 9th of August.
From my mission, one thing I've learned is that a mission is a time where you do the things you are told to. We know that obedience is the first law of Heaven. Whether you baptize or not, it doesn't matter. A mission is a time where you are told to serve Him with everything you got. He will provide a way, we have the joy in working for Him.
I witness that God lives. He works in these weird and mysterious ways that many will say that they are silly and foolish. But... it works :) I've been blessed so much by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I only want to share that happiness with all who will heed to His message.
I love missionary work. I testify that God knows each and every one of us. He cares for our happiness. The things we hope for may be insignificant at times, but He does grant it unto them if it is righteousness.
I'm starting to have feelings that I don't really want to go home after my mission. A life as a missionary is pretty awesome. I love it.
Love you all,
Elder Takeuchi
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