Change

頼もう！

Lot of fun this week. We got to pet a saint bernard. It was heavier than me! Easily the biggest dog I've come across. Then we had a combined district council with the Atsugi/Hodogaya district. 16 missionaries..way more than I was used to this transfer. 

On Thursday, we did some park service with the Kamakura elders. We planted some seeds and had some good talks with the other volunteers. Then we had blitz with the Fujisawa/Kamakura district. It started to rain a bit, but it was still a lot of fun! We were able to talk to quite a few people. 

Recently, we've been invited over to a few members' homes cause it is my last week. I also bore my testimony in sacrament meeting. I can honestly say that serving amongst the Japanese people has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. There were many hard times that I felt would never end, but now I can look back on them with confidence for the future. I met a lot of great people and I've learned how to love them as the Savior does. I didn't get to see any of my investigators receive baptism, but I saw others experience the joy of the gospel and as a result, I got to as well. Many of the members I met here decided to serve a mission. Truly a wonderful sight! 

Serving a mission has taught me how to turn outward and serve others. I am sad that this opportunity as a full-time missionary is coming to an end, but I know there are more great opportunities ahead. I am so thankful for President and Sister Warnick, their dedication to their calling, and their love for us and the work. I am thankful for all the wonderful members and friends that I've been able to meet and work with. Japan will always be a big part of my life. I know that the work will continue to press forward here in Japan. Thank for all the love and support. I love you all. Stay strong!

-Elder Chab

チャブ長老

Blurry, but I hope this puts into perspective how big the dog was

Combined district council

Last blitz!

The best 伝道主任

The 中部 family!

T'was an interesting week. Lot of rain. And a typhoon. But we are all good!

We had to say goodbye to our third link this week, Elder Hansen. Selling a bike took much more time than anticipated; lesson learned. We then went on splits with the zone leaders. Elder Knapp and I went to good ol' Kamakura for district council; I forgot what it was like to have more than 3 people in your district haha. After making it back to 藤沢, we celebrated Elder Hansen's birthday at Tonsai, a tonkatsu restaurant. We filled ourselves up and then parted ways. After finalzing some packing the next morning, we went to the 本部 to drop him off. It was a sad goodbye but I know the Lord will watch over him as he enters the next chapter of his life.

Had some pretty awkward conversations with people on the street. One guy stopped after I asked for some good restaurants to eat at. He paused, as if he was thinking, looked at my nametag, then my companion's, told us to wait for a bit, put back his headphones on and then dashed away. I was blown away. Luckily, I've gotten used to that kind of treatment but wow, seems like my nametag is like a gun or something haha. 

We did meet some really nice people though while housing, including a kid from Brazil. He accepted a Book of Mormon and we'll probably be stopping by to visit him and his family this week.

Sunday was a busy day. My companion and I had to split for the 3rd hour of church because I was to be part of a missionary fireside in Yamato and my companion and I were assigned to give talks in the Zama branch. I talked to the ward members about using social media to do missionary work and then booked it back to Zama, in time to catch the last 5 minutes of my companion's well done talk. I went up next and talked about some things that I have learned on my mission, including the guidance of the spirit and loving others. This was the first time I had spoken in sacrament meeting in English since I left, so I didn't know how it would turn out. I pretty much ditched what I had written and kept going. I don't remember too much but many of the members thanked us after and Sister Giles had told us, with tears in her eyes, that what needed to be said today was said. I was a bit surprised but I remembered that it was not me that spoke, it was the Holy Ghost. I am so thankful for the Holy Ghost and his guidance!

Well, this is my last full week in Japan, as much as I hate to admit it. We have a lot of work to do with the ward and branch members this week. I'm super excited! 

Also, if there is anyone wanting to know more about my homecoming, please contact my mom, Montira Chab on Facebook!

-Elder Chab

Follow Him

I had my last interview with President Warnick this week. We reviewed my mission and he gave me some advice and counsel for the next stage of my life. T'was a spiritual time!

We also got to meet with ゆうたさん, who we found while streeting the week before, for the first time. We got to do a church tour and as we did so, he told us that his family is Christian! We had a fantastic lesson about the restoration and he gave a beautiful description of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He said that if he came to know the Book of Mormon is true, he will get baptized! It was testimony to me that God is preparing people to receive us!

There was a baptism yesterday for りなちゃん, one of the primary kids in the ward. After her baptism, she shared a simple but powerful testimony and shared her desire to follow Jesus Christ. We also sung "I am a Child of God" together and it really brought in the spirit. I was reminded that we are all God's children, no matter how old we are, what we have done, or what we think of ourselves. We can be clean and made anew if we choose to follow Christ. He will lead us, guide us, walk beside us, and teach us the way to return back with him. I know that's true. I encourage all of you to think about that this week! Have a good one! 

-Elder Chab

チャブ長老

wanchai.chab@myldsmail.net

#RaiseTheBah

We love biking!

Last view of Yokohama!

Yoinked Saitama Samurai

It's been raining a lot recently! And it actually gets cool now!

Our week was full of crazy adventures so I'll do my best to keep them brief!

On Wednesday, I went to my last zone conference! I gave a training about teaching, testifying, inviting, promising blessings and following up. It turned out to be a pretty good training and we all learned together. On top of that, we got trainings from President and Sister Warnick. It was a super spiritual time. It's gonna be hard to leave everyone.

The next day, we made a journey to Saitama, which is outside our mission. Elder Hansen needed see a doctor so we got permission to go. It was a two hour train ride. Lots of great sights on the way and the doctor spoke a little English too, making it easier on me to translate. 

The Pistner family came to church yesterday and they said they enjoyed it! It was a miracle! After church, we scrambled to the stake center for a mission prep class. We have 3 members preparing for a mission so we helped out a bit. It was a really good meeting and I wish I went to something like that before I left. Then we rushed over to Zama base to have dinner and DCS with the Hyde family. They fed us bratwurst and Thai curry! They are a wonderful family and they work so hard! He drove us home afterward and we talked about our investigators and how to help the branch. We usually go with a purpose of helping members when we visit any member, but I think they are the ones helping me. A true display of the fruits of the gospel! I'm so thankful for this opportunity as a missionary!

We went to Odawara Temple today and we became samurais! It was funny cause as we walked around in the samurai outfits, a ton of people took pictures of us and thought we were workers. I wouldn't mind working at Disneyland or some place with a costume some day haha. It was quite a long trip, but worth it! 

With these last few P-days, I'll be preparing to return...with that said, if you send an email and I don't get back to you right away, I apologize! Anyway, have a good one!

-Elder Chab

チャブ長老

wanchai.chab@myldsmail.net

#RaiseTheBah

Last zone conference!

Lunch in Saitama before the doctor's!

Odawara Castle!

Samurai Battle!

Odawara Temple

This is my castle!

Off in the distance