some stories from Paul

I purged the apartment as my last comp was packing and prepping to transfer. No trash behind, not a lick. It was going to be perfect for the Bean coming in. We moved the study desks into the other room (not the kitchen), finally, and I felt ready.

At Trainers training , we sang as the beans walked in, then sat down and waited as names were read and we were paired off to sit down again. My comp was tall, with blue glasses. Cool. In the Testimony meeting that ended the training before we left, every Bean was asked to bear testimony. My Bean went (last) he was SO shy. Like, I was wondering what problem he had, how much extra I would need to love this it into the work. But he got up and gave the most profound, most loving, heartfelt, spiritual testimony simply. That’s the type my comp is. I need a lot of patience, encouraging, and creating opportunities for him.   

Since the last transfer, it’s been miracles. We are Guided to Investigators. They are Flowing to us. Elder Canuto is only restrained by language; but he goes fire 🔥. 

One example: the first Sunday, we were invited to give a Message after a Member meal appointment. We talked about the sacrament, I mostly explaining as we went through the game, video, and scripture. Then, I turned to Elder Canuto and he was sitting on the floor, watching me with all the kids like he wasn’t part of the message. No, no, I wouldn’t have, and pulled him up to bear testimony. He turned to me begging and asking that I would forgive him, let him do it next time he promised. Haha no, I had him do it there and even though the Japanese is super broken, the Message comes across and the spirit filled the room. The only time Elder Canuto has ever said that he hated me was after that event. 

I’ve been adjusting to his Portuguese way of thinking into Japanese, not English into Japanese, so it’s been difficult to understand most every time he tries something new. Just ..I never thought about trying to put that word into Japanese before. Wow. 

Elder Canuto isn’t shy. He’s the boldest, most straightforward and pure missionary I know; he's never not thinking about the investigators. 

We had Exchanges training with the District Leader, and it came down to street contacting in front of a busy station. Elder Canuto was the most engaged in the work, despite his restrictions. The DL asked why Elder Canuto loves to talk to people to much, why he can Open His Mouth when he has such a handicap, and Elder  Canuto replied! “I Love to bear testimony.” I think that's great, it’s the only thing we need. If you become a missionary, love your testimony. Love to share it. If you don’t like it, like it.  

Haha but sometimes the love comes off in weird ways. He's always thinking about the investigators, right? Well, sometimes it’s strange the ideas he has to help them. One of our first lessons, the investigator was struggling with sincere prayer, and it was so cheesy but Elder Canuto insistes that we make sandwiches in front of the investigator and explain the “prayer sandwich.” I’ve never used the “prayer sandwich” before in my life, but whatever. It was love. But, the investigator happened to have a bad stomach that day and couldn’t eat the sandwich anyway. 

We are always eating sandwiches. We are eating economically, and if we have a day trip to the other side of the area (or mission), we are Packing sandwiches. We Live sandwich . 

We are Adjusting  Lang Study for Elder Canuto's needs, rising earlier so that we can take extra time later for Japanese Study. We keep a tight schedule.  

You can probably find a funny story or two from my weeklies, no more time. Thanks! 

愛しています！

カードん長老より

Elder Cardon