Week 20/21: Pufferfish and Caterpillars

"Did she say my skin was the color of daikon?" - Sister Dimmitt

Hi friends and family! These past two weeks have been great and filled with all sorts of fun things!

This last P-day we went to the beach! We didn`t go into the water because we`re not allowed, but it was nice to collect shells and look at the water and whatnot. It was gorgeous and lots of shells and starfish were everywhere! I also found a fugu, which is basically a poisonous pufferfish they make into sushi.

This week we introduced a lot of American things to some of our investigators. On Thursday we did a scavenger hunt with some of them, and then brought snickerdoodles to a couple more. They liked saying the word, "snickerdoodle," a lot.

Interesting things that have happened/eaten: sweet potato mochi flavored chips, $50 chestnut cake, a takoyaki party with lots of moms, played tag with some kids, watched a parade of kabuki (Japanese classical theatre) actors ride away in boats on the canal.

We went to a mall in Fukuoka for P-Day and I had ramen for the first time! Pretty much the best. There`s an entire floor in the mall called Ramen Stadium that is basically all ramen shops. One was a haunted ramen shop Page Shimai wanted to go into, but that junk looked scary as nothing else, so I politely but firmly declined. Everyone is really loud and fun, and the ramen burns your face off because it`s so hot. But I was okay with that.

Funny story: we were out dendouing when we saw a caterpillar lying in the road. Page Shimai wanted to rescue it, so she picked it up and set it on a leaf. A bus drove by, and I felt a warm liquid splat my legs. I looked down to see bright green juice all over my legs. At first I thought that it was leaf junk from the wheels of the bus, but after looking around, I saw caterpillars all over the road...Needless to say that was gross.

Anyways, that`s all for this week! Lots of love!

Aishiteimasu!

Dimmitt Shimai

Week 18/19: Reading the Book of Mormon is So Important!

"If there was a weird person at my door, I would answer it." - Sister Page

Hi friends and family! It's week 19! Sorry I didn't email last week, it's been a little crazy recently. 

The work has been progressing really well this week. We got four new investigators! And we found a family! So excited! They are so prepared and ready to receive the gospel! 

This week we saw some crazy miracles. On Thursday we went to a recent convert's house to teach a lesson. He wasn't home, but we saw a person that we made a return appointment that fell through. We chatted for a bit and then he went inside. Then a bunch of little kids came over and started talking to us. Then we started to play tag with them. Then the guy that we were talking with earlier started to play with us. Then he called one of his friends over. While we were talking to his friend, the recent convert we were there to see passed by and we chatted with him. The recent convert left for dinner, and then the return appointment and his friend asked us if we wanted to get some food. When we went into the restaurant, the recent convert was there too, so we all ate food, and then taught a lesson! And now we have  two investigators from that! Crazy miracles all from playing tag. 

This next week we're actually having a sports night with a couple of members and our two new investigators. They're part of a rugby  team, which consists of fifty people, whom they also invited to the sports night as well....keep us in your prayers.....

My companion and I bought matching yukatas, the kind you sleep in, which is pretty much better than any form of pajamas in the heat. Highly recommended buy.

This last week we had junkais (splits), and we got to dendou in the pouring rain. I have never been so soaked in my life! Even though I normally hate the rain, somehow dendouing while being soaked was still way fun! People took pity on us too because we were so soaked.

Yesterday we were out looking for areas to dendou and we came across this really beautiful area right next to the ocean and dendoued! I'll take some more pictures next time.

Something I've been thinking about a lot recently has been the Book of Mormon. We've had some sudden lessons and other contacts that we hadn't been prepared for, but through the Spirit and the Book of Mormon, we've been able to find a lot of needs of the people in our circle. There's always something in the Book of Mormon that applies to everyone. That's why reading it is so important! If the Book of Mormon is true then Joseph Smith was a prophet, and if Joseph Smith is a prophet then this church is true! I'm so grateful for the powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon.

Sorry that it's kinda short this week, but I'll be sure to keep y'all updated. I've been getting lots of requests for pictures of my area, so heres a couple. Love you lots and lots!

Dimmitt Shimai 

1. Graffiti Engrish 

2. All the friends!

3. Kofuji 

4. Yukata!

5. Maebaru!

6. More Maebaru

7. And a little more Maebaru...

Week 17: Japanese Kids & Lots of Lessons

"Are you a garbage truck? Cause you're full of junk!" - Sister Dimmitt

Hi friends and family! It's week 17! I've been on my mission for three months, almost four! And the first transfer is over!!

This week has been crazy. We taught 14 lessons this week, which is a lot for a Japanese missionary. We did some crazy awesome dendou! We also got a new investigator! The last couple of weeks had been really hard because of lack of finding new people to teach, and one morning, Sister Page said that we would get a college age investigator who talks a lot and has lots of questions. The VERY LAST door we knocked on that night ended up being that very person! The Lord really does love my doryou and I.

Our investigators are making a lot of progress, and I know that's because the Lord has blessed us so much.

Yesterday we were out housing when we stopped to talk to a bunch of little Japanese kids out playing on their bikes and scooters. After we had finished our conversation, we walked away, and all the kids followed us! As we went from house to house the kids would wait at the entryway of the yard and then keep following us! My doryou and I had no idea what to do. So finally we had to say goodbye and go to another neighborhood so that we could actually dendou.

Another experience with Japanese kids: We sat at a park to take a water and snack break. It's starting to get really hot here, so most of the time we're pretty sweaty. One little boy playing in the park started to talk to us from the top of a slide. And then another. And then another. Soon these little boys were eating snacks with us and chatting with us about numbers in English and the gross white parts of oranges. The children here are very friendly and not afraid to talk to a couple of foreigners like us. One of the little boys talking to Sister Page told her about his grandpa recently dying. Sister Page told him that he would be able to see his grandpa again, and the little boy told her that he thought so. When we left on our bikes, the little boy told us to be safe and have a good trip, and waved goodbye to us.

Two things I've been thinking about recently. First, the people of Japan are really special. They are some of the most Christlike people I have ever met. They're very hospitable and gracious, always considerate of the needs of others. They are incredibly giving and love to chat to random strangers.

Second, I feel very strongly that most people believe in their hearts that the Plan of Salvation is true, that they will be able to be with their families together forever, and that family is the most important thing.

I have been so blessed to be a missionary in this beautiful country, with these lovely people. I've been able to see so many miracles, and even though I'm not the best missionary, I feel like being able to be here and make an impact on the lives of people here, even if it's a small one, is a wonderful blessing that I don't deserve. I know this gospel is true and that we are all God's children, and He loves us more than we can ever know, and I'm so grateful for this sacred time to be a missionary!

Lots of love! 愛しています!

Dimmitt Shimai

1. Some really gross ramen candy we made

2. Us with an investigator!

3. Organic ice creams on P-Day!