Pictures from the Field

Akashi Ward in the Kobe Stake. Brother Yoshida was taught by Elders Fukui and Homer. Umemoto Kyodai was taught and baptized by Elders Kudo and Castleton in the Senboku Ward, Sakai Stake. Elders Budge and Iwasa taught and baptized little Shina Katayama in the Joyo Ward, Kyoto Stake. She is 9 years old.

In Abeno, there was a double baptism with Sisters Hayase and Notsu teaching Sister Nagao and Elders Harris and Bowman teaching and baptizing Brother Kitaoka.

We are still waiting on more pictures!

In addition to the training we had in Korea this past month, we had the chance to attend two stake conferences in August. One in the Sakai Stake and the other in the Osaka Stake. We spoke at both conferences and enjoyed the interaction with the members and leaders. August was just about an average month for convert baptisms in the mission which is not bad considering it is a major vacation time for the Japanese. It is a hot and humid time for the missionaries to work in as well, but the work did not slow up at all. We have increased our efforts in working with less active members and part member families and we are now starting to feel the benefits of those efforts. While convert baptisms have increased from direct missionary contacting like housing and streeting this year, we are now also starting to see an increase in member referral and part member family baptisms. Overall we are very excited about the blessings we are receiving as a mission, yet we know we can do better, especially as we work closer with the members.