Interviews in Wakayama

Here we are with Sisters Kina and Kurashita. They are working in the Iwade Branch. They had a great baptism last week, have two schedule for Sunday and another one on the 23rd. Both these sisters are from Okinawa. Kurashita shimai returns home in just a few weeks. Great, happy missionaries! After missionary interviews we met with and interviewed Tomoko Takahashi who is scheduled for baptism on Christmas Day. She has most recently been taught by the Wakayama zone leaders, Elders Cutler and Burton.

After the interviews we returned to Kobe and had the Kobe missionaries gather at the office so we could celebrated Elder Shinozaki's birthday with cake and cookies!

Elder Shinozaki loved his cookie!

Wakayama Tour with Assistants

This past week President McIntyre drove to Tanabe and Shingu with the assistants to meet and interview the missionaries in the southern part of Wakayama. It was an overnight trip and they visited three areas. After interviews in Wakayama, they drove to Gobo to pick up some things from the old missionary apartment there then continued on to Tanabe. President's Report: In Tanabe - Interviewed Elders Payne and Merrick. Here we all are front of the Tanabe Church.
Above - Elder Payne, President McIntyre, Elders Tupou, Fishler and Merrick.

We then drove along the southern coast to Shingu. We stopped for a quick photo in Kishimoto to take a picture of the rock formations called Hashiguiiwa. Elders Fishler and Tupou pose for a few shots.

In Shingu the next morning we studied with the missionaries there, Elders Honda and LaRose, then I interviewed them.After missionary interviews, Elder Honda, who is the Branch President of this little branch, had a PPI with me and we discussed the branch and how we can strengthen it. As always, it was a fun trip and we got a lot accomplished.

Zone Conference Week September 1 - 5, 2008

Some of the missionaries at the Sakai Zone Conference held at the Wakayama Church


We had 4 zone conferences this week. Needless to say it was quite a busy week. On Monday we travelled to Kakogawa and held the Kobe Zone Conference. Tuesday was preparation day for the missionaries so no conference was held. Wednesday we went to Sekime Ward in Osaka for the Osaka Zone Conference. Thursday it was the Shimogamo Ward in Kyoto for a combined Kyoto and Osaka North Zone Conference. And Friday we travelled to Wakayama and held the Sakai Zone Conference.

We focused on following up on our increased efforts to find people to teach. Each zone brainstormed ways they are currently using to find and contact people. We talked about where, when and how to find. I presented two training sessions at each conference. In the morning, I taught about the importance of planning and goal setting. Finding efforts will only be effective if we begin with a plan and have clear goals and objectives. In the afternoon, I talk about focusing on the the restoration and using the Book of Mormon and talking with people about the importance of families as a way to approach people and spark interest in the gospel message.

In the Sakai Zone in Wakayama, each companionship shared a finding best practice and demonstrated how they do it. Here are some fun pictures of their presentations and posters.Some bike dendo action from Christiansen and Andreasen.Kanno and Tupou explaining about how they never give up!

Sisters Sadler and Notsu always try to talk to "one more person" before going home believing that may be the "one."Zone Leaders Allen and Schultz talked about how they plan to find and talking with everyone.Fishler and Williams demonstrated how to get past the first "kekko" or "no" while contacting people. We also discussed appropriate missionary language!Smith and Ruesch shared their skills at housing.

Elders Shoaf and Lytle - It is Baptize Time.Mauai and Wintz - Seeing the Miracle! Following the principles in Preach My Gospel.Mooseman and Thompson on the merits of using Eikaiwa.Melluish and Matsuoka on working with members. Goodey and Hobson on using a new missionary and English as a finding tool.

We have wonderful and obedient missionaries. They are showing their faith and working harder to find the Lord's elect.