May Zone Leader Council in Kobe

We held Zone Leader Council on May 4th in Kobe.

We prepared for zone conferences, which are this month, and were instructed in doctrines and principles of the gospel and leadership.

All Tokyo Missionaries to Return to Tokyo Mission on Thursday

As most of you have probably already heard, the 17 Tokyo Mission missionaries still serving here in Kobe will be returning to Tokyo this week. This morning we called each of them and informed them of their new areas and companions. We will see them off on a bus on Thursday and hope to get a picture with everyone in the group at that time.
Some areas of the Tokyo Mission remain closed, but there are ample areas open to accommodate the missionaries. We will miss them all!

President McIntyre

Returning with Honor - To Tokyo!!!

This morning we returned 24 missionaries to the Tokyo Mission via chartered bus. The bus started at 6am in Okayama and moved through the mission making stops in Kobe, Osaka and Kyoto before heading to Tokyo at around 11am. The missionaries were very excited to get back to Tokyo and their work there. They are all outstanding missionaries and we will miss them here in Kobe. Although making the adjustment to Kobe after the disaster was a little difficult for some, everyone did a wonderful work here and learned to love this mission like Tokyo. It turned out to be a bitter sweet day for most.
Boarding the bus in Kobe.
Elder Tsukiyama had a bike accident last week and spent the past few days with us in Kobe. We felt bad about sending him back wounded! He is a great missionary and never complained. His wrist is broken and he has stitches in his head and hands.
The group boarding in Kobe.
The group in Kyoto.
The Osaka Group
And the first two to ride from Okayama.
We are proud of each of these missionaries and honored to have had them serve with us in Kobe! We still have 17 missionaries from Tokyo serving with us. Their return to Tokyo is still pending.
Just received word that the missionaries have arrived in Tokyo safely (about 7pm today).

Awaji Island BBQ April 29, 2011

The 29th was a national holiday in Japan and the Sumoto Branch invited us to an lunch BBQ activity at the beach near the church. Not all that attended are pictured but most are in this shot.
One of the member's beautiful dog.
Ricky took Sammy for a run along the beach.
The kids had a great time.
Sammy had a great time. James was in school, no holiday for the international school.
Some of the missionaries.
Sister Kasai.
Hosoda Shimai and President Naganuma (Kobe Stake 1st C.) work on the hamburgers with Sister McIntyre.
This past week the Sumoto Branch had 34 in attendance. There was only an average of 9 a year ago.

April Wrap Up - Various Pictures from April 2011

Inori Tada with us in Kobe during General Conference. She is a college student and like one of our own daughters. She is from Toyooka.
Sunday Session General conference pot luck at the church and mission home.
More pot luck.
The Ebisu family at general conference in Kobe. The whole family was baptized the next week in Sumoto, Awaji Island.
The Gokokuji Temple next to the Mission Home with Sakura in full bloom.
Elder Moffatt with a birthday face cookie.
Kyoto - crouching tiger or sleeping dragon? Or maybe just a crazy mission president!
Byodoin Temple in Kyoto, Joyo area during Sakura.
River near Byodoin TempleThe Byodoin Temple is the image on the Japanese 10 yen coin.
President's transfer board April 2011 transfers. A lot of missionaries. 21 new missionaries arrived.
2 Assistants and 2 Travelling Assistants/Trainers this transfer, including Elder Guy from Tokyo. Sister McIntyre made them Fantastic 4 aprons.
This is what it looks like when you have 21 missionaries over for dinner.
With Elder Starks in Kyoto at the Hachimangu Shrine
Some of the Kobe Elders enjoying a trip to a Kyoto flea market on preparation day.
Found a great deal on used kimono!

April 2011 Interviews and Easter Treats - Part Two

Interviews in Imabari, Matsuyama Zone.
Takamatsu Interviews.
Higashi Osaka District
Nara!
Hirakata, Osaka
Kyoto, Shimogamo District
The rest of the Kyoto Zone.
Mikunigaoka District
Iwade Interviews, Sakai Stake.

Mother's Day Calls!

Sunday May 8th is Mother's Day and we know all you missionary mothers could not be more excited to hear from your missionary on that special day. We are instructing all the missionaries from outside Japan to email their telephone number to their family this next preparation day (which is May 2nd here in Japan). We would ask that you call your missionary on Sunday evening May 8th your time which is Monday morning here in Japan. According to the handbook, calls should be between 30 -40 minutes. We realize families are large and that more time may be needed to speak with everyone, but please keep the call to under 1 hour. Call time details will be conveyed in the email from your missionary.
Japanese missionaries and others in similar time zones, may arrange for calls on Sunday evening (Mother's Day) May 8th.
The Special transfer for Tokyo missionaries returning to Tokyo will occur on Monday, May 2nd. The Mother's Day call should not be affected. Transferring missionaries will probably not be able contact families until Tuesday (preparation day in Tokyo) which is Monday in the US to set up the call.
Missionaries remaining in Kobe will not be affected by the transfer and should be able to contact family and set up the call for Mother's Day on their normal preparation day. In any event, we will make sure you can speak with your missionary on that day. Happy Mother's Day!

P.S. - Please note that the country code for dialing Japan from outside Japan is 81. To call a missionary in Japan you should dial 81 after you dial your international carrier access number (whatever that might be). So the number you call will look something like this:
your direct dialing access number +81-80-2149-xxxx. Your missionary's number will begin with 080, but you must not include the first 0 when dialing it from outside Japan.

Some Tokyo Missionaries Returning to Mission

Next week we will be transferring about half of the Tokyo missionaries relocated here in the Kobe Mission back to safe areas in the Tokyo Mission. The remaining Tokyo missionaries will continue to serve here in the Kobe Mission until they are approved to return to Tokyo.

Departing Group April 2011

Departing group dinner April 2011. We returned 6 great missionaries this transfer. Elders Rahn, Sjavik, McGuire, Pribyl, Hashimoto and Matsuki.

Farewell cake and group picture.

Elder Pribyl got an apron for helping in the office and serving in Kobe.

21 New Missionaries Arrive - April 19, 2011 - Largest Group to Date

April 19th we picked up 21 new missionaries from the airport. They spent an extra week in the MTC due to the tsumami. They were very excited to finally make it here to the mission.This was the largest group of new missionaries we have ever received. Part of the group at dinner the night before leaving to their first area of service. The rest of the group at dinner.
Our three new sisters with their new aprons from Sister McIntyre. Sisters Yuki, Baird and Smith. Morning exercise with the new group was a lot of fun. A 6:30 am run up to the park and a trip through the obstacle course.

25th Wedding Anniversary!

April 19th was also our 25th wedding anniversary. We spent it with these 21 new missionaries.We hope to have a private date sometime next week!