Hey all,
So we are meeting a guy named Seong Su Hyeon, who is 26 and college, and he wants to be baptized in April! Woo! The operative word there is wants. I feel like for two months or so, I've been teaching people who don't really want to change or accept anything we're talking about; most of the people we teach are only in it for the English. But the second time we met this guy, he said he didn't know if he could quit alcohol because he really likes going to the bars to see all the regulars there when no one is home at his dorm. He said when he drinks he is happy and it's way fun, but afterwards he feels empty and cold, so he wants to stop. He told us all that voluntarily. So we taught him the reason behind us not drinking alcohol, namely that it's a commandment from God that we got through Joseph Smith, and he really liked what he read in the scriptures about it. He said he would try to quit. Then he was like, "I want to know more of what I can't do." :D That was in English because he is fluent, so it would have been more of a natural thing to say in Korean. So instead of teaching him about what we can't do, we taught him about what we can do: baptism. And he loved it. He said he wants to be filled, and enlightened, and he wants the Holy Ghost in his life. He committed himself to read the Book of Mormon and pray for the spiritual witness from God that we emphasize so much, because it's worth so much more than our words. it was just a formality when we committed him to baptism on April 28, because you could tell he wanted it. It won't be easy for him, but we promised him it'd be worth it totally. Relying on God is something that doesn't leave you empy and cold; it provides a love that stays with you through any trial, any hard time. That's something I've really gained a surety of here on my mission.
That was definitely the highlight of the week. :D Unfortunately, transfer calls are next Monday, which means that in a week and a half I might have to move to another area of the mission permanently. I'd say it's likely, actually, because our Mission President hardly ever leaves anyone in one area for more than 5 transfers, which is how long I've been here. I've been really blessed to only have two areas on my mission: I pulled 5 transfers in Il San, my first area, and 5 transfers here. I'm planning on enjoying as long as I can the fact that I can say that I only have two areas even though I've been in Korea over a year. :D
I'm really going to miss the ward a lot. They are so generous and kind, and I love being around them. When you've been in one place for 5 transfers, it almost feels like a family. You rejoice when they are happy and grieve when they are sad. In this way we can fulfill the promises we make when we are baptized: to mourn with those that mourn, and to comfort those that stand in need of comfort, If we do our best to love people and show them that we care, we can do those things for them, and for me that has come as I've been in my areas for a long time.
For example, one of the families I'm closest to here is the Kang family. Kang Jong Tae's wife is the one who told me the Boulder Face story that I wrote here a while ago; she's in her 50's right now. But her mom is really sick. She called us this morning to tell us that her mom had undergone another surgery down where she lives in Busan, which is three hours away. Her mom is in the intensive care unit. From what she's told us, her mom is the most amazing example in her life of a faithful church member and follower of Christ. She was born in December of 1927, so long before Korea was what it is now. She lived through the war and had a family, and she converted to the Church when it first came to Korea. Now she said that nobody knows what's going to happen to her. Because I was here a long time, they trust me enough to tell us that kind of thing, and I'm worried about her. Obviously what is happening is not happy, but I draw a tiny amount of satisfaction from knowing that the members trust me. I think some of the best times on my mission have been with the members. If you could remember this great woman and her family in your prayers, it would really be good. Her name is Kang Kwui Nyeo. I'll keep you posted on what happens.
Life is good for me in general, however. Today we are going hiking on Gwanaksan, the foothills of which we live on. I've been here for seven months and I've still never set foot on it... until today. :D I'll take a lot of pictures.
The food of the week shall be...naengmyeon! I love naengmyeon. It's a noodle soup, thin and clear, that has ice in it. In Korean, naeng is a root that means cold, and myeon is noodle. It's tangy and often spicy, and it's way good with wasabi. It always comes with an egg on top because it helps you digest better. Way good summer food.
That's about all. I hope you all have a good week, love you all!
Elder Matt Dean
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