Week 16

Hello all

Transfers has finally come, and turns out I'm training! I'm with Elder Liao again for now, then on Wednesday I will pick up the Golden(we call greenies Goldens). I hope I don't disappoint the new Golden...

We have a baptism date for the 23rd of July for Taku! He is very skeptical about the existence of God, but we are glad that he is willing to find out. It is actually complicated to teach him since he speaks Japanese, Chinese, and English. One of our Assistants is from Japan, Elder Sunakawa. We have him come help whenever we are teaching Taku. He has excepted the invitation to read and pray about the Book of Mormon everyday; he has agreed for us to call him and remind him. He expressed that he expects a big answer, but hopefully he will slowly understand that God does not work that way.

Also we have a new mission president, President McSwain. I am looking forward to be able to have him lead us. President Henderson is also leaving this transfer back to St George. He will be missed!

Looking forward to this new transfer!

Love Elder Westbrook

The Elders that are leaving

Week 15

Hello all!

We finally got an investigator to sacrament this week! We haven't had one come to sacrament all transfer. The Lord really does answer prayers. Taku went to the meeting before us so we didn't see him. There is an Aussie member, Luke, that speaks Japanese in the other ward that fellow shipped him, so I think it all worked out well. He is free pretty much all the time so we get to meet with him frequently.

We have been doing lots of finding this week. We got a few numbers that we still have to contact. Can't wait to see what happens this week!

We had an awesome zone conference where President Henderson gave his last zone conference training. I couldn't remember everything that was said, but the spirit was so strong, and I got more motivation to do missionary work. He will be missed by everyone. He is an amazing leader and example!

Love Elder Westbrook

Week14

Hello all

We just got back from a session at the temple. It was great!

Not much happened this week. All of our investigators are doing final exams in college right now so we haven't been able to meet with them for a while. We have been finding a lot this week. We found a Japanese guy named Taku that speaks Chinese and English! He learned Chinese in Taiwan and is learning English right now. He is on a working holiday visa (like most of the Asian foreigners in Australia). The period of the visa is one year, but you can extend it to two years if you work in the farms. We have mainly taught him English the past week, and shared a church related message at the end. He wants to come to church next week so we will wait and see what happens.

There are 3 areas for the Chinese missionaries in the ABM. The city, Sunny Bank, and Gold Coast. The missionaries call the city the Telestial Kingdom, Sunny Bank the Terrestrial Kingdom, and Gold Coast the Celestial Kingdom. Basically how hard the area is. The city is hard because there aren't very many people who want to listen. We are in an English speaking YSA Ward. We are supposed to bring non-English speaking Chinese people to church which is hard because of the separation caused by the language barrier. We can't find many members to fellowship because they are all Aussie. I am just patiently waiting until we find someone that has been prepared by the Lord! I know everything will work out!

Hope all is well with you!

Elder Westbrook

Some pictures...

1202: The guy in there looks like David Stevens.

Week 13

Hello!

We met with Harry this past week. He is our Taiwanese Catholic investigator. He is the most genuine investigator we have now. He is a true follower of Jesus Christ by the way he lives. When we were teaching him, he couldn't get past the idea that the Godhead includes three separate beings, and that the Fall was part of Gods plan for us. He thinks that our life on earth was a plan B since Adam and Eve partook of the fruit. And that the Atonement was a way to fix a problem that Adam and  Eve caused. I didn't think I would ever have a problem trying to teach someone about the Godhead. For me, at least, the Godhead as 3 separate beings just makes sense and is logical. The idea that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are the same being just doesn't even cross my mind. I am still considering whether to use Bible passages to show that they are separate. I want to use the scriptures to teach him, but also don't want to, in a way. prove it to him. Right now, he is committed to his church, but is still willing to meet with us. That means he still has hope! I keep getting the impression that he will be baptized. Only time will tell.

Love all your emails! Till next week!

Love Elder Westbrook

Week 12

Hello:

Not much to report in the city. There are a lot of weird people here though haha. These drunk people ask for my Hymn book and started singing from it at the top of their lungs right on the street. One of them took my Hymn book, said thanks and walked away. Just another day in the city I guess. 

My companion and I have been working hard to contact former investigators as well as finding people to teach. We met with a Taiwanese guy named Harry. He is a devoted Catholic. We taught the Restoration, and we are meeting with him again today to follow up.

Love Elder Westbrook

IMG:

1140: Elder Sun Chen's Birthday!

1149: Zone Leaders and a member named Luke surprised us.

1160:Beautiful city of Brisbane