Dear Family, February 17th, 2010
First of all my last letter was suppose to say "they finally decided I "can't" speak korean well enough..." Oh well, I guess it works either way. I actually forgot it was valentines day (not much of an anticipated day for me:) ) . But I wish you all had a great one!
I have felt that the mission changes are right and are directed by the Lord. We are helping the members to understand that it is not because Korea is dead or baptisms aren't happening. We expect to have more than ever with the changes. It's a historical time for korea.
One of our investigators who stopped meeting us in Dec. (the college kid studying computers) called us up and asked if we would be willing to meet him again. Of course we did, and he is much more serious abt finding answers and actually reading the BOM this time.
I'm glad school is going well. Sounds like you've integrated well.
i hope the house things work out. It will workout the way its suppose too.
It snowed again here. We had a holiday weekend with lunar new year and had a few meals with members. For one of them we ate angler or frogfish. The huge bones, skin and the enormous mouth with teeth were mixed in with the spicy noodles. Didn't taste too bad but I had no idea what it was till we got home and looked for the word in our dictionaries.
The holiday resulted in everyone going to their hometowns or staying home and having family come to them. So at church we were combined with another ward and still had only 22people there.
The senior age girl we teach is thinking abt baptism but her dad opposes (he's buddhist).
Random tid bit: Korean bathrooms have no separation between the shower area, sink area, washing machine area, and toilet. Just a drain in the middle of the floor of a wall to wall tiled room. They dont put piping for the washing machines so they just drain the water on to the floor of the bathroom. But the water doesn't go down the drain as fast as it comes out so u end up with an 1in deeop pool for 10mins everytime the washer runs. Let's just say i've had some moments of bad timing. I'll let you imagine the details.
I love you all. I've really like the words of 1 nephi 13 recently.
Have a great week.
Love Eder Britsch
Dear Fam, February 25th, 2010
We've had a touch of spring this week. Our overcoats were off.
News from the week: the korean figure skater has been on everyone's mind. i heard abt her when i first came to korea. she is the nations symbol. posters of her are everywhere.
We met the son of a minister at what translates to "God's church" church. I had a run in with one of them in my last area. This 25yr old math student at s.n.u. wanted to know why the bible is not the only needed scripture. we met him again and it was not contentious but we learned a lot about both churches. They actually believe in the same verses as us in the bible that indicate apostasy after prophets and a great apostosy prophecied with a restoration. We were both shocked that we agreed on that. I had him read 1 nephi 13 and he said his church believes the catholic church is the abominable church. the difference came to who restored the church. They believe their prophet did. Their church is very mathematical and based historical information and very little spiritaul feelings. He said testimony is pointless. He wants logic and facts. They also believe that the heavenly mother lives in korea and is actually in the hospital right now. I dont know how they came to that but it was amazing how close they come to the truth through their research and other methods. They are considered a heretic church like ours in korea. There are over 50 churches here that claim christ is korean and lives in korea. Its no wonder people are very skeptical of us.
One other thing was that he explained that baptism is the right ordinance and that it became sprinking because the early church okayed it in areas with out enough water for immersion but it later became widely accepted. I've also heard it occured that way in the crusades for all the soldiers. His church requires nude baptism. I'm glad that not the case in ours.
I was pumped up after the lesson because I felt this peace inside with the confirmation I have that are church has the full truth. My witness is spiritual and can't be denied. He has had no such witness.
I'm am so grateful for my witness of the book of mormon. This book clarifies so many of the things, if not all of that are argued by the over 1000 denominations of christianity that exist here.
I hope we all recognize what we have and not take it for granted. God does live. He hears our prayers. He desires our happiness
love elder britsch
i can cook a few korean dishes and hope to do so at home.
Dear Family, March 4th, 2010
Well, I got transferred this week. I am in a new area called an-san with Elder Christensen from Salt Lake. He came to Korea a month and a half before me and I lived with him for a transfer in my last area. He plans to be a doctor like his dad who is a surgeon. We have always gotten along very well. I'm really excited to work with him. We were both surprised but feel it's right. We got tranfer calls Tues. night and move Thurs morning. One busy day of packing and phone calls and appointments in between.
Last transfer the bishop here requested another set of missionaries to handle all the referrals the ward is generating. So elder c. and his comp. started commuting and 1hr. each way to help out. They had many baptisms and expect many more. The ward's youth and bishop are outstanding. The youth have referred over 70 friends. We are in the process of moving into another house closer to the area with the existing missionaries. It's only a 2 man house so we will be a very tight squeeze buts it beats 2hrs of buses and trains everyday. We move on Sat. Pres. burton has put a lot of trust in us. This bishop expects amazing missionaries. Needless to say, we will be working hard. My mtc comp. is filling my spot in bongchun.
Last week we had our best week yet. I am happy to leave the area so strong but sad to leave many amazing investigators and members. It really tore at my heart to leave but I know the Lord is over the transfer.
Many of our investigators made great progress this week and I expect they will be baptized later.
The cold weather is back.
I have really come to value to the way the gospel is applicable to our lives through comparisons. Teaching the gospel through real life examples has really helped our investigators get it.
I taught with one of the 35yr old single adults this week. He told us his conversion story. He actually found a book of mormon poking out of the trash during college. He read it and then found the missionaries. They taught him for over 2 months, he was planning to be a pastor. They got in many arguments over doctrine but he eventually was baptized. He gave up his dream and is now working in finance.
My love for the korean saints has grown. I decided that if my feelings when leaving the country are anything like they were leaving my last area, it will be very hard. These people are much a part of me.
I pray all of those in chile and haiti are feeling comfort and seeking the Lord.
I love you all.
The Lord knows your lives.
Remember what does not change will stay the same. This transfer I will focus on changing the things that I've wanted to change but have not. I don't want to remain the same. Becoming a disciple requires change.
love you,
elder britsch
Dear Family, March 11th, 2010
I'm in my area. I introduced myself at church with a joke that surprisingly went over well in korean. I was afraid I'd mess up the punch line.
The mass amounts of referrals in this ward began with one high school age young man who wanted to refer his friends. One day he sat down with the bishop and his mom and they made a list of over 30 friends he could invite to the church. They planned some activities for them to attend, but mostly he just asked them and they actually came. He has no hesitation. He doesn't worry about their friendship would be altered or ending. He just does it and it hasn't resulted in a loss of friends but in over 6 of them getting baptized. The other youth saw how and the bishop called them to his office and they have met with him multiple times and written down over 70 people to refer. Then the missionaries work with them and many baptisms have resulted. The other missionaries had a baptism last week and one of the 20 yr. old girls brought 10 of her sisters friends to it and to activities after it. They don't have a fear of it. It has made me wonder why any of us hesitate so much. We really have nothing to be embarassed about, in fact everything to be proud of in our lives through the church and the results of it. This amazing bishops great interaction and relationship with the kids has been a huge factor. The church building has teenagers and young adults in it everyday hanging out, studying, and practicing piano after school. On Sunday we were called randomly twice to come back to the church and meet friends of members who showed up at the church. Its a very unique environment. Nothing I imagined existed, especially in Korea.
It is an example I will always remember and strive to apply in my life in the future.
It's no walk in the park but it sure is special to be here.
There are so many new converts that they have a hard time teaching them new member lessons.
Our bishop told us that in Korean culture the kids receive very little love in the their lives. Their parents and teachers are usually more like commanders. From what I have observed this is true in many senses. So when they meet a group of church kids that don't smoke or drink and have leaders that share love with them they are very impressed. There's a reason the church is their refuge. As missionaries we have an important role to convey the love of the Savior to these kids and help them .
I have to go but thanks for your love and suppport.
Elder Britsch
Dear Fam, March 18th, 2010
We have been meeting with a non denominational church 목사 member who actually has a fairly humble heart. He went to the Reformed theology school by Princeton. He's now 55 and starting a new church in this area. We got talking about the godhead and the trinity. He told me how I honestly couldn't understand the Godhead-specifically naming how Jesus Christ's baptism incident could work that way. He said we can't explain it and no one really understands it but that's how it is. He suggested that we should enroll in thoelogy school and could probably get scholarships. It was a fun experience and not argumental.
Then yesterday we met some high school kids on the street and as we were about to set an appointment with them, this 30yr old looking expensively dressed guy leans in and tells them we are bad people and they need to leave. We didn't appreciate it very much and asked him why he said that. The kids were scared. My companion started talking to the guy and I tried to get the kids to trust us again. They were fine but then the guy interrupted again and commanded them to leave. They apologized to me and left. We continued tallking to the guy and found out he is ia theology school graduate. The first thing he said to us was that he will see us at the judgement bar. We talked longer than we should have to him. He was a real rude person. I can't relate all that was said but it made me feel really sorry for these kids who just lost a chance at having the restored gospel and an opportunity for so much uncorrupted truths. I pray they are not turned off of us for life because of this guy who makes lots of money in Jesus Christ's name.
The difference in the two ministers was visible. The first has a very Christlike heart and honestly hasn't done too well financially -probably as a result. The second came across very proud, arrogant, and rude. In fact persecuted us.
I dont have time to write much else. These things happen often here.
Anyway, I love you all. I pray that we respect those of other faiths even if they are different from us. How lucky we are to have an understanding of the true nature of god. It has not come from a theology school graduate or a well known evangelist. I know joseph Smith's experience is true not by schooling or by logic but by a personal witness from the spirit.
I love the restored gospel for its sureness and its purity.
Elder Britsch
Dear Fam, March 24th, 2010
We are in a very active ward. With over 20 recent converts, almost all age 20. We have been very busy.
It snowed a few inches last week. Still winter.
Our Bishop keeps very close ties on the work here. We see him 2-3 times a week.
We are trying to help the converts to strengthen their new faith. They are great about referring others. Most of them are the only members in their family and have lots of oppostion at home.
Because they are young many of our appointments get suddenly canceled or postponed. Hard getting a set schedule with any of them.
We play soccer each Sat. morning at 7:30 with the ward and their friends.
I hope you are all doing well.
Love,
Elder Britsch
Dear Family, March 31st, 2010
More on the Ansan Ward story - The original kid (shin young), who referred everyone, moved with his family to a place 40mins away - actually another mission and stake. But he's still referring people. The 18yr old kids have all been planning and preparing for Korea's efy in July. Shin has been coming back to help plan it. Last Sat. he brought a friend to the church and we told him about our english program and picked him up as an investigator. It turns they went to elementary school together and then lost contact with each other. But last Friday they ran into each other on the street. Shin called him up after and told him to come hang out with his other friends at the church on Sat. night. He said sure, even though he's not religious. The kid has been great. We hope to have a baptismal date with him soon. He asks if he can come to the church everyday and hang out with the others or be taught.
What an example Shin is. It really is that easy. We can all learn from this incredible member missionary.
I was on exchanges yesterday with my old comp. Elder Walters. He leaves in 2 wks. It was great to talk about all we've learned. It was almost exactly 1yr. since we had worked together.
I've been studying truth lately. It has led me to some really great connections of gospel principles. I can't give details but basically by looking at what truth is declared as in the scriptures the word takes on a whole new importance and meaning. When these definitions are plugged into scriptures it makes them have a new life. I branched out from the definitions and made further connections that have given me a better understanding of such things as obedience, the plan of salvation, faith, and being a disciple of Jesus Christ. You can do it simply by looking up truth in the topical guide and referencing the scriptures listed. Specifically D&C 93 is enlightening.
Maybe I told you already but there is a Russian kid who has been a member for the last 5 months that has been helping us recently. He is half korean and from siberia but was afraid he would get killed during the mandatory 1yr. of military service in Russia (he is very small 20 year old) so he came to live with his grandma. He speaks ok english with a thick Russian accent and new missionary level korean.
I love you all. Hope you enjoy conference and easter. I love the Truth. It is freedom.
Elder Britsch
