This week we were able to get back in contact with the family we met some time back. Since their father is working in the south part of the country right now, we're unable to continue visiting them. However, we were able to bring the Sister missionaries to their family, and now they're meeting them. We'll maintain contact with the sons as best we can, probably by playing basketball together or something similar.
We were able to go the temple last Thursday, which, as always, was a great experience. On the way there, I experienced a first for my mission: the first time subway doors closed on me! Not just in front of me -- I've experienced that many times -- but literally as I'm stepping into the car. We were getting onto a subway, but the spot we were waiting at was literally full! There was no give in the mass of bodies before us. The Koreans alongside us simply stepped back, content to wait 20 minutes or so for the next train, but we refused to be late for the temple. We ran over to the next set of doors, saw there was some space, and went for it! (A side note about subways: our motions are always so hesitant, because nobody wants to get on a subway, have the door clang shut behind them, and race off without their companion, trapped on the other side. We're always looking behind our soldier as we step on, making sure they're close enough to get on right behind us.) As I was getting on, the doors slid into my sides. I won't lie, a brief thought went through me head: What if these doors could just squish me like an accordion? That was unwarranted; they weren't really pushing on me too much, but they weren't easy to move either. I slid in, holding them as open as I could, but Elder Schilling behind me got trapped as well. Then, the doors slid open, relieving us. I apologized to everybody, and told them we couldn't be late today. Nobody made any sound, but I think they were surprised to see foreigners, period.
After the temple, we visited a science museum near Seoul Zoo. It reminded me a lot of home; I think all commercial museums are the same, regardless of where you are in the world. One of the workers wasn't very busy, so he gave us a tour around the "Traditional Korean Science" hall, commenting on a lot of the exhibits. I was pretty impressed; Asia was discovering lots of things earlier or at the same time as European scientists, in a secluded environment.
There was a great talk this week in church, about service. The speaker talked about how one way we can serve others is by complimenting them! She also mentioned giving high fives to people, saying hello to a person you don't know, and giving a flower to somebody. I really liked how she took a unique spin on the topic of service, that every single one of us can apply!
Another fun experience this week was knocking doors in a new part of town. It was really funny to see how relaxed some Koreans get in the summer. We were walking towards one door, but then we saw that we could talk to the couple through their open screen window, which gave us a view of their kitchen. The wife was at the table using a computer, and the husband was next to the sink, in his underwear! The wife heard we were missionaries, said, "No thanks," and we walked away, swallowing laughter. At another house, the door was already open (really common in the summer) and there was a young man on the computer. He saw us, stood up, and went to the back of the house... to put on a shirt. We talked to him for a little bit, and were able to give him a pamphlet.
We went back to the same neighborhood later, and while we missed our goal of giving away three copies of the Book of Mormon, we did give on of them to a man who we talked with for a little while on the side of the road. He told us that he doesn't believe in God, and hates all of the differences between religion. He said that, in reality, all of the various churches are out there to make a profit. I was able to take that and respond right away by telling him that there isn't a single payed position in our church. He was surprised by that. We testified that God loves us, and so He's given us a way to discern truth in this life. We told him that the method for knowing a thing is true is to pray. Unlike most people's assumption, we are not here to command people to come to church, but to invite them to read the Book of Mormon, ponder its message, pray about it, and act in accordance with the answer they receive. He accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon, and gave us his phone number so that we could make an appointment to meet again later.
That brings me to one of my favorite proselyting techniques. Most people are pretty awkward when we start talking to them. It can be really awkward. So, I've started asking people, "What do you think missionaries normally do?" Surprisingly, most people have given me the same answer: "They tell people to come to their church." While this certainly is one thing we invite people to do, our main purpose is to do what Christ would do. This takes many forms; but almost always a form of service towards others. The biggest and best way to help a person is to help them learn about Jesus Christ's gospel, but when they refuse that aid, we can find simpler ways to help them, such as teaching English. Ultimately, everything we do is centered on Jesus Christ, who atoned for all of mankind, making second chances a reality. It is He who was alone, He who suffered the most, who can reach out towards us in our dark moments, when life seems insurmountable, and can guide us to safe harbors and calm waters. He is the Savior of mankind, and that's a belief I will never apologize for holding.
We were able to go the temple last Thursday, which, as always, was a great experience. On the way there, I experienced a first for my mission: the first time subway doors closed on me! Not just in front of me -- I've experienced that many times -- but literally as I'm stepping into the car. We were getting onto a subway, but the spot we were waiting at was literally full! There was no give in the mass of bodies before us. The Koreans alongside us simply stepped back, content to wait 20 minutes or so for the next train, but we refused to be late for the temple. We ran over to the next set of doors, saw there was some space, and went for it! (A side note about subways: our motions are always so hesitant, because nobody wants to get on a subway, have the door clang shut behind them, and race off without their companion, trapped on the other side. We're always looking behind our soldier as we step on, making sure they're close enough to get on right behind us.) As I was getting on, the doors slid into my sides. I won't lie, a brief thought went through me head: What if these doors could just squish me like an accordion? That was unwarranted; they weren't really pushing on me too much, but they weren't easy to move either. I slid in, holding them as open as I could, but Elder Schilling behind me got trapped as well. Then, the doors slid open, relieving us. I apologized to everybody, and told them we couldn't be late today. Nobody made any sound, but I think they were surprised to see foreigners, period.
After the temple, we visited a science museum near Seoul Zoo. It reminded me a lot of home; I think all commercial museums are the same, regardless of where you are in the world. One of the workers wasn't very busy, so he gave us a tour around the "Traditional Korean Science" hall, commenting on a lot of the exhibits. I was pretty impressed; Asia was discovering lots of things earlier or at the same time as European scientists, in a secluded environment.
There was a great talk this week in church, about service. The speaker talked about how one way we can serve others is by complimenting them! She also mentioned giving high fives to people, saying hello to a person you don't know, and giving a flower to somebody. I really liked how she took a unique spin on the topic of service, that every single one of us can apply!
Another fun experience this week was knocking doors in a new part of town. It was really funny to see how relaxed some Koreans get in the summer. We were walking towards one door, but then we saw that we could talk to the couple through their open screen window, which gave us a view of their kitchen. The wife was at the table using a computer, and the husband was next to the sink, in his underwear! The wife heard we were missionaries, said, "No thanks," and we walked away, swallowing laughter. At another house, the door was already open (really common in the summer) and there was a young man on the computer. He saw us, stood up, and went to the back of the house... to put on a shirt. We talked to him for a little bit, and were able to give him a pamphlet.
We went back to the same neighborhood later, and while we missed our goal of giving away three copies of the Book of Mormon, we did give on of them to a man who we talked with for a little while on the side of the road. He told us that he doesn't believe in God, and hates all of the differences between religion. He said that, in reality, all of the various churches are out there to make a profit. I was able to take that and respond right away by telling him that there isn't a single payed position in our church. He was surprised by that. We testified that God loves us, and so He's given us a way to discern truth in this life. We told him that the method for knowing a thing is true is to pray. Unlike most people's assumption, we are not here to command people to come to church, but to invite them to read the Book of Mormon, ponder its message, pray about it, and act in accordance with the answer they receive. He accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon, and gave us his phone number so that we could make an appointment to meet again later.
That brings me to one of my favorite proselyting techniques. Most people are pretty awkward when we start talking to them. It can be really awkward. So, I've started asking people, "What do you think missionaries normally do?" Surprisingly, most people have given me the same answer: "They tell people to come to their church." While this certainly is one thing we invite people to do, our main purpose is to do what Christ would do. This takes many forms; but almost always a form of service towards others. The biggest and best way to help a person is to help them learn about Jesus Christ's gospel, but when they refuse that aid, we can find simpler ways to help them, such as teaching English. Ultimately, everything we do is centered on Jesus Christ, who atoned for all of mankind, making second chances a reality. It is He who was alone, He who suffered the most, who can reach out towards us in our dark moments, when life seems insurmountable, and can guide us to safe harbors and calm waters. He is the Savior of mankind, and that's a belief I will never apologize for holding.
Love,
Elder Austin Lynn
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Elder Austin Lynn
배상
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