The adventures and misadventures of Elder Shaw as he teaches among the Japanese, and is no doubt taught in return.

Head to the 'Profile,' section to read more about who I am, and what I believe in. For more information on where I actually am, please click here.

The adventures and misadventures of Elder Shaw as he teaches among the Japanese, and is no doubt taught in return.

Head to the 'Profile,' section to read more about who I am, and what I believe in. For more information on where I actually am, please click here.

My name is Brian Shaw, though you can just call me エルダーショー (Elder Shaw). As of the 19th of May 2010, I have been rigorously engaged in serving the Lord by laboring to bring the Japanese people back to their savior, Jesus Christ; and I will continue to do so faithfully until the 19th of the same month in 2012.

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I have an unshakable testimony that this church is of Christ. I know Christ lives, and I know he suffered for my sins, so that I could return to live with my Heavenly Father after this life. I know that Joseph Smith, the founder of this church in the latter days, was called of God to restore Christ's authority to this earth, and establish the covenants and ordinances that were lost long ago. I also know that Joseph Smith was given a set of gold plates to translate into scripture called the Book of Mormon. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

If you would like to know this just as I do, please click here, or click here for a free copy of the Book of Mormon.

2 Nephi 25:26
"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

Yes. Don't worry. I am doing fine! Thank you for your prayers :D I don't know what you've all heard/seen, but this last week has been very interesting. This is my first natrual disaster that I've ever really been in, so it was very exciting. The earthquake was pretty intense, but Japan is built for Earthquakes, so it was more fun than anything. The scary part was the tsunami wave... It comes in really fast, and when it goes back out to see, it takes everything (cars, people, houses, etc...) with it.

In Sendai it was really bad, but in the city I'm serving it was only moderately bad. The tsunami swept in about a mile or two into the city and caused lots of damage, but thankfully not many people were injured/killed. It's crazy though because there is cars and boats and houses everywhere! Just lying in the street and what not! But, we were truly blessed, as the Tsunami never reached our apartment or the church building. Our electricity and heat died for a few days, but other than that and a little lack of food, we were totally fine. But pretty awesome huh? I can embellish this mission story for years to come! Don't be surprised if when I come back I have some awesome story about me saving 10 families from a building that was nearly sunk in water, and then baptizing them all or some crazy jazz like that. :D

Right now, the electricity is back, heat is back, water is fine, everything is pretty normal to be honest. The areas of town that were hit by the tsunami wave... Well, they are still pretty bad... But the areas that escaped it are normal-- Almost as if nothing at all had happened. The military branch in Misawa was also very quick to respond and help in Hachinohe (as it was hit worse). Because the Japanese can't store food (literally, it's against the law), there is sort of a food problem in Hachinohe right now. But! A few vans came from the MIsawa Military Ward the other day bearing TONNES of food, blankets, etc... That will be of great help to some of the people evacuated in Hachinohe. But once again, Elder Taylor and I are totally fine. Don't worry :D

Letters and what not are probably going to be backed up for a while. Sorry. I'll make an extra effort to write every week though and keep you updated on everything that is going on. But, once again, don't worry. The Lord takes care of his missionaries. Also, I think this is an excellent missionary opportunity, as you can talk about the Lord protects missionaries and maybe lead into a Gospel discussion or something... Just saying...

In terms of missionary work... Well, obviously at first all we could do was service and things like that... But we have since returned to regular missionary work. As in, visiting investigators, finding, etc... Lots of people seemed to be really humbled by the recent disaster and are really listening to our message, so I don't doubt we are going to see some great miracles this week :D
Well, that's all for now. I love you all, thanks so much for your prayers-- I feel them :) Take care and DON'T WORRY! We are safe in Japan. :D

--
Very Sincerely
シャ　長老

A list of my writings by their entry date:

05.25.2010

06.01.2010

06.04.2010

06.08.2010

06.15.2010

06.18.2010

06.22.2010

06.29.2010

07.02.2010

07.06.2010

07.13.2010

07.20.2010

07.21.2010

08.10.2010

08.12.2010

08.17.2010

08.25.2010

09.06.2010

09.15.2010

09.20.2010

09.28.2010

10.04.2010

11.01.2010

11.30.2010

12.24.2010

12.30.2010

01.22.2011

01.26.2011

03.02.2011

03.07.2011

03.14.2011

03.18.2011

04.25.2011

To my friends and family... Write me! And I promise I will write back as promptly as reasonable.

First, please do not contact me through e-mail. I have an e-mail, but have been told by my mission president not to read e-mails from anyone (not even family!). Sure, some other missions might do it differently, but for Sendai, I'm not supposed to read your e-mails. Just write me lots of letters instead!

And please direct all mail to this street address: