Mom and Dad,
This last week was really really good. I can't even put my finger on why,
it was just a really good week. Hashimoto長老 and I have been having plenty of
fun out dendo-ing. He's been working hard to learn English, and he's getting
pretty good.
This last week there were a few things that happened that were just funny
that I thought I might share. First of all yesterday we were knocking on
peoples' doors and contacting. The usual sorts of things - really nice people
will probably become investigators, people who say kekko (no thanks), really
nice grandmas, and people who are interested in English class. We come to a
house that has 2 cars parked beside it and ring the door bell. Out of nowhere,
we hear "What the heck are you doing?! They're not home! Nobody is there!" We
turn around to see an elderly gentleman with an angry look on his face leaning
out of the window of the house next door. We just said "Okay. Thanks!" and
tried not to laugh as we walked away. That sort of thing has happened to me so
many times. I don't understand what warrants that kind of reaction. There's
absolutely not reason to be angry or tell us off of his next-door neighbor's
doorstep.
A day or two ago as we were headed back to our apartment around 8:30, we
were riding our bikes across a bridge next to the eki (train station). The
bridge comes down to an intersection, which was stopped the way we were going
and there were some people standing facing the other side of the street waiting
to cross. Among those people there were 3 kids. One boy about 11, his little
sister who was shorter than him, and one a really little brother. I thought,
"What on earth are those 3 kids doing out so late? I know Japan's a safe place,
but really? What are their parents thinking?" Just as the thought crosses my
mind, little sister turns to the side to say something to big brother and I see
her face. Oh...hi mom. Japanese people look so much younger than they are -
especially from behind! They're so little!
Today while we were in a shop, a lady walked up to me and said, "Hey, you
should go talk to my son over there. He went to Australia and wants to speak
English with someone." So I went and talked to him. He's way cool, we switched
numbers, and he'll very likely come to Eikaiwa tomorrow. You never know when
the opportunity will be given to you to help or serve someone.
I am so excited for General Conference! It's hard to believe that we're
already drawing near to that time of year. This transfer is going to be pretty
busy with meetings and such. Next week Elder Ringwood is going to be visiting
our mission. The week following that there's probably going to be a ZTM. After
that week we'll watch General Conference, and the week following is going to be
Stake Conference which we have to travel a few hours for the Saturday meeting
and then about an hour for the Sunday meeting.
I love life and I love dendo!
Love,
Elder Kyle Hutchings
