Hey!
Pohang is great! It is a really interesting area. The work is kind of slow here, but they had some recent referrals from members and a baptism last transfer. Sister Rix says it has been really rough but she said it seems like things are starting to change from what we've done this week. We'll see! The area is apparently the second largest in the mission. That's what I heard about Jinju/Sacheon before I was sent there, but I guess that was two areas! Sister Rix has been here for a transfer. People have asked us several times if we are twins or related which is funny, since she is half Korean.
We weren't able to meet a lot of people while out proselyting this week but we had a couple of members give us some possible referrals that are really good. Since I just came into the area, I went through the list of members and tried to call and meet with them this week. We were able to set up appointments with a couple of them. On Saturday when we went to meet with one of them, it was pouring rain outside. We waited inside a store for a little bit, and then a girl (similar age as us) came up to us and told us that she was the branch member's co-worker. She took us to a restaurant and we talked while we waited for the member to come. When the member came, we could tell that she was trying to refer her co-worker to us. It was awesome. We talked with them for a while and then all went to their workplace. They are kind of like fitness trainers, and work at this cool gym next to Pohang's baseball stadium. They invited us to visit them when we have time, so we can start the 30/30 program with the co-worker. It's awesome.
When we went to church on Sunday, a woman came (maybe in her thirties) and said that she came to worship. Sister Rix had never seen her before. I guess that she used to come to English class, and just decided to come to church. We could tell that she has had some hard things in her life, and it was really good as we talked with her. Then the recent convert that was baptized last transfer came, and she brought her friend along! THAT was the best. It was a little stressful, juggling the two investigators between Sister Rix and I, and then trying to introduce myself to members as well, but it worked out. The woman had to leave early after sacrament meeting but told us that she hopes to come again next week. The recent convert's friend was doing really well. We have a decent amount of Young Women in Pohang, and they took care of her very well. We were able to talk with her a little more and got her number. We are going to try to meet with her and the recent convert again this week. Also, when we texted her that night to see how she was doing, she told us that she really liked church and wants to come next week too! Glory, hallelujah. Anyway, Pohang has had a lot of miracles.
There was only one investigator that the sisters had from last transfer that we are still teaching. She is a grandma. We met with her this week, did some English, talked a little with our Branch President (who came in for part of the lesson), and then she wanted to take us out for dinner. It was good! It was a little scary as she was driving...(she kept muttering to herself, "I don't know where I am going. Is this the right way?") but we got there safely and had a good lesson. We taught about the temple and eternal families. She is reading the Book of Mormon and believes it is the word of God, but she doesn't understand there can only be one true church. Even when we explain it. We may have to drop her, but we will keep trying for a little more!
Our Branch President is incredible. He works very hard and we have contact with him everyday. He really is good about keeping info up to date, and helps with our English class and finding less-actives. I am excited for this transfer!
On Sunday we also went to a big choir practice in Ulsan we were asked to go to, and I saw a bunch of the Shinjeong members there! It was so cool. They were really surprised and we were able to talk a lot. I love being in the same Zone!
We have definitely seen a lot of miracles. While there is still a lot of work to do and a lot we need to do better, I can definitely see God guiding us and placing people in our path. We have met some really interesting people as we go places and do a little proselyting, and it surprises me every time how we happened to find them. Missionary work is the best.
I love you!
Sister Stapley
Pohang is great! It is a really interesting area. The work is kind of slow here, but they had some recent referrals from members and a baptism last transfer. Sister Rix says it has been really rough but she said it seems like things are starting to change from what we've done this week. We'll see! The area is apparently the second largest in the mission. That's what I heard about Jinju/Sacheon before I was sent there, but I guess that was two areas! Sister Rix has been here for a transfer. People have asked us several times if we are twins or related which is funny, since she is half Korean.
We weren't able to meet a lot of people while out proselyting this week but we had a couple of members give us some possible referrals that are really good. Since I just came into the area, I went through the list of members and tried to call and meet with them this week. We were able to set up appointments with a couple of them. On Saturday when we went to meet with one of them, it was pouring rain outside. We waited inside a store for a little bit, and then a girl (similar age as us) came up to us and told us that she was the branch member's co-worker. She took us to a restaurant and we talked while we waited for the member to come. When the member came, we could tell that she was trying to refer her co-worker to us. It was awesome. We talked with them for a while and then all went to their workplace. They are kind of like fitness trainers, and work at this cool gym next to Pohang's baseball stadium. They invited us to visit them when we have time, so we can start the 30/30 program with the co-worker. It's awesome.
When we went to church on Sunday, a woman came (maybe in her thirties) and said that she came to worship. Sister Rix had never seen her before. I guess that she used to come to English class, and just decided to come to church. We could tell that she has had some hard things in her life, and it was really good as we talked with her. Then the recent convert that was baptized last transfer came, and she brought her friend along! THAT was the best. It was a little stressful, juggling the two investigators between Sister Rix and I, and then trying to introduce myself to members as well, but it worked out. The woman had to leave early after sacrament meeting but told us that she hopes to come again next week. The recent convert's friend was doing really well. We have a decent amount of Young Women in Pohang, and they took care of her very well. We were able to talk with her a little more and got her number. We are going to try to meet with her and the recent convert again this week. Also, when we texted her that night to see how she was doing, she told us that she really liked church and wants to come next week too! Glory, hallelujah. Anyway, Pohang has had a lot of miracles.
There was only one investigator that the sisters had from last transfer that we are still teaching. She is a grandma. We met with her this week, did some English, talked a little with our Branch President (who came in for part of the lesson), and then she wanted to take us out for dinner. It was good! It was a little scary as she was driving...(she kept muttering to herself, "I don't know where I am going. Is this the right way?") but we got there safely and had a good lesson. We taught about the temple and eternal families. She is reading the Book of Mormon and believes it is the word of God, but she doesn't understand there can only be one true church. Even when we explain it. We may have to drop her, but we will keep trying for a little more!
Our Branch President is incredible. He works very hard and we have contact with him everyday. He really is good about keeping info up to date, and helps with our English class and finding less-actives. I am excited for this transfer!
On Sunday we also went to a big choir practice in Ulsan we were asked to go to, and I saw a bunch of the Shinjeong members there! It was so cool. They were really surprised and we were able to talk a lot. I love being in the same Zone!
We have definitely seen a lot of miracles. While there is still a lot of work to do and a lot we need to do better, I can definitely see God guiding us and placing people in our path. We have met some really interesting people as we go places and do a little proselyting, and it surprises me every time how we happened to find them. Missionary work is the best.
I love you!
Sister Stapley