Another hot and humid week in Kitami. Its either burning hot or pouring rain, and when it rains its still just as hot and humid. Its pretty much a choice between soaking from the rain or putting on your rain jacket and soaking in your sweat. We are just trying to stay hydrated and not get sunburned! We did get a nice break this week, we went out to an area on the coast to go on splits, the weather was amazing. I got to see the ocean and remember I am on an Island right now! We were supposed to have our district activity today, but it was canceled, so to celebrate the transfer Elder Ishiga and I are going just the 2 of us to an Onsen! Why would you want to spoil the enjoyment of a relaxing hot springs with a swim suit? We get the call tomorrow to find out if we transfer or not, Im hoping to stay just another 6 weeks, I Love Kitami! Things are good and the time is flying.

Elder Andrew Kade Jones

I feel like I was just sitting at this computer the other day... Funny how time flies like that. The weeks go by like days and the days go by like weeks! The Transfer is wrapping up, just this week and then next week we will get the transfer call finding out if we are leaving or staying. We will have our district activity then, that P Day we are going to an Onsen, a Japanese public bath house. We will be hanging out naked in a nice hot springs tub. I love embracing the culture! Anyways, not much happened this week, this transfer has been a little slow. We are just trying to find those prepared people. Elder Ishiga and I are doing fine, we both get a little flustered now and then with the language barrier, but that happens. We will soon know if we get to stay together another transfer or what. Its raining today, it seems to only rain on P Days. A bit of a bummer. Hope you all have a great week!
Elder Andrew Kade Jones

Well, another week gone by. Its been going by fast lately. We have a Zone Conference this week, where missionaries in the same Zone (section of the mission area) get together for a workshop and all, and there is always an activity the day before, except this transfer. We will spend more time on the bus there and back than we will in the town the conference is in! I feel cheated. Other than that, not much going on. I continue to get settled in nicely, and the time is flying by. Like I said, not much going on, just another week of the best work: the Lord`s Work!

Elder Andrew Kade Jones

Well, Elder Andrew Kade Jones officially had his first baptism! Not
sure why that was in thwe 3rd person but whatevs. Anyways, Sunday
August 5th we had the baptism in the morning before church. It was a
great service with a good turn out. I was nervous about saying the
baptismal prayer in Japanese but it went fine. It was amazing to be
able to be in all white and to enter the waters with a great young man
I was blessed to find teach, and see progres all the way to the font.
He has just started a new path, and I hoe and pray he always remains
faithful.
We are celebrating today with Sushi, my favorite! Elder Ishiga and I
have been getting along great, the language barrier does get
frustrating sometimes but we end up working it out. Most of the time I
understand the words he is using, but the context they are in seem to
not make sense.... I think that is more of a cultural difference than
a language difference, one of the many challenges of a country,
culture, and language so unfamiliar. But things are going great and we
are certainly being blessed. The best work is the Lords work.

Elder Andrew Kade Jones