Greetings from Douliu. The people here are great, the food is great, my companion is great, the apartment is great, the ward is great, the bishop is great, and the district and zone are great. The apartment is really nice. We live on the 13 floor. I have no idea how the ants got up to the 13th floor, but they did...haha. This is the battle that we are fighting right now.
Many people have asked me questions so I will try to answer some of them.
How do we spend our time on Sundays: We go to church, then we do missionary work. We eat at home (curry rice).
How do we get our hair cut: Haircuts cost about 3 dollars in Taiwan, so it is really convenient.
Is it rainy: Yes, it's rainy.
Do the members feed us: Members don't feed us that often. I think it is avoided because if members feed us they go all out on everything!
How do we spend our time: Most of our time is spent at appointments with investigators and less active members, and contacting new investigators at intersections.
Are the people nice: The people are really nice. It's great. A lot of people reject the missionaries, but 95% of the time it is done with a smile.
Do we keep our apartment clean: Our apartment is really clean! My companion and I do a good job keeping it clean.
The bishop here is great, his name is Bishop Shen. He knows the situation of all the recent converts, less-active members, and our investigators. In order to be baptized, a person must attend church 3 times and meet the bishopric, so all our investigators know the bishop and the bishop knows them. Most investigators get the priesthood the week after they are baptized. Baptismal meetings are set up and done completely by the ward and it is usually a member who baptizes them.
The work here is really great. It took me some time to get used to the area. In the big city, I would contact really quick because everyone is in a hurry. When I first got here, I was really quick contacting people and after I finished they would stand there like, "Is that all you are going to say?" People have a lot more time here to listen. We had a lot of investigators at church this week. 3-4 are looking really solid.
I'm loving this work. I'm learning a lot. I love you all. Elder Spencer Harris
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Baptisms and a Move Call (Posted by mom)
This week, I was in a tri-panionship with none other than...... ELDER GLUCH (my friend from Orem)!! It was fun, really fun. He kept me company as I packed on the day before move call. We had a great time and it is a memory I want to keep forever.
Our two baptisms this week went really well. The 11 year old is so solid. As we were meeting with him in the days leading up to his baptism, we asked him why Joseph Smith is important, and he, with out hesitancy, said "Because of the Great Apostacy." He has an understanding. I know the spirit has really confirmed to him the truth of the gospel and helped him learn because he was willing to read and pray. When he was bearing his testimony after his baptism, he said: "I'm really afraid of water, but as I was about to be baptized, I felt that God was with me."
The other baptism, Jiang, arrived just as the meeting was ready to start. Satan was working on him, but he came anyway. What a great act of faith. He has really found the comfort that comes from the gospel. The Elder's Quorum President has befriended him.
Every one's experience is different, --from the 11 year old who was really excited to be baptized and overcame the fear of water, to the 35 year old who just broke up with his girlfriend and put his faith in God to the point that he was willing to accept the ordinance of baptism.
Oh how I love this work!! God is a gracious God. He loves his children and blesses them according to His tender mercies.
I am now in DoLiu and am a senior companion, I wasn't ready for that. I am very aware of my own weaknesses. The Holy Ghost is going to be our senior companion.
My Junior companion is great. He is fluent in Chinese. His mom is from taiwan and his dad is a former Taibei missionary. He is from Orem too and went to Mountian View. He loves the people and wants to help them know the chruch is true.
I testify that it is through Jesus Christ that we can be healed spiritually. (And physically, for that matter.) This is what want to share with people. This is a truth that can only be felt and understood by the power of the Holy Ghost. When this happens a light comes to the eyes, a smile to the face, and humility is instilled in the heart. That is what a mission is about.
I love all of you. Elder Spencer Harris
Our two baptisms this week went really well. The 11 year old is so solid. As we were meeting with him in the days leading up to his baptism, we asked him why Joseph Smith is important, and he, with out hesitancy, said "Because of the Great Apostacy." He has an understanding. I know the spirit has really confirmed to him the truth of the gospel and helped him learn because he was willing to read and pray. When he was bearing his testimony after his baptism, he said: "I'm really afraid of water, but as I was about to be baptized, I felt that God was with me."
The other baptism, Jiang, arrived just as the meeting was ready to start. Satan was working on him, but he came anyway. What a great act of faith. He has really found the comfort that comes from the gospel. The Elder's Quorum President has befriended him.
Every one's experience is different, --from the 11 year old who was really excited to be baptized and overcame the fear of water, to the 35 year old who just broke up with his girlfriend and put his faith in God to the point that he was willing to accept the ordinance of baptism.
Oh how I love this work!! God is a gracious God. He loves his children and blesses them according to His tender mercies.
I am now in DoLiu and am a senior companion, I wasn't ready for that. I am very aware of my own weaknesses. The Holy Ghost is going to be our senior companion.
My Junior companion is great. He is fluent in Chinese. His mom is from taiwan and his dad is a former Taibei missionary. He is from Orem too and went to Mountian View. He loves the people and wants to help them know the chruch is true.
I testify that it is through Jesus Christ that we can be healed spiritually. (And physically, for that matter.) This is what want to share with people. This is a truth that can only be felt and understood by the power of the Holy Ghost. When this happens a light comes to the eyes, a smile to the face, and humility is instilled in the heart. That is what a mission is about.
I love all of you. Elder Spencer Harris
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Elder Uchtdorf Visits (posted by mom)
President Uchtdorf came to our mission. I got to shake his hand. I also got to sing with a small group of elders. President Uchtdorf cried when he heard the song. He told the missionaries our life is a treasure hunt. Every once in a while he would say something like, find the treasure in learning the language. Or find the treasure in having a companion. I is interesting to think of life in terms of a treasure hunt. We have struggles, but there is always something to learn or gain from our experiences.
The two people scheduled to be baptized this week are not the ones we thought they would be. The first is a man we taught earlier who came back to church to find us. He has become very humble and really desires to be baptized. The other is an 11 year old boy who has a strong testimony of the truth and, by the grace of God, was lead in a round about way, to the missionaries and to baptism. He is reading the Book of Mormon. He lives near a family in our ward who are willing to bring him to church each week with them. This work is so joyful. I know that it is lead by God.
This past weekend, I found out a new convert in the ward is having a commandment issue. It is a sad thing. However, I know there is hope through the atonement of Christ.
I love you all. Thank you for your support. Elder Spencer Harris
The two people scheduled to be baptized this week are not the ones we thought they would be. The first is a man we taught earlier who came back to church to find us. He has become very humble and really desires to be baptized. The other is an 11 year old boy who has a strong testimony of the truth and, by the grace of God, was lead in a round about way, to the missionaries and to baptism. He is reading the Book of Mormon. He lives near a family in our ward who are willing to bring him to church each week with them. This work is so joyful. I know that it is lead by God.
This past weekend, I found out a new convert in the ward is having a commandment issue. It is a sad thing. However, I know there is hope through the atonement of Christ.
I love you all. Thank you for your support. Elder Spencer Harris
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Happy Missionaries (posted by mom)
People often tell us, "You're really xinku" (hard-working), and we like to reply, "We are really xingfu" (happy).
We met two neat people the other day. One basically self-contacted me, and the other, his friend, said that he had always wanted to talk with a missionary, but they had never stopped to talk with him. We met with them last night; they both believed that Joseph Smith saw God and Heavenly Father. They really understood what we taught. Most people don't get the point that we have a current prophet on the earth, but in the closing prayer, one of them thanked God that he had again given us a prophet!
Yesterday was combined district training meeting. President Bishop was presiding. The feeling was completely different, but still really good. He will do a great job. He is really humble. He has assumed the mantle. It's visible. (President Bishop was my branch president in the MTC)
President Uchtdorf is coming on Saturday. A group of us get to sing for the mission conference. I'm so glad I get to sing for a prophet.
Another cool thing is we found a less-active member. We were looking for an address, it led us to the middle of nowhere. We were on this little road in the middle of an orchard. We came to a house and come to find out, there was a member living there. His original house was destroyed to make way for a new park. He found this run-down abandoned place and started living there. We've met with him a few times and got him coming to church again. It's good because now the ward now knows his situation and help him out.
Our families are still progressing toward baptism. We are diligently planning, teaching, following-up, and doing every thing we know how to help them make and keep commitments and receive a personal confirmation of the truth. We have faith that they can all make it.
The church is true. It changes lives, brings true happiness, and allows us to obtain eternal life. I love you all. Elder Spencer Harris
We met two neat people the other day. One basically self-contacted me, and the other, his friend, said that he had always wanted to talk with a missionary, but they had never stopped to talk with him. We met with them last night; they both believed that Joseph Smith saw God and Heavenly Father. They really understood what we taught. Most people don't get the point that we have a current prophet on the earth, but in the closing prayer, one of them thanked God that he had again given us a prophet!
Yesterday was combined district training meeting. President Bishop was presiding. The feeling was completely different, but still really good. He will do a great job. He is really humble. He has assumed the mantle. It's visible. (President Bishop was my branch president in the MTC)
President Uchtdorf is coming on Saturday. A group of us get to sing for the mission conference. I'm so glad I get to sing for a prophet.
Another cool thing is we found a less-active member. We were looking for an address, it led us to the middle of nowhere. We were on this little road in the middle of an orchard. We came to a house and come to find out, there was a member living there. His original house was destroyed to make way for a new park. He found this run-down abandoned place and started living there. We've met with him a few times and got him coming to church again. It's good because now the ward now knows his situation and help him out.
Our families are still progressing toward baptism. We are diligently planning, teaching, following-up, and doing every thing we know how to help them make and keep commitments and receive a personal confirmation of the truth. We have faith that they can all make it.
The church is true. It changes lives, brings true happiness, and allows us to obtain eternal life. I love you all. Elder Spencer Harris
Monday, June 28, 2010
God Hears and Answers Prayers (posted by mom)
A cool experience happened while I was reading Elder Eyring's talk in the conference ensign. My mind kept returning to someone I had never met. A youth in our ward (the son of President Li of the stake presidency). I really felt for this guy. I had never met him, but another Elder told me about him. I found myself barely able to read the talk though the tears. I felt God's love for this guy and I felt a great need to help him re-discover his testimony. I said a few prayers for him that day.
Sunday came around, and low and behold, he came to church. After 4+ months he came to church! The moment he walked in the door, I knew who he was. (He came in with his mom, so it's not that special, but when I saw him, I felt I knew him.) He had brought with him two friends.
I don't know the end of this story, but I feel as though God hears and answers prayers. I feel as though God truly prompts us. I'm going to do my best to help this guy re-discover his testimony.
Right now our progressing investigators are three families. It's exciting to be working with these three families, but it is a lot more complicated to facilitate a family's spiritual progression.
This is President Hoer's last week. Although our time in Taiwan doesn't overlap very long, I feel, because of his influence, I have set some habits that will last a lifetime. I feel as though a (you ban fa) seed has been planted in my soul--and I will never be the same again. I feel eternity is mine if I will but use the time God has given me. I feel ready for life's challenges, because work, faith, prayer, and a vision will carry me through. I wish him the best and am grateful for the positive influence he has been in my life.
I love you all very much. Elder Spencer Harris
Sunday came around, and low and behold, he came to church. After 4+ months he came to church! The moment he walked in the door, I knew who he was. (He came in with his mom, so it's not that special, but when I saw him, I felt I knew him.) He had brought with him two friends.
I don't know the end of this story, but I feel as though God hears and answers prayers. I feel as though God truly prompts us. I'm going to do my best to help this guy re-discover his testimony.
Right now our progressing investigators are three families. It's exciting to be working with these three families, but it is a lot more complicated to facilitate a family's spiritual progression.
This is President Hoer's last week. Although our time in Taiwan doesn't overlap very long, I feel, because of his influence, I have set some habits that will last a lifetime. I feel as though a (you ban fa) seed has been planted in my soul--and I will never be the same again. I feel eternity is mine if I will but use the time God has given me. I feel ready for life's challenges, because work, faith, prayer, and a vision will carry me through. I wish him the best and am grateful for the positive influence he has been in my life.
I love you all very much. Elder Spencer Harris
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Baptism (posted by mom)
Dear family,
This past week, Zhang Jie Xin got baptized. He is 20 years old and is currently homeless. He loves the Book of Mormon. The ward is really willing to help him out. They want to help him get a job. The mission gave him and old missionary bike. He has a lot of future a head of him!
I'm really excited about some investigators right now. We have a Liu family, a Li family, and a Chen family. They each have their strengths and their weaknesses. We are doing our best to help them toward baptism and salvation, but ultimately it's their decision. It's sad when people make the wrong choices, but at the same time it's comforting to know God's eye is watching over them. He loves them. He wants them to return to Him and will give them every opportunity to make it home.
It's strange to have President Hoer leaving. He is so good. He makes a missionary feel like if they wanted to fly they could. There is no roof on this mission. He has given us a vision that is like nothing else. He expects nothing but the best.
I'm sure President Bishop will be the same way.
We are also having a mission conference this next month, and President Uchtdorf is coming. (He will pick up his two grandsons - one is in Taibei and the other is in Taichung.)
I love each of you. The work is going great. --Elder Spencer Harris
This past week, Zhang Jie Xin got baptized. He is 20 years old and is currently homeless. He loves the Book of Mormon. The ward is really willing to help him out. They want to help him get a job. The mission gave him and old missionary bike. He has a lot of future a head of him!
I'm really excited about some investigators right now. We have a Liu family, a Li family, and a Chen family. They each have their strengths and their weaknesses. We are doing our best to help them toward baptism and salvation, but ultimately it's their decision. It's sad when people make the wrong choices, but at the same time it's comforting to know God's eye is watching over them. He loves them. He wants them to return to Him and will give them every opportunity to make it home.
It's strange to have President Hoer leaving. He is so good. He makes a missionary feel like if they wanted to fly they could. There is no roof on this mission. He has given us a vision that is like nothing else. He expects nothing but the best.
I'm sure President Bishop will be the same way.
We are also having a mission conference this next month, and President Uchtdorf is coming. (He will pick up his two grandsons - one is in Taibei and the other is in Taichung.)
I love each of you. The work is going great. --Elder Spencer Harris
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Rain (posted by mom)
I can't even explain the rain. It comes down so hard! Missionaries pray so hard that it won't rain Sunday mornings. On Sunday, I called all our investigators who agreed to come to church each 3 times. 2 made it. I'm really starting to learn the use of testifying and promising blessings, because people really need a reason to change their lives--especially if it means coming to church in a down-pour.
Zhang Jie Xin passed his baptismal interview. He has been brought to church 3 times by a member. He currently has no mode of transportation. We are pretty sure we can get him a bike from a previous missionary. He will be baptized this Saturday or the next.
I have to tell you of a crazy dream that wasn't a dream, but felt like it. We got a referral through our mission referral system, we called it up, and set up an appointment for the evening. This guy is sounding really golden right.
So we go over there in the pouring rain. There is a big fence around the building. A man walks up to the gate, and yells for someone to open the door for him. A lady comes out and opens the door, invites us in, then shuts the door. I look at the gate and there is a lock on the INSIDE!! OH NO WHERE ARE WE?!!!!
We go in, and it ends up being a sanitorium! I can't even describe my feeling. She calls up, and tells us to go to level 5. In my head I'm thinking, "What's level five?!!!" We go to the evevator and press the up button. A resident comes over to the elevator and starts compulsively pressing the up button and looking around like, "It's broken!" Any way, we get in the elevator and the lady keeps pressing level 2 and she still has a confused look like, "It's broken."
We get to level 2, she gets off. On Level two, there are about 3 people standing there with blank looks on their faces. The thought again comes to mind, "What's level 5?!"
We arrive. We are trying to find a Mr. Lin. I start asking around what people's names are. Many of their names are Mr. Lin...
We finally find the right person. He loves to read and his room is full of books. We start teaching, He is very smart. There are about 5 residents in there listening to the lesson... A lady comes in and starts talking really loud. She must be a church member. She is shouting things like, "I'm a mormon." "There was a sister that was so good go me." "I gave so much money to the church to help them build temples and church buildings." "Hosana!" Needless to say it was a very interesting teaching situation.
The work is going good. I love each of you. --Elder Spencer Harris
Zhang Jie Xin passed his baptismal interview. He has been brought to church 3 times by a member. He currently has no mode of transportation. We are pretty sure we can get him a bike from a previous missionary. He will be baptized this Saturday or the next.
I have to tell you of a crazy dream that wasn't a dream, but felt like it. We got a referral through our mission referral system, we called it up, and set up an appointment for the evening. This guy is sounding really golden right.
So we go over there in the pouring rain. There is a big fence around the building. A man walks up to the gate, and yells for someone to open the door for him. A lady comes out and opens the door, invites us in, then shuts the door. I look at the gate and there is a lock on the INSIDE!! OH NO WHERE ARE WE?!!!!
We go in, and it ends up being a sanitorium! I can't even describe my feeling. She calls up, and tells us to go to level 5. In my head I'm thinking, "What's level five?!!!" We go to the evevator and press the up button. A resident comes over to the elevator and starts compulsively pressing the up button and looking around like, "It's broken!" Any way, we get in the elevator and the lady keeps pressing level 2 and she still has a confused look like, "It's broken."
We get to level 2, she gets off. On Level two, there are about 3 people standing there with blank looks on their faces. The thought again comes to mind, "What's level 5?!"
We arrive. We are trying to find a Mr. Lin. I start asking around what people's names are. Many of their names are Mr. Lin...
We finally find the right person. He loves to read and his room is full of books. We start teaching, He is very smart. There are about 5 residents in there listening to the lesson... A lady comes in and starts talking really loud. She must be a church member. She is shouting things like, "I'm a mormon." "There was a sister that was so good go me." "I gave so much money to the church to help them build temples and church buildings." "Hosana!" Needless to say it was a very interesting teaching situation.
The work is going good. I love each of you. --Elder Spencer Harris
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