The most dangerous week of my mission was this week. No worries I am safe, I am just oblivious because I can't read or understand anything. So this week started with A LOT of finding. We were out talking to people for over 6 hours a day and getting SO tired from walking all of the time. The other day we even met two gaijin (foreigners). One from Pakastan named Mohamed Ali (I laughed, I am a horrible person. It just sounds really funny when you try to say it in Japanese) and the other is Devon who.... SPEAKS SPANISH!!! I have another Spanish speaking investigator. So this only happened because of how hard we were working the beginning of the week. Monday through Thursday we only made 3 appointments and contacted about 100 people. We talked for about 6 hours a day and saw nothing. One night during planning we even laid down on the ground and laughed/cried(not real tears cause we are men and big girls don't cry)/complained for about 30 minutes. Then we realized we were being so stupid so we said a prayer and asked for help. The next day we had 4 people give us their information. We didn't even have to ask. We taught a lesson to them and they quickly showed interest and gave us their contact info. Prayers really are answered when we work our hardest. So this was Friday. Friday was the high of the week. We were on fire. We talked to everyone and we were so happy. It was pouring rain, we got soaked, but we kept going. We even annoyed a few people so we had to stop. But we just used it to our advantage and went housing. We tried a funny approach this week. It is called... In japanese Kyodai Dendo, which means.. brother missionary work? Wow it doesn't translate at all, but it is basically just going up to people and saying "Sato San!!! It has been forever! Do you remember me?!?! We were such good friends before." They get really confused and then we introduce the plan of Salvation to them. Some people get angry, others tell us they are Buddhist so they don't believe in it, and some people get happy and want to learn more. It was pretty funny. But the Scariest part of this week was Saturday and Sunday. There is a place in Sapporo called Susukino. It is basically the strip at Vegas, but on crack. No missionary is allowed to go there. It is a area of about 10 blocks. They have serious drinking problems in there and even prostitutes. So Tomita Choro and I had a dinner appointment with a family who we thought lived on the border of Susukino. We called the Zone leaders to ask if we can go and they said yes, that the member doesn't even live near Susukino. We were kinda confused. So and Saturday we went to the edge of Susukino and I can't read Kanji so I didn't know the address or understand where we were. Then my companion went in Susukino. At first I just thought there were a lot of people and lights everywhere and even a giant roller coaster. It looked like a lot of fun. Then we went further. Tomita Choro called the member to make sure we were in the right place and we were WAY off. We thought it said South 3, but it said South 13. So we ended up in the heart of Susukino. I have never felt so scared in my life. There were people everywhere. I had to get off my bike and walk. Tomita Choro was a head of me and I couldn't see him. People were trying to get me to buy alcohol, come to their store, and I even was approached by a prostitute. I was freaking out. I kept walking and didn't look or talk to anyone. The lights and people we so distracting. I found Tomita Choro and we tried to get out. We got on our bikes and went down this one road that had gang members outside of it and prostitutes lined up outside. We immediately biked away from there. We eventually got out of Susukino, but the whole time I was freaking out. My body was shaking and I could feel the spirit leaving me. I felt everyone looking and I even felt people grabbing me. Oh and we were only there at 7:00 at night. Just imagine what it would be like at 11:00. We made it safely to the members house and had a great time with them. Just being in their extremely white house felt sooo good. I literally felt like I was living Lehi's dream. I saw the giant roller coaster and the great and spacious building, but we messed up and went inside. Luckily we made it out and made it back to the white room, where they had the fruit of the tree of life (which was ramen salad and curry, super good) I promise you that whatever party may look fun, movie may look okay, or situation you may think you can control, it is just easier to avoid it. To be honest when I first heard of Susukino I really wanted to go see what it looked like. I just heard that they had a roller coaster and lots of lights. Well it is a lot different than that. We have commandments for a reason. Not just to protect us, but to bless us. It was way weird. I never thought I would have to learn this lesson on my mission. Yesterday we visited my favorite less-active member. Shirase Kyodai (the guy with the huge head) we found out that he lives in a gangs territory and there is a Buddhist sect that hates Mormons. Well somehow some of the Buddhist members found out that we have been visiting Shirase Kyodai and they were not happy. They basically went over and threatened him and us. We weren't their when the Buddhist members came over, but we heard about it and now we have to stay away for a while, because we may be being watched or followed. Either way we are targeted. Hahahaha sketch. It is so much fun. Basically this week was a lot of fun. Every week is a lot of fun, but it just gets better and better. I love you all so much. I am safe no worries. Just a funny week. Be excellent to each other!
Love YOU
Jake Snow Mecham Choro.
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