When we received our call to come to Japan as an office couple, we never even entertained the idea of being responsible for a baptism. After all, we'd be in the office all day, surrounded by members of our own faith, assisting THEM in THEIR attempts to find those who desire to be baptized. At that time, we had no idea that we would interact weekly with members and nonmembers while we taught Eikaiwa
(English Conversation) on Wednesday evenings.
After two months of teaching this class, one of the class members--a retired professor of French (a 73 year-old Japanese) who also speaks Spanish and perfect English--invited us to participate in a five-hour English "talk-a-thon" to be held in his home. The invitees were a Cambodian girl (Seylene Duong), two Japanese fellows, a Chinese young man, and two Americans, whom you well know. Each person was to talk for 20 minutes about an assigned topic and then entertain questions for another 20 minutes. Topics ranged from Cambodian culture, Japanese business, the zodiac, Mormonism, and whatever-it-was-that-the-Chinese-fellow-spoke-about that even our host couldn't figure out! (Obviously, he was in need of a little more experience in speaking English before having attended such an eveing.)
Overall, it was really an interesting event, despite its length. We even took a break for dinner, which was a delicious Thai dish prepared by our Japanese host. As we listened to the guest speakers, this darling young girl from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, really created a special bond within each of us. She had received her BA degree in English in Cambodia and then was brave enough to come to Japan alone to work on her masters degree in childhood development, all with a goal of returning home to Cambodia to become a teacher. Her unique tale of her enjoyable family life with over thirty extended family members living under one large roof struck a chord with our faith's strong family values. She was a joy to listen to as she talked with animation and cheerfully responded to the many questions presented to her.
When we were leaving the office to head to this meeting, I had walked into the storage room to see what might be there should we be so inclined to share any pamphlets with the attendees. I grabbed a few pamphlets and then saw a small, lone copy of the Book of Mormon in English. Once the meeting was over I had no doubt as to whom I would offer the book. Seylene readily accepted it and the other pamphlets we handed her. We then told her about Wednesday night's Eikaiwa classes being offered all across Japan and asked if it would be all right for us to have the missionaries contact her; she lives in a city about one hour away. That, too, was fine with her. Elders Buck and Holden had barely contacted her, when Elder Buck returned home from his mission and was replaced by Elder Kanaida. Seylene is on the far right.
Well, over the past three months, Seylene and I corresponded often via email. She was also being taught and fellowshipped by four sets of missionaries (due to frequent mission transfers). Elder Holden was especially valuable in getting her started with attending Church activities and taking gospel lessons. Here she is, second from the left, with Sister Vail on the far left, who is now in Nakano with us. The Elders and Sisters planned a picnic that day after Church.
Even once he was transferred, Elder Holden was still able to connect with her on Friday evenings at a District Young Single Adult social event, called Outreach, which was within his boundaries and responsibilities to attend. One of the missionaries following after him, Elder Reynolds, was the one who actually committed her to a specific baptismal date. As luck would have it, Elder Reynolds returned home just two weeks prior to her baptism.
Well, TODAY, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, AT 9 a.m., Seylene was baptized!!! We left our office parking lot in the "mission beast" (a large dented van) at 6:45 with two of our young sister missionaries--Sisters Stevenson and Vail--and headed for Tokorazawa. When we arrived over an hour later (probably less than 20 miles away, however!), we were astounded by the beauty of the chapel, both inside and out! So far, it has to be the prettiest one we have seen in Japan! Apparently, it is only about three years old.
We couldn't believe how nice and big it was. Although the ward currently had only about 80 members there today, the two-story building already has a set of offices for an eventual second bishopric. What's awesome about the chapels here in Japan is that the chapel and cultural hall are the very same room. There are no permanent benches; instead, all seating is nice folding chairs which can be put away. Even the choir and "leadership podium" can be taken down, if necessary. At that point, the room is no longer a chapel and can house any kind of activities--from basketball to ward dinners to today's after-baptism celebratory party!
Seylene had initially asked if I could baptize her, but the missionaries explained that this was an ordinance performed by the priesthood. So she asked that Elder G both baptize and confirm her and that I give the closing prayer. She looked so precious in the white dress provided and did a great job despite her nervousness about the whole procedure. When they opened the baptistry windows to the crowd, she was frightfully, but humorously amazed (giggling) to think so many people were there to witness her baptism. I was relieved that it went perfectly and that neither she nor her hair nor her gown needed a second dip!
Sacrament Meeting followed at 10 a.m., and Elder G confirmed her a member of the Church and gave her a beautiful blessing--without even choking up! I was so amazed! Afterwards, we attended her Gospel Principles Sunday School class and then Relief Society. Throughout all three meetings, the missionaries translated the Japanese for all three of us. Seylene will continue to need translation as she attends that ward, but even if there is not an English-speaking missionary assigned to that ward, there are a number of Japanese there who do speak English and will help her. She has already made many friends who were there to support her this morning.
Just last Friday our talk-a-thon host, Yuichi Uchida, dropped by the office to visit and invite us to lunch . When we told him of Seylene's upcoming baptism, he was genuinely excited for us and for her. Despite the vacuum of religion in his life, he is intellectually curious and has been attending the English Gospel Doctrine class Elder G and I teach on Sundays. I believe he's attended at least four times now and checks in with us beforehand to see what he should be reading in the Book of Mormon for the upcoming lessons. When he congratulated us Friday on her upcoming baptism, we smiled and teased, "Well, you're next!" Although we may have doubts at this point, we do know that we have already made an impact on him and have caused him to think differently about many concepts he had never considered before.
This event has truly been a highlight of our nine months here in Japan! To think that we met someone, referred her, encouraged her, and then were able to baptize and confirm her is truly more than anything we ever expected! Truly, the worth of souls IS great, and equally great is our JOY in
bringing but one soul unto Christ!
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