Fukuoka - Week 2 (Total, week 11)

Second week down.

I never expected the mission field to be so hard. But I guess anything is hard compared to the life I was living back home. 

Well we have 2 investigators with baptismal dates. Hopefully I don't get transferred before that. Still lots of contacting, which I didn't expect since we have so many people to visit. I guess we try and keep an even balance of contacting and teaching lessons. We have made a lot of progress these past couple of weeks. Right now we honestly have too many investigators, and too many less actives to visit. Very hard trying to get everyone into our schedule. I know that numbers aren't everything, but I'm very competitive, and honestly, our numbers are the best in our district so far. Which just is reassuring to myself that I'm working hard :). 

Last Pday we went to an outdoor mall place and just walked around. It was weird.. Today we are going shopping as well, I need more and more stuff as the mission goes on. I definitely did not pack the best that I could have. 

I am making lots of friends out here, especially in the ward. The ward I am in is awesome! On saturday, we played futsol with some investigators and a bunch of the ward members. I'm still very bad at soccer, but I scored, so I guess thats good! One of the guys from futsol came to church on sunday, and I think had a really good experience. I honestly feel like he will join the church. He was so spiritual. Last night we visited the ward mission leader to share a spiritual message. He ended up feeding us, and gave me a present, best day ever!! 

We also had our Eikawa this week. I felt like it was very very very awkward. Hopefully this week we can make it better. Not really sure how, but hopefully we can. 

Well I'm not really sure what else to write about this week. It was fun. I'm exhausted every single night, and go to bed at about 10. But it's good out here. Can't wait til I can speak the language, but until then, I'll just try and have as much fun as possible! 

My trainer is still way awesome. Way happy. And he is a hard worker, and very obedient which is good for me. 

Hope everyone has a good week!

Love kyle

(and from Mom.....Eikawa is English class, the little gift is a wood carving, carved using a magnifying glass! He promises pictures next week.  If you get a chance, he'd love a LETTER! an actual, handwritten or typed LETTER.)

Fukuoka - Week 1 (Total, week 10)

 Kyle in Fukuoka Japan! 

 Kyle and his district arrive from the MTC.

 Kyle and his MTC district saying goodbyes at dinner.

Kyle with Brother and Sister Gustafson (Mission President) with the Fukuoka Temple in the background.

Well my address changed:

810-0029

Fukuoka-Ken Fukuoka-Shi Chuoku

Hirao Josui-Machi 9-16
JAPAN

The first week in the field has been awesome! The food is amazing!! I haven't had the chance to try any sushi yet, but it's definitely on the list to come! The food honestly isn't as expensive as I thought it would be. So that's always a good thing. 

Traveling was nothing extraordinary. But when first arrived at the airport, and a bunch of the office missionaries and the mission president picked us up. After that, we went to the mission home, which is directly under the temple. We stayed there for 2 nights, and had orientation, and some interviews.

On our last night, we went out with an elder and started Dendoing (missionary work). We went and knocked on doors for a couple of hours, and actually found an investigator, which was sweet! After that, Gustafson Kaicho took us out to eat, and then we had Eikawa (English class). After that we finally got to find out who our companions were and where our new zone was.

My first area is Miyazaki. The people here are absolutely incredible. So nice! The ward has about 50-70 people that come to church. The branch president is from Las Vegas, and their whole family speaks English. A lot of people in this area actually speak English, so it makes it pretty easy for me. 

The day consists of waking up, studying for a few hours, lunch, studying for another hour, and then Dendo. We usually have an appointment or 2 during the day, but other than that we are usually contacting, which is extremely fun! I love talking to people, and seeing their reactions when we start talking to them about the purpose of life and such. It's hilarious! 

My companion is awesome. Always smiling, and is a very happy person which makes up for my unhappiness ;). The language is still very difficult, but I'm pushing through! All in all, the mission life is awesome!!

I think these are the new Elders he will be with (he didn't leave an explanation).

He made it! (Week 9)

UPDATE: Here is the message I received to let me know he arrived safely!

MAMA,
I made it to Japan, sorry I didn't call while in Tokyo, there were only 2 phones and I had no yen. I made it safe to Japan, it's awesome here so far! I get my companion and area assignment tonight! Things are awesome though!
Love you!! :)

**P-day changes to Monday, so hope  fully we will get it late Sunday night!!  Fukuoka is 20 hours ahead of Utah!!

Week 8 1/2 - He's outta here!

(This was written on Thursday, he is flying to Japan today!)  01/12/15

Well, we leave in 4 days. more like 3 and a half now! I feel like I'm not ready with the language whatsoever, but the Spirit will help me know what to say :) 

Honestly, at this point, I may or may not be most excited for some real food! Food that can actually be digested! 

This week we got to skype real Japanese members and teach a lesson to them. It was actually not as bad as I expected. She was one of the nicest ladies I have ever met! 

Me and my companion were chosen to teach the new missionaries "How to Begin Teaching". I guess we were recommended by our teacher or something. It was in front of like 80 people. I was very nervous. We had to do it twice. But it was good!

This weeks email is going to be short because I have to go start packing!! 

much love

kyle

His new mailing address is long and hard to spell, but he appreciates handwritten letters more than anything!!

Elder Kyle Davies

Japan Fukuoka Mission

9-16 Hirao-josuimachi,

Chuo-ku

Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka

810-0029, JAPAN

Several of Kyle's friends met him on Trax this morning and rode with him to the airport!!! He has great friends and family and is always telling me to tell everyone thank you!  He wishes he had more time to write and tell you himself.  He loves you all and is doing really well, here goes his 21 hour flight!

Week 7 - Happy New Year

Titled "At the Dentist"...guess he is always studying!

Looks like its about time for a haircut!!

I hope everyone had an awesome New Year's Eve. We partied it up and went to bed at 10:30!! There were a bunch of Elder's running the halls and stuff up until then! It was intense... 

The temple is closed today, so we have an extra long Pday. I have no idea what to do with all the extra time. Might end up studying.. who knows.

Japanese has been kicking my behind recently. There is just so much to learn, in such a short amount of time. We got lucky with our teachers though. I honestly think we have the 3 best teachers for the entire Japanese floor. One of them, who is from Japan, is the funniest guy I have met. I probably shouldn't say some of the stuff that happens.. But don't worry, we aren't breaking any rules :)

I finally got released from district leader on Sunday. I have gotten lots more sleep these past couple of days for sure! We also had an elder sick last week, so I stayed back with him and had a catch up day on sleep. 

For the Sunday Night Devotional, David Archuleta came for his birthday! It was amazing! He sang pretty much all of my favorite songs! Including "If the Savior Stood Beside Me". Nobody had a clue that he was coming. It was sweet! And Richard Elliot came with him. He is insane on the piano. You could tell that nobody wanted to listen to him at first, but he quickly earned people's respect. 

We got our flight plans yesterday! We leave the MTC at 3 in the morning on the 12th!!! I can't wait to get out to the field!! And the layover times aren't that long. It's only 21 hours of flight time. Way better then some of the travel time that I've had to deal with! :) 

love ya 

miss ya 

Elder Davies

Week 6 - Merry Christmas

6 weeks. Time is going by quickly still.

Today is Christmas! Best time of the year! 

Russell M. Nelson came today, he just talked on how to be a good missionary and stuff. Way good. We just had the talent show. I didn't do anything, but now I wish I did. 

I get to call home today! Way excited! :)

I have grown very close to everyone here, and it's going to be very tough leaving them all. Luckily most of us are going to the same mission, so that's good. 

Our devotionals this week were really cool. 

Sunday, we heard from Richard I. Heaton. He is the administrative director of the MTC. We also heard from his daughter who just got back from my mission. She was attractive.. but that's obviously not the focus. ;) They talked about how we have no idea what we are getting into. And how much love you develop for the people. 

On Tuesday we heard from Gary E. Stevenson, Presiding Bishop of the Church. He talked about how are best weapon is the spirit of the Lord. 

More district leader stuff happened.. lots of meetings.. fun stuff :) Well I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

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