Monday, February 24, 2014

Taiwan post February 24, 2014

Dear Everyone,

This week has been very interesting. It was POWER week, which means you have really high goals for each day, and you contact everyone.

Monday: 2 sit down lessons with people you just barely met when knocking on doors...or on the road

Tuesday: we were to give out 13 copies of The Book of Mormon and receive the people’s information (we were not to hand out copies of The Book of Mormon like candy)

Wednesday: we were to talk to everyone for 2 straight hours, and we were to add 20 people. That one was a little rough, every single person rejected us for 2 straight hours, but after we got some contacts and new investigators.

Thursday: we were to give 5 new people week 5 baptism goals. We didn't have that much time to contact because we were meeting with 3 people that already had baptism goals. And then riding out to Daxia and meeting with some less actives.

Friday: we were to confirm 15 people for church. Which wasn't too bad. And we got to check up on some people that we hadn't talked to in a while.

Saturday: talk to 20 families. Which was the easy part, it was hard to switch information so that we could call in the future. But we contacted a family who were members just from Sanming. They were really cool, super sweet. Ye Jiemei had her baptismal interview, and she said that she will have her parents sign it that night. Which is super exciting. She is so awesome. She will be baptized next Saturday. She is amazing!!!

Sunday: 4 investigators at church. Which is sometimes hard to get people to come to church and to remember to wake up. But we were able to get 5 investigators at church!!! And 6 recent converts. This is sometimes hard to help recent converts understand the importance of coming to church. To help them develop a habit of coming to church and partaking of the sacrament. To help them understand why we come to church.

Sunday night Xu Jiemei got baptized. Her son baptized her, which was really awesome. Right now he is in the army so he had this one day off, so he was able to come to Nanzi and baptize his mom. She was so excited and the spirit was so strong. She is really nice and loves everything, and loves taking care of little kids. A lot of people came and supported her. Our recent convert gave the opening prayer, even though she was really nervous she did a great job. We are here to help as many people as possible to have the opportunity to follow Jesus Christ and receive salvation through him, his teachings and his gospel.

Love Sister Basko

Rachel, companion, recent convert baptism with son

 

giant crab on the beach

Monday, February 17, 2014

Taiwan post February 17, 2014

Dear Everyone,

This week was been a little slow. We have been doing a lot of tracting and calling phones. But it has been really hard to find new investigators. Then one Sunday we had like 5 set up. We had 3 new investigators come to church, that we had never met before. We setup follow-up appointments with them. Which was way awesome. We are going to have a baptism on Sunday, Feb. 23!!!! Super excited. She has been coming for a long time, but she has finally decided that she knows that this church is true. So we are super excited for her.

One of the return missionaries in our ward had her engagement party. She is getting married in 2 weeks. So exciting. We got to talk to her at FHE (Family Home Evening) on Sunday.

This week we were able to meet with our recent convert (who is deaf), and shared with her scriptures about charity. In Moroni 7:46-48

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

 47 But acharity is the pure blove of Christ, and it endureth cforever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, apray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true bfollowers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall cbe like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be dpurified even as he is pure. Amen.

 And we asked her what charity means, and she responded with Moroni 8:17,

(17 And I am filled with acharity, which is everlasting love; wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love; and they are all alike and bpartakers of salvation.) how charity is everlasting love. She is amazing, she has read everything, the whole Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. Which is amazing. As we continue to read God's words and ponder what they mean, He will open our minds to greater understanding and will help us to receive greater revelation in the future as we continue to learn. God will provide with many opportunities to learn of Him and will give us His help as we trust and depend on him. "His arm is outstretched still" He loves us and knows us. I know that this church is true, there are so many testaments of the truthfulness, and I have seen so many miracles and blessings.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!

Love Sister Basko

If you would like to read more of what Moroni has to say go to lds.org and click on scriptures and select Book of Mormon and look for Moroni in the list. He was an amazing ancient prophets, as are all of our Saviour's prophets. Love the Book of Mormon! mom

Monday, February 10, 2014

Taiwan post February 10, 2014

Mon/Tues/Wed were the last three days of Chinese New Year. And so now everyone is back to work, and kids will soon be going back to school. It was a very cool experience to still meet with investigators during this time. We found a 15 year old girl that seems super solid, she is ready she has never been to church and has no religious background, so we are going slow making sure that she understands. And she is loving it. We found another investigator who is just starting college, and is so awesome. She loves everything we are teaching her, and is willing to read everything, and do the invites we give her. We just gave her a baptismal invite for March 1. And she is progressing really quickly, and she loves it all. She is a little quiet so we are helping her get to know some more people in the ward. We are making lots of phone calls, riding long ways to find those that are searching for the gospel.

This week we had zone training meeting. So we got to see everyone in our zone. Elder Brinley, Elder Brown, and Elder Phil are all in the same zone...we all came to Taiwan at the same time. It is really cool to see how much they have progressed. We also had interviews with President Blickenstaff. It was really helpful to discuss what I can do to keep progressing and helping my language skills progress, and also to think about what has happened so far in my mission, and how I think it has been.

Taiwan has lots of interesting experiences. In the Nanzi ward we have an English sacrament. We also have translations during church. Which is super cool, I don't know if there are any other wards that have translations. But we have some foreigners in our ward, like Donna and Nafus and Joy...they are all able to speak Chinese. There are also 4 Pilipino members who are able to speak some Chinese but mostly English. And also at night have an English sacrament meeting for those that are not able to go doing the day because of their work. Many of members here in Nanzi have been on missions themselves. The majority of the members have been on missions, about 20+ years ago. So this ward is very strong. Love this area so much. I love my companion Sister Tung who is so strong and an amazing missionary. This church is true, any who have not had a chance to learn more, I encourage you to read from the Book of Mormon another testament of Jesus Christ and pray to know if these things are true. You will receive an answer and the truth will be made known unto you.

Love you all,
Love Sister Basko

Side note, today is Rachel's 7th month mark. Not that I'm counting, I just noticed that she will be gone less than 365 days. I know it will go fast for her.  mom

Monday, February 3, 2014

Taiwan post February 3, 2014

Happy Chinese New Year!!!!!!! It started on Thursday and ends like Tuesday...but really keeps going for another week. Most things will open again on Tuesday. Chinese New Year is similar to American Christmas, except they eat a ton every single meal....and they go to relative’s homes on certain days. So because there are not a lot of restaurants open we are eating at our members houses for lunch and dinner. Hot pot is very common, and delicious. They stick whatever you want to eat in a pot and it all cooks together and you eat what you want. Some new things I have had this week is shrimp eggs, they are red and salty, and fish eggs, squid pizza, and grass jelly. The food here is really good and can be healthy.

This week we rode up a mountain, literally. It was huge and dangerous. You would be able to ride up half way on the hill and walk the rest, then coast down on your brakes going down the other side. We went for while until we got to an area where there wasn't anything, so we stopped and asked a lady that was walking. She said we had past the place we were looking for...we went too far. So we went back up the mountain. It was very pretty but a very tiring ride. After that we headed back to Nanzi...very slowly.

The weather is quickly getting hotter. There is no longer any need for a jacket. Most days are hot during the day and warm at night. The bugs are another sign of change. They are coming out in full force, and exploring our apartment. Killing lots of ants and cockroaches...it’s fun. This week has been amazing finding new amazing investigators and getting to know their families. The work goes on and miracles follow and blessings of salvation to those who will accept to follow Christ and receive baptism.

Love Sister Basko
Sisters Basko and Tung