Indonesia, Jakarta Mission 3/13 - 3/15

Thursday, November 6, 2014

November 2, 2014 Last Week in Tangerang!

We did have an interesting Halloween!  We spent the whole day moving into a new house!  They will be adding more missionaries to Tangerang this next transfer, and so I had to buy a new house a few weeks ago.  Now the contract is finalized, and we had to spend a bit of this week going around and buying new furniture and all sorts of stuff needed to furnish the house.  Luckily, we had a mission couple come and take us around in their car and help us.  Then on Saturday most of it got delivered and put together and we spent the day cleaning the house because it has gotten quite dirty from sitting empty for a while (and they don't do the cleaning for you when you buy a house here...lame.)  Sasturday we had to move all our personal stuff into the house because we have to start living there.  But there was a big leadership conference for the church in Jakarta that morning, so all the members that have cars were there, and we didn't have any way to move our stuff.  So the only thing we could think of was calling a taxi, but we had too much for a normal taxi, so we had to call a luxury taxi and used what would be like the equivalent of a Cadillac Escalade taxi as our moving van because that was the only thing big enough we could think of on short notice...It was pretty funny!  But it got the job done, but the driver was a bit confused...  But it was the nicest moving van I've ever ridden in.

The week was good on a spiritual front as well.  Mama V and V got confirmed in Sacrament meeting yesterday!  That was exciting!  And Brother W blessed the Sacrament for the first time and that was incredible to hear!  It was so powerful!  It was the most powerful sacrament prayer I have ever heard!  I think it brought tears to several peoples' eyes!  And he shared his testimony in testimony meeting!  He is so awesome!  So that was by far the highlight of the week was Sacrament meeting.  I had to give my farewell, as well, though.  It is hard transferring from this ward.  I love it here.  But Jakarta will be a good opportunity!

So, to share in Missionary Moment:  Tell everyone Hi for me and how much I love them all and how appreciative I am of all their support!   I don't really have too many really funny stories that I can come up with off the top of my head.  But The whole experience with Brother W has been awesome!  He has changed so much and become such an amazing member!  And his life has been blessed in other ways!  He just got a better job and so many other things!  Oh, Pak M came back to church again this week for my farewell, and really loved it and wants to keep coming and I think is preparing himself to tell his old priest off and to come get baptized!  Mama V's life has changed a lot--she has become a much different person in a good way--she has been blessed with more patience and she knows the peace and blessings that have come to her life through the power of the Book of Mormon.  I have seen people who I had faith in, but never knew how or when the Spirit could touch them become touched and changed and converted!  I know that the Book of Mormon has a special and incredible power to it that can bless anyone from reading it.  The gospel is so true, there is just no way that it isn't true!  I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and that Thomas S Monson is a living prophet today!  And I know I am right where I need to be, that this is a calling from the Lord!  Missions are hard at times (so is life), but it is all worth it.  We just have to follow President Monson's advice that you sent me a picture of and "Find Joy in the Journey!"

Well, I gotta  run cause I am running out of time, but I love you all and I will write you again next week from Jakarta!  Have a great week!  Love you!


Love Elder Wood

October 26, 2014 Another Baptism!


Wonderful day!! Mama V and V's baptism
Well, we had another baptism this week!  That was awesome!  Mama V and V both got baptized yesterday!  So that was super exciting and awesome!  They were both excited and happy and the service was nice and everyone was super supportive!  It will be fun to see them grow (well, it would be if I could stay and see, but I will be moving soon...more on that later).  They are still at such a baby stage in their progression, but they will grow and become stronger over time.

So, this has been a good but stressful week in getting them prepared for baptism.  Especially because we only met and started teaching V last Saturday.  So, from the time she started learning to the day she got baptised was only 8 days.  And during that time we had a 2 day trip to Jakarta for Zone Conference.  So that added another hickup to things.  But we ended up getting everything taught and ready in time.  It was like a race though.  But luckily she was already pretty well prepared and her mom was supportive and helped her along the way so that they could both be baptized yesterday!  We had to go out there pretty much every day this week to get it done, including getting up early on Tuesday morning and going out there before we went to Jakarta for Zone Conference.  But we got it done.  Needless to say it was an exhausting week, though. 

So, that was our main focus this week.  But other good things are happening as well.  Zone conference was awesome!  The mission is totally turning around for the better!  Last year we only got 60 baptisms the whole year.  This year we are already well over 100, and still going strong.  And next year there is a goal to get over 300 baptisms in one year, something never before done in this mission!  So that is exciting!  But, something that president stressed is "don't worry about the number of baptisms.  There will be many if all things are done right.  So go do it right!"  And that is something I have seen since I have been here.   Since President Donald has been here, and in the time I have been here, I have seen a huge change in the attitude and behavior and faith of the mission!  It has turned around dramatically!  President Donald has inspired the mission, and the missionaries are working together and working hard, faithfully, and with the Spirit, and the blessings are truly flowing.  And it is only getting better!  The hastening of the work truly is happening!  But it has been effected greatly by the obedience and attitudes and faithfulness of the missionaries!  I am so grateful to be able to be serving at this time with so many wonderful, faithful missionaries who are helping this change to happen!

So, sadly I will be transferring next week.  This is still a secret I think, but I will be moving to Jakarta and becoming a ZL.  So I am excited at the opportunity to serve more missionaries and help progress the work over a different scope.  But I will be sad to be leaving Tangerang!  That is a major bummer!  But the Lord has a plan, and everything will work out I guess.  

Thanks for all your letters each week!  I love hearing from you!  It is a highlight of my week, too!  Well, I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love,
Elder Wood


Elder Wood and Elder Troff (Jake is wearing the tie Elder Troff crocheted for him)