The Effects of a Baptism

What happens when one person gets baptized?  Here is a perfect description of how lives are changed.  Thank you, Sister Ana-Lisa Clark, author of this post.  

Sister Clark, left, and Sister Nishimuro

This story begins in September when my companion Sister Nishimuro and I were trying to chase down 10-year-old girl who was scheduled to be baptized a week later.  We had to finish preparing her for her interview the following morning and were a little stressed out when she didn’t answer the phone and couldn't be found at home.  Her mom told us she had gone to play at a friend's house. Sigh! Fortunately, it was only next door so we decided to go and see if we could meet her.

We knocked and to our surprise, a kind-looking , beautiful brunette woman opened the door.  “Is Yara here?” we asked apprehensively.  “Oh yeah, she’s in here playing with my son.  Come on in,” she said warmly as she let us inside.  We talked to Yara and invited her to come with us so we could prepare for the interview.  As she was getting ready to go, we started talking with the pretty brunette mother, and found out she was Brazilian and spoke good Japanese.  She had been in Japan several years and was both working and studying at a  university.

We started telling her about being missionaries and found out that she had grown up Catholic.  We explained our purpose and started talking to her about prophets.  I asked her, “What would you think if there were a real prophet on the earth today?”  She paused…”I don’t know.  There are fake prophets, too…”  She then described a man she had seen on TV--a man in Brazil who claimed he was Jesus Christ.

We gave her a restoration pamphlet, exchanged names and numbers and promised to come back.

Over the next couple of months we weren’t really able to stay in touch.  We talked on the phone a couple of times, but whenever we came to her home she was gone.  We kept checking and didn’t forget her.  

Left to right: Sisters Clark, Takatsu, and Goodale
(We haven't yet baptized the "sister" in back.)

A couple of months later we came back—this time I had two new companions, Sister Goodale and Sister Takatsu.  We were able to meet her and teach her more about the Restoration. When we asked if she wanted to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet, she answered, "Yes."  Yay!

We started bringing Brazilian members to help us teach, and that was how the miracles really started.  We first brought a 22-year-old girl (Midhore) who could translate from Portuguese to Japanese.  As we finished the lesson Mayumi suddenly asked the girl, “What’s your last name?”  “Aratake.”

“No way!  I work with your mom!  And two years ago my husband worked at the same place as your dad!”

Wow!  What a connection!  Not a coincidence.


 The next week we brought Midhore and her father, Brother Aratake with us.  He brought such a great priesthood presence.  Despite his slight build and soft voice, he invited Mayumi and her husband into the lesson and set the stage with gentle but great authority.  When he taught, he taught with power, emphasizing and expounding on our simple statements as a second witness.  We sat in awe...and then as we invited Mayumi and Andre to be baptized, he took the next step, telling us to take out our planners and invited them to commit to a date.  That night he was our hero!

Mayumi continued to progress, waking up early in the morning to read the Book of Mormon.  She even brought it to work.  We heard reports from Sister Aratake that she was talking about the church at work, and refusing to hear bad talk about it from others.  Sister Aratake was impressed.  She told us Mayumi was seeming brighter and happier.

With Aratake’s help, Mayumi attended church for the first time and found she knew other members there from past jobs.  Though it had been several years in some cases, they remembered each other and welcomed her warmly into the Brazilian members' circle.  We couldn’t believe our luck.

We continued meeting with her.  We started bringing either Brother or Sister Ashikawa, English-speaking Brazilian members who lived near Mayumi and Andre, actually in the next building over.  Mayumi read almost everything we asked her and warmly welcomed our daily calls/texts.

One Sunday, however, when we were expecting her to come to church, she didn’t show up.  After our meetings when I called her to see what happened, she said, “This morning I got up and ready to go to church on my own.  But when Jean (her 7-year-old son) saw that I was leaving he cried and said, ‘Don’t go!  You’re always leaving!’”

When I heard her say those words my heart was pricked—how could we encourage her to do something that would hurt her family?  Her precious son?

We testified the Lord wanted her and her family to come to church together—and asked if her son (and husband) could come.  She said, “Jean said, ‘I don’t want to go.’”


Sigh.  We just continued teaching and praying for her--praying for a way for her son and husband's hearts to be softened so they would go to church together.

The next Sunday, Christmas Day, she came!  Apparently my face really lit up when I saw her because she laughed and said she wanted to take a picture (of my face).

We knew it must have been a sacrifice to come on Christmas, away from family, etc., but the challenge wasn’t over.  We knew we had to figure out a way to win over her son so he would come to church with her, but we felt powerless to do so.  Before he had always seemed to like us, but for a while he hadn't been responding to us.  Perhaps he felt we were taking his mother away from him.

One evening, on our way to a lesson with Mayumi, we stopped by the Ashikarwa family as we often did—and to our surprise found that Jean was there playing with the Ashikawa children.  Sister Ashikawa explained, “Mayumi called this morning and asked if he could come here because her and her husband have to work.”

We were excited.  Mayumi and Andre trusting members like that was a really good sign. They were becoming friends.  Later at Mayumi’s house, we asked Jean, “Will you come to church with us?  Rebekah and Helaman will be there."  He looked up with big eyes and said, “I’ll go.”

Since then he accompanied his mother and the Ashikawa family to both church and our Saturday children’s Eikaiwa class. The Ashikawa family thrived as they helped Mayumi and Jean.  They started making it to church in time for sacrament meeting--quite a fete with three young children!  The Ashakawa family children were especially happy.  They love church and they were excited to have a new friend to play with there.  The Primary teachers were thrilled, too.  “Jean is such a good boy.”

Mayumi was happy when she attended Sunday School and Relief Society combined with Priesthood for Brazilians.  She was always absorbed with what was discussed and really had good comments of her own.  For example, to the question "How can we work to decrease the power of evil in the world?" she answered, "We can share the Gospel."  Wow!


A few weeks later when she was getting closer to baptism, she shared a dream she had had, with the Portuguese Sunday School Class.  (They were discussing Lehi's Dream.)  She dreamed she had been standing near the dirty river that runs by her home in Brazil.  But when she looked up at it, she realized it was clean.  Then she saw me and Sister Hunt beckoning to her, inviting her to come into the water.


The whole Ashikawa family participated in the baptismal service for Mayumi.  Sister Ashikawa prayed.  She always gave beautiful and heartfelt prayers. Rebekah and Helaman sang “I Am A Child of God” in Portuguese for the musical number.  Afterwards the Primary president came to me and said, “I have never heard Helaman sing—that was amazing!  Thank you!”

Best of all, Brother Ashikawa was able to perform the baptism.  Both he and his wife, but he especially had been strengthened as we used them to help us teach Mayumi.

Though it was no doubt challenging with three young children at home, they gave up time in the evenings to come teach with us.  And because of it, they found a new friend and renewed motivation.

The morning of the baptism was beautiful.  Sister Hunt and I were riding our bikes on our way to church when we heard a familiar sing-song voice cut through the frosty air. “Hey girls!”  It was Sister Ashikawa.  The whole family, all loaded in their van pulled up next to us.  “Today is a good day,” she said.  “It’s a wonderful day!” I answered back.  We arrived at the church together and began to prepare.  I was so impressed-- with three young children they made it to church so early.

Left to right: Mayumi, Andre, Sisters Clark and Hunt
Front: Helaman, Andre (son of Mayumi and Andre) and Rebekah

After Sister Ashikawa watched her husband baptize her new friend she came to me amidst a crowd of people, hugged me and with tear-filled eyes said, “Thank you for everything you have done for us.  I am so happy!”

Mayumi and Andre

One of the best moments ever!  Not only was one daughter of God baptized.  Two families were brought together and brought to church.  We couldn’t have helped either family without the other, and we had tried.  But God knew the way to bring them to Him, through each other.  I’m so grateful we got to be a part of this beginning of an eternal journey and friendship.

Brother and Sister Ashikawa, Mayumi and Andre, Sister Aratake

September 2011 New Missionaries!

We welcomed 8 wonderful new missionaries to our mission this week! Elder Koesashi (Takasaki), Elder Iwata (Sapporo), Elder Tojo (Kumamoto), Sister Stott (Utah), Elder Hernandez (California), Sister Takatsu (Saitama), Elder Johnson (Utah), and Elder Clark (Utah). We are excited to see the amazing missionaires they will become!

A picture with all the new missionaires and
their new trainers outside of Meito church.

Elder Iwata (left) with Elder Hooton - Yokkaichi

Elder Shinichi Iwata comes from a family of four, and they have much unity.  He loves computers and music.  He feels the spirit when he plays the piano and sings.  His goal is to baptize people because it is a miracle for him.  Reading the Book of Mormon makes his heart burn in good ways, and he knows the Gospel is true and that Jesus Christ lives. He is excited to learn a lot on his mission. Elder Hooton is a good listener and communicator.  He is aware of people's needs, and his greatest strength is his faith in Christ.

Elder Clark (left) and Elder Berrett - Toyota

Elder Taylor Clark hales from Wellsville, Utah.  He plays the cello and sings. He also enjoys sports, but not for competition.  He hopes to have a positive impact on people in whatever occupation he chooses. He stays calm and tries to be tactful when dealing with problems.  He is also a hard worker.  He has read the Book of Mormon several times.   Elder Shane Berrett says he likes longs walks on the beach and candlelight dinners.  He is a very visual learner.  He loves activities and getting people together.  His favorite part about being in Japan is the children.  He says he's pretty well 100% sure that Japan has the cutest kids in the world.

Elder Koesashi (left) and Elder Gottfredson - Kanazawa

Elder Ken Koesashi has an older sister who has been a great example to him.  She is currently serving in the Kobe mission.  There are four children in his family and they live in Gumma-ken, Japan.  He loves to read because it increases his imagination.  He played tennis in high school and loves it.  He would like to get a job that has something to do with books because he enjoys them so much. 


 Elder Gottfredson loves to tell jokes and be funny.  
He has great Japanese, and has trained several people in the mission.
He is easy to get along with, and obviously a great trainer.

Elder Harnandez (left) and Elder Duarte - Suzuka

Elder Brandon Hernandez calls San Marcos, California home.  He loves to draw because he is good at it.  He also loves to read.  He enjoys Japanese Animi artwork and the language.  He hopes to get a degree in criminal justice and pursue a career as a detective of the police department.  He is easy going and energetic, loves to meet new people, and is good at public speaking and athletics.  He is also good at follow-through.  He was very excited to be called to Japan and had no qualms about coming. Elder Duarte is always a happy person, according to one of the other missionaries.  He passes that on to others, and most people really like him.  He also really loves to play soccer.

Elder Tojo (left) and Elder Skankey - Ina

There are five in Elder Nariaki Tojo’s family, and he is the youngest, except for the family turtle, who lives in front of the genkan (the entrance to their home).  He is sure the turtle will be waiting for him in front of the gankan after his mission.  

One of Elder Skankey's former companions says he was a good companion.  He is very obedient to mission rules.  He is learning Portuguese as well as Japanese.  He was blessed to be the branch president in Ina. 

Elder Johnson (left) and Elder Kusume - Ise

Elder Nathan Johnson’s family is big, and he loves them!  
He loves to scuba dive, hang glide, draw and be creative.  
He took Kungfu for four years and was also taught Samurai sword technique 
from four masters and says he could be deadly if he had a bad side.  
He loves Japanese Coolish ice cream and thinks everyone is amazing 
once you get to know them.


Elder Kusume says he wants to marry a person who he really loves
and have three children.  He is cheerful and has lots of friends.
He wants to serve a mission because he wants to share
his happiness with many people.  

Sister Stott (left) and Sister Masuda - Takayama

Sister Lauren Stott is a triplet, and she has learned patience from being always a threesome.  Her triplet sisters are Nichole and Chelsea and she has an older brother as well.  Sister Stott loves reading, singing, dancing and drawing.  She also enjoys quiet, peaceful activities like hiking and swimming.

Sister Masuda has been called by one missionary, "the most beautiful girl I know."  It was also said of her, "She is very radiant and a strong influence for good."  How nice to have that said of you.

Sister Takatsu (left) with Sister Clark

She is friendly and happy, doesn't like to waste time, and even likes fun activities
to have a purpose.  She is focused and hard working.

Sister Maori Takatsu from Tokyo, Japan has six sisters and a brother. Sister Takatsu has 
a social worker’s qualificiation and hopes to become a public servant at 
welfare service, especially to help people with mental illness.  She has a go-getter 
attitude and a desire to improve. 

May 2011 New Missionaries

This week we received three new missionaries.  Welcome to the mission--we already love you.

Sister Sakura Saito comes from a family of five, and both of her parents served as missionaries in Nagoya.  She is from Kanagawa, Japan and she loves her family.  She took piano lessons for 14 years and loves music because it brings the spirit.   One person who knows her well said Sister Asahi Nishimuro is one of  the most gifted teachers in the mission.  She comes to us from Yamanashi, Japan  and is serving at the same time as her brother.  She has two sisters who have also served in Japan. Elder Thomas Huish calls Mesa, AZ home, but he has also lived in Washington, Kansas, and Oklahoma.  He enjoys most sports, especially wake boarding and snowboarding.  He hopes to become a mechanical engineer, work for a company and design weapons or start his own design company.  Elder Huish is outgoing, strong willed, and trusting.  He wanted to serve a mission his whole life. Here they are with their trainers. Left to right:  Sister Nakatsuka training Sister Saito, Sister Nishimuro with her trainer Sister Clark, Sister and President Baird, Elder Huish with his trainer Elder Ikeda >

A Relief Society Angel

Sister  Anna-Lisa Clark

Sister Akahane, a part-member sister from the Matsumoto Branch who serves as the visiting teaching coordinator of the Relief Society, is in my opinion, the very kind of angel spoken of by prophets who goes about doing good.  She is the most active visiting teacher I have ever seen, visiting numerous less-active members, always with a gift of a food item in hand, often things she grows or makes herself.  She takes us with her by car occasionally and we too never leave empty hearted or empty handed.  She give us great meals at her home, jars of homemade jam, and bags of fresh huge apples.

My last week in Matsumoto, she took us to visit a non-member friend of hers whose name came up when we did fulfillment and follow-up with her.  Her friend welcomed us warmly and we had a great visit.   It turns out she had already read a good amount of the Book of Mormon that she had received from Sister Akahane.  I was impressed with how willing she was to get to know us because of the influence of Sister Akahane’s friendship.

That same week we visited a less-active sister who has at times heard and believed negative things about the Church.  Sometimes she was really hard-hearted, but as we worked with her, showed love and bore testimony, things improved.  When we last visited her, we were surprised as she pulled out the Book of Mormon, listened more attentively than ever, said she had been reading and even shared with us her conversion story.  We were wondering why she seemed so changed when she brought up a recent visit by her visiting teacher where they discussed recognizing the spirit and she had begun to think back on her experiences and had begun to find things that seemed like inspiration.  How grateful we were for those visiting teachers, one of which was our local ministering angel, Sister Akahane.

Sister Akahane’s husband (non-member) is a woodcarver by trade.  He carves all kinds of things, including statues and things for temples and shrines.  Lately Sister Akahane has been learning a little herself.  Knowing that transfers were coming up and that between me and Sister Mimaki I was the one most likely to go, she made and painted a little wooden pendant, carved in the shape of a flower, and gave it to me as a special gift.

What an honor!  I will treasure it as a reminder of her faith and example.  I pray it can help me remember her testimony that she shared so freely in word and in deed.