Jakarta - Week 2

Hello!!

This week was kind of like a roller coaster with people cancelling and then some people being super incredible and just wow!! Here's how it went.

So on Monday we did end up going to Monas which is kinda like Indonesia's statue of liberty. We went up to the top and got to look over all of Jakarta and it's HUGE! Also all of us "bules" (white people, foreigners) were basically celebrities. People wanted to take their pictures with us haha. Elder Blazer talked to them and was able to give them a passalong card. I didn't understand a thing but it was great fun! After we went to a member family's house for dinner and FHE. They were really kind and super fun. 

 The Monas

 Our group in front of the Monas

A view from the top!

 

Tuesday..well I honestly don't remember what we did. I think it was kinda full of errands because Sister Peterson was getting ready to leave the next day. 

Wednesday we sent all the missionaries off! Some home and others, like Sister Olsen, to their first areas. I haven't heard from her yet but I'm sure she's doing fantastic! Her trainer is Sister Hunt who I actually got to spend a couple days with. She's incredible. 

Thursday was my first official day as Sister Narko's Rekon! She is AWESOME! She's super nice and a very good teacher. She has a very strong testimony and I am grateful for the opportunity to be with her. Most of Thursday was spent trying to contact. We also visited a less active family (a brother and sister) and the sister is blind so we read the Kitab Mormon to her. She was very kind and did a lot to try and talk to me. 

Friday we had DDM with our new district leader Elder Widodo. President gave us a really inspiring quote by Elder McConkie about our calling. It talks about how we are called to be a personal representative of Jesus Christ. We are to do and say the things that Christ would do and say. WOW that's a huge calling!! I think the theme for me this week was attempting to understand my purpose of being a missionary. "How great is my calling." Both in how amazing the opportunity is and the responsibility. It helps to put a lot of things in perspective and be mindful of what is truly important. 

Saturday we had 3 appointments. YAY! It was so nice that none of them cancelled. The first one, she is from Medan, and talks VERY fast. I didn't understand anything she said but I was able to follow Sister Narko pretty well. She had a hard time grasping the Book of Mormon. I'm still not sure exactly what happened but I think she left wanting to know more!

Our second was a girl from Australia. She is AMAZING! She is so sweet and so kind and the Spirit has really prepared her! We already have a baptismal date set for her!!! She just has to quit smoking first. She told us a lot about her life and how her brother is a recent convert but it's just amazing how the things that she's had happen in her life have prepared her to receive the Gospel. Wow! I'm very happy for her and I know the Gospel is going to bless her life immensely. She does too :) That's the great part!

Our third was to a family again I wasn't really sure what happened. The kids were loud and the father spoke a lot and the mother wasn't there often. I think it went well overall but You'll have to ask sister Narko about that. 

The language is coming! I'm still learning but I think I'm understanding more. I wasn't completely lost yesterday at church...just mostly lost ;) I did have the opportunity to teach in the English ward which was a nice opportunity. I taught the youth about missionary work. YAY! 

Well I know the Church is True and I know that Christ's Gospel has been restored on the earth. I'm so grateful for that and for the love that I've received. 

Love you all!! And thank you for all the love and support!

Love,

Sister Sperry :) 

 An angkot, our transportation in the city.

 Home

A view of the street.

Jakarta - Week 1

Halo semua bagi JAKARTA!!!!!

Well I've made it! It was a long and...well just long trip over here but we have made it and oh my goodness it's crazy! There are so many people, the traffic...well there are no words to explain the traffic, and it's wonderful! My first area is going to be Jakarta with my trainer Sister Narko. She's lived in Indonesia her whole life (Malang) and she's so cute and fun to be with. She's not officially my companion until Wed but Sister Olsen and I are staying with her and Sister Peterson until then.

In the air for all of Wednesday, September 11.

Jakarta traffic

So the first day my MTC district got here we were all super excited, and super jet lagged ;) The AP's took us out with them to run some errands because we wanted to see some of the city. It was kind of a bad idea though because we were all attempting to not fall asleep. Let me tell ya, I have slept SO well here! I am exhausted every single day...it's great :) Anyway we got to see around and everyone was calling out to us "Hey bule" or "Hey mister". We are not the majority here and people kind of stop and stare when they see any of us walk by. Also when we start a conversation with them, then they get super confused ;) I try to talk even though I don't understand...usually the other sister I'm with will help me.

There are a lot of motorcycles

The next day is when we met more of the zone. We got to introduce ourselves and then go out for KFC ;) Don't worry I've had lots of authentic Indonesian food and wow it is SO good! But I guess KFC to them is like Los Hermanos to me, so it was a treat. The food here is amazing. I love it! Sometimes it's iffy and the little guys you are eating still have eyes but you just don't think about it and enjoy it anyway! I also had my first appointment that night and she made me and Sister Peterson food and then we watched a short movie with her. She was very sweet and I'm excited to see her again.

Jakarta missionaries

Saturday Sister Peterson and Sister Narko had to go to a far away city to meet with someone so Sister Olsen and I went on splits with the other Jakarta Sisters, Sister Neis and Sister Hunt. I went with Sister Hunt and we attempted to visit  a less active member but she wasn't home. So we went out and got lost but played with the some kids, taught some others a song in English and handed out pass along cards to their parents who were interested. It was really fun! Sister Hunt helped to learn how to ask for directions and talk to people. We also were able to hand out 3 Kitab Mormons! One of them contacted me yesterday but I don't think he's very interested after all. Maybe one day he will be!

Yesterday I couldn't understand anything that was said in the Indonesian ward but it was still fun! I met a lot of really kind people and ate some more good food. Sister Narko and I also taught an Investigator name Liah and extended the baptismal invite. She said she will after she prays to know it's true. YAY! Then that night we went to a member's home for dinner and that was really kind of them. I also learned how to cook a little.

Today...I don't really know what's going on. I just kind of follow everyone else. We might be going to a national monument but I'm not entirely sure...I'll let you know next week.

Well have a safe and good week! Remember that God is aware of each of us. He is in the details of our lives and loves each and everyone of us. Turn to Him in trial and confusion and He will lead you. That's something that I learned when we got lost. We said a prayer and we eventually lead to give away many things and hopefully plant a seed in many people.

I love you all!!! Thank you thank you thank you for EVERYTHING!!!

Love,

Sister Sperry :)

In the middle of the street?!?

 

Sis Sperry and Sis Olsen happy to be in Jakarta!

Indonesia! Sister Sperry has arrived!

Dear Brother & Sister Sperry,

Thank you for sending us your wonderful Daughter to serve with us in the Indonesia Jakarta Mission. As you can see she arrived happy, safe and sound.

You can expect to receive an e-mail each Monday from Sister Sperry.

Regards

President & Sister Donald

MTC- The final week!

Apa kabar?! 

Well it's finally the last week! And I am SO excited! So is the rest of the district. Of course we are all scared too but mainly just excited. I can't believe the opportunity is finally here. We leave in the afternoon on Tuesday and because of the dateline will arrive in Jakarta on Thursday. I wont have a Wed next week! Apa?! 

 So this week is kinda crazy...we have 2 baptismal dates set up!! WOOT! Jon and Joko both basically asked to be baptized this week which was crazy but a huge blessing. Sister Olsen and I weren't expecting it at all and I've gotta tell you it wasn't us. If I learned anything this week it's that this is God's work and The Spirit is the real teacher. Sister Olsen and I may have taught some lessons and befriended them but it is The Spirit that really touched them and gave them the desire to be baptized. These two are such amazing men who only care about their family and want the best for them. Joko is really impressive. Joko is the inactive Muslim man who has absolutely nothing. He makes his living by recycling things and getting money from that. He saved up enough money to fix his motor and bring his whole family (a yr old, 1yr old and his wife) to church on Sunday which is a 30-40 min ride from his house. I can't imagine how many meals he must have missed to be able to fix that motor. Heavenly Father truly provides a way for all of His children to fulfill those things that He commands and He wont let us fail if we are truly trying. That's another thing that has come up this week. You really need to put forth some effort to receive those blessings that Heavenly Father wants to give to you. You have to exercise the faith that you have. I am really grateful for Joko and his example to me and for all of the investigators that Sister Olsen and I have had the opportunity to teach. I haven learned a lot for each of them and I can't wait to get to know those in Indonesia that I have the opportunity to know. 

So this week is supposed to be all Indonesian but our district has been struggling. Lately I have made it a personal goal to not speak at all, unless it is in Indonesian. It is not easy! But it is super fun ;) No one recognizes the language so everyone is really confused when we attempt to talk to them. I have to act out what I am trying to say most of the time but it has been a really great learning opportunity. I'm also so surprised at how much I can say! Haha it makes me feel pretty cool but I know that feeling is going to leave as soon as the plane lands on Thursday. 

Sorry about the short letter but there's lots to do!! Thank you EVERYONE for the love and support that I have been able to receive. I really am such a blessed missionary to have such an amazing support system.  Until next week!!

Love,
Sister Sperry :) 

The infamous MTC map.