Elder Cowley/Shakespear – Brooklyn Chinese – Feb 3, 1997 – “INTENSITY – 15 MINUTES TO FIND A SUBWAY”
On Sunday we were a little early for church, so we decided to fearless for 15 minutes at the Subway. We immediately found a lady that was really excited to come to church but not then. She agreed for next week. She was in a hurry so we could not obtain her address and phone number, but we saw her again twice that week. At our first discussion she was just eating everything we told her and she confirmed her commitment to attend church on Sunday. She then told us that the previous Sunday, before we met her, she had prayed a few hours before that she could find the right church. I know that we listened to the spirit directing us to the subway station, as he placed prepared people across our paths. We only had 15 minutes.”
Elder Bollinger/Curletto – Staten Island 111 Sp – Jan 27, 1997 – “FERRY MEETING FAMILY”
At a Saturday Ferry Meeting I fearlessly a Spanish man Jaime, and gave him a BoM. He was mildly interested, and said to call him the next day, Sunday, to attend church. Sunday morning I called him, and he got his three younger children ready and came to church. They enjoyed it, but I was disappointed to learn that he was living with his girlfriend, and really had no intentions of getting married or moving. After church he told me that he would be very busy during the week, so I made little effort to contact him. This Sunday, Jaime shows up at church again, on his own, with the three children and his girlfriend. This is a great little family that just walked in to church on their own. This kind of thing only happens in Bushwick, right? We spoke with both of them a little and visited them on Sunday evening. The lord has been a long time in preparing these people. It turns out that the girlfriend has been secretly praying that her little family would find some kind of guidance in this world. She had tried to turn to a church, but with no help from Jaime, it died quickly. She was so impressed that Jaime had taken the children to church on his own, that she had to see what the church was all about. We will continue to work with them towards marriage and then baptism.”
Elder Kirk/Smith – Little Neck 11 Sp – Sep 29, 1996 – “BOOTH AT CITY COMMUNITY DAY”
We had a lot of success. We handed out over 75 videos, about 60 Book of Mormon copies, and we received about 30 referrals. We had people who had seen the commercials and wanted to call, but when they saw the booth and the Book of Mormon right there, it made them excited and they came up so we could talk with them. It was fun to see the excitement in their eyes.”
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Elder Esquibel/Jinadasa – Richmond Hill 1 – Sep 23, 1996 – “COMBINED BRANCH MEMBER/FTM STREET MEETING”
We had a very large street meeting last Saturday, with both youth and older members from the Branch. The Prices’ had made up some nice “flyers”, with all the church information on it. It was fun. We were on Woodhaven and Jamaica. When the traffic lights would turn red, we would pass out flyers to the stopped cars. I think we got about 60 referrals and gave away 80-90 copies of the Book of Mormon. Pres. McFarland had a blast. It was definite journal material.”
Elder Turley/Snider/Evanson/Jensen – Flushing 111 Korean – Sep 1, 1996 – “MANHATTAN KOREAN AND PORTUGUESE STREET MEETINGS”
Our joint street meetings held with the NYNYN missionaries has been successful. The meetings held on 32nd St., between 5th and 6th Avenues have provided several new exciting opportunities for the Korean program of the NYNYS mission. A renewed spirit of unity among missionaries, vital contact with investigators, the eminent finding of new investigators who not only live within Manhattan, but Queens also are keys inclusive to the success of the meetings which we have experienced. The contact with the North missionaries allows all of us the immediate advantage to learn from one another how to teach and baptize efficiently, cultivating enduring trust and exciting unity, which I feel imperative for the sake of all of New York City. Further, as both missions move forward together next summer’s change in the South Mission President, will be convalesced and take care of itself. Already the desired unity both Mission Presidents have shown gave us greater motivation and desire to do all within our own power to harmonize as missionaries. This opportunity to proselyte in Manhattan is only one such illustration. The acquiring of fearlessness, referrals, combined teaching appointments have already been discussed among ourselves. Simply stated our focus is “How do we become better servants of New York City?”
The first meeting held, I entered a photo lab and met James, who lives in Flushing and worked there until his company opened a new location in the city to which he was transferred. I had fearlessly seen him several months before and our communication was once again renewed. He also helped introduce me to and establish trust with a nearby deli shop manager who is also Korean. In the space of two hours one afternoon, Elders Snider and Jensen ran into former English class attendee and investigator Eunice Kim; whose parents also take considerable interest in our work. Minutes later they were called by our Branch President, who provided fruit and drink; essential subsistence especially on a hot day. During their conversation they happened to see a new convert, Gin Young Gi, who received the Aaronic Priesthood last Sunday and passed the Sacrament today. Another new member of 4 months, Sister Moon Hyun Sun and her younger sister and brother, both of which are non members, each work in the vicinity of this area, called Korea Town, enabling us to strengthen the entire family. Each person mentioned so far live in the Queens and Nassau Counties of our mission. Another dear new member Sister Ka In Soon also works on 32nd St, yet moved not long ago from Queens to New Jersey. The Manhattan city trip allowed us the opportunity to meet with, read the Book of Mormon, pray together and strengthen not only current members but former members who live elsewhere.
New fearlessness have led to various teaching appointments and increased church attendance by investigators. Tuesday evening Elders Evanson and I visited the friend of a Manhattan fearless in Astoria, Queens. Comfortable, spiritual, and leading to commitments to read and attend church we left with gratitude and excitement from Tong Hee’s home. Elder Snider met with the boyfriend and of an inactive member of the Korean branch and his friend, and with Elder Jensen taught an excellent first discussion, eliminating several concerns. I was able to meet both of them last night when we held an English seminar/introduction to the church at the house of the very sister who is inactive in Queens. The Lord is utilizing 32nd St as the surfer uses the rip curl turn on the surf, pulling, attracting, directing everyone together into action. I have felt this strong feeling being led by the Lord to certain places by feelings of comfort, peace or attraction on numerous occasions within my time in New York.
On a previous Manhattan trip, I entered a tie shop and surprisingly met an inactive member who, although attending another Korean church, desired to meet with the missionaries who ten years ago had baptized her. Another woman I fearlessly in Manhattan expressed pleasure and also shock at meeting Caucasians in the US for the first time who spoke in her own tongue. Several other contacts live in Long Island, Bronx, Manhattan and New Jersey. Since the sending of Elders Schenck and Williams to New Jersey, we have held a special relationship with the NJ Korean elders, from whom we learned new finding skills through teaching English. Knowing them personally gives us conviction as we speak with persons from New Jersey knowing they will be taught well. Thus the city street meetings come to benefit all surrounding missions as well. Proselyting in an integral Korean commercialized district inevitably gives the church needed publicity within the Korean populace which subsidizes 300 churches in Queens alone and aids to eliminate the common misconception among much of the Korean culture that we are a cult and non-Christian. Newness of opportunity, brisk, healthy vigor from a fresh new crowd impel urgency and thrill for the work of the Lord. Teaching and baptizing Koreans stemming from Manhattan evangelizing is no “pie-in-the-sky” as the rapid progression we have experienced already illustrates and notably the baptism of a member referral the previous summer in the Manhattan Korean branch provides.”
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Elder Porter/Crouch DL – Midwood 1 – Jul 15, 1996 – “STREET SWEEPS”
The most spiritual times this month have been all the great “street sweeps.” We’ve done several and it has really brought us much closer together. When you work for the success of others and see them work for your success, you can’t help but love them and trust them. I have an incredible district. Miracles!
Elder Fowler (DL)/Castro – Richmond Hill 11 Sp – Jul 5, 1996 – “HAIRDRESSING MEETING”
Last Saturday, we had a street meeting on Liberty and Sheridan with all the Zone. We even had a TV showing church and Book of Mormon videos on the corner. The meeting was going very well, when the Zone Leader, Elder Widmer, came to me and asked “How crazy do you feel?” He then told me to follow him. We picked up some slick poster boards that had pictures of Jesus and His baptism and walked into a Beauty Parlor for ladies. He said we could run off, because he could run off, because he was just sitting, waiting for a haircut. Dr. V. had a large audience. We then delivered our message. All eyes were on us. I was grateful for the opportunity to be grateful to have such a good and focused Zone Leader who follows the promptings of the spirit…only in New York City can these things appear normal and acceptable!
Sister Lewis/Lowe – Richmond Hill 1 – Jul 8, 1996 – “HUNGER TO BAPTIZE AT STREET MEETING”
Cory (Visa Waiter – Portugal) and I were fearlessnessing at a street meeting as a Zone. She stopped and looked at us closely in the eyes. She said “We are going to find someone who is ready for baptism today. Is it going to be a man or a woman?” I told her it was a man. She asked, “What color is his shirt?” “White,” I said. “What color are his shoes?” “Tan.” We started walking, saw some men who almost fit, but didn’t match. After 15 minutes we saw David, with a white shirt, white shorts and brown sandals. We gave him a Book of Mormon. This shocked us at how the Lord rewards our faith. I never thought anything like that would ever happen to me. The spirit is awesome.
Elder Simons/Florito – Uniondale 11 Sp – Jun 21, 1996 – “BUS MEETING/FEARLESSING FRENZY”
We had a large Bus Stop in our area, so we decided to change the Train Meeting and go there. We had a “Fearlessing Frenzy!” In 1.5 hours we got 30 fearlessness. It was awesome! New buses kept coming and going, so the people kept rotating. It was a big success. I love this work. Let’s just go out and get 300 baptisms. No more talk!
Elder Schwenke/Thornall – Flushing 11 Sp – Jun 24, 1996 – “TRAIN MEETINGS MUST CONTINUE – ZONE UNITY – 300”
We have really been a unified Zone this past month. We have now divided the Zone into Teams A & B. We alternate each morning, which team will fearless at the train. Every morning we have a train meeting. Everybody doesn’t then need to use the shower all at the same time. Each member of a companionship is present at one of the meetings, so every companionship will benefit. Elder Thornall told us that Train Meetings will bring more baptisms. I really do believe in not being compound and doing the same things every day. That is the joy of being a missionary in the “south”, doing wild and crazy things by the spirit. I spoke to Elder McNairy and said that before we leave the “South”, we must reach 300 baptisms in one month. I want to be a part of it so bad, it hurts. We are going to take this mission to that level and am prepared to do whatever it takes to reach that level. “NO FEAR!” T-SHIRT – (Front) We just don’t do it in the South! (Back) We do it better!”