Forever a Missionary at Seoul

Monday, February 19, 2018

Week 28

I am in 동때문 (pronounced, Dong-Day-Moon)! I love it! It is an area known for the large amount of colleges and universities. And, has a lot of foreigners!

It is weird because all I had known of missionary work was the way I had done it with Elder Lowe, my last companion and trainer.

Now, I am in a new area, with a new companion and just about everything is new. It is definitely different! But, I still have the same purpose and work to accomplish.

I love this area because I am with a Korean companion, and I am learning so much Korean! I have actually learned a ton in this last week! Not just the amount of Korean I can speak, but about missionary work. In missionary work, almost none of it has to do with how well you speak Korean. I found this out because I can now see the difference between a missionary who is completely fluent in the language and one who is learning the language. It is all about your heart and how much of your willpower is your faith!

Yes, knowing Korean makes things flow so much more smoothly and makes things comfortable, but all that really matters is the actual work you give! I, for sure, am not looking to be comfortable. (If I am comfortable that means I am fine with where I am at and I am not changing, growth can hurt!)
So, from now on I will be working in the area as if I am in the USA speaking my native tongue. I want to be fluent at Korean, but what is more important is to focus on the people and helping them become converted to Jesus Christ! As I fulfill my responsibility as a missionary and make sure every single thing that I do is focused on the betterment of others, then everything else will follow.
It is sort of like what Elder Lowe and I were teaching 동호 (DongHo), our convert; that there are so many important and good things to do, but when we follow the Lord's will first He promises to provide the rest.

I love the Mongolian people in this area! The Stake President really wants to build up the Mongolian people in this ward, and so, I do too! My companion had helped one of the Mongolian members to become converted and be baptized. And, now we have one more Mongolian investigator (as of yesterday), and a Mongolian college student as potential investigator. I want to do everything I can to follow my leaders commands and to help them achieve the dreams that they have for this ward.

As our stake president said to the missionaries, "Miracles our coming our way. And, it is up to you Elders and Sisters to drive it forward!" 적극적으로 하겠어요!!

I am excited to change what is known as the ordinary in this area, to extraordinary!

Love you all!
Elder Alger

I love studying the English Book of Mormon with Smith

A trip on P-day to the boonies of my area with an odd Museum.

I hear this cart play music everyday in 교문. In English it says "Intestines CAME! Yummy yummy Intestines Came! Nice and warm Intestines CAME!" Aren't you hungry now?

An Olympic figure skating inspired video! https://youtu.be/ujwmbGIH2CM

Neighbors/Investigators/and Members alike were really kind and got me farewell gifts.

Goodbye Elder Lowe

Bye Bye! In the ones with my companions you can tell that they are in the morning because of my Asian eyes(Those of you who have seen me the mornings will recognize it)

Eating at Stake Presidents home. He is a super star!!

My companion gets to video call his family on the Korean holidays.

Meet Elder Lee Seki, my new companion!

Mongolian lunch at the stake president's

Olympic FUN!!!
We got to GO to an Olympic Skating Event just for one evening. We had fun there with a recent convert.

The view from my new apartment

My brand-spanking new home. So nice!

The last three I took the spot of an Elder that I was in the MTC with.

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Week 27

I am leaving 교문 (Kyo-Moon)...

I have been here for 4 months and is my first and only area so far.

I am very blessed to have been able to serve here in 교문. I am so thankful for the opportunity I have had to work with the wonderful leaders in my apartment, and also amazing members.

I have made many eternal friendships here. I love each and every one of my investigators, they truly are special. As I have served here, I could see and feel more and more how God does feels for them. They will always be in my heart. Especially, Elder Lowe and my convert and his wife. I will always be there for them!

The whole time I was working in the area, I had a vision to leave it better than when I came, and to establish the area. I definitely did not accomplish all that I wanted to in this area, but I did learn a LOT. I know that God is pleased with the work I have done in this area and I know now what it takes to get results, and how to accomplish what the Lord needs me to accomplish.

And, what is really neat-o is, the missionary taking my spot was my last companion, from the MTC, Elder Nelson. He and Elder Lowe are going to shoot off from here. Elder Lowe and I prepared the hearts of those we found, and taught. And, I know that they now can really make a difference in this area!

I though it is sad to leave, I am extremely excited to be working with Elder 이세기 ("E"-say-key). I have heard many great things about him. I am excited to start new, and apply what I have learned in my first area to help the people in 동대문 (Dong Dae Moon). I really want to learn everything I can from my new companion. I will fully immerse myself in the Korean culture and better learn the language!

There are mountains to climb!!

Love, Elder Alger

We play a traditional Kids game in Korea. 공기 (Gong-ki)

I lost the game. But, it was fun!

Here I am playing, very poorly, but having lots of fun! https://youtu.be/8qym3rqYru4

I love the traditional clothing. I was so close to buying them with my birthday money for the girls!

What Elder Lowe Calls his hobby, we visit members and drop off treats for them. Especially Less Actives. (From What I heard in the MTC 10% of all members in Korea active members, so there are plenty of people to visit)

Eating Dog. In Korea they used to eat dog, but now a days it is only the old people who lived in that era. It was not good, even the rice. And how can you mess up rice. Apparently you need to buy $30 ones for it to be good.

This is a video of me trying dog. https://youtu.be/qTXs5yqUqzA

Elder Lowe Said "That is Beautiful, I will take a picture of you" So we did. This area is a great mix of City and Farm

Even though we are missionaries doesn't mean we still can't celebrate Olympics. Elder Lowe really likes challenges.

This a cake that one of the members bought me for my birthday. I will miss the members when I leave to my new area

Monday, February 5, 2018

Week 26

I can't believe my mission is 1/4 over! It is going so fast.

This last week was definitely different from how we normally do missionary work.
With all of the new tools that we have on our phone, we can see missionaries' results being multiplied by how big their personal desire is. The work and outcome is reflected and amplified according to our nature, intents of our hearts, and our personal will. And, I can see why the safeguards are what they are. The safeguards for technology help to keep everything inline. They help us to be in tune with spiritual promptings, be focused on our missionary purpose, to be disciplined, and to be one.

This last week we got a lot done!!! And, it is all because of the trust God has in us being able to use these devices.

We finished recording all of our current investigators in the Area Book App. (It is soooo useful and I love being able to see what type of investigators they are, where they specifically need to grow, etc, and all on our portable device!)

Through Kakao Talk (Korean Social Media that everyone uses. Even the 80 yr old grandparents). We have been able to reach out to the same amount of people that we normally do, but in less time, and we have been able to get more of the result we need. Lots of people are wanting to meet with us.
Also, through Kakao Talk, we have been able to meet with all the people who give us the excuse of "I am too busy". When they say they work all the time or have to study, we invite them to do video conference meetings with us. By doing this, we can meet with more people in the week than usual, and reach out to our recent convert who hasn't been able to see us. He has been packed with his business's demands and other things.

And, I know that there are so many other things that we can do using the device to be even more effective. The opportunities are endless. I look forward to being able to learn fully what God has planned for us in using these new methods in furthering His work.

1 Nephi 13: 37 "And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up ... and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be."

He prepares the way!!!
Love,
Elder Tim

그냥

Sushi Buffet!!! I had never had Sushi until now!! Sooo good

This is our 할먼이 (In Korean, the word grandma, sounds like Harmony). We see her very often. She can't hear well, but I love my 할먼이(grandmas). You see grandparents on the streets often in Korea. They always have a cackle because they don't expect foreigners to be able to speak Korean. They go around the town and pick up any trash that they can turn in to the recycling unit for money. It is actually quite a sad way to get money, so we always offer to help them.