Coming of Computers to Tokyo Mission July '11

Candace and Skip Donahoe - our new medical advisor and wife. Here we are travelling to Matsudo where there was an all Tokyo Mission Conference. We were invited to come to witness the greatest event in the recent history of missionary work - entering the technological world by giving each set of missionaries a computer and DVD player.

Matsudo Ward Relief Society prepared the meal for lunch. They went all out. They even purchased pizza, guacamale and chips, and these birthday cakes in addition to the regular Japanese bentos (lunch boxes) that the mission had ordered. They said they were so thankful to have the missionaries back after the evacuation and wanted to do something special to show them of their love.

Also, fresh cherries!

And drinks!

Here's an Elder eyeing the food!

There were about 130 missionaries there.

One of the RS sisters and her helper.

The Hobbs - mission office couple.

President and Sister Allred

Here's the reason for the meeting. It was just like receiving an early Christmas present!

President Allred has been working for two years to get a trial for computers to be used for missionary work. It was finally approved and this was the day to receive them and the DVD players.

Sister Hooker - one of our favorites will go home in a week.

The setting up and training were all so well organized. You can imagine the excitement!

Getting connected ...

And remember!

There are a limited number of sites that they can use and there is a "Net Nanny" that will keep them honest. If they try to access an unapproved site, there is an e-mail sent to Pres. Albrecht. They have Skype capability so on Christmas and Mother's Day they will be able to skype their families. Skype is mainly to be used for meetings with ward leaders, mission leaders and so forth. The possibilities are endless for the use of the internet, e-mail, showing DVDs. They are to spend 2 hours on it each day sending out information to investigators. Ward and Branch leaders can track what each investigator receives and know how they are progressing and how to help. The trial period will test how well this new technology is working. Baptisms should rise dramatically. If it is shown that this approach works, other missions will be able to be included. Tokyo is the first it the world!

Loved this Elder's tie!

On our way home, we passed this !

We were so glad to be a part of this history making day in missionary work. Japan has such long working hours that make it so difficult to visit members or investigators in their homes. Also, talking to people on the streets or trains is considered quite rude as the people value their privacy. The written language also presents a big problem for communicating. The computers can translate It will be so interesting to us to watch what happens in the next year or so. These missionaries are the technological "pioneers"!