Asia Calls Weeks 3 and 4

HONG KONG NIGHT SCENE

Weeks 3 & 4

We went with our fellow senior missionaries (we're still getting used to being called seniors, although there are some great perks!) to the Hong Kong Coastal Defense Museum on P-day.  It is a very old (think 300 years old) fort that was built to house soldiers that are on the lookout for pirates wanting opium.

ALKY'S SON KEVIN AND MARIAN
The Bhuddist burn these to send them skyward for their
deceased relative to live in.

Alky's 16 year-old son Kevin offered to take us to the Kowloon walled city on Monday.  20 years ago it was a thriving city with tall businesses and lots of businesses and walk-up housing. Unfortunately, it was riddled with crime and prostitution, with everything falling into disrepair.  The decision was made to bulldoze the little city and is now a very beautiful park with streams, flowers, trees, walking paths and a presentation about the old walled city.  

I'm finally learning my job better!  I process missionary applications that come from the Asia Area. There is a lot of computer work involved using things I've never had to use before, but I'm kind of enjoying it.  Dan seems to be enjoying what he does, but he wishes he was busier.  Some days are slower than others.

Hong Kong Temple

One of the two highlights of the week was going to the temple on Thursday night.  With our learning curve about the buses, we were too late for the 6:45 session so had to go to the 7:15.  What a delight to see that two of the Keung Sisters, Chi Mae and Chi Kung were both there!  One was working and the other a patron.  The next week we went to the 6:45 session and saw a third sister, Chi Fang, leaving with her daughter.  Chi Mae was also working that evening.  We love those people so it was very nice to be able to see them at the temple.

WE CUT THE CAKE; THEY CUT THE .....  PIG!

The other highlight was Saturday, going to the wedding of Chi Fang's son, Jason.  The wedding itself was held in the chapel in the morning, with a reception following in the cultural hall.  There was a tiny little cake in the shape of a flower that they 'pretended' to cut, for pictures only.  What they cut next was amazing:  a pig!  All decked out like in Hawaii for luaus.  They posed just like we pose for cake cutting, only they actually cut the cake all the way down its back.  After the reception and pictures we crossed the road to the temple where they were sealed.  That night we went to the party where there was quite a feast and more pictures and tradition ceremony.  The best part of the evening was seeing all of the Keung siblings together--all eight of them!

THE KEUNG FAMILY
Bob Tuttle and I baptized the two oldest daughters in 1972
L->R: Chi: Mei, Fung, Lai, Chung, Fong, Ming, Fun, Kwun

Two Sundays in a row we went to the Tsim Sha Tsui Ward where Dan was able to  make some connections for activation.  I always have someone willing to translate for me.  The talks again were wonderful.  The members here are very strong and able.  We stayed after church for choir practice which is a real experience.  Think 'Christmas Story'--Deck the Halls.......It's real!!!  Choir practice is the true test of dedication to our calling.  

Last Thursday night we went to choir practice with a group called Songs of the Heart, a choir of church members throughout Hong Kong.  They practice once a week for 2 1/2 hours at a time and sing some pretty difficult music.  They put their heart and soul into it.  It is led by Esther Chow, a local woman who majored in voice at BYU many years ago.  She is James Bertin's mother-in-law!

Once a month one of the couple is in charge of group Family Home Evening.  We had a fun evening here in our building eating spaghetti and salad, then playing a game where we divided into teams and tried to guess by recorded voice which prophets was speaking.  It was very enjoyable but mostly wonderful to mingle with all of the temple and mission office senior missionaries.  

I taught a piano lesson last Friday to one of the Filipino sisters, Perla.  She is very sweet and eager to learn.  The church has a wonderful piano and conducting course to be used to teach people to be able to play the hymns.  She wants to be able to play by June as the current pianist will be going back to the Philippines.  

Sister Sham- Kwun Tong

Sister Choi (Pleasantview) and Dr. Yau

We ended week 4 by attending two different sacrament meetings, the Ngau Tau Kok and Kwun Tong wards.  Again, Dan was able to make some connections.  We have some activities planned to get some of these people together with one of Dan's converts who is inactive living in Toronto but will be coming to Hong Kong for a month.  They were very close back in the day.  It is such a treat to visit these wards.  The members are so warm and welcoming--and humble.  

Street scene by Kwun Tong Chapel

We look forward to next Sunday when we can watch General Conference--one week after you.  We heard about Linda Reeves being released, and Brian Taylor being called as a General Authority. That's wonderful!  We're waiting to hear about our own area here as President Funk has served as president of this area for five years, and President Wong will be leaving in a few months to preside over the Vancouver BC mission replacing Ron Burt.

Bird cage in the Kowloon City park