Hello Family and Friends,
I loved the pictures and videos Ike they were great and I was able to watch. I really feel like I am getting to the end of my mission. I just feel different. I would say the Elder Hawkins now versus the Elder Hawkins at the beginning of my Mission is a much more relaxed one. I am enjoying my companion. We do have fun together. He was sick this last week for a bit but it really is amazing to see the difference between a native at work and a white guy at work. I prefer the native. The work has picked up and I am getting more help from my companion with the language. I was humbled of course at first and my companion is helping me do better with some of the basics that come with Missionary work which is good. I found it funny, one morning he noticed that my tie had been poorly tied, I had missed a couple spots of hair while shaving, and I had not yet memorized the Joseph Smith experience, when Joseph Smith uses his own words to describe what happened, in Chinese to use while teaching---for as old a missionary as I am, I still need someone to help me with the basics. But then just this morning I ironed my companions shirt while we were getting ready to go to the Temple. Its just preparation for Marriage. The Lord really is patient. But I am doing better; I am grateful that the Lord has helped me to understand it is OK to be human. I do not mean it is OK to be complacent, but we are human and that means a lot. We have incredible opportunities for growth. My Chinese is not the best. But I see myself continuing to study it after the Mission and the fact that I speak as much as I do is great. I had just informed my Mission President this last week that I would be going home June 17th, so the fact that you already received that notice was fast.
Well, Emily H., I have grown a little more tired and such and I have thought that my blog needs only one more update. If you could copy and paste this email as that last update that would be great. That is just easiest. Thanks for the help. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord. I know He Lives and has Restored the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope all continues well at home. Some things do not change. Ben was painting rooms for Ma while Dad was away before I even left for the Mission...haha (Just got to laugh about it now Dad...Ma really is smart and she has created a beautiful home for you!)
My Love Always
Elder Hawkins
p.s. Yeah I totally know Sister England she was in my same district. She was cool and I hear she was a great Missionary. We never really served around each other but yeah we were in the same MTC group.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Monday, November 22, 2010
November 8, 2010
I am almost 3/4 the way done with my service as a missionary. At the moment, I continue to help the Filipinas working here in Hong Kong as Domestic Helpers. However, I am no w also responsible for teaching any Indonesian Sisters that have interest in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. My missionary companion is Chinese; although he was raised in San Francisco. He is most comfortable with English but he also speaks Cantonese and Mandarin. Interestingly, he also has a speech impediment. He is one of the most innocent persons I have ever met. We have had several discussions together about what is and is not important in Missionary Work as well as in life. We have both learned a lot during this time. It is very difficult for him to contact people on the streets but he has made great progress. It is humbling to be with him, as it can be even more difficult to do the work at times., but we have great fun together.
It has been wonderful to watch people I previously taught receive the blessings of the Gospel as well as continuing to help new people enter into the church. There is a great satisfaction that comes into my heart when I know the Lord is pleased. Basically, I have learned a great deal about myself and the world as I have served. This will be my second Thanksgiving & Christmas in the Mission field, but I anticipate these next 7 months will come and go quickly. I pray all is well with those who may take interest in these words.
Best Wishes,
Elder Hawkins
It has been wonderful to watch people I previously taught receive the blessings of the Gospel as well as continuing to help new people enter into the church. There is a great satisfaction that comes into my heart when I know the Lord is pleased. Basically, I have learned a great deal about myself and the world as I have served. This will be my second Thanksgiving & Christmas in the Mission field, but I anticipate these next 7 months will come and go quickly. I pray all is well with those who may take interest in these words.
Best Wishes,
Elder Hawkins
October 11, 2010
At this point I am drawing closer and closer to the homestretch of my mission. Next June I will be coming home. I do not want to linger on that thought any longer than I must. I am doing well here in Hong Kong. After being with two Mandarin-speaking missionaries, I am finally with a Cantonese speaking missionary. He is an American born Chinese. He is from San Francisco, and is probably the nicest, most sincere, missionary I have met. He is very very innocent in all things. He has a speech impediment which makes conversations and teaching with him slower, but I have had some wonderful experiences working with him. As I watch him try to contact people on the street and share the Restored Gospel with them, I have felt the joy that Heavenly Father must feel to see His children doing their best to serve Him. "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God." As of right now, we are helping the Filipinas as well as Indonesians learn about the Restored Gospel. In Hong Kong, more and more Indonesians are becoming Domestic helpers; but the majority of attendants at church services are Filipinas. Probably the result of the backgrounds from each respective place being different-Christian and Muslim. Some Indonesians are very sensitive to the influence of the Holy Spirit which helps them to recognize the truth, however. It is all interesting to watch and see. I would like to see at least 1 Indonesian enter the waters of baptism while I am here. In any event, I am working with some really cool people, with some great stories. I am constantly learning and working. I anticipate that all is well back home and with whoever reads this. Thanks for the support.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
August 23, 2010
Hello Friends,
The summer has been drawing to a close now. I have spent this time still in service to the Filipina Sisters here in Hong Kong. It is a tough situation they are in. It has been a great blessing though to help these people learn about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their tough situation requires a strong faith in God. I have continuously been finding and teaching people. Several have entered the waters of baptism and covenanted with God to keep His commandments. It is wonderful to watch. My companion right now is Elder Reber from Springville, Utah. He used to play rugby and is a really good guy. I can share a couple of experiences we have had together.
First, an Irish man who had been drinking came into the chapel one evening and started talking with different sets of missionaries. He would talk about many things and would offer up profane words at several points in the discussions. He did not want to learn, just argue, and blaspheme against God. We gave him the hint that he needed to leave; I was extremely tense through the whole situation, but after some time he finally did leave. Pride is an enemy to all righteousness.
Second, a Filipino murdered several Hong Kong tourists in the Philippines. As a result, several Filipinas lost their jobs in Hong Kong or were scared to go out of their houses on their holiday. There was a protest nearby recently. Several people we have been teaching were affected by this situation. As a missionary, you automatically stand out. Because I help woman, primarily, learn about the Gospel, I stand out even more; and when you are surrounded by Chinese people during this tense situation you can draw many stares and life can be very interesting. But, I have enjoyed the work. I continue to learn and hope that I can remain worthy of the Holy Spirit.
Well, I have almost lived in Hong Kong for one year. I have 10 months until I am home, and so I hope I can continue to help more people whether that is in English or Chinese, come unto Christ. I am still a normal person, but I enjoy doing good, and feeling like I am doing right. Life is good, and I hope each of you are doing well.
Sincerely,
Elder Hawkins
The summer has been drawing to a close now. I have spent this time still in service to the Filipina Sisters here in Hong Kong. It is a tough situation they are in. It has been a great blessing though to help these people learn about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their tough situation requires a strong faith in God. I have continuously been finding and teaching people. Several have entered the waters of baptism and covenanted with God to keep His commandments. It is wonderful to watch. My companion right now is Elder Reber from Springville, Utah. He used to play rugby and is a really good guy. I can share a couple of experiences we have had together.
First, an Irish man who had been drinking came into the chapel one evening and started talking with different sets of missionaries. He would talk about many things and would offer up profane words at several points in the discussions. He did not want to learn, just argue, and blaspheme against God. We gave him the hint that he needed to leave; I was extremely tense through the whole situation, but after some time he finally did leave. Pride is an enemy to all righteousness.
Second, a Filipino murdered several Hong Kong tourists in the Philippines. As a result, several Filipinas lost their jobs in Hong Kong or were scared to go out of their houses on their holiday. There was a protest nearby recently. Several people we have been teaching were affected by this situation. As a missionary, you automatically stand out. Because I help woman, primarily, learn about the Gospel, I stand out even more; and when you are surrounded by Chinese people during this tense situation you can draw many stares and life can be very interesting. But, I have enjoyed the work. I continue to learn and hope that I can remain worthy of the Holy Spirit.
Well, I have almost lived in Hong Kong for one year. I have 10 months until I am home, and so I hope I can continue to help more people whether that is in English or Chinese, come unto Christ. I am still a normal person, but I enjoy doing good, and feeling like I am doing right. Life is good, and I hope each of you are doing well.
Sincerely,
Elder Hawkins
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
July 2010
Summer in Hong Kong is hot and sticky; fortunately I have air conditioning for at least half the day. I continue to help Filipinas learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a great opportunity to learn. I recognize I am not the best teacher, but I have many chances to improve the way I teach so as to allow the Spirit the greatest opportunity to testify of the truthfulness of this message. I know the Hoy Spirit is central to conversion. I cannot convert someone. I t has been wonderful to watch two Filipinas receive baptism. When a person receives baptism they promise to keep the commandments of God. As a result they are cleansed from all sins, having already repented of those sins. In order for an individual to return to live with Heavenly Father, they must be baptized. As I watched these baptisms, I felt the peace that comes with righteous living. These sisters have felt the love of Heavenly Father in greater abundance. I continue to learn and grow; I love to watch and experience Hong Kong. The city and people are amazing. It is fun to try and speak Chinese and I am learning more Chinese characters. I have watched Economics in motion as human behavior is defined by government-supported systems of control as well as various incentives. For example, watching public transportation carry thousands every hour all around to and from work. I have been able to listen, speak with, and shake hands with, a prophet of God. President Uchtdorf was in Hong Kong. I can only offer it as my testimony that the true church of Jesus Christ has been restored and it is going forth boldly, nobly, and independent. I can see the light the Gospel brings, and I have seen how so many Chinese people are searching for that light. If we honestly and sincerely search for the truth, we will find it. I am enjoying the experience. I am learning a lot about myself and the world. I met a Chinese man who had graduated from University of Chicago. He was really nice; but I sensed that my experiences now are shaping the foundation from which I will build my life. It is good. I hope all is well with those who ready my words.
Best wishes,
Elder Hawkins
Best wishes,
Elder Hawkins
Monday, June 28, 2010
June 14, 2010
Hello Everyone,
This update should prove to be an interesting one. I am in a very different situation. I have moved locations, switched companions, and am serving a different people. Yes, I am still in Hong Kong, don't worry. I am now living in Wan Chai in an apartment right behind the chapel. This chapel is also the Headquarters for a big portion of the Asia Area so it also has a few offices for church leadership persons. My companion is Elder O'Neill from Olympia, WA. He is a great worker and we have gotten along well so far. We are living with 4 other missionaries as well, one of which is my cousin. My grandma is his grandpa's sister, and we were both called to serve in Hong Kong. It is fun being together. Right now I am helping Filipina women learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These women come to Hong Kong to work as domestic helpers, in order to support their families back in the Philippines. There are thousands of women here in Hong Kong, employed by the Chinese to assist in the home. Usually they get one day off, or holiday, each week. Sometimes, they don't get that. Because they do no usually have a Sunday Holiday, the church holds services Tuesday through Sunday so they have the chance to worship God and learn the Gospel of Christ. So every day, my "job" is to find women who have holiday and invite them to come to the church and learn about the Restored Gospel. There is a place called Worldwide where many Filipinas go on Holiday to meet friends, buy food or items they can send back home. So usually, when I go finding, I go to the Worldwide and then try and bring the person back to the church. Its strange to say it, but it is true, I am working with women all day, every day. It is an interesting situation all the way around. Some of the blessings of working with these Filipinas is seeing their humility and willingness to act on the truth when it is given them. It is easier to get a person with a Christian background to pray than one without. We encourage them, after they have received the Gospel, to go home and teach it to their families. That is because the Gospel was meant for the family. I don't get as much opportunity to speak Chinese, but I am using what time I have to learn to read characters. Life is busy right now; but Missionary work is a great experience. I know the work I am doing now strengthens the family and allows the family to have happiness now as well as after death. My best wishes to all of you and I hope if you have questions, I can answer them.
Love,
Elder Hawkins
This update should prove to be an interesting one. I am in a very different situation. I have moved locations, switched companions, and am serving a different people. Yes, I am still in Hong Kong, don't worry. I am now living in Wan Chai in an apartment right behind the chapel. This chapel is also the Headquarters for a big portion of the Asia Area so it also has a few offices for church leadership persons. My companion is Elder O'Neill from Olympia, WA. He is a great worker and we have gotten along well so far. We are living with 4 other missionaries as well, one of which is my cousin. My grandma is his grandpa's sister, and we were both called to serve in Hong Kong. It is fun being together. Right now I am helping Filipina women learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These women come to Hong Kong to work as domestic helpers, in order to support their families back in the Philippines. There are thousands of women here in Hong Kong, employed by the Chinese to assist in the home. Usually they get one day off, or holiday, each week. Sometimes, they don't get that. Because they do no usually have a Sunday Holiday, the church holds services Tuesday through Sunday so they have the chance to worship God and learn the Gospel of Christ. So every day, my "job" is to find women who have holiday and invite them to come to the church and learn about the Restored Gospel. There is a place called Worldwide where many Filipinas go on Holiday to meet friends, buy food or items they can send back home. So usually, when I go finding, I go to the Worldwide and then try and bring the person back to the church. Its strange to say it, but it is true, I am working with women all day, every day. It is an interesting situation all the way around. Some of the blessings of working with these Filipinas is seeing their humility and willingness to act on the truth when it is given them. It is easier to get a person with a Christian background to pray than one without. We encourage them, after they have received the Gospel, to go home and teach it to their families. That is because the Gospel was meant for the family. I don't get as much opportunity to speak Chinese, but I am using what time I have to learn to read characters. Life is busy right now; but Missionary work is a great experience. I know the work I am doing now strengthens the family and allows the family to have happiness now as well as after death. My best wishes to all of you and I hope if you have questions, I can answer them.
Love,
Elder Hawkins
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