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
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
May 20, 2010
Hello Friends,
If my memory serves me right, my last update was a few weeks after I arrived in my second area; West Pointe, on Hong Kong Island. I am responsible for all the souls living within this area; which include the financial district. You see people from everywhere in this area; it has been very interesting to watch. I live with two other Missionaries besides my companion. My companion is from California. I would say these past few months I have seen the most growth in myself. Learning to work with others is not easy, especially when you are always with each other and have two very different personality types. Being a Missionary can be fun at times though. We have been able to go to a couple different islands, ride bikes, go through a cave, play ultimate frisbee on the beach and have a Chinese Barbecue. Missionaries are normal people that have simply accepted a certain moral standard and responsibility. I have recognized the truthfulness of scriptures, the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and the power they have to bring happiness into family life. The Hong Kong people are incredibly hard working, but I find great joy in showing them how the Savior can satisfy their Spiritual needs. I get better at speaking Chinese, a never ending process, that will get easier. Next week I actually will be moving areas and companions will switch again, so I don't know what to expect. But seeing the financial and "party life" on the island has been fun. By "party life" I mean seeing what others do for fun or where they go on the weekends. Money certainly can appear to buy happiness for some. I love the Mission for the learning experiences it affords. I hope these notes are well received. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. My best wishes.
Elder Hawkins
If my memory serves me right, my last update was a few weeks after I arrived in my second area; West Pointe, on Hong Kong Island. I am responsible for all the souls living within this area; which include the financial district. You see people from everywhere in this area; it has been very interesting to watch. I live with two other Missionaries besides my companion. My companion is from California. I would say these past few months I have seen the most growth in myself. Learning to work with others is not easy, especially when you are always with each other and have two very different personality types. Being a Missionary can be fun at times though. We have been able to go to a couple different islands, ride bikes, go through a cave, play ultimate frisbee on the beach and have a Chinese Barbecue. Missionaries are normal people that have simply accepted a certain moral standard and responsibility. I have recognized the truthfulness of scriptures, the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and the power they have to bring happiness into family life. The Hong Kong people are incredibly hard working, but I find great joy in showing them how the Savior can satisfy their Spiritual needs. I get better at speaking Chinese, a never ending process, that will get easier. Next week I actually will be moving areas and companions will switch again, so I don't know what to expect. But seeing the financial and "party life" on the island has been fun. By "party life" I mean seeing what others do for fun or where they go on the weekends. Money certainly can appear to buy happiness for some. I love the Mission for the learning experiences it affords. I hope these notes are well received. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. My best wishes.
Elder Hawkins
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