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