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
Thursday, September 9, 2010
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
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
Monday, April 19, 2010
April 1, 2010
Hello Everyone,
I have now been a missionary for 9 months and in Hong Kong for 6 months. Time flies! Every day I feel a desire to do the best with what is given me; to accomplish that which is given to me to accomplish. Right now I am serving on Hong Kong Island; in West Pointe. With the financial district and mid-levels in my area, there is a lot to see on a day to day basis. There are a lot of people, and many of them are not from Hong Kong. If you are white and in Hong Kong, you are perceived as being very rich because most white s in Hong Kong are here for business. It makes missionary work interesting. I enjoy trying to find people to teach in Central because it is faster paced. But, we have some great individuals investigating the church. One is Mr. Leuhng. He is Atheist but he takes whatever we want him to read and I know he has felt the power of the Holy ghost. He just needs to decide to pray. He has also been teaching us a little Chinese and explaining Chinese history. We also just had a member refer us to his friend which we have started teaching. The member is about to be a full-time missionary in Hong Kong. It's a tremendous blessing to see the gospel take effect in people's lives; especially my own. I continue to learn more about myself and I am realizing that I need to look beyond myself if I am to find Happiness. It is the smae for everyone. I have realized the Mission prepares men to be good fathers and husbands. I am enjoying the process. I know the Gospel is true. I am grateful to be alive in Hong Kong.
Sincerely,
Elder Hawkins
I have now been a missionary for 9 months and in Hong Kong for 6 months. Time flies! Every day I feel a desire to do the best with what is given me; to accomplish that which is given to me to accomplish. Right now I am serving on Hong Kong Island; in West Pointe. With the financial district and mid-levels in my area, there is a lot to see on a day to day basis. There are a lot of people, and many of them are not from Hong Kong. If you are white and in Hong Kong, you are perceived as being very rich because most white s in Hong Kong are here for business. It makes missionary work interesting. I enjoy trying to find people to teach in Central because it is faster paced. But, we have some great individuals investigating the church. One is Mr. Leuhng. He is Atheist but he takes whatever we want him to read and I know he has felt the power of the Holy ghost. He just needs to decide to pray. He has also been teaching us a little Chinese and explaining Chinese history. We also just had a member refer us to his friend which we have started teaching. The member is about to be a full-time missionary in Hong Kong. It's a tremendous blessing to see the gospel take effect in people's lives; especially my own. I continue to learn more about myself and I am realizing that I need to look beyond myself if I am to find Happiness. It is the smae for everyone. I have realized the Mission prepares men to be good fathers and husbands. I am enjoying the process. I know the Gospel is true. I am grateful to be alive in Hong Kong.
Sincerely,
Elder Hawkins
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
March 04, 2010
Hello Friends & Family,
This last little while has been quite interesting. Missionary work had been slow for a while in the Tsuen Wan area, but it gradually began to pick up. Towards the end of this last move (a "move" is a six week measure of time) we finally found 3 people interested in the Church. We also were getting more support from Members as we tried to visit them. We would spend so much time trying to find people to teach that I finally decided I didn't want to find as much as I wanted to teach. Then the Lord allowed those who were prepared to hear the Gospel the opportunity to meet with us.
But as of right now, I am living on Hong Kong Island. I am now serving the Sai Waahn area, otherwise known as West Pointe. They closed down the companionship I was previously in. So before, Elders and Sisters served the Tsuen Wan Area; what used to be a heavy industrial spot around WWII. Now it is only the Sisters. But I am excited for my new area. I have a new companion, Elder McAllister from Sacramento, CA. He is nice and a good worker. He has only been a missionary a little longer than me, so we both are still trying to learn Cantonese. Our new area includes the IFC Building and Financial District in Hong Kong. We also have the Mid-Way (look online). I think the IFC building is the one Batman jumped from in The Dark Knight. In short, there is a lot to do and see. I am excited for the changes taking place. I hope to be a blessing to this area and pray the Lord will strengthen me. I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is Restored and has the power to change lives for the better. It has changed mine. I wish everyone well.
Sincerely,
Elder Hawkins
This last little while has been quite interesting. Missionary work had been slow for a while in the Tsuen Wan area, but it gradually began to pick up. Towards the end of this last move (a "move" is a six week measure of time) we finally found 3 people interested in the Church. We also were getting more support from Members as we tried to visit them. We would spend so much time trying to find people to teach that I finally decided I didn't want to find as much as I wanted to teach. Then the Lord allowed those who were prepared to hear the Gospel the opportunity to meet with us.
But as of right now, I am living on Hong Kong Island. I am now serving the Sai Waahn area, otherwise known as West Pointe. They closed down the companionship I was previously in. So before, Elders and Sisters served the Tsuen Wan Area; what used to be a heavy industrial spot around WWII. Now it is only the Sisters. But I am excited for my new area. I have a new companion, Elder McAllister from Sacramento, CA. He is nice and a good worker. He has only been a missionary a little longer than me, so we both are still trying to learn Cantonese. Our new area includes the IFC Building and Financial District in Hong Kong. We also have the Mid-Way (look online). I think the IFC building is the one Batman jumped from in The Dark Knight. In short, there is a lot to do and see. I am excited for the changes taking place. I hope to be a blessing to this area and pray the Lord will strengthen me. I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is Restored and has the power to change lives for the better. It has changed mine. I wish everyone well.
Sincerely,
Elder Hawkins
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