Visiting Kwun Tong

We are still pinching ourselves each day to make sure that our experience here in Hong Kong is not just a dream.

We celebrated two holidays this week with seven and a half million of our new Chinese friends here on this small island in the South China Sea. Monday was Labour Day and Wednesday Buddha’s Birthday. Monday, we went out and about with Elder and Sister Chatterton to visit John’s old stomping grounds in Kwun Tong. It was fun watching Elder Chatterton try to find the old Chapel and the apartment he lived in as a young Elder. Things have changed quite a bit over the last forty years. Two days later we spent most of Buddha’s Birthday in the office away from the crowds. As part of the celebration on Wednesday they build bun towers. These towers are constructed of steamed edible dough pastries and extend upward of twenty feet or more.

After the holidays, Karen spent the next day going to the Temple and a luncheon with the Area Presidency and the other Senior Missionaries while I sat home close to the bathroom nursing a very active digestive tract.  Elder Sellers sent home with Karen some antibiotics and Imodium, which were received with much gratitude, and yes, I am feeling much better – thank you.

The next day we decided to test the doctor’s recommended treatment by joining Elder and Sister Pett for a ride on the giant Ferris wheel in the Central Area. Fortunately for everyone involved, the anti-biotic worked,   and we experienced a beautiful view of the harbour.

We were able to get quite a bit of work done this week, especially on Wednesday when the office was closed for the holiday and we were one of just a few couples there. In the quiet we were able to catch up on our News briefs, CRM, Corus articles, Public Affairs Network web site, and other loose ends that seem to pile up.

Karen finished up with her Self Reliance sessions this week and will be offering fourteen Filipino Sisters Certificates of Completion in a Graduation Ceremony that her and Sister Jenson will be planning in the near future. We are looking forward to recognizing this achievement and the blessings that will come through the efforts of these amazing ladies.

Visiting one of the chapels in  Kwun Tong  

Our new friend Jerry Mak loved showing us around the building with it's little courtyard in back.

Across the street from the church!

This is the view from the Ferris Wheel in Central Hong Kong.  We took a ride the other night with our good friends Elder and Sister Pett.  It was so fun,  and the view was great.

On the Ferris Wheel 

Elder and Sister Pett serve in the Mission Home Office.  They finish their mission and go home in a few days.  We really enjoy their friendship,  we'll miss them!