HI!
I just read Nathan Wood's email, and I must say that my couple weeks in Macau is definitely not representative of my months in Hong Kong! The work there in Hong Kong was pretty much similar to his in Japan . . . many Buddhists, aetheists, and others. At least he doesn't have to deal with the ridicule from looking Chinese but not really being able to speak it!
The thing is to remember that missionary work was never easy for Jesus Christ so it definitely won't be easy for us. He suffered all humiliation and pain so that we can have these small but significant victories on our missions. In Yuen Long, my companion and I would walk for hours because we had no appointments either and we wouldn't find anyone to talk to and those who we did find wouldn't talk to us. Still, our Heavenly Father always finds ways to let us know that he loves us like a breeze when it's unbearably hot or an extra crunchy leaf on the ground to stomp on. :) I love the scripture in John 15:15-20 that says that "remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also . . ." So have good cheer Elder Wood! We came to this earth to be tried in our faith and patience so embrace them the best you can and God will provide the rest!
The weather is super nice in Macau! It's been warming up for some reason and we're so happy! Today is my companion Sister Harding's birthday so we have an ice-cream cake to surprise her with later mmmm!
It's been interesting to look at our pool of investigators. Of all of them, only our Nepalese friends Dev and Ram plus a couple others have really survived. We analyzed why, from when and where they were contacted to lessons and commitments. What it comes down to is that they have been faithfully reading the Book of Mormon. From this, they have gained the faith and desire to be baptized next Sunday! Every weekend, Dev stays up for 36 hours straight because of his guard duty in the casino. When no one is around, he pulls down his cap just a little and prays to God for hours on end. He also sneaks the Book of Mormon into his desk drawer and pulls it out a little at a time so that he can read it. He is amazed that the book has all the answers in the world in it! Then after, he comes to the Chinese branch with us, where we translate the meetings into English for him. The power of the Book of Mormon is so real and it's a miracle!
We are also teaching these two adorable kids, Melanie (10) and Jonathan (8). They are ABCs from New Jersey who speak no Chinese, and their mom is Chinese and their dad is from Vietnam. Their maid, Jenny, has been bringing them to church so we can teach them. It's so fun because they are so American and also very smart! Melanie pretty much has a photographic memory and Jonathan asks questions like is God Asian or what? I always laugh so hard during lessons with them cause they are so funny! They are going to be baptized in March if we can get their parents permission!
Last Friday, we had a huge shock because Elder and Sister Kap, the senior couple in Macau and also the glue that holds us together, told us that they had to leave within a week to go home for good. Elder Kap, who is also the branch president, needs to have heart surgery because he now has 90% blockage. From the outside, you could never guess! They were very sad to cut their missions short, but I believe that they have done so much for the people of HK and Macau that they really aren't cutting their mission short--they have fulfilled what they'd set out to do. They have invited so many to come unto Christ! I will miss them, though, cause Sister Kap always had so much energy and Elder Kap was always so calm and steady. President Van Dam has just called Elder and Sister Lloyd to serve in their place. They are the sweetest couple ever! I can't wait to get to know them better!
Sister Chan and Esplin are leaving Macau this weekend because their visa expires and they will die from their missions a week later. It's so weird to think that they are done and will go back to the real world! I will go with them on Saturday back to HK because my visa will expire as well. Then I'll return Sunday morning for the baptisms! Because of all the visas expiring, about half of the 12 missionaries here in Macau will have to have new assignments in HK and we'll have newbies arriving soon.
Thus endeth this week.
I love you all!
Sister Chu :)
P.S. Sorry Mom I couldn't see the ecard cause I can't go to other websites to view it! Thanks anyway! :)
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