Arrived in Hong Kong!

Hard core Chinese noodle shop. 90% humidity and
TONS of people in there eating lunch.

Well, we arrived in Hong Kong after traveling for about 18 hours. It sounds weird, but on the plane I had this realization that I was going to my new "home" for the next 18 months.  The MTC is kind of like this spiritual bubble where you talk about it and prepare for it but there is still this sense of security and familiarity.

I had a mix of excitement and panic. :). So on the plane I got out my scriptures and started reading everything I could find about faith and "fearing not".  When we landed, we were both really tired and happy to get off the plane!

President and Sister Lam picked us up and took us to our apartment. The church has contracted with the HarborFront Suites and all the couple missionaries stay here. The hotel is beautiful and the pictures online are amazing! We were met by another couple (The Hydes) who took us to our room.

It was a little shocking and not like the pictures online. The apartment isn't bad but there is a thoroughfare outside our windows. The Hydes suggested we move rooms so we are not waving to hordes of people for the next 18 months. We said, great idea! We went to Ikea to get a foam mattress for the top of our brick bed, and our oven is in our LIVING ROOM and the size of an Easy Bake kids oven. I'm not kidding, see picture below! I had to laugh because I've always wanted an Easy Bake.  Didn't think it would be when I was 50, but hey dreams do come true! LOL We will move into a different apartment July 15th.

We were given an office in the main church building in an area called Wan Chi on Hong Kong Island. It houses three chapels and all the area offices which includes the Area Presidency, and missionaries doing a myriad of things (attorneys, mission doctor, mental health specialist, public affairs, facilities, an on and on). The Hong Kong mission of course is here, but the Asia Area Presidency (and group) covers 11 other missions and 22 countries. Lots of laws to comply with, service projects, and an unbelievable amount of money the church donates to help these countries.

It's pretty cool, because there are about 20 missionary couples and there is quite a camaraderie in the group. The women have an institute class once a week (hour long scripture study) that is fantastic and they really take care of each other! Our apartment was full of food and for the first 4 days we had different people taking us to and from the building, taking us to dinner, and others showing us where to go, how to shop, where to buy food, and getting us familiar with the lay of the land.

As for our assignments, the leadership is changing in the next two weeks and it looks like we are going to be doing different things than we were originally told.  It's common for assignments to change and it makes sense that they want to use Joe's language abilities to support those cantonese wards/branches (congregations). We will have a lot more information about the specifics in the next week or so. We will also be involved in several projects and large events with more details to come.

I've decided that the reason the MTC is such a spiritual experience is to prepare you for what you will find once you get to your mission. :). There is a true story about President Gordon B. Hinkley when he was a young man on a mission in England. He was struggling and feeling like he was wasting his time and fathers money. His dad wrote him a letter and said, "Forget yourself and get to work!" "Be not afraid, only believe".

So what all this means is, I am getting serious about my cantonese language study, being patient, and learning to use my Easy Bake oven!

Life is good, the church is true and God loves his children all over the world.

Love, Sister Kwan

Easy Bake oven in our living room.

With the Mission President and his wife, the Lams

Frogs at the "wet market" to be purchased and cooked.  EEK

Pigs at the "wet market" being taken to cut up and sell.  They LOVE pork here! So, truth be told, they have these wet markets all over but you don't ever have to shop there.   Everything you need including meat etc. can be purchased at indoor markets similar to those in the States where you don't have to see (or smell) animal parts :) Pictures are great though, right??