Miracles ....

So many cool things are happening! While both Joe and I have our regular assignments here in Hong Kong, I have also shared that a big one he is working on is this project for Mongolia with a group of BYU engineering students with the ultimate goal of helping to solve the air pollution problem specifically in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

With Joe leading the team, 12 students and two coaches were tasked with the job of coming up with a low cost effective solution to replace the coal stove in the Gers (round tent homes) that 800,000 people live in. No big deal, right?? The burning of coal has created a city with one of the worst air pollution problems in the world. In the last two months alone, 400 children under the age of five have died with respiratory issues and hospitals are inundated at all times with people who have the same issues. This is a very serious problem. In Mongolia people live in a few different kinds of structures. The Ger is a round tent with no indoor plumbing (200,000 of them). Bashens are a very rough kind of home with no indoor pluming. They do have apartments, and the very wealthy live in what would be considered a "regular home".

We are going to Mongolia for 10 days March 18-28th and the students and coaches will arrive the next day. No, we are not staying in a Ger. :) We will be at a hotel. They are going to build a new structure they've designed as well as retrofitting two existing Gers for testing to see if these are viable options. It's a combination of insulating, and replacing the coal stove with an efficient electric heater. They will be tested through a full harsh winter to work out any issues. Once the concept is proven effective with the bugs worked out, then they would carry out another phase of implementation and other organizations could get involved. Elder Meurs from the Asia Area Presidency will be meeting us in Mongolia at the end of the project and he will have meetings with government officials to discuss options, ideas and other solutions to increase the electricity grid and other issues that need to be worked out.

This is a very multifaceted issue and I am only very briefly explaining the high points, but as you can imagine, there are so many issues and details that need to come together to make this happen. We have seen many miracles thus far, and expect to see many more. There are still a lot of issues that have to be worked out but I wanted to share one experience....

After our Tuesday morning temple shift, I needed some things at the store and this means pulling a "trolly" behind me like a little old Italian lady in New York. (picture that) I was tired and didn't want to, but felt like I needed to go. We were walking around the store and wander into this isle, and this beautiful young woman says, "Hi Sister, Can you help me find the milk." The way she said it, I knew she was a member of the church and I asked her where she was from and she said, MONGOLIA.... I seriously wish I had a picture of my face when she said that because it was one of those moments I knew was a "divine appointment" we didn't know we had. Her husband was there too and has developed air filtration systems for apartments as well as being knowledgeable about different government regulations, and other issues. We got together that evening for dinner and talked for a few hours.

In that divinely appointed meeting, not only did we learn some critical things about the culture and how things work, but also got the answers and solutions to about 4 big issues. I am still in awe how Heavenly Father works and how if we just listen and have faith, what we need will always be provided. This solution the team is coming up with may not be the "end all be all" but it for sure is part of a solution to a world issue that can be built on and changed and continue to move things forward in that country. I can't wait to see what is going to happen and all of the other cool miracles that are sure to come.

This week we were assigned to give talks in Sacrament meeting in the "every day branch", which are the congregations comprising the Pilipino helpers (maids). The helpers only get one day off a week and if it is a Wednesday, that is the day they go to church so literally church meetings are available Tuesday-Sunday. Hong Kong is the only place in the world that does this. So... I can say I have been to Sacrament meeting 4 times this week, ha ha...There are two missionary couples that it is their assignment to "run" those branches and they are at church Tuesday-Sunday for 18 months. I am convinced there is a special place in heaven for them!!

On Saturday there is a Hong Kong wide Young Single Adult temple trip with a big activity afterward and they have asked me to prepare a taco/burrito bar and chocolate chip cookies. There will be about 100 YSA's and it should be fun. This week has been crazy busy and I really need a nap :) ha

It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord works and how things happen continually that show us that not only does He love us and is aware of us and our challenges, but how he loves all of His children. So many things are happening. So many miracles. If you look, you will see them. Not only in your life but in others lives as well. No matter where we are at spiritually, the Savior is aware and is there with arms wide open to help us and give us peace when we let Him in.

Love you all,
Sister Kwan

It was amazing getting to know
our new friends from Mongolia! :)

Dinner

YES!!

Filet Mignon, butter, and creamed spinach at Ruths Chris.