EPILOGUE - Lessons from Hong Kong

Ready to take the taxi in Hong Kong
to the airport!

Two days before we left for home I was sitting in a little Chinese noodle shop waiting for the dumplings I ordered for take out. Generally I’m not big on Chinese food but these dumplings (potstickers) are really good. As I was sitting there waiting I was looking out the window and saw the Ding Ding go by on the tracks and  watched the people walking to the wet market down the street and many others off to whatever their day had in store. I was thinking about all of these experiences these last 18 months and how it’s changed me. Learning to live and function in a new land completely foreign in every way from anything that was familiar, as well as seeing the miracles and the Lords hand so clearly in numerous ways changes a person in ways that are hard to describe.

Chinese noodle shop

How am I feeling? I’m feeling complete and that we did what we were there to do. Often people think of a mission as a “couple” thing and although there is a lot of “we”, it is still very much an individual process just like our spiritual journeys.

Some assignments were together and some were very separate but we supported each other in them. We learned about working together and communicating on a level we hadn't before and that is a gift!

I learned that it doesn't matter if something makes sense to others or even to yourself.  When it looks like it should NEVER work but it does, Christ truly is the "finisher of our faith"... He finishes what we can not do on our own. Not just in our flawed imperfections, but also in tasks, assignments, and other situations.

There were so many times that we were engaged in certain assignments and had no idea what to do, or would come across some impossible challenge and after some struggle the answers would come. This is how it works. We saw this with the young missionaries, the older missionaries, and in so many situations within the Asia Area. Crazy stories and situations that you would think are in some Sunday school manual of something that happened 50 years ago. I promise these miracle stories are alive and well and happening all the time.

I learned that Christ really is the healer... We can not control others and when we try it will make us crazy and unhappy. Letting go and surrendering to 'what is' and allowing the Savior do what he said he would do is a powerful thing. Each person has to come to that on their own no matter what they have been taught or the example that has been set. Each person has to choose who they will follow with complete free will. That is the plan. If agency is that important to God, it needs to be that important to us as well.

We both gained a deep understanding of church policy verses the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His atonement. There were so many times, that both of us would think... "This is not the same church here" :) So many things that we think are so important or "gospel" really are not. Having faith and continuing to move forward and working with others where they are at not only brings peace but allows others and ourselves to grow as well. In many of these countries the church is very young and Bishops and other leaders are often very new members.

I cherish the experiences I had while working in the temple before it closed. Seeing the groups of faithful saints travel from Mongolia, Mainland China, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Cambodia, etc. was not only incredible but also humbling. Some people could fly but most would spend 3-4 DAYS traveling by train or boat having to save for sometimes years to be able to make a trip to the temple. I would see them as they experienced the temple for the first time and the level of their faith and commitment was inspiring beyond words.

Working with the YSAs in other parts of the world isn't any different than back at home.... Their concerns, fears, hopes, and dreams are exactly the same as anyone else. Every culture has their strengths and weaknesses and it was amazing to see the strength of these young people. This is the age group joining the church all over Asia! Most have come from a Buddhist background or no religion at all and feel it pretty quickly when they start meeting with the missionaries. Most of these young people are the only member in their family and get a lot of push back because of their decision to join the church. Going against tradition in the Chinese culture can be rough. It is so fun to see their faith grow and develop and to see their commitment.

Mongolia project... Holy cow... Where to start. All I can say is that Mongolia is a land of miracles and the Lord loves his people. In a country of only 3 million people, there are two Stakes and a District (9,000 members) and the church has only been in that country for 20 years. These are FAITHFUL strong people in every way. You can not believe how difficult Mongolia is until you go there and experience it first hand. I also learned that He will strengthen you when you feel that you can't do any more. There were so many times that things just looked IMPOSSIBLE and somehow an answer would be found. We always said, "Ok... If the Lord could show Nephi how to build a ship, this should not be a big deal". The hours, stress, and lack of sleep Joe got was astounding. He's the kind of guy that will either complete a project or be found dead on the side of the mountain but he does not quit or falter. Honestly, that was pretty inspiring to me as well.

During our mission we had 3 deaths in the family, two babies born in the family, 4 trips back to the US, and 6 trips to Mongolia all in an 18 month period. I can say that we know the Hong Kong airport really well. With all of the different experiences, summing it all up for both of us, I would say that our faith in the Savior has grown in ways too many to count. Personally, I feel a level of peace and happiness I'm not sure I've ever felt before. Sometimes we think we know what we want or what is best for us and the truth is that as we have faith and allow God to do with us and our lives what he's trying to do and just get out of the way it is a much more enjoyable journey. There will always be tough difficult things to deal with. Trust in our Savior and His plan for our lives doesn't just make a difference, it IS the difference.

... and that's a wrap.

Love for the last time (for now)

The Kwans

Elder Peter Meurs of the Seventy in the Asia Area Presidency.

Elder Meurs and Joe. They spent a lot of time together working
 on the Mongolian project. It was one of Joes greatest joys
 being able to work with him. He is an amazing person.

Elder Cheung and his wife. He is the Hong Kong area authority.
He used to be the area authority over Mongolia and the
China District. We loved working with him the short time we did.

More goodbyes to friends who work for the church in the Area office.

President Lau of the Kowloon East Stake that we attended.
 Joe and I were given this beautiful gift, which is a
hand painted brass plate with a very kind message
inscribed on it.

Joe as part of the High Council for the Kowloon East Stake.

Rita who also works in the Area office in Public Affairs.