Falling in love with Hong Kong

The attention to the new missionaries has been really quite nice.  Last Friday we were honored guest at the home of the area president, Elder Anthony Perkins.  He and his family have lived in Hong Kong for the past 15 years.  His home is located on the top floor of a high rise apartment building that over looks a bay tucked away in a corner of Hong Kong Island.  On a clear day, Pres. Perkins says he can count as many as 50, at any point in time, cargo ships passing by on their way to Hong Kong harbor.  This evening with the area presidency allows them to get to know new couples (that would be us) and to thank those couples who were going home.  It turned out to  be a wonderful evening.  The three members of the area presidency and their wives were there plus the outgoing doctor and his wife.  All three of these men are general authorities who faithfully and tirelessly serve wherever they are called. Not surprisingly, their wives are just as impressive.  The evening ended with everyone sharing their testimonies of Christ and His church.  As you would guess your mother and I demonstrated our usual composure.
Another highlight of the last 10 days occurred last evening when we attended the Hong Kong Temple. The temple is located in Kowloon so it requires some travel to get there. What an absolute treat. This temple is beautiful. The polished stone and woodwork is exquisite. The simplicity of decor would excite Ray. One vase on a table can be a perfect look. The session was  in Cantonese so two of us had to wear head phones. Little subtle reminders that we are the guest in this country of over a billion chinese people.
If you can't tell Hong Kong has won my heart.  I walk around the streets in the Wan Chi District, where we currently live, and feel like I am taking part in some movie based on a story of suspense and intrigue. I need to post this  before I get carried away, so until next time, joi gin. (good by)  We love you, Elder and Sister Rippy

First Sunday in Hong Kong

As senior missionaries, Sundays can be the busiest day of the week.  Senior missionaries are called to serve in Branch Presidencies to serve in the many branches located on the Island and the mainland.  These branches are attended by the hundreds of filipino women who come to Hong Kong as domestic help for the chinese, mostly middle class. Not having an assignment this first Sunday, we attended the Island first branch.  There were about 80 sisters in attendance. What a wonderful experience. We were introduced by the branch President and I was asked to help with the sacrament.  Following the meeting, we received the warmest most gracious welcome we have ever received in church.  These sisters were not shy, they came right up and introduced themselves.  Sue was hugged and kissed as though we were family returning to our home ward after having been away.  These sisters are the best missionaries in the church. Several sisters do not like to attend church without bringing a non-member, so they will go stand in a mall until they see a filipino lady.  They will ask her to come to church with them and in most cases they will come.  Then they will be loved into the church. Very few will deny that what they feel is sincere and real. This one branch averages 4 baptisms a month. Can you imagine the excitement and enthusiasm of a branch that loves people that much. We were astounded.  They are the model for the church for their ability to include people. Today, we had visitors from Finland, New Zealand, South Africa, and Utah.  No matter where you go in the world, it is the same. Some, however, do it better than others and these filipino sisters do it as well as I have seen it done. We love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we love His church. We love being here in Hong Kong.

We are here!

What a wonderful place to be. We have been warmly received by everyone connected with the Asia area and the Hong Kong mission. We arrived to find our new home was supplied with food and all the convienences of apartment living.  We live on the 12th floor of a high rise apt bldg.affectionately known as Harmony Mansion. This was our first introduction to chinese sarcasm. We are not living in a mansion but we love our apartment.  Everything is so handy, for example, when I completed my shower the other day I had forgotten to put my towel on the shower door.  No problem, while still standing in the shower I reached across the room and was able to secure my towel.

We live in one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Hong Kong is amazing, 7 million people living in very close proximilty and there are very few murders. We are so pleased to be here, to serve where we can. We feel very blessed.

Hours before departure

Sue and I have had times in our lives where we have felt the spirit.  This has given us the ability to appreciate the warmth the spirit brings when it is present.  These passed two weeks have been a feast in having the spirit ever present. To have lived with 2000 young men and women and to feel their enthusiasm and excitement for the work of preaching the Gospel of Christ has been a wonderful experience.  Last Sunday when we joined with them in a fireside devotional it was all we could do to keep from bursting into tears when they began to sing the hymns of the restoration.  Then when they sang, Called to Serve, it was more than we could handle. These young men made us senior missionaries  feel like royalty by going out of their way by opening doors for us, showing courtesy in every way.  Their mothers would be so proud.  They teach 54 languages in the MTC and all the missionaries are asked to greet everyone in the language of there mission. However, the language of the MTC is the spirit and it is present with every interaction you have with the missionaries.
In a few hours Tyler and Chelsea will take us to Salt Lake Airport.  We will fly to San Francisco, have a 2 hr layover, then board a flight that will take us to Taiwan where we have a one hour layover, then on to Hong Kong which will take less than 2 hrs.
We are feeling so blessed to have this opportunity.  We will miss family and friends but we know that there is nothing comparable to serving God. No feeling that we can remember is more satisfying or rewarding.
To our family and friends we love you.  We know that God lives and that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.  We are very happy.

Mission Training Center Completed

Neih hou, pronounced lay ho, which means, you good or hello in Cantonese.
We are having the best experience of our lives.  Last Monday we entered the Mission Training Center with about 40 other senior missionaries to join approximately 2000 young elders and sisters.  The spirit here at the MTC is unlike any experience we have ever had.