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.