Sister Reese Sy: S4:E10 The One Where We See Mainland and Hong Kong

大家好！早上好！

This week is slightly the same. Missionary work is getting done and we are having so much fun!

Last PDAY we went to a spot where we could see both Mainland and Hong Kong. It was such an emotional experience being there. So many big cities without the opportunity of receiving truth. I will always say that I am so blessed to be a Mandarin missionary here in Hong Kong. It is the most special work to be done here on earth.

☆ We had dinner together with Zhu 姐妹 and Judy! She cooks really good food and we shared the Plan of Salvation with them. She just recently found out that one of her parents died a long time ago and none of her family members told her. That is so sad! I'm grateful for the Plan of Salvation because it gives us hope and comfort that we can be together with our families and that we can see them again someday. It was a wonderful time getting to know her and her daughter. She is such a hard worker!

☆ 2 weeks ago we met Grace and her friends at Victoria Park. Her friends didn't want to talk to us because we were speaking English haha but we had a good conversation with her about missionary work. This week she came to church and brought her friend Joy. They had a really good time and we were able to introduce the Book of Mormon to them. It was also their branch's testimony meeting so it was super Spirit-filled. You could just see how the power of the Atonement works in a person's life. To know that there is a Savior who can lift and ease your burden. To know that there is a Savior who has felt every pain and anguish you have felt. How sweet the joy the Atonement brings!

☆ I had a chance to go on exchanges with sister Hernandez! She's from Mandaluyong and she worked with ABS-CBN so she knows a lot of celebrities which is so fun and cool! She's a superb missionary. We got to talk to 3 people during that exchange we had and share more about the Book of Mormon and our purpose as missionaries here in Hong Kong. I was also able to get to know her better and learn how she does missionary work since both Mandarin and Tagalog areas are super different from one another.

☆ This week we had lunch together with Wendy. She has the brightest smile ever and she is just the cutest! We asked her more about her religious beliefs and she said she doesn't have any at all. Before we ate we explained to her that we pray before we eat. We asked her if she's ever prayed before and she's never heard of the word it seemed like. But after we explained how it was done she said, "Oh! I've seen this in a TV show Young Sheldon" and it was just so crazy to me that she knows what prayer is because of a TV show. Then we explained to her God's nature and that God created all of us. And she asked if He was an alien. That lesson made me reflect about my calling again. I have mixed feelings about my calling. I'm so happy that I get to help people plant seeds in their hearts, I'm so happy I get to teach people what prayer is and that God is our loving Father, I'm so happy that I can help guide people learn more about truth. But at the same time it is so sad to know that these people don't even have a basic knowledge about these principles. The place where they're from doesn't give them that opportunity. Religious freedom. We should be grateful for it. The Book of Mormon is literally banned in Mainland, missionaries aren't allowed to proselyte there, missionaries aren't allowed to speak with friends from Mainland about anything gospel-related. They can only learn of restored truth when they step outside of China. What about those who never get out? I know everyone will have the chance to hear about the gospel but it still is just so sad.

☆ We also got to finally meet Kitty and Angel in person. When we were waiting outside their apartment, Angel was skipping and jumping and was just so excited to meet us in person!!! She is such an angel haha. We played with her and got to know her mom better. We were able to teach her part of the Restoration but stopped mid-way because of language barrier. She said it would be better for her to read the pamphlet because she doesn't want to misunderstand what the missionaries say. It also made me reflect again about how many of our friends actually understand what we're saying? Haha but they still meet with you anyway. People here are so patient with us! It is true that language can be hard but it is not the most important thing. When you speak from the heart and when you teach by the Spirit, your friends will feel it and your friends will want to hear more or feel the Spirit that you bring. We also told her about the Great Apostasy and how there are so many different versions of the Bible but she didn't know that. And so she asked a really good question about, "How can ordinary people know which translation of the Bible is true?" I honestly didn't know how to answer that but at the end of the day you have your testimony and witness. No amount of proving can outweigh the power of a sincere testimony.

PICTURES:

♡ we threw some flowers from Hong Kong to China

♡ me with Shenzhen behind me!

♡ Zhu 姐妹 and Judy

♡ Grace, Joy and missionaries yay

♡ Elizabeth house elevator selfie

♡ mandarin sistas selfie #carryingallofchina

♡ comp exchanges with sister hernandez

♡ second language zone

♡ lunch with Wendy

♡ ice cream truck!!!

♡ Sammy the cutie doggo holding his own leash hahaha