Elder Po Chen Liu. He's Taiwanese and is a little older than I am. He's a phenomenal cook and eager to spread the message of the gospel to every family that will listen.
A little on Taiwan. I don't know too much about it, other than everyone kinda argues over it. Taiwan was under Japanese control from 1895 unto 1945, after which the Republic of China took possession. China wants to say that Taiwan belongs to them. Taiwan wants to say that they don't belong to China. As far as I can tell, all of the Chinese acknowledge that Taiwan is pretty much their own country but secretly think someday they'll all be one again. The Taiwanese all pretty much know they're their own but have to make sure none of us forget it. As for me, I'm just trying to figure out the obsession with house slippers and eating things that make you hurt.
For Elder Liu, the work started out with two very tough lessons on Friday and GQing in the rain on Saturday. This week was a tough one but he's jumped in head first. We were trying to tough out a little sprinkle on Saturday and we went out contacting. We approached an older Chinese woman and the moment we started talking the rain went from a drizzle to cats and dogs in about a 30 seconds flat. We pulled out umbrella out and gave it to the lady, and Elder Liu kinda hid under it too, so I was completely drenched for our dinner appointment that night. It was quite the adventure.
I've been getting the question a lot recently about how these Chinese/Taiwanese [I'm just going to say Chinese from now on...sorry, Liu] find the church. Missionaries are not allowed to proselytize in China, this is true. But they're allowed to have their own branches in Mainland, provided they're run by Chinese without contact from foreign (American) leadership. Many, many people find the church because a friend invited them to come learn about it in their branch. Let's say a few find the gospel and are converted while living in, let's say, Melbourne. They go home and find a branch. The tell their family, and one of them join. It spreads, slowly but surely. The spirit will touch their hearts and tell them these things are true. I've heard stories of Mainland members who leave the country or go to Hong Kong for just a few weeks to receive the missionary lessons. It's such an incredible work. This is why some of us will say that those of us called to speak Chinese in Melbourne have really been called to China - because the work we do here, doesn't stay here. It goes back. It spreads. I look forward to the day when the People's Republic of China is open to missionaries and we can go and teach them in their own lands. For now, we keep working where we've been called. Thank heavens Taiwan is already open - the work their is flying. I pray someday it is the same for the rest of Zhongguo.
So, some fun moments with Elder Liu. I commented on how I was very kindly volunteered to do a musical number by our Zone Leaders for Zone Conference this week. He told me after we sang a song for companion study that I shouldn't worry about it. His words were: "Your singing isn't fatal, so you'll be fine." Wow, thanks. Really appreciate it. Glad it's not fatal.
Speaking of great compliments, we had a dinner appointment last week. Within ten minutes of arriving, every member of the household had commented on how I'm fatter now than when I arrived in the mission field. Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it.
I hope you're all loving life back home. There's so much good to be found. Let God in heaven be your guide and I know all will end up as it should. I spent way too much time in 1 Nephi 20 this week - verse 18 teaches how we can have the greatest peace in this life. As we follow God's commandments, we can know we're doing all He expects of us. We know He'll take care of us. We have nothing to fear.
Keep up the good! Have a lovely week!
Elder Blackhurst
 |
| Elder Liu, and me looking uncomfortably white |
No comments:
Post a Comment