Week 1 in Hong Kong

Today marks the one week anniversary of arriving in Hong Kong. I already posted about the warm reception we received when on arrival from the other missionaries.
Monday was our first official day at the office. It only took one day of escorting for us to find our way to and from our office. We have to walk about 3/4 of a mile to catch the bus over to Wan Chai where our 10 story office building is. The office also houses the chapels for the Philippino branches that all senior missionaries are called to serve in.
So let me explain about these Philippino women. Over 300,000 women are recruited from the Philippines to work as domestic workers. In order for families to live in Hong Kong both mother and father have to work to survive financially. These Philippine women are hired to tend children and clean the house as well as other chores. We met a woman today who has left her family back in the Philippines which truly is all of their stories. She has 7 children back home. The youngest is just one year old. She said they just don't have the means to financially support the family in the Philippines. So the wives leave the husbands to raise the children and sometimes these women are gone from their families for 20 years. They work and send the money back home. So these branches are full of these women. The branch we attended today had 3 men besides the missionaries, and probably 100 women, no children. It is such a sad situation. But these women smile and laugh, one of them kissed me today. So amazing.
So back to our week. Monday we were trained by Elder Rippy about our responsibilities. At noon there was a big going away party for the Rippy's. Then back to work. By the way, we are very jet lagged. Our days and nights were all messed up for several days, so we were really tired by the end of the day. We came home, crashed on the couch and awoke just in time to attend FHE which was a senior Jeopardy game. It was fun.
Tuesday was our first day without the Rippys. We worked on getting our computers set up and other orientation things. I believe we ended up coming home early because we couldn't get onto our computers. Tuesday evening two of the couples took us to downtown Hong Kong and we had Italian food. I think I told that story.
Wednesday we were back at the office calling missionaries and I started designing a Mental Health Newsletter for the Asia Area. Wednesday evening we had dinner with another set of couples. At their apartment this time. All the apartments are the same, same furniture and same set up basically. We forgot our key and couldn't get back into our apartment. The Chinese are sticklers for rules and they will not let anyone into an apartment whose name is not on the lease. And they won't change the name until the contract renews (happens sometime next year). So thankfully Elder Jackson had a spare at the office. We waited over an hour to get back into our apartment.
Thursday we sent a letter out to 10 mission presidents and their wives letting them know we were here. It was a fairly quiet day but we were able to stay busy. That evening another set of missionaries took us downtown Hong Kong and we ate Cantonese food with CHOPSTICKS!! It was an experience. And the food was really good. Even Carlos loved it.
Friday morning we had several missionaries scheduled to call so we arrived at the office about 7:45 and our phone rang off the hook! Apparently our outreach letters were very effective. The sister missionaries have an Institute class every Friday morning at 10:00 but I wasn't able to go due to having responsibilities to tend to. Carlos and I both were swamped the entire day.
It is Chinese National holiday this weekend. We had a special celebration Friday afternoon for that and our office is closed Monday and Tuesday. Carlos and I have tasks to complete however and will be working part of each of those days.
We are looking forward to the fireworks on Monday evening. We are told that they are spectacular and unlike any we have ever seen before. I will try to take pictures.
We did get some pictures of the office The first is of a giant picture hanging in the entry way. It looks like a tapestry. It is beautiful. We took a picture of a Jade ship that is in a display case also in the entryway. The other pictures are looking out our office window. Pictures just don't do the sights justice but they will have to do unless you choose to come visit with us.
Saturday we were escorted to the grocery store. We walk everywhere we go. We had to take a small cart with us and still bought more than we could carry home. We are going to have to learn how to pace ourselves...no more Costco runs for us. Can I just say that the produce is the best I have ever seen. We just love it!
We are having a wonderful experience. We each have little twinges of missing home but then get immersed in the sights, sounds, people, and responsibilities. We are both looking forward to getting better sleep this next week. I know that will help.
We are so grateful to be having this experience. We love the Gospel and our testimonies grow stronger with each experience we are having. We send our love to all.