Weekend in China

A couple of months ago, I was asked (and given permission by the Area Presidency) to join a group traveling to mainland China for a weekend service project. Liana, the Church HR director for Asia, and her husband were going and invited me to be a part of the group. Our sponsoring agency, Asia Minerals Limited, provided over 30 people who were hard workers and friendly souls! It was a most pleasant experience.

The rain did not dampen our spirits, but it did last the entire weekend, so umbrellas and sturdy shoes were essential.

Our project involved setting up English Learning Centers in two rural schools. Since it was a Saturday (in April) the children were not there initially.

Cleaning and painting, decorating and detailing was the focus of the group. We brought lots of supplies and gifts for all the children. Some teachers were being trained (by some professionals in our group) to help them learn skills for effectively teaching English as a second language to primary school-age children.

A plaque was ready to be placed on the wall in the room where we were remodeling.

The children gathered in the afternoon, walking from their homes which were in a poor, rural village. Many wore their "sport" uniform.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was quite impressive -- certainly different than any I had previously seen!

Our group of volunteers -- those of us from Hong Kong and others from the local Women's Federation, gathered for a photo. I was the only American in the entire group.

Many children wanted a photo with an American -- their standard "two-finger" pose was evident again.

I was lucky to be invited to teach the children (a group of about 70 in this particular room) several songs. They were very responsive as were the adults in our group. Even the CEO of Asia Minerals Ltd. participated in songs such as "Do As I'm Doing," "If You're Happy and You Know It," "The People on the Bus," and "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." They kept wanting more and especially liked "If You Chance to Meet a Frown." I had taken a few simple visuals with me, and I felt like I was back in Primary music again!

Home visits were part of the experience -- several outstanding students had been earmarked as potential scholarship recipients to possibly attend college. They lived in remote areas, and it would have been impossible to find their homes, but we were fortunate to have local guides.

Living conditions were not great, but the Chinese women and children, whom we mostly saw, were pleasant and appreciative that we would visit them. TV camera crews accompanied us and did a story the following week. Word was that I was on China TV!

Kitchens were not convenient . . . I'd have a hard time making chocolate chip cookies in this oven/stove.

The countryside was beautiful with rice paddies everywhere.

When you have very little, you find ways to make-do with what you have. Farm animals were roaming and families lived in very sparse housing conditions.

I was grateful for the opportunity to meet some very special people and to once again remember that the world is filled with good people . . . most of whom don't have the opportunities that we have.

June 2010

On July 3, we attended the open house of a new church meetinghouse across the street from the Hong Kong Temple. The window on the upper level provided a perfect backdrop of a photo of the temple.

There were many very effective displays -- the one for family history provided a backdrop for a Chinese family who were attending.

Prior to attending the open house, we had a senior couples' 4th of July brunch in the cultural hall of our building. Elder Linford sang "God Bless America" (he's sung it for over 70 years) and his deep bass voice resonated. Elder Whitman, on the piano, can play anything and sound marvelous. We enjoyed group singing, round-the-table ping-pong and a delicious brunch.

Yummy food is always enjoyed by all. The tables were festive and many of the women wore red-white-and/or blue.

July 1 was a holiday for Hong Kong -- the anniversary of the turnover from British rule to China (1997). We had the day off and served in the temple in the morning -- after lunch (Sister Goo always provides a meal for the temple workers -- this time it was hot dogs, potato salad, veggies and brownies -- delicious!!) we explored. People were at work keeping Hong Kong Clean while others were enjoying a day off work!

Festival Walk is a beautiful mall close to the temple. An ice skating rink there provided a great place to cool-off. Our daytime temperatures are generally a little over 90 degrees with the low temp of the day about 85 degrees. Considering the 80-95% HUMIDITY, we are grateful for air-conditioning and places like the mall!

I'm so drawn to the children, and little Simon Burby is adorable. His dad is a University of Utah law student doing an internship with the Church legal department, so they are spending several weeks in Hong Kong this summer. His maternal grandparents are thrilled to have Simon and his parents staying with them.

When shopping at IKEA last week, I spotted an adorable little girl "just cooling it" in a special chair. She was agreeable about having her photo taken (I always ask parent's permission first!)

Our dear friends, Elder Chuck and Sister Carol Kewish have returned home to Provo, Utah. They are sorely missed as Area Public Affairs missionaries, but Carol needed medical attention and they are home where they should be. It was hard to see them leave, but they are never far from our thoughts.

Before leaving Hong Kong, the Kewishes wanted to go to the Peak. A rather clear day helped us get a few good shots of a city we have grown to love.

Spending time with our Filipina women on Sundays is always such a joy! This particular day there was an activity of making pearl earrings. They rush to have their photos taken whenever a camera is brought out.

Cat's Street Bazaar in the mid-levels is a fun spot to visit. There is everything from expensive antiques to "cheap" souvenirs.

Western Market is a beautiful, historic, well-preserved building. On the upper level, there are stalls after stalls of fabrics -- many beautiful Chinese silk pieces were inviting, but I didn't buy anything. The problem is: fabric is great, but the clothing needs to be constructed!

Out our apartment window, the building diagonally across the street is getting a face-lift. In one long Saturday recently, all the bamboo scaffolding went up. It is an amazing project! I don't think I'd be interested in climbing out thereon!

A Chinese cooking class this month (with accompanying written recipes) should allow us to be able to prepare something authentic when we return home. The variety was wonderful, and we were appreciative of our Chinese friends who willingly taught us -- the food was enjoyed for lunch by our husbands.

Joyce (left) and Sister Yuen demonstrated (and let us help) spring rolls, various chicken and fish dishes, noodles, fried rice and mango pudding. These women are expert cooks!

Ned and I went to Sai Kung village recently (another holiday on June 16) and enjoyed seeing all the fresh fish.

Carrying the fish from one place to another was made easier by the handy shoulder pole.

Fishing boats were lined up and the customers on the pier would place their order and the men would deliver by pole or climbing the ladders. Talk about FRESH!

People were enjoying the beach that day -- lots of families were in the village and on the sand!

The boat ride out to the island was pleasant indeed.

Our friends, Jay and JenaVee Smith completed their mission in June. A program was held in their honor, and one of the dances was a traditional Philippine "glass" dance. Holding a filled water glass in each hand with one balancing on the head, these women were amazing. They could move in every direction, and even got on the floor and rolled over while still balancing the glass on their head. The one in the center, Luz, says she began doing this when she was 6 years old.

Friends of Blake and Becky in St. George, the Snows came to HK (15 year old daughter is in the center) on their way to mainland to get their newly adopted son. It was a pleasure to spend a little time with them here in Hong Kong. We know they will love having Tao join their family.