大家好！
This week was mad chaotic and stressful, but also so fulfilling!
Just to jump straight in, we had a friend offhandedly tell us during a conversation that he was moving to mainland China at the end of the month, to the neighboring province of Shenzhen. He was originally from there, and wanted to move back because of the lower living costs, and would be coming back to Hong Kong to work. His contract would end at the end of October.
However, this is huge news because the policy on religion in mainland is super strict, and the law essentially prevents us from baptizing him if he moves there. Because of the timing, the latest he could be baptized was on October 26th, and if the ward had to be notified, he would have to be interviewed the week prior, on the 19th/ yesterday. A nice five days to teach him the majority of the gospel! We planned it out, and saw that we would need to meet every day (twice in one day) in order to teach him the necessary principles.
By miracle of his recently changed job with a flexible schedule and his testimony of the power of baptism, his time line was possible! From there, since he spoke Mandarin, Elder Chen taught him hour long lessons for a couple of days in a row.
The problem though was that we were still unsure if he would be ready. Since we had met him during a passoff (with Elder 包 who found him btw!) he had come to church three times in a row... and not come for the four Sundays following; a full month of church missed, which was very concerning. We also did not know the reason because he was unclear with it every time.
Because of this and because we had been updating president the whole time, our mission president gauged the situation and advised us to not baptize him until he showed his commitment to coming to church. Under very special circumstances which included his parent's residency in HK and daily commute into the city, a very special exception was granted to allow him to be baptized even if his permanent residency was in Shenzhen. Due to this, we will be continuing to teach him (at a much more normal pace haha) , until he shows this commitment. Because of such, Elder Chen and I believe it is legal to baptize our friend... Hence the title haha. Jk, I know president got everything under control.
Although everything was already decided, upon a merciful change of events, our friend's contract also changed this Thursday to allow him to not move for an additional couple weeks into November! God's hand is in the details and I'm super glad to be able to continously be here :)
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Even though so many things happened this week, I just wanted to share a thought that I had today, during my call with my family. My mom said something along the lines of,
[ in Hong Kong, the hustle mentality is built into the city. Everyone from a young age looks around to see people racing; running as fast as they can. Slowly, they do too. It doesn't matter how they feel, it is just a way of life... However, some people stop. They stop and look around, to see why they are running.]
James 3:33 says, He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
Our testimonies are given by God and are given to share. We were preordained by God to help others come unto Him and realize that we have a greater purpose in this life! I encourage you all who have a testimony to share it, and if you don't, to just try it :)
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I know these things are true and I hope you have a good week! Stay safe and continue doing well in school, work, and more midterms :)
Photoss https://photos.app.goo.gl/qkaoEe965etiYQuj7
See you soon,
趙長老
