Starting week 2 in Hong Kong!

Hi Everyone!

So here in Hong Kong I am serving in 3 wards, because there aren't as many Sister missionaries as there are Elders, and it gets pretty busy :) My first week has been quite amazing, I love the people here, they all look so unhappy and I know this Gospel is what they need, and that our Savior Jesus Christ is who they need! I really need to lean on my Lord to find those that are ready.

So this past week has been hard in a rather unexpected way. I have come to realize how much Satan really doesn't want me here. I have been doing quite well with all the opposistions I have had so far since being on a mission, because I had my Lord and my Savior, and it must have really upset Satan because he finally pulled out a big gun I didn't think would hit me that way. Since my first day at Hong Kong I've had many mosquito attacks, I can deal with that, there are lots of little fruit flies in our kitchen, I choose to ignore them and do my business quickly, I comb a small bug out of my hair, freaked me out but got over it. There are big bees and bugs in this humid place I try my best to dodge them. I discover a live cocroach in my suitcase while unpacking-first time I ever felt home sick, turns out one of the bites wasn't mosquito and it turned my left foot into a big swollen foot, it's uncomfortable but doesn't stop me except for couple hours we spent to go see a doctor for it, it has lasted for basically all week and it's still swollen but it has gone down a lot, it's getting better, and finally last night I find 20+ little bugs in my hair and I am not sure if I got them all out completely, and for the first time I found myself wanting to go home. Bugs are my greatest fear in the world, I am not afraid of anything else really, but I am deathly scared of critters of all sizes. And nothing to this extreme has been happening to my companion or roommates, for some reason all these bug related difficulties have been happening to me all at once. After doing everything(prayer, watching conference, reading scripture, etc) to calm down, I finally received a priestood blessing from the elders, and I cannot believe, I have been aware of another strength with in me that is not my own, but right now I feel it stronger than ever. I no longer care, there's probably several bugs still in my hair, but I do not care, I no longer have fear. Satan cannot stop me, and the more I realize how much he doesn't want me here the more I am determined to stay. I know Lord has called me to Hong Kong for a specific purpose, I know I am supposed to be here. I know these people are my brothers and sisters and that the Lord has given me specific gifts and talents to bless the lives of people here right now specifically. And I know that with God I can do all things, I know I can overcome all fear, and I know He will not command me and call me to do things unless He prepares a way for me to accomplish it. I know I am supposed to be right here right now. And the Lord has given me so many blessings. I love Him with all my heart. I know that I am absolutely nothing without Him. I know I am incredably weak without Him. He is my strength, He is my all.

The date scratched on a rock in the picture I sent last week is the date they first dedicated Hong Kong Mission as it opened. The Lord has prepared the people here to receive the gospel, I believe it, I know it.

These pics are from my apt. window, beautiful!

lots of love

sister burningham