Kwun Tong 20

Our new mission president, President Hawks came to our district meeting this monday! And taught us such a wonderful message about how we can teach families. He shared that when he himself was a missionary he baptized a family in Kwun Tong ward. He shared that he knows if we pray to be able to teach families, that we will be able to find and teach them. He shared those messages because he thought a lot about the common problems this mission faces: under 18 investigators not being able to be baptized because their parents do not give them a permission, or after baptism some converts can't go to church any longer because of their non-member family situations. He shared what kind of parents would we hope our investigators would have: those that don't care what their children do with their lives and just let them be baptized or whatever else, or those that actually care. He gave us a demonstration of how we can follow the Spirit to invite our investigators to let their parents know as early as possible about their interest in the Gospel (instead of bringing it up all of a sudden just before their baptism for their permission), and find opportunity to visit their parents/guardian to answer any questions and concerns that they have--which we appreciate--because we know that means they care about their children and want what is best for them.

So we have been praying for a family since then, and have been diligent and focused on our purpose in any teaching situations, whether it be English, Gospel, Guitar, anything. And it has felt so good to establish some expectations and be on the same page as some of our investigators. We know we can more confidently teach and share our messages with even more people now.

Annie and Lucy, I don't know if I have shared about them yet, they are twins, a turn over from Tai Po! :) They are preparing themselves to be baptized this Sunday! They are so amazing and special. When they were taught about the Word of Wisdom they were actually drinking Tea in front of us, then they were all like "we need to throw this away right now!" They were just taught about Sabbath Day and Law of Chastity about dressing modestly and they are willing to make those sacrifices to keep the Sabbath Day holy and take off extra earrings. They love Jesus Christ so much and that is their motif to everything!

Suki is also preparing to be baptized on the 5th of August! She is already making many changes to keep all the commandments! She has just opened up to us about how she has actually been getting anti-ed by everyone lately but she doesn't care nor believe them because she knows we are all good people and feels happy at church. She has told us this because lately we have been concerned about Hoi King who has gone to mainland and so we haven't been able to see nor talk to her for 3 weeks, and just two days ago was able to talk to her on the phone and something seemed different about her. She won't open up to us about all the reasons but said that she won't be seeing us until the 5th of August on Suki's baptism. It is really strange because she is also preparing to serve as a summer missionary this summer yet she hasn't been praying nor reading the scriptures. Suki isn't even baptized yet and she is already trying to help Hoi King to come back, we are so grateful for her strength and love.

Christy is really in tune with the Spirit, we weren't able to teach a full Restoration message with her yet because of lack of time, but she felt so uncomfortable and bad attending other christian churches to see some of their leaders lately, she never wants to go back, she didn't know why she felt so different, seeing that they are all Christian churches, but after hearing about the Restoration she now just wants to quit her job now and come to church on Sunday as soon as possible. She has some fears because basically all of her associates and friends do not like our church, but she loves God more so she is willing to give it all up: her home--she is moving out, her friends, her job, everything. Just so that she can be happy in His love.

We are praying hard and diligently for many people here. We love them all so very much.

Kwun Tong is such a special place. It is a very humbling place. What is more humbling is that, the Lord's grace and mercy is so indescribably overwhelming, we really do not deserve all the miracles and success we are having here. We as missionaries, are not perfect either, and I feel in Kwun Tong more than any other place that I am really utilizing the Atonement like our investigators are. We are all coming closer to Him together, and I guess that is what I love most about Kwun Tong. As we are humbled together, God is lifting us all higher together. These people are so precious to me, so so precious.

A quick news: A-Yan from Macau, me and Sister Wong's convert is now serving as a teacher in Relief Society in Macau Branch! and she is also serving as a summer missionary this month!!

Also, A-Yih, Mandy and Angel's Aunt that Sister Farr and I taught together just got baptized last Sunday!!! These news made me even more joyous beyond belief. :'D

Loves to you all as always,

Sister Burningham!

P.S. In English Class an investigator told us there was a pretty big shooting that happened in Colorado, I hope everyone is safe and well, my thoughts and prayers are especially with Jayne and her family. Hope all is well.