TYPHOON WARNING, PROGRESSING INVESTIGATOR & MY ATTEMPT AT A GIANT PANCAKE!

My attempt at a giant pancake, haha!

Hey! So this week has gone by fairly quickly. Everyone keeps telling me the longer you're in the mission, the faster it goes. I haven't been here for long. (Believe me, I know haha), but it does seem to go by faster the harder you work. We are still here in Kam Tin. We had a stake youth finding activity which was really cool to see all the youth get excited for missionary work. 

Sister Moody is in my zone, so I see her every once in a while. She told me last time she saw me that her parents ask more about me than her, haha, so thanks Brother and Sister Moody :) She's a rock, though. Training after 9 weeks is absolutely insane, not even joking, but there are too many new missionaries!

It's been raining here for a few days. We got a typhoon warning which was cool, but I don't think it came. :( I really want to be here when a typhoon comes just to say that, haha.

We actually might have a progressing investigator, too!!! So stoked. I was on 24's with Elder Ward, who is from Tennessee, our district leader. Total stud. He only has like 4 more months. His Chinese is like bundeih status, too. One day, I'm going to be like that, haha. Anyway, we found her (well, he found her) and we taught her the restoration that night, at the mtr station. It was awesome, and we met with her again a few days ago. She couldn't come to church yesterday, cuz she had to work, but she wants to come next week, so I'll let you know how it goes. 

Thanks everyone! Pleeeeease write me! I love letters! Thank you so much Sister Mecham for writing me without fail every week, and also Kelly and everyone else. It really is nice. I only  have a little time on the computer, so emails are good, but letters are better, haha, even if they are dear elders. Love you all. Continue to pray for me! I pray for you every night.

Love,
Elder Mikesell

A lot of these cheuns (villages) have rivers running all through them. It's pretty cool.

It's basically a jungle here.

 

Meat Market

Coolest looking dog ever!!

I TRIED MY FIRST CHICKEN FOOT, OPENING A NEW AREA & MILK FROM LOGAN UTAH!

 

There are four generations in this picture: Me, my trainer Elder Kwan who was trained by Elder Jackson who was trained by Elder Tiu

Hey, everyone! So, this week has gone by pretty fast. We've been doing our best to establish the Church here in Kam Tin. It's hard work, but we always seem to have the energy to do what needs to get done. I taught an English class today. We invite potential investigators to come to English class, and we always have a spiritual message at the end. Anyway, it was good. Oh, and we had a chang out (to feed someone) a couple days ago which was fun. A family took us to a restaurant with way good food. I tried my first chicken foot which was okay, and apparently some intestines of an unknown animal, haha, but I didn't find out until after, but it was good! Haha. 

I bore my testimony at both the yuenlong first and yuenlong second wards. It went okay. Everyone lied and told me how good my Chinese was, haha. I'm starting to siktang (hearing understanding) more than I used to in normal conversations, and I siktang most all of simple gospel conversations, but my sikgong (speaking understanding) is in need of improvement, haha. It's funny because I surprise people when they talk about me in the mtr (train station), and I know a little of what they're saying. Elder Ward, who is from Tennessee and almost going home, he is our district leader and loves to do that to people when he contacts. Because his Chinese is fluent, he understands everything people are saying when they talk about him right in front of him. Then he shares a message about the gospel, hahahaha, it's so funny to see their reaction. 

Other than that, things are going well. Though, actually being here makes me feel like I'll die in China, haha. I know it will go by faster than I think. That's what the older missionaries keep saying, but looking forward gets me overwhelmed sometimes, so I take it one day at a time! Being that we're opening a new area, in the new territories, we need to work that much harder for everything. But, I'm actually grateful for it because I'll be used to it, and it can only get better from here! 

It's funny because the other day we went crazy and bought some milk which was pretty expensive, and on the label it says it comes from Logan, Utah hahahahahaha! Everything we get is from China, and they get there stuff from Logan :) 

I love you all. Keep the faith. Pray for all the missionaries in the field. I promise you they need it, no matter where they are. Feed them if possible, hahaha. I love and miss you! 

Our Backyard (hahaha)

Q&A

What was the flight like to Hong Kong? 
What is your apartment like?
Are there more than just you and your companion living together?
What is the area like you are trying to open?
Is Hong Kong different than you expected?
Do the members feed you often?
Are you on your own for food?
What are your thoughts about the food?
How are you doing with it all?

The flight was looooooong, and it was all one big giant day because we were following the sun. It took me like a week to get rid of the jet lag. My apartment is nice and big compared to others. It's hot and humid, and we only get to use the A/C 12 hours a day, haha, so we use fans. There are 6 of us in the apartment. The area we're opening is in the new territories, so it's rural. We walk hours sometimes to get to the next village. Hong Kong isn't too different than I expected, but my area isn't what I expected. Downtown Hong Kong is what you would expect with all the buildings and people. It's really dirty, though. But, I'm in the middle of nowhere, hahah. Um, they feed us sometimes. I've been fed twice since I got here, but yeah most of the time we buy and make our own food. The Chinese food is different, but it's what I'm going to be eating for a while, so I better get used to it, haha. It's really not that bad, though. I'm doing okay. It will take time to adjust, but I'll be okay. I know I'm supposed to be here. :)

FIRST WEEK IN HONG KONG!

Hey! So, I've been here about a week... and I don't understand anything, hahaha, but it's all good though cuz I have an awesome bundeih (local) companion. His name is Elder Kwan, and he's pretty much the biggest stud I've ever met. He was converted about 2 years ago, his whole family is anti-Mormon and he decided 4 months ago that he was going to serve. It's pretty incredible... so, yeah, he hasn't been out for very long and he's already training me... and we've been assigned to open a new area... so we're starting from scratch. No investigators, no potentials, no recent converts, no in-active's, nothing. We are split between the yeunyat and yeunyi wards, and we've been told that we need a kamtin ward in 8 months. So, no pressure, haha. We do a lot of findings, lots of talking (well, I try but nobody knows what I'm saying) and lots of walking. It's crazy hot and humid here, too, but when it rains, it's not too bad... sorry I don't have a lot of time this week, but hopefully I can write more next week. Thanks for all your love and support and especially your prayers. Don't stop praying for me!!! Love you all.

Elder Mikesell

Elder Kwan and Elder Mikesell June 2013 Hong Kong
Elder Mikesell's first companion in Hong Kong!

Elder Mikesell, center, with other elders at the mission home
shortly after arriving in Hong Kong.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Dear Brother and Sister Mikesell,

I understand this is a little strange. You do not know me, but yesterday I met your son who is serving his mission here in Hong Kong. I just want to write and let you know that your son is a wonderful missionary. He has not been in Hong Kong very long, and I am sure things a little strange to him right now, but he is doing fine. I visited with him a little bit and I was touched by his humble attitude! I know he will make a great missionary!

He has a hard working local companion and they are doing great. They are loved by the members and investigators. I took a picture of them and he gave me your email address. I promise him that I will send the picture to you and I think you will like it. I have a son serving a mission in Vancouver. He did not send very many pictures back and so I understand how happy parents are when they receive picture of their missionary son or daughter.

Brother and Sister Mikesell, thank you so much for raising such a righteous son and then making the sacrifice to let him serve a mission in Hong Kong. We are grateful for your sacrifice and we are thankful for Elder Mikesell who labor so diligently in serving the Lord and His children in this part of His vineyard!

Sincerely,
K.T.W.
Second Counselor
Mission Presidency
Hong Kong Mission

ELDER JUSTIN MIKESELL FLEW TO HONG KONG TODAY!

Justin flew to Hong Kong today! He and his district arose at 2:00 am to get to the Church travel office by 3:00 am and to the airport by 5:30 am. He arrived in San Francisco around 7:30 am, had a five hour lay over, got to talk to his family and boarded the plane to China around 12:30 pm! The flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong is 14 hours 19 minutes. He's STILL in flight and should arrive in Hong Kong between 2:30-3:00 am tomorrow morning!

THE GRANDPAS OF THE MTC & THE LAST EMAIL FROM THE MTC!!

Hey Mikesell Clan!

Thanks everybody for all the letters and packages and love and everything!!! It's awesome, and I really appreciate it. So, we leave June 3rd!!! A week from today, and we have to be at the airport by 6:00am, so we have to leave the MTC at 3:00am!! We fly from Salt Lake City to San Francisco, sit there for 5 hours, then it's straight to Hong Kong!! The flight from San Fran to Hong Kong is like 18 hours!!!

Oh, and to answer your questions, Kelly, most of the tangerines are going to Taiwan or staying in the states. There are a few mandarins in Hong Kong but very few. We are actually on the same flight with the first two sister missionaries speaking mandarin going to Hong Kong. The tangerines actually had an apostle come to the MTC to evaluate their progress. We've been told that after we leave, the next group of Canto's will be twice our size... 50 Canto missionaries!! Crazy, man.

We actually were able to host last Wednesday which was fun. It's crazy to think about how much we've progressed since being here. We are going to host again this Wednesday, being that we are the grandpas of the MTC, haha. Nobody has been here longer than us now. It's cool, but makes we want to get out of here, but to be honest if they gave me the option I'd probably stay for another 4 weeks, hahaha.

The choir is doubling their size and is singing at the Marriott Center next month!!! I wish I could be here for that, but going to Hong Kong will be cool, too, haha! This week we heard from Elder Nash of the Quorum of the Seventy and Elder Allen who is the Director of Missionary Work. They both were inspiring and made me want to go hard my whole mission. Also, Elder Allen is hilarious, haha. Alec will probably hear from him. We've heard from him twice now.

Anyways, it's starting to get real now!!! Love you all! This will be the last email from the MTC!! Love you! Keep the faith! Never quit!

Love,
Elder Mikesell

It's my name!! They gave us names for our passports, and mine means "eternally bright".

Isn't the temple cool with all the clouds in the background?!

Do you recognize the Hawaiin? Yeah, he is from the district!!!! I was like, "Hey, elder Manu, right?" And he said, "Nope, Elder Reece... There are only two brown dudes on the district and you got them mixed up..." Hahahaha, he was nice, though.

TOGAS, EXPERIMENTAL OREOS & WE FINALLY GOT THE PROOF COPY OF THE CANTONESE BOOK OF MORMON!

Ok, so I have so much to tell you about this week!!! It's been a busy one... But, I have to tell yout this one story about our zone leader. I guess he woke up at 1:30am in the morning thinking it was 6:30am and time to get up. Hahaha, he starts turning on the lights and telling people to get up, and then instead of grabbing a towel to go to the shower, he takes a sheet off his bed and wraps it around himself like a toga!!! Hahaha. At this point, Elder Young is like "What the heck are you doing?! It's 1:30, go to bed!!!" So, Elder Luderup (our ZL) looks at the clock, realizes what time it is and is all like "Haha oh, sorry." And, THEN Elder Heartwig, who apparently has slept through this whole debacle just then wakes up, thinks it's time to get up cuz the lights are on and starts to get ready too, hahahaha. So, I guess it was a pretty crazy night :) Haha, the MTC is steadily starting to break the best of us, hahaha. Just kidding.

So, in other news, we got a TON of new tangerines last Wednesday, so we're outnumbered like 3-1!!! It's ridiculous! Oh, but good news! We finally got the proof copy of the Cantonese Book of Mormon!!!!!!!!!!!!! So stoked. It is split into 2 huge, binder like things, but we still read from them, haha. Hopefully, they'll actually start printing the real copies soon. Elder Martinez told me that he knows the guy who is in charge of the translation of Book of Mormon, and he told him that he would get him the canto translation... so he keeps telling everyone that it's because of him that we have them... but I'm skeptical, haha.


Oh, and on Tuesday we got to hear from Elder Nelson! He is awesome and super funny. We heard rumors that he was coming, and I have an inside source (one of the cafeteria workers I became friends with) who confirmed the reports. I was telling everybody in our zone to get down there quick, so they could have a seat (cuz not everyone is as cool as us, and sing in the choir, thereby getting saved seats), but some of them didn't believe me. I told Elder Osborn that if it was Elder Nelson, he owed me one of his uncles experimental Oreos (his uncle works for Oreo and sends him the new kinds before they come out to the public haha), and if it was ANYONE else, then I would give him one of my Trader Joe chocolate bars that everyone loves. Well, needless to say, I was feasting on cotton candy oreos that night hahahaha.

So, it's starting to get real... One more p-day.. crazy. I was reading my favorite chapters of the Book of Mormon, the mission chapters of Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah. I was reading after Ammon had converted King Lamoni. King Lamoni wanted Ammon to come with him to his father's land (who was the King of all the land and his superior), but Ammon prayed about it, and the Spirit told him if he went, the king would have his people kill him and that he was needed in Middoni because his brothers were in prison. He told this to Lamoni, and without hesitation, the king told him he would go with him and help free his brothers. So, they suit up the chariots and are charioting along (I don't know if that is a real word hahahaha) when they cross paths with, non other than, King Lamoni's father who was mad that Lamoni is with a Nephite and orders Lamoni to kill Ammon. But Lamoni stands up to him even though he knew the consequence could be death. Lamoni's father goes to kill Lamoni, but Ammon steps in and tells him if he does that he will go to hell. So, instead, the king tries to kill Ammon. (Apparently, he doesn't know Ammon chops off arms like nobodies business haha.) And Ammon ends up hurting his arm pretty bad. The king realizes he could be killed, so he starts to offer up half his kingdom if Ammon won't kill him, but Ammon being the boss that he is says, no, all I want is two things. One, let my brothers out of prison, and two, allow King Lamoni's people to worship freely. (Because he and his people are under his father's rule and would not have religious freedom, even if Lamoni wanted them to.) The king at this point is astonished that Ammon only wants these two things and sees that he is a pretty stand up guy, so he grants both requests (cuz he would have died if not haha) and goes on his way with his messed up arm.

Fast forward to the brothers who are in prison. It says their skin was raw cuz of the binds, they were starved, went without water, beat, spit upon, the whole 9... now think about the change they made in their life. Before, they were rich, doing whatever they wanted, sinning and committing whoredoms... but after they were converted, AFTER they decided to change their lives and serve a mission, they get thrown into prison. And all it says about the whole experience was "they were patient in their afflictions". They HAD to have wondered, "Why, now that I'm doing what's right, what the Lord wants, am I going through this? I'm a missionary! I should be blessed! I'm doing what's right!!" But, what I'm sure they didn't realize is that BECAUSE they were thrown into prison, Ammon was told to go save them instead of going to the dinner and his death and BECAUSE they were thrown into prison, Ammon and King Lamoni went to free them and crossed paths with the king himself, contending with him and gaining religious freedom of ALL of King Lamoni's people.

Sometimes we don't know why we go through hard times when we are doing what's right... why we can't just magically learn canto haha, but God does know why, and he has a reason. He knows all and is the master organizer of everything. So, trust Him and be patient in your afflictions.. cuz it might just lead to the religious freedom of a nation, haha. Also, if you read further you'll see that one of the brothers who were in prison, I think it was Aaron, goes directly to the guy who, a couple chapters before, orders to kill him. He ends up converting him and a ton of others... I challenge you (cuz that's what we do as missionaries, we give commitments, haha) to read these chapters (Alma 17-27), and read after everyone is converted who gets the credit.


I love all of you. I'm so grateful for all the letters and packages everyone has sent me and the prayers on mine and all other missionaries behalf. KEEP THE FAITH, NEVER QUIT. I love you all. Chittyging!!!

Mahk Jeung Louh

THE TANGERINES (MANDARIN) VS. THE CANTALOUPES (CANTONESE)!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!! Thanks to moms everywhere! Especially mine, and Kelly. They are awesome wonderful. We watched this video on lds.org about moms they made for Mother's Day, it was really good. I don't remember what it was called, but you shouldn't have a hard time finding it. Whenever you want a spiritual kick in the butt for a little motivation, go watch Mormon messages, they're great. The bible videos are cool, too. Oh, and on the mormon.org website, they have this guy you need to find. He's like a YouTube legend. I can't remember his name, but he's from Hawaii and he plays the piano. Look him up. So cool.

http://lds.org
 
http://www.lds.org/bible-videos
 
mormon.org

So we've been here longer than most everybody else, haha. We've seen 3 sets of yingmans (English speakers) come and go, and all our Spanish, Tagolog and Subuano buddies are all gone, haha. We feel like the old grandpas of the MTC, haha. It's cool, though, cuz we got a new group of Mandarin speakers a few weeks ago that live in the same dorm and have the same gym time. There is a pretty big rivalry on the soccer pitch. We call them the tangerines and they refer to us as the cantaloupes, haha. But, we usually beat them, haha. They are actually really cool guys. Sometimes we will street contact each other around campus and try to understand what each other is saying. It's weird cuz it's close, and I can understand a few things, but overall it just sounds like they are shushing us all the time, haha. They tell us we are "chinging" them, haha. Anyways, this week has been good. I've learned a lot and am excited for another week. Our teaching schedules have picked up a ton, but that's just what it will be like in the mission, hopefully. Anyways, so that's good, haha.


The field has opened up, so I play soccer. We started with only 6 people, but it's grown to a bunch more. Yesterday, we had 13 vs. 13, it was a pretty fun game, haha. I haven't taken any pictures of the 4-square games, but if I do, I'll send them to you.

A lot of people complain about the MTC and about how long they have to spend here, but I think if they gave me the option to stay for 12 weeks, I would, haha. Well, that's all for today folks, keep the faith, don't quit, and pray for my gift of tongues, haha, I need it!

 

Remember Elder Martinez, the lip stick and the laminated letter? If not, you should definitely check out the post from April 2013: Missing Laundry, Kissing Elder Martinez & Gotta Love Them Sisters!