Hong Kong - Here we go again!!

May 31, 2020

We began our journey to Hong Kong with an early morning flight from St. George to Salt Lake.

 MaryAnne met us outside the SL airport and transported us to a local park for a lovely walk and visit on a beautiful day.  This was the best part of the entire journey.

 Our lay-over in LA was a mere 8 1/2 hours.

 The apparel of our fellow passengers entertained us during the waiting hours.

 Are these hazmat suits???

 We questioned, "Are we in the Twilight Zone??"

 Face mask extraordinaire.

 No germs permitted to enter here.

 The Hong Kong airport greeted us with lines, lines, lines.  There was no end to the number of lines.  Paperwork needed to be checked, checked, checked, and checked again.

 Downloading the “stayhomesafe” app was required for everyone, as was the wearing of a lovely monitoring bracelet.

 Finally, (2  1/2 hours later) our transport to the nearby convention center is arranged.  There we deposit our luggage and spit in a vile for the Covid-19 test.

 Aha!  The waiting room!  Picture 300 people appropriately distanced from each other and assigned a lovely desk with a hard plastic chair as we await test results.  During this 8 ½ hour process the monitors offered bottled water and plain, weak, tasteless sandwiches.  Thankfully we received a previous warning and packed edible snacks. 

 Traveling with this remarkable couple, Elder and Sister Latimer, kept us positive and focused on the end goal. 

 48 hours after closing the garage door at home we entered our Hong Kong apartment.  What a beautiful sight! The church office stocked the refrigerator and cleaned everything.  The OGC office provided a basket of treats, fresh flowers, a puzzle and so much more.

 The OGC office welcome included this poster complete with all the legal policies in tiny print, in case our quaratine becomes so boring we feel desparate enough to read anything.

These bracelets will adorn our wrists for 14 days, notifying the powers that be if we step foot outside our apartment. 

If this seems like a long, long post then you can truly relate to how we felt on our trip to Hong Kong.

Next week:  THESE FOUR WALLS – What can be done in 600 Sq. Ft. of space for several days, sure to be a riveting post.

May 2020 - Time to Return to Hong Kong

As we prepare to return to Hong Kong I recap a few of our needed adjustments

 while serving at home.  It has been an adventure balancing mission assignments 

with home tasks, especially during our quarantine.

 Zoom meetings were held four times each week with the staff in Hong Kong.
 Pictured in the office are Marty (ALC), Polly, Jennifer, and Steve (ALC).  Elder
and Sister Lemmon (large on the screen) bid "farewell" as their release is only
 days away.  The three couples displayed at the bottom of the screen are the
Hafens, Blackwells, and Latimers.  Lance (paralegal) is missing from the office staff.

 I'm working in my home office.  This is usually our dining table but for several
 hours each day it transforms into my work station.

 Rick returned to his office in the basement.

We enjoyed our time reuniting with family.  Paul and Ramona (Grandma Hafen)

 celebrated Mother's Day with us.

The grapevines needed to be pruned.

  Thinning grape bunches.  

 We'll miss the birth of our granddaughter.  Making this blessing dress was a

 welcome release from mission assignments and a labor of love.

 Social distancing was required for Lori Hafen's birthday lunch so we enjoyed

 "salads in a jar" on her cool and pleasant patio.

 We may be missionaries but the farm still needs discing.

Working on the tractor provides a much needed break from the office.