For such a time

Blog post 81

In a classroom building at the Missionary Training Center  in Provo is a series of large wall size murals, all taken from stories in the scriptures. I think early on I took and shared a picture of Tom gazing at my favorite, the story of   Esther, a Jewish woman who, through her faith, becomes a true hero.

You all will remember her story. Without revealing her faith, she becomes the wife of King Ahasuerus of Persia. After Esther becomes queen, her cousin and guardian Mordecai becomes involved in a power struggle with the grand vizier Haman. When Mordecai refuses to bow before the vizier,  Haman  resolves not only to put Mordecai to death, but also to slaughter his entire people. He secures the king’s permission to do this, and a date is set. When Mordecai learns of Haman’s plot, he rushes, weeping to the palace to inform Esther. Mordecai urges her to go to the king and beg him to change the edict.

He  tells Esther, “Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

When Esther  learns of Haman’s plot and the threat to the Jews, her reaction is one of helplessness. On pain of death, she cannot approach the king without being summoned. However, following Mordecai’s insistent prodding, she resolves to do what she can to save her people, ending with the ringing declaration “After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.”   Esther has become a woman of action.

She appears without permission before King Ahasuerus, who not only does not kill her but promises to grant her wish. Esther  reveals her identity as a Jew and accuses Haman of the plot to destroy her and her people. Haman is executed, and the jews survive.

 As senior missionaries, we all have various jobs, assignments and responsibilities to accomplish in bringing the Lord’s work forth in the Asia Area. Some people are in finance, others in HR, a handful buy needed resources, others see to translation, a few work on legal issues including how to help the church operate legally & arrange for missionaries to serve, some organize humanitarian aid, train leaders and members, figure out who we need to befriend, book travel, strengthen teens and oh so very much more. Living in the U. S. I would occasionally see church news stories about apostles meeting with leaders of foreign countries, but I had no idea what it took behind the scenes to set the stage for such meetings or to jump through the hoops needed to build temples, supply wheelchairs, preach the gospel, hold FSYs or the myriad of other things that we all work on. I also didn’t appreciate the vast area of the world that Asia Area contains, the mind-boggling numbers of people who don’t have a clue about Jesus Christ and his gospel and how hard it is for people to even learn about, let alone join and then serve in small branches, or even twigs, often meeting in homes.

Some of us chose to come to the Hong Kong office of the Asia Area, some were assigned here, some were led by inspiration. But we are all important and  are crucial to the exciting  work.  “Who knoweth whether we art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”  Our mission has been an incredible opportunity, but it has also been filled with challenges, as we have tried to figure out what we need to do and how to do it. It’s no coincidence that the Aggens ended up here, and I’d venture to say that’s the case for our other senior missionaries, to be here for such a time as this. We have the privilege and opportunity to make a difference, to do our best, to pray for inspiration and  then follow inspired direction so that we might fulfill our tasks.

There was great excitement in our office this week as we enjoyed a 3 -day visit by one of the twelve apostles, Elder Dieter E.  Uchtdorf.

Just like we’re not supposed to have favorite children, we’re probably not supposed to have favorite apostles, but frankly, Elder Uchtdorf is one of mine. I love his messages, his inspiration, his wit and wisdom, his faith and his kind and gentle manner. We attended a large member fireside last night. With Tom as Branch President and me as District YW specialist, we were also both invited to a special three-hour leadership meeting today for the Hong Kong area.  Just before the meeting started, I dashed up to the 10^th floor  where the legal office shares space with the Area Presidency. As I was waiting for an elevator, out walked Elder Uchtdorf, along with the other visiting General Authority, Jose A. Teixeira, accompanied by the Area Presidency and a security man. It was just me with all of them in the elevator. Elder Uchtdorf look at my name badge and said, “Ah, a nice German name!” We conversed in German for a moment, then he said, very sincerely, “Thank you for your service,” I replied, also very sincerely, “ It’s been a privilege.” Not only is he larger than most men but his presence is also full of strength and power. He simply radiated goodness and light! I could feel his remarkable spirit and basked in it for the minute or so till the elevator ride was over and the door opened.

During the leadership meeting,   I was so happy that part of Elder Uchtdorf’s message followed a similar theme. He taught: “ Sometime we wonder where we should go. …If we trust the Lord and that we are doing his Word, we can know we are called at  this time for a special reason. …We are called to serve where we are NOW!” If we trust the Lord, he will show us what we should do…. We need to build where we are…. He then continued “This is OUR season! We are in a special place at a special time.”  I truly believe his inspired words. He further bore his witness as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ that “He lives! I know Him…. He loves you and me.”

Happily for our public affairs team, the sudden visit of these world leaders coincided with the grand opening of Light the World Giving machines where people can donate to five Hong Kong charities, for the first time ever.

But though we are here by design, leaving is part of the design too. We’ve had a rash of departures and arrivals as missionaries rotate in and out. Here is a picture of well wishers from the legal team at a recent farewell lunch for our friends the Allens.

Today a group of us took on a scenic ride on a two story bus to the back side of Hong Kong Island to Waterfall bay park. Imagine our frustration to arrive at the bottom of the trail only to find a locked gate with a sign announcing it had been closed since 2021. Did no one tell parks and rec that Covid is over? Here is the best shot of the falls we could glimpse through heavy trees.

At least flowering bushes are still everywhere in mid November.

We had to console ourselves at the nearest bakery!

Now in my closing photo to make you smile, here’s a random duo of musicians busking on the street for spare change, with one wearing a fish head mask!

Well I’m up way too late so it’s off to bed!

Love to all,

From Janeen and Tom in Hong Kong