“Pray for Wuhan”

Quote of the week explanation

Today's quote is drawing from a letter which I received earlier this week. It's an exciting story. 

How many of you remember one 'Jing Huang'? Raise of hands, please. The legend himself.

Well, he returned to China a while back, and communication with him is tricky. BUT... This week he sent a letter to the Oakland Chinese branch, and they sent it out to all the missionaries who taught him who have since moved on from Oakland. It's a bit lengthy, but he tells his side of the story. It's quite exciting.

Jing Huang's conversion story and testimony

I remember seeing the movie "Notre Dame de Paris" when I was a kid. It said that church is a place where people receive salvation, but growing up in China I had learned that religion was not good. When I was in junior high school, there was a church across from my school. It seemed to always be closed and it would make me feel terrified. I would walk faster whenever I had to pass the church door. At that time, a voice in my heard said to me "If you have the chance, you must go to Notre Dame. You will find the truth!"

In 2018 I finally followed that voice and walked out of that ancient gate of Notre Dame. At that time, I set a goal in my heart to find my church and my testimony. In 2019, I made a plan to visit the United States. In October, I set off as planned and visited Los Angeles, San Francisco and other places. I came to Oakland shortly after. On the evening of my birthday in November, I was preparing dinner when the doorbell rang. It was two well-dressed missionaries, Elder Kendrick and Elder Rivera. It might have been their friendly smile, but I felt some magical power that eliminated my doubt.  They introduced me to Heavenly Father's plan of salvation and to our church. Everything felt very familiar. There seemed to be a voice in my mind "Yes, you found it!" So, I asked them to arrange my baptism and I changed my travel plan! We met in the church the next day, and the following four weeks. I received the help of President Gallagher, Sister Mo, and Sister Lu. We reviewed the history of the church together, discussed and studied the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation. We studied the scriptures and doctrines in the Book of Mormon, we participated in weekly worship together, heard testimonies of many members, and participated in Holiday activities. My testimony of the Gospel had been strengthened. Happily, I was baptized on December 15, 2019 and officially became a Christian. Even more, after days of rain, the sky turned sunny when I was baptized. I looked up in the sky and felt Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ smiling and waving at me! Soon after, I was given the Aaronic priesthood, and I was honored to enter the temple to participate in baptism for the dead. I knew through temple work, others could soon be happy in the Kingdom! I want to give many thanks to the Oakland 7th branch, Oakland Stake, and the missionaries for their support.

Early in the morning of January 19, 2020 I returned to Wuhan, China. As you might know, Wuhan has been through a serious outbreak of Coronavirus. Under the protection of God, my family and I are alright! I pray daily to ask Heavenly Father to give mercy to all, to bless those medical workers, and to bless those patients to recover soon. I also study the scriptures daily. In the past few days, I have been receiving some bad news that some family friends have been quarantined or died because of illness. Please join me in continuous prayer for the people affected by this epidemic. May the living be safe and the deceased rest in peace! I know that Heavenly Fathers plan of salvation is for everyone. Pray for China. Pray for Wuhan!

This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

End quote.

Jing. What a beast. Let's all try to help him out, eh?

Anyway, back to boring old me.

We had a grand old time this week. Just making our merry way along the path. It was good.

We went on exchanges on Wednesday, and it was one of those classic times when you go out tracing for two hours, and knock on around 5 doors. We spent basically the whole time... Teaching various people whom we encountered. So that was exciting. We have several return appointments scattered throughout the week. We talked to one lady who is actually really interested, but she doesn't want to meet at her house because it's a "trap house". I'm glad to know we can run into those even out in little old Concord.

The work continues to grind on. We're doing what we can, as much as we can. The members are kind of discouraged, because there's been a ton of people moving out of the ward recently, and I guess in the past year or so the missionary work hasn't exactly produced much, but I feel like we're slowly moving it forward. The field is not as white as it is in some areas, but it's not completely barren either. Hopefully we will really get it going before long.

Transfers are nearly upon us. We find out next week what the happenings are. All the Elders in the district seem to be pretty sure I'm leaving. We'll see, though. Our ward mission leader seems to want us to stick around for a bit, but who knows. Transfers can be crazy. 

Anyway, I've held you up long enough. Go back to your lives, citizens.

-Ben

P.S. To hear some people say it, the world is in danger of sudden destruction from coronavirus.

P.P.S. I've been writing this email for the better part of an hour. Pathetic, I know.

P.P.P.S. Jenga