Island II Branch Activities

As I have mentioned in earlier blogs, an important part of our mission is working in a branch of the church with 200 Philippine sisters and 3 Philippine brothers who are working as domestic servants and drivers respectively here in Hong Kong. There are 4 other branches like ours. Most of the sisters were Church members in the Philippines before they came to Hong Kong. Many served missions for the Church. Many are married and left husbands and children to come to Hong Kong so they could earn money to send home to their families. The children are raised by husbands and extended families, and the mothers go home on holiday to see their loved ones. They keep in touch with cell phones either talking or texting their families. Other sisters are converts from missionary efforts here in Hong Kong. Our branch has had ten converts this year.

I am serving as a counselor in the Branch Presidency. The other counselor and the branch clerk are also senior missionaries. Our wives wotk with the sistersin visiting teaching, class instructors, and just being a listening ear. The Branch President is a church employee, Terry Oakes, who happens to be one of my bosses during the day. So, on week days we are on the 8th Floor of our building. On Sundays we are on floors 1-6. Since the sisters only have one holiday a week, all church activities are held on Sunday except for a few on national holidays. That includes our worship three hours of block meetings, leader planning meetings, baptismal services, home teaching lessons, visiting teaching discussions, family home evenings, socials, dinners, interviews, and handling donations. I start my Sundays by walking to Church at 8 a.m. and end by walking home about 7 p.m. Sister Smith comes a little later and often goes home before me. But it is still a long day for her as well.

The following several pictures were taken at the Relief Society Visiting Teaching Conference in October held after our block meetings. All of the preparation had to be done on Sunday morning. The Relief Society Presidency had pictures of each branch member and individually placed them on a cut out figure and then on a large poster board. Part of the theme dealt with growing in God's garden. The activities included a talk, choral singing, dancing, and then food. Each month the branch has at least one big activity like, this including a dinner for over 100. Many of the sisters are excellent cooks, so they know how to take care of large groups.



This poster took a lot of planning and preparation by the leaders.

The finished project with Sister Divina in front. (Click to enlarge and read the scripture)

The activity committee working on the lunch. They do have fun. Sister Jane, the chairperson of the Activities Committee is in front in the multi-colored dress. Other sisters from left to right are Sisters Violeta, Trinidad, Paz, Sheryl, Roselyn, Leonora, Divina.

Sister Beverly is the Home Teaching Coordinator for the Branch

Sister Gemaly



President Oakes is always ready to add his counsel and blessing on the activities.

The sisters can make costumes out of anything. They love to dance, and get a lot of participation. The sisters range in age from early 20s to 60s. It is hard to tell their age.

Sister Dona loves to dance and her gracefulness is noticeable.

They also love to sing. Their pronounciation of words causes most "i's" to come out as long "e's", but that just adds to the charm. e.g., I am Elder Smeeth. Left to Right Front Row: Sisters Rio, Maribel, Paz, Florinda, Maricel, Emily, Roselyn, Precy, Jocie . Rear visible Gloria, Divina

Sister Jenetta, the tree, is one of the few grey haired grandmothers in the branch. The idea of this skit is to care for each "flower" through love in visiting teaching.



A smiling and fun quartet of dancers. L to R: Sisters Arlyn, Dona, Rhodora, Marynn

The following pictures were taken of our farewell dinner for Elder and Sister Bench. Elder Bench was serving as a Counselor in the Presidency the last few months of his mission. Sister Bench assisted the Relief Society in many ways each week, including with her husband in a family home evening and home teaching group that meets two times a month. (There are 5 groups of 40 sisters, each led by a missionary couple)

The head table with President and Sister Oakes and Sister and Elder Bench ready to eat thedir dinner. Elder Bench served as the Area Medical Adviser for 18 months. His specialty is rhematoid arthritis. Sister Jhona of the Relief Society Presidency looks on.

Their Family Home Evening group performd and sang to them. It is hard to say goodbye to these sweet sisters. They truly become your friends. We are already feeling sad at the thought of saying goodbye in six months.

Sisters watching the performances.

Sister Luz and Brothers Isidro and Noel get ready to sing to the group. Brother Noel is the Elder's Quorum President. His wife and children are in the Philippines. He gives the sisters in the branch a lot of support, and he has a wonderful voice as well. He is 40 years old.

More dancing with impromptu costumes to add to the fun.

I gave a few remarks to thank them for their service. The flowers were presented by their family home evening/home teaching group of sisters. The Benches returned to their home in Salt Lake City.

The couples on the 8th floor took the Benches to lunch at Del Antes. From left to right, E/S Gibbons (ERS), E/S Smith, Welfare, E/S Woolsey (Welfare), E/S Bench (Medical), Sister Oakes, wife of Branch President.