Multilingual - Won't be on the 2010 Census

3/25/10

I understand more and more Cantonese everyday. I decided that I am going to seize some sort of business opportunity in Macau one day. This place is getting huge and I heard it makes more money in revenue than Las Vegas. I also want to be a good member of the church and help it explode over here. There is a Marriot being built and when its done it will probably give out lots of Books of Mormon.

As always I forgot what I needed to write. I will totally keep a journal soon. I also didn’t take much pictures this past week. I love that all the children here are multilingual (if that's how you spell it). for instance that Filipina girl shoving flowers in my face can speak English, Tagalog, Cantonese, mandarin and Portuguese, her name is Danielle and she is eight. I think it is just the most awesomest thing to speak mandarin with her; most of the other primary is that same way only her mandarin is the best. The little boy is Chinese and his care taker is a member so he comes and disrupts sacrament all the time. The only young man in the branch can't really speak English, or tagalong from what I hear, but his mandarin is really good. I have got to get a photo of him, he looks like a Chinese trapped in a Filipino body. Frances needs to go on a mission and trash the world, he's the teacher’s quorum president now, James is approximately twice as tall as him.

So I just want to learn every language that is flowing around over here, particularly Vietnamese and Nepalese. Recources for these people are basically limited to the Book of Mormon. There are some Vietnamese members here though.

I really feel that there could be a mandarin branch here very easily. The only problem with that is that then there would be no Cantonese branch because all of the members are from mainland or Taiwan.

The University is jam packed with people I can teach. It is a huge temptation to teach ten million mandarins and forget the other people. Our baptism is on Sunday and Doreen is inviting her friends to come.

I have learned that baptisms and numbers are definitely not what a mission is about. Sure I have baptized with every one of my companionships, but I feel I am far from being a successful missionary. I heard a disturbing analogy of missionary work like being on a boat. So missionaries are all on a ship saving all the people who are overboard by pulling them onto the ship. While the amount of people who are coming onto the boat is high, there are about two times as many people jumping off of the boat.

It is really hard to retain members over here and keep them active, I guess ultimately its there decision but I’m sure we need to put a larger focus on them rather than putting more people on the boat. Correct me if I'm wrong RM friends and family.

I love Macau and I am so upset that I came so early in my mission. When I get back, I will be so "Macau trunky" as they call it. They also have a disease called "international trunky" as well. Lucky me - to be destined to contract both. Yellow fever already interferes with the work enough. God definitely knows what to do to test me.

But he did know that Jessica Li would be coming to Hong Kong, so he wisely put me in Macau while she stays there. I’m not so sure why that's wise, but its probably best that I don't see her while I'm on my mission. As far as requests for things that she can bring me, perhaps a letter with some photos and the hook ups with her relatives.

My time is up. I am so glad that I wont exist for ten years
Love
Hua zhanglao

Estrada Santa Xavier do Alfonzo al Costa Cabral de Carlos

3/18/10

Actually my mailing address is still the temple in Hong Kong at #2 Cornwall street. I just rarely get the opportunity to go and pick up mail over there. I would have no idea how to mail something to Macau because all the streets are like Estrada Santa Xavier do Alfonzo al Costa Cabral de Carlos, and are way easier to read in Chinese than Portuguese. Why in the heck is everything in Portuguese? Its a good thing I know not to fumar in the elevator because of the Chinese and the picture of a cigarette with a circle and a cross though it. Our chapel has the church name in English, Chinese and Portuguese. All the bills we get are in Portuguese too.

Anyways, about Macau, the greatest place on earth. This place is just like a tame Las Vegas actually, most people work at the casinos; we do weekly planning at the casinos too. We sometimes tract next to the water fountain shows that happen.

There are actually many people who speak Mandarin over here, particularly at the colleges. We are getting Vietnamese investigators and we have a recent convert who is Vietnamese that we are going to use to fellowship. We teach way more lessons than I used to in Mandarin work. All the members try their best to fellowship and give referrals, also the find people like a missionary would. We teach lessons by accident about twice a day, usually with a member present.

I really haven't taken much pictures yet. I am pretty sure I will stay in Macau for six months so don't worry about me never getting any good ones to you. I sent a photo of all my previous companions. I will get a photo of my new companion soon.

I like my companion, he is really cool. He just turned twenty four. He likes to teach lessons for a long time though. Its good, but technically we are only supposed to teach for fouty five minutes maximum. I am used to teaching people for six hours at a time though, back when I was in Mandarin, so its no problem.

I kinda miss the Mandarin branch Victoria 3rd, I wonder if any of them miss me. We are going have Filipino night soon and I heard there is going to be balute. I am excited to try that. I will for sure get a picture. Speaking of disgusting poultry. I think that chicken with no preparation other than taking feathers off and some guts out is gross. Freshness in this case does not make it taste better. I dislike millions of bones and floppy skin all in my food. In Macau I don't need to eat that stuff, we have US mart. I am going over there right after I leave the Biblioteca Central de Macau.

I love you all. I will keep a better record of my mission this week. I like how my brother in law is famous. I think i might purchase the hint of lime Tostitos right now.

Hua Zhanglao

"Favorite Missionary Ever"

Stephen is Elder Lamb's "favorite missionary ever". Thanks to Elder Lamb, I have several pictures of Stephen and some pictures of Hong Kong too.

3/11/10
Dear family,

I like my new calling. I like my companion who just had his 24th birthday. Actually, I failed to mention Nepalese people who read the Hindi Book of Mormon, African people who read the French Book of Mormon, Vietnamese people who read Vietnamese ones and we have a couple Korean copies just in case. The cool thing about Indonesians is that alot of them don't speak English and learn the gospel through Cantonese but the cooler thing about Vietnamese people is that they don't speak Cantonese and need to learn the Gospel through MANDARIN!

We have an investigator with a baptismal date already, we have only met her four times total. What is hilarious is that she is from Sichuan China. My companion speaks English to her and I clarify with Mandarin. He is going to baptize her in Mandarin. It will be his first baptism, he doesn't even know the prayer in Cantonese. I, one the other hand have baptized probably about twenty. This investigator's name is Doreen and she wants to serve a mission. When we told her that some people don't believe in the book of Mormon, she told us "As a matter of fact I feel quite angry" Elder Lindsey, Abby and I laughed really hard. Abby is a Filipina member who doesn't really relate much to a mainland student, but is so nice that she is an amazing fellow shipper (for pretty much all of our lessons).

I really love our branch, there are so many different types of people but they all love each other and I feel that they probably epitomize what heaven looks like.

In Macau seriously I can get everything that they have in America for a little less than you can, before the postage. US mart has all the name brand companies' obscure products. Extra large low fat pizza Pringles? Got 'em in Macau. Oh Henry chocolate bars? Yep. They even have Maruchan Ramen, which makes no sense. Why import ramen from America? That baffles my mind. When we were in the immense candy section, observing all the Wonka candy that I have never seen in the US, Elder Lindsey said "It's too bad they don't have Raisonettes." Then I said "Of course they have." I promptly found him a bag. Then he said "I just wish they had the big box kind." Then I said, "Of course they have the big box kind," and found him one instantly. They have these sets of products all taped together and sell them for sixty patacas these sets include a bag of pretzels and like a package of double stuff chocolate Oreos and Chunky Nabisco chips ahoy all together. There is also every type of Malto meal cereal and every single Western Family product known to man.

So in short, don't send me packages with goodies. I will probably get way fat as it is. Food is so cheap that we can eat out pretty much every meal.

Church starts at 5 and ends at 8, its pretty much the coolest thing ever. And we go to the Cantonese ward in the morning in case any investigators can’t make the later one and translate for them. I am useless in Cantonese as of now, but I will totally start studying it so I can communicate with Indonesians and translate church perhaps.

I didn't understand why we needed to be at the church so early on Monday morning and was sort of complaining until my companion said "Surprise! We're the branch Clerks!" I enjoy counting money and sorting the many different bills that also include Hong Kong dollars in addition to patacas. The exchange rate is one to one so no problem.

I have the same thoughts as my father about visiting Macau. To heck with Hong Kong! Just kidding there is just a spirit out here, everybody says hi when you say hi to them and genuinely smile back at you; Chinese people included. We should definitely visit the mandarin branch though. I am missing a convert baptism that me and Elder Ngai got together. It is Liu Jiemei, a single mother who has an adorable three and a half year old daughter who is definitely on the kidnap list. My other convert baptism, the one I got with Elder Bendall apparently misses me a little too much. Her name is Elsa and she recently graduated from Baptist U in Kowloon tong by the temple. I will get photos to
you guys of my baptisms eventually.
I have lots more to say so tune in next time.

I will probably have pictures as well too.

Hua Zhanglao

Transferred to Macau!

3/4/10
HAHA! It happened. The Mandarin zone was abolished and the Mandarins
were all desegregated into Cantonese zones and districts. Three
Mandarins went to international, Elder O'Neill who came in with me but
has poor Mandarin, Elder Mills who is new and rad but could use the
boost of international work where finding and tracting is effective
and me. They both are still living in Wan chai on Hong Kong island
and pretty much do all of their work there.

I, on the other hand, am in Macau. I was told that I should teach
everyone, Mandarins included and my companion is to study Mandarin
with me. He is a really tall Hawaiian named Elder Lindsay, he studied
Mandarin for three years at BYU Hawaii, but got a call to Hong Kong
speaking Cantonese. I like him, I think he is probably also about as
old as my brother and yet I treat him as a peer. Missions are weird.
The amount of languages here is intense, the housemaids speak
Ilicano, Tagalog, Cebuano and Indonesian but we will teach them in
English. We will probably teach Cantonese lessons as well though.
The other crazy thing is the Portuguese, all the street signs and
businesses are written with Portuguese and Chinese characters
underneath. It’s insane. I don't know how I will get around this
place, there is almost no English. We have like eight different
languages of the book of Mormon in the chapel and the sign on our
building is in English, Chinese and Portuguese.

I hope I can grasp Cantonese and intensify my Mandarin. I am so
excited I cannot even try and explain it over an email. I guess I
will call on Mother’s Day from over here so it’s all good.

I will miss the Mandarin branch though. There is pretty much no such
thing as a International primary, because all the Philipinas and
Indonesians are over here working and their kids are still in their
native lands. But I’m sure their children are way adorable.

The thing about Macau is that it is like twenty million times better
than Hong Kong. The only two Mandarins ever to go besides me were
Zone leaders because they both had pretty good Cantonese and did
mostly Cantonese work. The entire mission is jealous of anyone going
to Macau there are only ten missionaries here. Needless to say I
never even had a glimmer of hope that I would get here but, my wildest
dreams did take place here from time to time. Mandarins also have
never been to international work ever before. Everyone is so jealous
and they all told me that I was going on a vacation mission.

I have a call to literally talk to everyone and teach everyone. I
don't have to turn anybody over. The only problem is that the sisters
in Macau international don't either.
I still don't know all that's going on over here yet, I've only been
here one day.
This is maybe the coolest thing that has ever happened to me.
Probably will be the best time of my life.

Man, I don't know what to say really. I promise to take pictures and
actually write in a journal. You won't miss a beat.

Some times I wish I had my father's talent, because I'm sure that he
would pick up all seven languages that Macau offers other than
English. I didn’t understand what he wrote me about animal Abkaz.

I am the Mandarin "go to guy" over here. I can't wait to get to work.
At first it kind of seemed like an accident, but now I'm starting to
feel really special.

My suitcase wheels got jammed and turned into erasers and left two
black trails behind me as I painstakingly drug my suitcase grinding the
wheels on the cement all the way. I have so much literature in my
suitcase that I brought. I was way sweaty when I got home.

I don't even know all the Mandarins in the mission now and I only know
like three of the people here in Macau, so bear with me as I get to
know people before I talk about them.

I think that was probably a sporadic letter I hope you captured a
little of my excitement.

Love,

Hua Zhanglao

PS If I ever decided to write a letter it would probably never get to
is destination. Packages would take months to obtain.

Anticipating Transfers

2/25/10
I am way excited for whatever happens next move. I think it is very likey that I go to international. I really want to have variety in my mission. Instead of baptizing large amounts of mainland visitors I will baptize large amounts of humble Filipinas and Indonesians.

Elder Joshua Wallace- Came in at the same time as me, he is in international, pretty cool
Elder Jacob Reeser-came in same time as me, he is cool
Elder James Cowser (Mandarin, this is the guy who lives next door to
the Anderson's from Japan. He was our Branch Pres.)-Is he one who is coming in?
Elder Marcus Wingate-Has the same Chinese last name as me, pretty shy
Elder Lamb- tall white dude from Shanghai, pretty cool
Elder Blake Harper-I don’t know
Elder JD Quinn-I don’t know
Stephen Vidmar- Office Elder, way rad
Dexter Llybert-I can't remember who this is
Elder Cope-I don't know
Noah Kirshisnik (Mandarin)- Probably one of my best friends in the mission actually

My companions were Elder Lee, Bendall and Ngai

The reason I dont talk about Kong Zhanglao very much is because I don't talk about anybody but my selfish self in any of my letters and if I did you would probably all get the wrong impression about the guy (or sister I guess). I suppose I could start doing that if you really want me to.

I enjoyed my package, thanks. I makes me feel good every now and then to get one, but you don't need to go crazy. I can get cookies over here that don't cost a lot of shipping. Maybe I'm grasping the Chinese culture and only really want money. To be honest all I want is more Matis Yahu (Reggae Jew) in my life. I enjoy pictures though and am sorry about not ever being able to send them because the planets probably all need to be in alignment before I can. I was also extremely excited to receive a letter from my grandmother. I also liked how she defined "inversion" for me; in Hong Kong that’s all we get in our sky. I wonder how it could be so hot without a sun.

Speaking of money for gifts I got about 300 Hong Kong dollars (over forty bucks US) , but I have the stipulation of not being able to use it for "personal missionary use" , which can be interpreted however one wants. I guess about ten red pockets equivilated to 300 bucks.

Man, my time is almost up actually. Ummm. It sounds like life over there is the same old stress with working on children. People change, even children I've been told, because that's the meaning of life. I hope that I have changed because of my mission and my parents' stress. I enjoy life actually, which means I could be doing it wrong. I probably need a little bit more strenuous (if that’s how you spell it), stressful work ethic probably. The things that are most difficult are often the things that are most worth it. This is why there are difficulty levels on most video games.

Five minutes left, I really love you all. But maybe not enough to attend U of U. I probably will rely on the Dodges when I get back to maintain the mandarin that I have developed on my mission. I do like affordable living at my parents house though, we'll see, I still have forever left on my mission.

Hua Zhanglao

Chinese New Years

2/22/10
So Chinese New year wasn't as special as I thought it would be, everybody seems to leave Hong Kong to party somewhere in the Mainland or Taiwan. I did get a lot of Red Pocket money, which kind of weirds me out when I think about it. It seems pretty strange to me to hand out cash for a holiday. We got treated to several meals by the few members who stayed. We didn't see the fireworks. The whole mission went to the largest outside buddha in the world named "Big Buddha" or "Da Fo" in mandarin or "Dai Fut" in Cantonese which I think is pretty funny. It was super cold.

I got zero pictures because my battery was dead. I guess there's always next year. I heard the package is at the temple but I haven't picked it up.

I thank my mother for the letter on hymns. I enjoy hymns and that method of singing a hymn mentally to ward off bad thoughts works pretty well. I just actually feel my mind melting from all the Mormon Tabernacle choir and EFY. But it is great incentive to leave the apartment as soon as possible, maybe even early.

So there are three Mandarins coming in now; one missionary is moving up early because his parents are Chinese. There are at least two Mandarins now that will go into International work. I have a not so secret desire to go.

The work was pretty slow during the holiday but it will pick up here pretty soon with a baptism next Sunday and another two weeks later into the branch.

My Mandarin is not progressing much and an elder who came in with me who had no Mandarin background before the mission seems to understand and say a whole lot more than me. I'm not jealous, I just know that I could definitely be doing a whole lot better especially with about five years under my belt. It kind of seems like band all over again. I had an advantage of playing the trumpet since fifth grade and by the time I was a senior I was last chair trumpet with about three freshman above me. At first, because I could work less and obtain the same results as everyone else, I did. Eventually people who were working harder than me who were not as blessed initially started passing me up. Don't fall into that trap, especially if you have the advantage of being born into the only true church on the face of the planet. Work hard, strain yourself in all that the Lord has blessed you with.

I don't wish to harrow up any body's soul now. I know what I have to do. All I have to do is do it. Its a whole lot better than not knowing what to do or only knowing sort of what to do. And that is why I’m a missionary.

That is my message for the day, I hope James can get something out of it.

Hua Zhanglao

Hulk with Green Skin

2/11/10
Actually, I have my camera and cord but I can't reach the USB hole because its with the CPU several feet above my head. Do you know what kind of chip I have for my camera; its kind of a special one that nobody really has I fear you purchased the wrong one over there. Plus all things computer are way cheaper here than in America.

Do I still have to pray for Ezra or is he okay? That really scares me. He is pretty much adorable. I definitely have to pray for Peter right? I guess Kevin as well. I learned tricks in the MTC to avoid the time limit. One is through notepad; just write your letters in the notepad application and when you're done, log in to the email and copy and paste the letters. This saves all the time spent on writing letters and then gives you a ton of time to read letters. Another way is to type the days date as a password instead of your birthday, for some reason the time limit never pops up. I incorporated a strategy of both while in the MTC, which is the only way I could avoid my mom calling leadership to scold me.

I wish I could do that now, I only have twenty minutes left after reading all the traumatizing (if that's how you spell it) letters about Ezra. I also enjoyed deciphering the Spanish letter that was sent to me, about mocos in a nariz aftecting respirar. Kind of scary though.

Right now is the holidays so the work is pretty much slow, especially for Mandarins, everybody is back in the mainland with family. So on Sunday I predict only missionaries being at church. I hear pretty soon Hong Kong becomes a ghost town on the streets and nobody is out trying to receive the gospel. But I heard that in International zone, all the domestic workers get off and so they just roam the streets on Hong Kong Island and a ton of missionary work gets done over there with Filipinas, Indonesians and Thai ladies. I think I might get sent there next transfer.

My breakfast always includes an egg ham and cheese sandwich and a high potency multi vitamin. When I eat ramen I place "choy" or "cai" (in mandarin) in my noodles, which is just like vegetables and sometimes I place awesome frozen dumplings in the water too while its boiling. I am pretty dang healthy, although still obese, and one day I will come back looking like the hulk with green skin from all the choy that I eat every day. And we actually do pretty well with members and investigators feeding us, we call this occurrence a "chang out" or "qing out" in Mandarin. And I have only been sick twice, probably food poisoning both times because of the suspicious way in which they handle and prepare their chicken over here. But that which doesn't kill me only makes me stronger right?

I just doesn't really know what to write one. That's the way my trainer spoke English although his English was pretty dang powerful.

Maybe that’s all I have to say,

I love you guys