Sri Lanka Saints!

*This was originally posted approx. September 9, 2016

We didn't know much about Sri Lanka or where it is even located until these members came to the temple this week.  The women speak little English.  Brother Paththini and Alexsanderkrishna can.

 The Paththini De Wage Family

Akisha & Amaya are daughters

The Alexsanderkrishan Family & Paththini De Wage Family

Elisha is wearing a crown and wedding dress.

Her mother, Tekla served a mission in Singapore

She was Buddhist before joining the church.

Brother Alexsanderkrishan was Roman Catholic

She is seven years older than her husband.

Their parents do not know because they would no approve.

Her being two years older would be unacceptable.

It took years before her husband joined the church.

They are the only couple in their branch who married outside of the church, and are still active.

They were able to come with the financial help from three separate members.  If they had not received help, it would be another 10 years before they could come. 

 They had already waited 5 years.

Champika Thushari Lanka made a pearl necklace for me because I gave her children a bag of candy.  It was explained to me that her father is a farmer.

  I told her that my father was also a farmer.

She gave me a note, written by sister Woodruff, thanking me, and considers me an eternal friend.

I wish I could tell Champika in her own language how much I appreciate her kindness.

This was given Saturday morning.

Elder Bodily baptized their son, Thushal 17 and daughter, Deshiko 15 as proxies

I attended the sealings of these above families.

Pathmasiri Gamage Don & Champika Singapulle Archchige

Children - Thushal, 17  Deshiko, 15   Piumi, 9   Gaganyo  1

I helped with the initiatory for each Indian and Sri Lanka sister.

Sister Champika was teary eyed.  

I learned that Sister Woodruff helped Champika read the Children's Scripture Stories for New Testament, Book of Mormon and D & C before their mission ended.  It required spending hours each week and staying up late and splashing water on Champika's face to accomplish.  

Elder Woodruff played cards with the children during this time, and Brother Pathmasiri usually slept on the couch.

Their son is preparing to serve a mission.  He speaks English.  Their daughter speaks English well.

Elder Bodily thinks she is just the cutest girl ever.

The Sri Lanka Saints on the left.  The Indian Saints on the right.
With Brother and Sister Woodruff in the center back.
Champika's husband is in the center.  She is to the left.

The Thais
Father, Mother, Son

This dear sister came to the temple from Thailand more than once during our time in HK.

Yo Yo Ma!

*This was originally posted September 9, 2016

When we learned that Yo Yo Ma would be performing in Hong Kong, we were excited to have an opportunity to watch him perform live.  

The concert hall is just a 15 minute-walk away from our apartment.

Yo Yo Ma is an incredible cellist, and his performances did not disappoint.  However, we were a bit disappointed that he only performed twice as a soloist.  He played a 'few' other pieces with the orchestra.  But, most of the concert was just watching the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.  They are an exceptional orchestra and played beautifully, but we thought we had bought tickets to a Yo Yo Ma concert.  That wasn't what we experienced. 

 Next time, we'll look a little closer at the brochure.

An Eternal Friend From Sri Lanka!

*This was originally posted approx. September 10, 2016

Champika Thushari Lanka made a pearl necklace for me as a thank you for the candy I gave her children.
Sister Woodruff helped her write a thank you note to give me for the candy.  She had her daughter try to me that her father is a farmer.  I tried to convey to her that my father was also a farmer.
She is a great women with faith and determination to learn to read the scriptures in English.
She learned with the help of Sister Woodruff from Cardston, Alberta.

Champika's husband is in the center.  She is standing on his right.  Elder and Sister Woodruff are standing directly behind them.