Shau Kei Wan – My Fifth Area

After four plus months in the Causeway Bay Ward I was moved to the neighboring branch, Shau Kei Wan. It was in the same zone and still on Hong Kong Island just a little more east. It was also one of, if not the smallest area geographically in my mission. I think our area literally was something around 3 square miles I served here for the next six months, the longest time in any one area during my mission. The last month or so the branch was combined with the neighboring Chai Wan Ward so my area greatly expanded and most the local leadership changed.
Shau Kei Wan started out rough but by the time I left I had grown quite fond of the area. Here’s the rundown:
Companions = My first companion in SKW was Elder Colyer. He is from Orem, Utah and a large guy. In high school he played offensive line for the football team and I could see him being a ferocious blocker and yet a fun teammate to play with. He always had a smile on his face and a happy demeanor. We didn’t exactly talk about politics or deep gospel topics during our time together but we got along pretty well.
My second companion here was Elder David, my greenie. He’s from SLC (Holiday) and had worked as a bank teller and attended Salt Lake Community College before his mission. He had an interesting family story and had a great heart. A very powerful memory I have of him was during his Christmas call home encouraging his non-member father to read the Book of Mormon and Elder David bearing his testimony about it and the Church with tears running down his cheeks.
My third companion was Elder Cameron Smith. He was from Boulder, Colorado and a really cool guy. We worked hard and taught a lot. He’s one companion I’d really like to get in touch with again but haven’t been able to find. No picture from mission either.
Members/Ward: I loved the Shau Kei Wan Branch. Attendance was probably only about 40 most Sundays but the small numbers made it easier to establish strong relationships with each member. The Branch President had five kids (unheard of in Hong Kong) and was a really funny guy who spoke great English. Our Ward Mission Leader was a really fun guy who made every correlation meeting both enjoyable and productive. I still remember a story he told about going shopping with his wife and carrying all her bags and it brings smile to my face every time. There were a few other faithful members I got to know well and loved to see regularly.
Missionary Work: Shau Kei Wan was a tiny place but still probably had a couple hundred thousand people. We street contacted here hours every day. We swam through the Blue Ocean like it was a our private pool. But all the finding did pay off with regular discussions. I probably hit my groove while in this area. At times we had five plus investigators and taught 5-10 discussions a week (both pretty good for Chinese companionships). All the finding and teaching didn’t turn into too many baptisms but I loved my time here and felt really blessed. Elder David and I were able to baptize a young man named Sum Ka Kit (Keith) and I taught another young man for a while who wanted to get baptized but his dad wouldn’t let him. I also served as the District Leader here for a while and had the opportunity to conduct a few baptismal interviews. Very nerve wracking the first time but they turned into wonderful, enjoyable spiritual experiences once I turned it into a simple friendly conversation about the gospel.
Memorable Experiences: We went to a ward activity on Christmas Day or Eve out to Sai Kung (rural, jungle country park) and got to see some beautiful country. On the Thursday after the 2002 November elections I told my greenie this was the only time he was going to see me blatantly break the rules. I then proceeded to jump into 7-11 and take a quick look at the headline of the South China Morning Post to see who won the election back in the US. I walked out with a big smile on my face. My last Sunday in the combined ward I was sitting in Sacrament Meeting ½ paying attention when I thought I heard my name and the word stand. Everyone was looking at me so I popped up afraid of what I’d missed. Thinking I was supposed to bear my testimony or something I was about to start moving towards the aisle when Bro. Mh said, “Everyone who can show your appreciate for Elder Layton’s service in our ward, please show your hand.” I guess I was being released from a calling or something. It was bizarre, never seen it before or since but I learned again to pay attention in Sacrament Meeting, especially during ward business. Finally, twice the elevator went out in our complex and we had to hike 20-something flights of stairs any time we went home. Thankfully it was during the winter.
Favorite Meal: I think I ate a lot of PB&Js here. The other one that stands out was the Curry House. It was right downstairs at the bottom of our apartment complex and our zone would go eat there after every zone find in our area. It was strong too.
Favorite Song: “Bring Them In” from EFY 2002. I like the story of the song and it gave me a country music feel, which I did miss while on my mission.

Running Description of Photos: 1) Baptism of So Ying Ying (Yanni) I was the District Leader and conducted the baptismal interview so she chose me for baptism. She had to wait almost three years to be baptized because her parents wouldn't give her permission. Even when she did get baptized at 18 she had to lie about it and going to Church because her dad wouldn't let her out of the house if she was going to a Christian church. She'd leave in jeans and then change at the Church. 2) Baptism of Sum Ka Kit. Elder David and I found him while street contacting, taught him all six discussions, and had the pleasure of baptizing him as well. He was a really good, quiet kid. For our 3rd meeting we showed him the movie "On the Way Home" and he was crying at the end and wasn't really talkative so we finished up with a closing prayer and hoped he'd meet with us again not knowing what was going on. Turns out his dad has passed away a couple years before and the idea of eternal families really hit him hard. He loved it and after feeling the Spirit so strongly was golden from then on. Myself and roommates Elder David, Bethers, and Loutham. I've kept in touch with all since getting home and even played some golf with Elder/Sister Bethers (his favorite saying when someone leaves a putt short). 4) Group on a Preparation Day excursion to Sehk O Beach. We played rugby, football, and whatever else came to mind. Some guy made an amazing catch where he ran into a thigh high brick wall shortly after hauling the ball in. Even held onto it after impact. 5) Elders Miyazaki, Colyer, Chan, and some lazy guy lying on top. 6) Brother Chan and me. He was a member who kind of adopted all the missionaries in Hong Kong. He took almost every missionary to the local amusement park each year in December. Additionally he bought most missionaries an expensive watch before they went home and took 20 or so missionaries out to eat at HardRock, RubyTuesday, TGIFs, or some other great restaurant every preparation day. Guesstimates for his annual spending on missionaries ranged anywhere from 8-15K. One very generous man. And don't say there isn't any money in the toy business, he made his owning 3 stores. 7) Leighton Rd and I. Its actually in CWB area but I got the picture on a zone find while serving in SKW. 8) The Church building in SKW, since sold when the new massive one was built in Wan Chai. I spent a lot of time in that building over six months. We did most of our teaching there and played a lot of ping pong while getting stood up for multiple appointments every week. 9) A view of the main drag in town we walked up and down every day. I think I met Sum Ka Kit right about here. 10) My apartment for six months. If was a descent sized one but not the cleanest. However, our study room had an amazing view of the eastern edge of Victoria Harbor/Kowloon side and I got the massive, cushy chair. Morning study and meal breaks were very enjoyable here. 11) Bakery right below our building that hooked us up with free stuff a few times. 12) SKW bus stop, lots of street contacting here.