Free at last!

 

We checked off each day in quarantine. We're done!

Heading out the door for the first time

The street sign outside our apartment

Today, after a 14-day quarantine. we were finally able to leave our apartment! Neither of us had been confined for so long, and it really made us appreciate the freedom to come and go as we please. The authorities were faithful to contact us every day, to make sure we were still healthy and maintaining our quarantine. Anyway, this morning we walked out into the Taiwan sunshine, and to the mission office and local chapel, which are located 1.4 km (.86 mi) away. We didn't even get lost (thanks Google maps!)

We attended our local ward, the Wuquan 3rd Ward first. We arrived just in time to introduce ourselves to a few people and then the meeting started. I counted 42 souls in attendance. Once testimony bearing time started, a member of the Stake Presidency called us to come up to the stand to bear our testimonies.

Debbie's FB entry reads, "I told Elder Wells I could translate for him as long as he kept it simple. He did, and I got through it fairly well (although when he wanted to talk about the Title Page of the Book of Mormon, I didn't know how to say "title page" but someone on the stand prompted me). We enjoyed the Chinese ward Sunday school class and a lively discussion ensued when the teacher asked if class members would like to volunteer to teach parts of the lesson each week (a suggestion she found in the teacher's manual). A ward member mentioned that she thought Taiwanese people were too shy to do that, but Americans would do that. I replied that not all Americans would volunteer either - but that is an impression of us here - that we are more outgoing and gregarious. They've met too many enthusiastic young American missionaries and they judge all of us by them, I think!"

After the 3rd Ward meetings, we wandered over to the mission office and President's home which are next door to the chapel. There we met President and Sister Card and their children, Stephanie, 14, Riley (R. J.), 12, and Cameron, 10. They are super nice and we look forward to getting to know them better over the next 6 months or so (they go home in July). The Card's gave us a ride to the other chapel where the English branch meets.

Debbie continued, "The second ward was in English and, while we could understand them better, I think we will choose to attend the Chinese ward on a regular basis and attend the English ward only occasionally. It feels more like real missionary work to us. But, after we bore our testimonies in the English ward, we were asked to speak in church next week, so we will be attending that ward at least one more time!

"We found it's time to "open our mouths and speak" as in D & C 30:5 "Behold, I say unto you, (Sister Wells), that you shall take your journey with your (husband, Elder Wells); for the time has come that it is expedient in me that you shall open your mouth to declare my gospel..."

"So, no more hiding in the comfortableness of quarantine . . . we're out amongst them and the work has begun! We love it!"

A view along our walk home from church

We also learned, sadly, that Taiwan has again suspended processing almost all visas because of the resurgence of Covid. This means that the Turners will not be coming as soon as we expected, which in turn means that I will be the financial secretary until further notice. That will be an unexpected learning curve!

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