Mission Backup

 Unfortunately, it seems that it's Taiwan's turn to endure the disruptions caused by Covid outbreaks. The country has seen increases in cases which, although small in number, have resulted in a pretty severe response, including moving to "Level 3" where schools and most businesses are closed, church meetings are discontinued, etc. They hope to have the crisis pass in a couple of weeks, but given the experience in other countries, I expect it to last much longer. Because Sacrament Meeting has been canceled, we invited the nearby Sisters to receive the Sacrament at our home. Last week, we hosted Sisters Lai and Ting, and this week we had two services (no more than 5 can gather indoors) with Sisters Luo and Chung joining as well. It is a pleasure to spend time with these wonderful young missionaries! Because of Covid, Taiwan has halted visas, but a handful of missionaries were able to travel just as the new lockdown took place, and they are currently quarantining here in...

A "non-office" highlight this week was a visit to a Taiwanese flea market! Okay, it was pretty much like any other flea market, with lots of interesting stuff we didn't buy and some real junk. Our adventure was courtesy of an older sister in our ward who wanted to take us to this flea market and then to lunch. On Saturday, she ordered a taxi and picked us up at the mission office. We drove right to the sprawling outdoor (under a cover) flea market, but the driver convinced her that there was a "better one" further on. After he dropped us off there, we found that it was a sprawling fish and meat market. We had a look around - they were selling every kind of ocean-dwelling creature and meat you can imagine!. But, we weren't in the market for fish or meat, so we left and tried to get a taxi. Even after calling on the phone for one, we couldn't get one. So, we finally took the bus back to the flea market. Sister Wells found some flip flops she liked, and bou...

 We're excited that another missionary couple, Lynn and Cindy Turner, have arrived in Taichung. They are currently on day 2 of their 2 week quarantine in the "other" seniors apartment. Elder Turner will be taking over the Financial Secretary role from me, and I'll be able to concentrate more on operations - mostly, doing minor repairs in the young missionary apartments, replacing appliances, and the like. We're looking forward to seeing other areas in the mission and getting to know the young missionaries better. Sister Wells will be continuing as Mission Secretary, though with a bit different schedule. Sadly, just today Sister Turner learned that her younger sister has unexpectedly passed away after a brief fight with cancer. This news greatly saddens us, and we are praying for the Turners and their family. Last week I mentioned the celebrations around  Baosheng Dadi's (the God of Medicine) birthday. Well, on Sunday, after stocking the Turner's apartment ...