Baptisms Return!

With the increased restrictions of Covid, baptisms were discontinued some time ago. Now, the level has been reduced, and baptisms are again being allowed. Saturday, Patricia was baptized. She was taught by the Wuquan 3rd Ward Elders, and others including Elder Anderson and Elder Stone. Elder Stone, who recently completed his mission, came down from Taipei to perform the baptism. We had never met Patricia Huang before the baptism, but found her to be a lovely, intelligent, and accomplished woman. She made brief remarks, telling how, when she moved to Taichung to take care of her mother, she drove by the church and had the feeling that she should learn more about it. She initiated contact, and gladly accepted the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here are some pictures of the baptism and the soiree held afterward in the mission office.
The missionaries sang "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" (Blue, Blue Sky)
Elder Stone performed the baptism
Patricia receives a little gift from Sister Wells, who is just out of the picture

Sunday, Patricia was confirmed in Sacrament Meeting. Bishop Zhang, with Elder Chuang and myself invited to stand in. After the meeting, Sister Huang shared with Sister Wells and me that she had felt a profound and strong feeling at the baptism. I served her the Sacrament for the first time, as she had decided early on that she would wait until she was baptized to partake of the Lord's Supper.

There is a blood shortage in Taiwan at the moment, and I got the idea that the missionaries could donate blood to help out. So, I spent some time learning about giving blood in Taiwan, and what opportunities are available. I made a proposal and mapped out the locations and times. The president is excited about this opportunity. I added the locations to the map I've put together for mission locations.


In other news, I connected the new water filter in the Dongying Sisters apartment here in Taichung, then returned the next day to replace it with another one after the first one was found to be leaking.


Saturday, we finally had a P-day (after 2 weeks in a row in Kaohsiung, in the rain), and went again to the Jade Market, as it had been closed last time we tried. There are so many stalls, with innumerable pieces of jade, made into many different things. Jewelry, of course, and statues, and lots of other objects. We priced necklaces of jade beads at around 3,000 to 4,000 NT (about  $100 - $150 US), but Sister Wells as able to pick out one she liked, which we learned was selling for $50,000 ($1,800 US). She has good taste! Needless to say, we didn't buy it.


It's Ghost Month, and our apartment has set up an awning and tables for residents to make offerings. There is incense burning, and the little containers where they burn ghost money for their ancestors.

The awning set up, before any activity began


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