Week 37: Fish Bag, Ricky and his Prayer, Church Ping Pong!

Lieh Hou Muiyatgoyahn!

WOW this week just flew by and I can't believe how great things are doing back home. I will not waste to much of your time today, but here is what was up here in Hong Kong This Week!!!

On This week Episode of Elder Stan Theman: Hong Kong Adventure!

Fish in the Bag!: 

OK, this was one of the most funniest and unique Cheng outs we have had with members ever! They live in the middle of nowhere in the eastern side of our area. Our area is the 4th biggest in Hong Kong because it is very long! We went to a family called the Leih's. They are a sweet little family in the jungle in Tai Mei Tuk, and it was like Jurassic Park for real out there! They could film the next one in Hong Kong and I think that would work great. Anyway, we made it to their house and they had some fish fillets on the table covered by a paper towel. There were some flies in the house and I was just a wee bit scared for what would be under the cloth...hahaha. They pulled out of a big bag of some smaller paper bags that had the bottom totally dripping in grease! They got some bowls and ripped open the bags. The inside was just some noodles and some meat that was supper tasty! Then they offered us more of the Fish Fillets. I was able to eat two of them, and the were actually super good! Elder Riley ate four, and the sisters were there as well! Sister Burtenshaw and Sister Johnson. The members pushed the plate over to Elder Riley and he pushed it over to sister Burtenshaw and she was like, ok. I looked away for a split second, and before she had already eaten 3 and when I looked away for 3 seconds and looked back it was gone. I knew she didn't eat it so I looked on the floor to see if it was chillin there! When I leaned over to look, I saw it wrapped in paper towel and in her bag! I was laughing so hard! And everyone started laughing and they didn't quite realize why!  We shared a message and then went on our way to the bus station. The bus came and there are 16 seats on the bus, and if the people in front of us got on and the sisters, elder Riley could get on but I couldn't. SO, we let them go and we waited for the next bus to come. An Hour and a Half Later!!!!! Holy Moly - that was the longest wait ever! There were also Cows! Haven't seen those guys in a while. Got back to the church and the sisters showed up right when we did so we told them what happened and they were so sorry. Turns out the fish in sister Burtenshaws bag leaked and it destroyed one of her new note books she had just bought the day before! I felt so bad but it was kinda funny! She loved the fish but she was just full so that is why she couldn't eat it hahah! SO much Fun!

Ricky and his Prayer:

 We had a broadcast for Taiwan and for Hong Kong from some of the leaders of the church and it was really cool. They talked a lot about ministering and how it is the new Higher and Holier way to help everyone and be like Christ! 

Ricky was able to come to it and he loved it so much. We met with him this week and finished teaching The Gospel of Jesus Christ and he loved it! He told us that he thought so much about baptism this week and that his older sister talked to him and she was there to support him in his choice because she believes in God and that we all need him in our life! She isn't a Member but wow how cool! During our lesson we invited him to pray about a date to be baptized and he said he would do so. When the broadcast was over I was prompted to ask him how his prayer went and before I could open my mouth he leaned over and said this, "I talked to God in Prayer this week like you told me to.....and I got an answer to my prayer, I want to be baptized on June 10!" I stood there for like 5 seconds while he was smiling at me because I was so shocked fromm what he said. We both started laughing and talking and I told him how proud I was for him and he is super excited for this change in his life. He wants to be baptized so bad and he went around the whole ward telling every one and it was the cutest thing ever because he was so happy about it all! He asked Bishop Wohng to be the one to baptize him and he is super excited for it! I was so filled with joy and with love that day and it is for sure a day I will never forget in my life! I am so happy for him and all he is doing!

Also Mr Tsang was able to come to the meeting as well and we talked to him, and he really liked it but had to go so we couldn't catch up. We are meeting with him this week on Thursday to have dinner and to teach him The Restoration. So excited. Also we taught Matthew and turns out when we went in to teach the Commandments we talked about how it was cool he was reading and praying every day! He looked a bit confused and he said I don't have a book! I was shocked and so we dropped our original lesson plan and gave him a BoM and read 1 Nephi 1. Just comes to show to Teach People and not Lessons! We had to push his baptism back a bit because of that, and also he personally doesn't feel like he has enough faith, yet. But he is still ready for baptism and we have a new plan for some time later in June! Really excited for him!

Church Ping Pong!:

Alright I know what you all are thinking...He is in China he has to have played Ping Pong and is super good because, well...China. Sorry to disappoint you all, but this was the first time this week we played Ping Pong, and it was the funnest thing ever! We didn't have a net so we used Hymn books as nets. It was Elder Riley with Sister Anderson V.S. Me and Brother Ho - our mission leader! There wasn't enough paddles, so me being myself, went for a hymn book and swung away. Turns out those books really help you out in life cause I was doing great with it. Probably not good using a Hymn book for a paddle but I had the word of God on my side hahahaha! It was so much fun and I really hope to get good at Ping Pong out here on my mission.

But that isn't the point of me being here! I am here to help others come unto Christ and to teach Repentance and baptize converts. I love being out here and there are indeed hard times! I thought I was never going to get any thing going on my mission because nothing was happening the first part of my mission! But just like Ether 12:6 we do not receive a witness until after the trial of our faith! I love being a missionary and getting stronger every day! I love you all and am so grateful for all your love and support in helping me out here on my mission. Please look after each other and do as Christ would do and Minister to those who need it the most!

Have a good week!

Yours in Fellowship and Love,󾓭🐲🐼✌🍜

鄧 長 老

Elder Duersch

Dahng Jeunglouh

Stan Theman

Week 36: Investigators!

Lieh hou muiyatgoyahn!!!!

Hello every one how are you all doing? Wow time really does fly and I can't believe how good every one is doing! Things sound like they are great back home with spring right around the corner and the flowers and grass are all coming a long and all the smells of spring are great. I wish I had flowers here hahaha. They would smell so nice! All I get the smell of is cigarettes and car exhaust! Well I will not take to much of all of your time so you all can get back to what you do and I can get back to serving the lord

Investigators!!!: This week was so good with all the investigator action we have been so blessed with from the Lord! 

We had the opportunity to have a lesson with Ricky! He is doing so well at this time in his life! We taught him the gospel of Jesus Christ and he loves it to bits. We only got through half way and we will finish it this week. We walked with him for a while in his shop and I was able to talk to him for a bit and he told us he has been thinking so much about baptism and how he knows it will bless his life and how much it can help him come closer to Christ! He needs to talk to bishop about some help with his work and then he told us in June he wants to be baptized. I hope I am still in the area for when that happens but if not that doesn't matter because he is coming closer to Christ and is ready to follow him. Sunday rolled around and we were waiting for him in the church and I didn't see him. Then coming down the street in his suit and nice cloths with a smile and a skip in his step made it! He loves church and told us that he knows he needs to be there to hear the speakers and to feel the spirit! He talked with bishop and he is ready to get baptized really soon! He is ready and wants to follow the lord!

Mr. Tsang(Jang) is doing so good! I was sitting in sacrament and I saw someone coming up the walk way and they were really in nice cloths! It was Mr Jang!!! I saw bishop and the bishoprics face when he walked in and they all leaned back because He came in all clean shaven, neat and with a pure white shirt and tie that looked great! Seeing an investigator come to church all neat and clean and ready! We had the first combined meeting of Elders and it was so powerful! I love the new method that is now in play with all the brethren unified and ready to serve. Ricky and Jang stood up and introduced them selves to every one and they were fantastic. Mr. Jang was able to get up and told us that his first time to church was great but he was debating coming back and then he told every one he didn't yell at his daughter this week and he paused and said, "I NEED TO GO BACK!" What an incredible story and all the ward loves him and Ricky! Can't wait to keep seeing him and working with him!

We met with Connor as well this week and then we talked to him about this family. We are going to be working with him in July cause he is really busy and we are going to try to get his mom to a ward dinner and to talk to every one at a Dinner! That is our plan and Connor still wants to be baptized and he is really busy so we are planing on July!

We got a turn over lesson from the Tai Po elders and this young man(He is 19) is named Matthew and he is a Golden! He knows the church is true and he has to challenges or doubts at this time in his life about the church. He had the question for a long time of "Where did I come From?" and we answered it! We taught him The Gospel of Jesus Christ and he has a baptism date for May 13!!! I am so glad that the Lord is blessing us with all these great people and all the good feelings!

Well that was how it all went this week with investigators and it was the best thing ever to feel this busy. I am scared I am going to get transferred now that the work is going so good but it is not my will, it is the lords. and that is one thing we all need to remember that it isn't how we want to do it, it is how the Lord wants us to do it and we can be creative, ask, and then do as he says yet again. I know this church is true and that we are all children of a god. Of all the things that Deity could have asked us to call him, he asked us to call him Father!

Love you all and let me know if there is anything I can do for you all!

F.E.A.R.  It has two meanings:

Forget Everything And Run

Or

Face Everything And Rise

...it is your choice!!!

Yours in Fellowship and Love,󾓭🐲🐼✌🍜

鄧 長 老

Elder Duersch

Dahng Jeunglouh

Stan Theman

Pictures will come next week! sorry about that apple computers are.....unique hahahah! Love ya all!

Week 35: Mr Jing, Ricky, Newbold Exchanges!, and President Nelson and Elder Holland!

Lieh Hou Ngohge Gatihng tuhng Muiyatgoyahn!

Wow this week really flew by with the temple and so many great things! I am also very glad for some super awesome experiences that happened this week as well! Lot of really insane stuff! Again let me know if there is anything I can do for any of you and I am always praying for you all!

On this weeks episode of Stan Theman(Elder Duersch) China Hong Kong Mission

Mr Jing: So the man that we met on the street that told us our message couldn't help him at this time, came to church with us yesterday! He stayed for all 3 hours and it was so good for him. He had a great time and loved all the friends that were there. He went to the Catholic church next door by acident and we had to go and get him out hahah! He really liked all the people there to make him feel at home and loved. He has had a hard time and he is really excited to come again. Bishop pulled him aside and talked to him. I couldn't tell about what but it was good! I am really excited for him to come again and for us to teach him all we can!

Ricky: He is doing so well and he is loving all of our lessons and he came to all of our church activities and loves all the people! He is learning all he can and that he came to our event with the prophet!

Newbold Exchanges!: Man it was exchanges this week and it was with Elder Newbold! It was really fun to have him back in the appartment and it felt wierd cause we were just companions only 2 months ago and it was really interesting! We caught up on old times and it was so much fun!

Now to the coolest thing yet!

President Russell M Nelson and Elder Holland!!!: I had the most unique experience of my entire mission yet! We all got to meet at the church around 4:45 and we had our investigator ricky come to the event and a less active we work with named Brother Ching! They had a blast and it was the coolest thing to see them both come in in there nice church cloths! The sisters  had there investigators come and it was so great. We went all the way down to The Island. Now the island is what every one sees in the movies of Hong Kong and we went to the Hong Kong Conference Center to see them both! Elder Holland was the first one to speak and he talked about The Prison Temple. Liberty Jail. This was one of the first temples that we had from what he said. Because when Joseph Smith was in the prison he was at the lowest point. A prophet of God asked if God was still there to hear him. When we get to our lowest point in life we can make our disadvantages our greatest stregnths! We can turn the bad times into our own personal tempels and come even closer to our savior.

Then President Nelson got up. Let me tell you that when he stands up and get to the pulpit it is the strongest thing in the world. To have the prophet of God come to your location and to feel his spirit! It was so interesting to hear from him. They had translaters for each of them so there messages were relativly short and they were so powerful! He talked all about the doctrine of christ and how that we all need to go to the temple more often because there is one in China and it is in Hong Kong! He had all the people who are native and who are across the world stand and represent our nations and our service to the lord. He had all the missionaries stand and he gave all of us an imaginary hand shake and a hug! He was so powerfull and told us to go to the temple more!

That night was so much fun and I wish you all could have been there for it!

Well that is it for this week and I am so glad to have all your support and love! if you ever need anything let me know!

Yours in Fellowship and Love,󾓭🐲🐼✌🍜

鄧 長 老

Elder Duersch

Dahng Jeunglouh

Stan Theman

Week 34: Zone Conference, P-Day, "The Guy", Ricky, Smart Phones!!!!

Lieh Hou Ngohge Gatihng!!!

Wow time really did fly fast when you are just serving the lord with all your heart mind might and strength! I am glad to hear that Utah seems to be getting back to normal I think when it comes to weather, but it is Utah and every one is praying for different weather every 10 minutes - hahaha! Sounds like you all are doing great with life and can't wait to see what is going on in the world back home. I did hear something about Syria and a new war or something along those lines? Anyway, the world sounds like it is going down the toilet and that's not good! The world is losing some values and we must remain strong in the gospel in order to help everyone! Well I will not take up to much more of your time and we can now get on to this weeks episode of

Elder Stan Theman China Hong Kong Mission Adventure!

Zone Conference: So this week was Zone conference and what we more or less did was watch the 2016 missionary broad cast from the first presidency and the Apostles about the changes in the missions and what we need to do in order to help our areas and make people come closer to the lord! It was very powerful when President Lam gets up and talks to us and we get to ask questions and he is so nice and is so smart to know just the scripture or just the page in Preach my gospel. He is so smart and knows just what we all need and is aware of all our problems! All in all really fun to go down to Kowloon Tong to see the Kowloon West mission, us, and Macau. Some really good friends I got to see and I also was able to get the birthday package which was so great thank you again for that I love everything that was in it!

P-Day: For this week we just went to Fan Ling and got to go to a temple that was so Chinese that it was just like the movies! Oh what they actually get the movie stuff rfom here hahahaha! Anyway there was so much smoke from inscents and it was so smoky with all the fire. There was a huge wild fire in MaOnShan this week because of ancestor worship and it is funny cause in America we get fires form guns and stuff and here it is from Ancestor Worship hahaha. I will send pics to show you guys! It is so interesting that when you want to send you ancestors something you have to make it out of paper and burn it! SO interesting here!

"The Guy": So this week we were out Hunting and I was able to walk with this guy and talk to him for a bit about his life and told him we had a very special message that could help his life! He told us that last month his wife passed away, he has no job cause he has to take  care of his 2 little kids and that his parents are in main land and can't come down to help him. He looked us right in the Eyes and said "How can your message possibly help me know!" We told him a little of the plan of Salvation and he just nodded and walked away. We had no idea what to do in that lesson and we just walked away.

During Zone conference we asked president lam what we could have done better and he said we did the best we could and that if we prayed we would see him again and he promised us this. He told us to get him in touch with bishop cause he hold the keys over the entire area to help everyone. So we went out hunting the third day after the first encounter and guess what! We were only about a 100 feet from where we first met him and we say him again! He was some what happy to see us and we got his phone number and he walked away with his daughter! Man you can't tell me the church isn't true after that experience! We will get in touch with him this week and help him out! What an absolute blessing!

Ricky!: Ricky came to church this Sunday and he absolutely loves it! He loved the talks and the classes! He is doing really well and has started to read the Book Of Mormon and he is so strong in the spirit and he loves our church. We are going to teach him the Plan of Salvation this week and he is going to love it! He is going to do so well and he is one of my best friends!

Also got 3 new investigators this week! Taahm, Ivan, and Matthew who is a turn over from Tai Po! They are all super strong and ready to learn. 2 have baptismal dates in May and we can't wait to see there progress!

Smart Phones:  We are now getting smart phones! Not much else to report on that hahahaha. We will get them before June! Really excited to use the whatsup app to text this people and help them out!

Well that is pretty much it for this episode and I again am so grateful for all your love and for all the support you give me over this time in my life! It means the world to me and I cherish every moment of my mission. There are hard times but those just make us stronger and the lord wants us to get strong so he can use us as worthy tools to help every one!

Yours in Fellowship and Love,󾓭🐲🐼✌🍜

鄧 長 老

Elder Duersch

Dahng Jeunglouh

Stan Theman

Week 33: The most magical place in Earth!, Conference, Ricky and Connor!, Exchanges

Lieh Hou Ngohge Gatihng and Muiatgoyahn!

This has got to be a stretch of great days yet on my mission! I have been uplifted by the spirit and edified in hearing from our prophet and apostles of the Lord. I am also glad to hear that you all are doing fantastic and the weather is giving you much water so you will not die this coming summer. I have yet to experience the summers here in Hong Kong but from what I have been told you will never be dry again from the rain and also from your own sweat, Echt! I am glad to hear that our neighbors are going to be grandparents! So when are my siblings going to make me an uncle???? hahahahahahah Just kidding! But seriously when! I will not waste any more of your time cause there was a lot that happened this week! Thank You Grandma and Bokah Rob and the dogs for you love card for my birthday it meant the world to me!

On this weeks Episode of Elder Stan Theman (Elder Duersch) China Hong Kong mission!:

The Most Magical place in earth!: Yes I was able to go to Disney Land this P-Day and it was the coolest thing every! The park is dramatically smaller than that at California and we were able to get all the rides done and go see a little show of "The Lion King" in one P-day! We were zipping around so fast that we just took it all in and it was so much fun! What an incredible P-Day! There is nothing really chinese about the park except that all the workers there need to speak Cantonese,Mandarin, and English. The rides that have voices are in Cantonese and I was able to understand some of it and it was super cool! I was able to Hug a Wookie, gear up with Iron Man, Pose with Moana, and buy the Infinity hat! It was a great day! SO many rides like home and it was just Refreshing! I love disney land  and it was just so much fun to see everything that goes on in China with it.

Conference: I am truly filled with the spirit this week from hearing from our Prophet and Apostles to get new revelation and to know what we can do as saints to strengthen the work here on the earth! There was so many new things that happened this conference and one of the coolest things was the Solem Assembly and the spirit was so strong in the Chapel here in Hong Kong when that happened. It was a week ago that it aired when you all saw it but the spirit was truly there in the video and it was the best thing ever. My favorite talk was by President Nelson on how to better get Revelation in order to do the lords will on the earth. I have taken his challenge and bought a little book to write down the promptings I get and how I acted on them and the result of the action. I would recommend you all to do like wise!

Ricky and Connor: Ricky is doing so well right now! We taught him the restoration and he is one of those that is prepared by the lord to hear our message. He came to conference and he was confused with the new things that happened and our ward helped him out! He also said that he really wants to go into the temple to see what it was like! We are meeting with him this Thursday and going to teach the Plan of Salvation. Connor met with the Senior Missionaries this week and we invited him to go and talk to his mom about letting him get baptized. The spirit was strong and he really wants to get baptized into the church! He is going well and we will see what happens with him.

Exchanges!: I was able to go on exchanges this week with Elder Fakatou! He is just a big teddy bear! We just had a great day and talked a lot about our home and he is Born in Australia whos ansestors are Tongan and he lives in London and speaks Cantonese! Wow that is just a massive diverse of culture! It was so much from to be with him!

Well that is all I got for now please re read to words from our leaders and apply them into your lives! I know they are called of god and do there best to help us out!  I love all of you and am always very glad to hear from you all and to feel your prayers and love!

Yours in Fellowship and Love,󾓭🐲🐼✌🍜

鄧 長 老

Elder Duersch

Dahng Jeunglouh

Stan Theman

Week 31: Much Prayer and Fasting, Exchanges in Fanling, Sister Lam Pass Offs.

Leih Hou Muiatgoyahn! 

So this week was the best week I have had yet on my mission so far! It is because of the thought I have been having the past months concerning the story of the sons of Mosiah and how they wanted to have the spirit to be more with them. What were they to do? They gave them self to much prayer and fasting, that is what! And, as the title of this email goes, this week was all because of a great experience I had!

On This weeks Episode of Elder Duersch China Hong Kong Adventure!

Exchanges: I had the opportunity to go to Fanling this week for an exchange. Since Elder Riley is a Zoner leader, I had to go to Fanling and be on an exchange with elder Gary. It was really fun because I haven't left Tai Wo yet, and it felt good to have a little break from my area. We did our studies and then went to do some finding around his area, which was totally fun! We did it mostly by the Train station cause that is where it is the busiest ,and it was so good. We would walk for a while and we would turn right around and walk with someone and get their number right before they went into the station cause we can't proselyte in there...hahaha. It as fun when we taught the kids English class and we sang "this land is your land" and changed some words for China locations and it was a total blast! I was able to play games with everyone if their apartment that night and it was good. It was Elder Gary,  and Ashton are from Utah, and Elder Duddfield is from Australia so it was a total blast!

24 Hour Fast: This for me personally was the highlight of the week. For the past couple of months I have had the impression to fast outside of a fast Sunday. I finally, on the day of the exchange decided to do it since I was in another apartment and didn't have food - hahahaha. In the morning at 8:30 I started my fast and as I was going throughout the day the spirit was coming so much and it was so strong. Then I was like hmm should I make this a 24 hour fast and I got a feeling to do so. It was a real struggle with food, but when the morning came to break my fast, I gave the most sincere prayer in my life regarding fasting and my heart"s desires. When I paused after my heart was full and I couldn't breath with the feeling I have had. I would STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you all who are having hard times and questions to fast and take them to the person who knows us the most! I can testify now of the power that comes from fasting and it is strong and real!

Sister Lam: So I decided this week to do a language pass off with Sister Lam because I have finished my language pass offs with the zone leaders. I walked in and she had a plate of brownies and was cutting one for me and then she paused and look at me slowly, "You are the one who wanted to pass off to learn characters right?" I just froze and sat there. "yes mam"! So she talked to me in Cantonese and explained since I took 2 years of mandarin, and that I know characters I had the clearance to only learn the Characters in the scriptures in order to help my investigators! I was so excited for this, and when we were done I had her sign my card and she said "just because you have them all signed doesn't mean you are good." She looked at me and just laughed and said "Slammed!" I was laughing so hard at that! She is the best and so is President Lam!

Well thank you all for taking time to read this out of your day. I would really encourage you all who are having hard times with thoughts, feelings, financial, or family, to fast and to take it to the lord for his help! I testify this church is true and that the lord loves to help us!

Yours in Fellowship and Love,󾓭🐲🐼✌🍜

鄧 長 老

Elder Duersch

Dahng Jeunglouh

Stan Theman

Week 30: Elder Stevenson, Tai Mei Tuk, helped the sisters move, and Connor!

Lieh Hou Muiyatgoyahn!

How are you all doing this great week? I am doing great!

SO!!! Lets get on to how I am saving China this week on this great Adventure I have and a true blessing it is to be out here!

Elder Stevenson of the 12: So this past Monday we had Elder Stevenson of the 12 came on P day and it was the greatest things ever! I was able to shake the hand of an Apostle of God for the first time in my life and when he walked into the room my chest just got so much pressure from how much spiritual power an Apostle has and it was nuts! I was the last Elder to shake his hand and when he read my name he said " I know your family in Cache County!" and I said  "Who?", he said "Are you related to a Ed Duersch?" and I was like "YEESSS, that is my grandpa!" He smiled and then I walked down the line and when I got to President Lam, he shook his head and said WOW! Later I shook the hands of Bishop Causse, Elder Evens, and Elder Christensen! They are so strong and are so great to talk to! They all had so many great things to talk about and the spirit was so strong! It was a true treat to talk to an apostle and it was so cool!

Tai Mei Tuk: Elder Riley and I decided to walk to Tai Mei Tuk this week for finding, and it literally took 4 hours to walk there since it is in the end of our area and it was so long ugh! There was no one to talk to so when we got to the end, we went to an american store and bought root beer and took a bus home! I was so tired! hahaha!

Sisters Move: We had to help the sisters move this week because there apartment doubled in rent and so we had to help them move to a new home across the river! SO close to their old home that we could have walked to there and back with the stuff! I saw elder Beeson with the moving van and it was really funny to watch him drive on the wrong side of the road because its Brittish owned here! SO Funny! 

Connor!: We had a really  great day yesterday at church cause we had Connor there! He came after sacrament and it was so great cause we had a lesson with him third hour and bishop was there to talk to him about baptism and he wants to get baptized after he is 18. So we talked to him about senior missionaries who can help him out with this issue with his family and this Wednesday we will meet with them and Connor to help him out! I am so glad he is now starting to get things in order!

Well that is some of the great things that have happened this week and I am so grateful for all your love and support each week! 

Yours in Fellowship and Love,󾓭🐲🐼✌🍜

鄧 長 老

Elder Duersch

Dahng Jeunglouh

Stan Theman