I'm in Hong Kong! Under no circumstances I ever expected lol.
First off, I was nervous in the days leading up to my flight because I've had a soar throat and I don't know if that would stop me from going or not. I took a COVID test, and it wasn't that, so I don't know what it is but I was just worried it would cause a ruckus. Thankfully, there were no glitches in getting on the plane! I boarded the flight and slept for most of it, 15.5 hours honestly felt shorter than I expected.
When we arrived there was a COVID test and a bunch of paper work to organize. I experienced a little push back for my soar throat here, but after they took my temperature and I explained it everything was alright. I did have to redo my health declaration form tho cuz I listed that I had a soar throat but they wanted me to take that symptom off after checking further, and I needed to use a workers phone cuz #missionphones so the form was in Cantonese and the worker had to translate for me. But everything worked out and I joined the rest of the traveling missionaries as we waited for our test results!
Aaaaand one sister came back positive. All missionaries were labeled as close contacts so we were ushered to a different part of the airport where we waited in these cubby things. Because we were close contacts, we have to quarantine at a government quarantine camp instead of the hotel the church reserved, and well, it's a bit of a step down hehe. Also, all of us missionaries can no longer have quarantine buddies so we will all be doing the three weeks of quarantine by ourselves i might get a Lil crazy. Thankfully however, the mission president was able to get us all our luggage which the airport said would not be possible. I won't have to be living out of my carry on for three weeks so I count that as a HUGE blessing.
We arrived at the airport at 6:30 AM and didn't leave until 9pm. I got to my quarantine apartment around 11pm aaaand went straight to bed. The next day I was able to settle in and make everything cozy which felt nice, but then my soar throat became an issue again. I told the staff at the quarantine camp and they said I would need to get looked at. I later found out that meant I would be riding an ambulance to the hospital to get tested for COVID/other sicknesses which brings me to be writing this email to you from the inside of an ambulance in Hong Kong. Full disclosure tho I'm actually no longer in the ambulance, I'm finishing the email at the hospital hehe. Ima be here until I get the results back in 5-6 hours and depending on that I will either be at the hospital or the camp.
Tbh it's been kinda crazy but I'm taking it all in stride! I can't help but kind of laugh at the situation. Soooo far from what I expected, but it's shaping out to be a fun story. Keeps me on my toes! Plus, Im trying to be more grateful for my challenges. A wonderful comp (sister Westover) told me a story of a sincere prayer from the old LA mission president where he said "Heavenly Father, we are grateful for our challenges". I'm trying to follow that example, and thank Heavenly Father for the challenges He gives me, and for being with me through them all.
That is this weeks email! I hope everyone is doing well! Much love to you all, make this week count!
1) last pic with the comps in LA
2) Hong Kong from the sky!
3) dinner at the airport
4) arriving at quarantine camp!
5) my shower
6) hospital gown+mission tag
7) all the traveling missionaries! The red stickers on our lanyards mean were contaminated
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