The Perfect Hike - Guanyin Mountain

It was one of those rare days - sunny (finally!), but comfortably cool. Clear skies and brilliant blue waters. No rain in the forecast. And it was a Saturday. The combination was perfect – time for a senior missionary hike!                                                                                             

The ancient dormant volcano with cupped peak beckoned. Guanying Mountain is a favorite scenic spot and we were about to find out why. Rising above the little town of Bali on the left bank of the Tamsui River, we started at the Lingyun Zen Temple, which was built in 1909. 

The Thousand-Hand Guanyin (the Bodhisattva of Compassion) marks a striking presence amidst the profusion of floral and food offerings.

From there the hiking trail began. Guanyin Mountain has a number of trails, but we just took two – the Yinghanling and Niuliaopu Trails – leading us up ten thousand stone steps to the magnificent peak. At least it seemed like ten thousand steps! Straight up with rarely a break, the trail was once used for training military police, and is nicknamed “Tough Guy Peak” to this day.

Along the way were fresh water stations. Buddhist volunteers regularly haul water up the mountain to fill the canisters – their way to bless the weary travelers. 

Floral and monetary offerings to Guanyin who

 blesses the drinking water. Caterpillar included. 

Making our way to the top of the mountain staircase, we finally burst upon the reward of our labors - a 270-degree vista of the mouth of the Tamsui River, Tamsui on the right bank, and Bali on the left. The azure waters reflected the clarity of the sky overlooking the Tamsui River.

 

Leaving the stunning view, our knees then got a real workout as we took the stone-step path back down. Ferns, moss, bamboo, elephant ears, and all kinds of tropical foliage surrounded us. It was gorgeous.

Every once in a while there was a break in the thick vegetation, and you could see the view again from a lower angle.

We passed an orange orchard tucked away on the side of the mountain. Visitors are allowed to pick free oranges if they eat them on site, or they can pick some to take home for a good price. We stopped to taste some samples of kumquats, and bought some oranges for the trek home. Taiwan has many varieties of oranges and tangerines. Extremely sweet and juicy, these oranges turned shades of brown but the insides were amazing.

Kumquats, oranges and tangerines are especially significant for the upcoming Lunar New Year, representing good luck, happiness and abundance. A gift of these to your host or friend will always bring a smile.

I love the terraced mountain gardens tucked in and around each bend. Cabbage, onions, and all kinds of leafy greens are popular gardening items. Papaya trees grow naturally along the mountainside.  

We emerged from the forest at the rivers edge. The Left Bank walk meanders through parks and vendors and little shops renting bikes or buggies. 

The view from Bali looking across the river to Tamsui.

We took a ferry across the river. 

At Tamsui, we walked through Old Street and cut across a large outdoor market to make our way to Kooks - an American restaurant. 

The lunch was amazing. We were sore, exhausted, and glad to finally sit down. The food and milkshakes revived our spirits and were the perfect way to end the day. 

I heard it said once, and it might be true - 

senior missionaries have all the fun!

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Life is so much like a hike. The journey is hard, full of rocks and dirt, sweat and grit. A map and a path is all you have to show you the way. Friends are there to encourage you when it gets tough, to wait with you as you catch your breath along the side of the trail. The journey is made easier by the comradery. A guide might be there to show you the way, to walk the trail with you. You might have a metal rail to hold onto during especially steep trekking.

But you finally reach the top and it is utterly amazing. Suddenly you forget all your travails along the way. The view stretches out seemingly endlessly. 

Thus the coined phrases - "Stay on the path." "Hold to the rod." "I can do hard things." "Just do it."

I am convinced that in the end, regardless of how hard this mortal journey may be for people, the joys and glory and vision will far outweigh the suffering and the struggle. 

Life is so much like a hike.

Inside the Missionary Training Center – Discovering Its Miracles

 “Good morning, Elder and Sister! Welcome to the MTC!” 

Young missionaries greet 

us and show us to our 

room. We don't have to

lift a thing!

A pair of friendly hands effortlessly lifts our heavy suitcases from the car as if they were pillows and lines them up on the sidewalk. 

Greg's brother-in-law drops us off at the MTC, and immediately the welcoming begins.

Inside the lobby we are greeted again – “Welcome to the MTC!” – where a host finds our information and welcome packet and pins our missionary tags in place. 

Outside, 39 flags fly at equal height.
We scan all 39 until we find ours – not Old Glory this time – but another red white and blue banner. 

Flag of  Taiwan, courtesy of
flickr/Alan Wu

The flag of the Republic of China –  known as Taiwan. The flag that will fly in our land and our hearts for the next 18 months. The MTC has 139 flags that get rotated regularly, representing countries throughout the world where the Gospel is preached.

“Good morning, Elder and Sister!  Welcome to the MTC!” We are greeted yet again. Everywhere we turn there is someone to help us in case we get lost or can’t find our next class.

The MTC is a remarkable gathering of nations.  We met an Elder from the Marshall Islands who is on his way to Orem, Utah. A sister from China who will also serve in Utah.  Another sister from Guatemala who will serve in Puerto Rico and another to Vancouver, BC.  And senior missionaries preparing to serve in a wide range of places such as Vanuatu, Kansas ranch property, New Zealand, New Jersey and the Baltic States.  In every corner, hallway, classroom, bench and sidewalk, missionary discussions and gospel principles are being studied and discussed by the young missionaries, whether it be in English or in French, Portuguese, Japanese, Hungarian or Spanish.

During break times, senior missionaries gather and build friendships.

Often we catch Mandarin phrases floating on the air as we pass missionaries in the halls – stopping to chat with them.  We’ve found many going to Taipei. We’ll already be in Taipei when they finally finish their language training and arrive in August. We'll be ready to greet them again!

In no time at all the MTC feels like an oasis of a home away from home where friendships are secured for life – especially in the dining hall, which feeds thousands of hungry missionaries every day with amazing efficiency,

including the 92 senior missionaries who all started the same time as we did - cheerfully ready to take on a new day of training.

It’s one of the great miracles of the MTC – not the learning of languages or operating serene and well-organized traffic control and class training for thousands of young people every day - (although those are miraculous events all in themselves) – but rather the transforming of ordinary young men and women from all walks of life into disciples of Jesus Christ, bearing His name over their hearts, ready to take on the world.

We love the MTC.  This is our third time coming here.  Each senior missionary spends their first week studying Preach My Gospel, learning how to invite people to come unto Christ, studying scriptures about Jesus Christ and His restored church, and sharing our testimonies and faith-filled experiences with each other.

While some senior missionaries head off to their missions at the end of the first week, others spend several days of the second week being trained in their specific areas of emphasis – public affairs, office, self-reliance, Church Education System, military relations, etc. We will receive office training next week, then fly out to Taipei on July 12^th.

Exercise and fitness is important for healthy missionaries. Everyday they are given time for sports, exercising, fitness equipment and fun. Seniors can use the exercise equipment too, and also have their own private gym in their residence building - just in case anyone wants to work off the huge meals provided!

But this week we get to witness a historic moment in Church missionary history. Meet Sister H’s missionary companion – faithful, smart, obedient, loyal, - and a dog.

Brother Leo, a service dog

Sister H has a rare coronary blood clotting disorder.  Brother Leo has saved her life 6 times. When he detects she is in trouble, he dials 911 with his nose. He’s also the most popular missionary companion here in the MTC!

Brother Leo is the first ever service dog to enter the MTC on a mission. And it looks like he is loving every moment.

In spite of his human companion’s serious physical condition, he accompanies her faithfully as she serves the Lord in a way made possible just for her. She was called to serve as a medical adviser, serving from her own home. What courage! What faith! There are no excuses for this amazing missionary pair.

Our District, with our instructor in the center

Our days of training run from 8:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Our instructors are young returned missionaries with patient enthusiasm, gently guiding us on the principles of being a witness of Christ. 

Our evenings are free. Tuesday night we attended an amazing MTC Devotional with Elder Kim B. Clark and his wife as speakers. 

Wednesday we walked over to the BYU Creamery on Ninth to buy some treats (my chocolate run!). 

Thursday night we watched the fireworks of the nearby 4^th of July celebrations. 

Friday we took a walk around the Provo temple. Some of the sisters or couples have their car with them still, and leave to go visit family or friends.

Today (Saturday - our P day, preparation day) we will be spending the afternoon with our daughters, a future son-in-law and a granddaughter hiking the Y mountain and enjoying food and fun.

Tomorrow we'll attend Church together with them. So grateful for our family! Senior missionaries can leave the MTC throughout their stay, and spending time with family is one of the best things to do!

The missionaries here are incredible people with incredible stories of how they got to this point in their lives. It is hard to explain how it feels to be surrounded by such faith-filled servants of the Lord all the time. The missionaries, young and not so young alike, are walking miracles. You don't have to look far to discover that it’s the people – it’s always the people – (and in this case a dog, too) who are the miracles of the MTC. I imagine this might be a bit of what heaven is like. 

Our MTC Group of Senior Missionaries

“Welcome to the MTC!”

 **This blog is dedicated to sharing with others what it is like to serve a senior mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to increase faith in Jesus Christ. You can follow our missionary journey to Taiwan Taipei by adding your email to the box in the upper right hand corner of this page.  If you have questions, we would love to hear from you!  Contact us at: coffey58@gmail.com.

Christmas Comes, Even in Vietnam

Tin-foil wrapped creches adorn private businesses on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Tunes of spiritual Christmas hymns float through shopping centers. People occasionally even wish one another "Merry Christmas."

Traditions that are sometimes controversial in other parts of the world are readily available here in Vietnam, if you know where to look for them. 

Christmas celebrations are gaining popularity here, with each year seeing an increase in parties, celebrations, singing and programs. And shopping, of course. Children adorn little santa suits or santa dresses for those special school or church Christmas occasions. 

Still, many of the young people who came for our Christmas Eve program at our home had never been to a Christmas celebration before. It was a unique opportunity for us to share the reason we celebrate - that a babe born in Bethlehem many years ago is the King of creation and the Savior of souls.

Sharing the Christmas story

It is our joy to serve our Lord Jesus Christ by sharing Christmas traditions, song, stories, culture and love with these wonderful friends. Truly the Light of the World is filling hearts with values of faith, hope, trust and peace. And while our own hearts are miles away with our children, our hearts are filled to overflowing by the priceless gift of the greatest Gift, and the privilege that is ours to be in His service on this special day. What we end up accomplishing while on our mission may be very small - but who we are becoming inside is no small thing. 

Still, Christmas in Vietnam is not quite like anything we've experienced elsewhere. It's own unique traits make it a memorable experience indeed!

Christmas comes, even in Vietnam.

Sing to the tune of "My Favorite Things"

Tin foil wrapped crèches

And spray painted branches,      

Street vendor noodles

And sidewalks in patches

Bustling motos that drive with no fear

This is how Christmas is spent here this year!

Smiling new converts

In baptismal clothing,

Branch builders teaching

With faces now glowing.

Sharing the message of Christ far and near

This is how Christmas will last all the year!

When the dogs bark

When the bus honks

When sweat feels like glue,
You simply remember the Reason you're here -
And then you won't ever feel blue!

Elder Coffey showing temperatures from around the world to a street vendor friend.
Visiting with the people is what makes being here at Christmas so wonderful.

Feeding Christmas dinner to grateful branch builders on Christmas Day

Yule logs - Vietnamese style

Our guests Light up the World with what
 gift they will give in the coming year, carefully written
on little stars.