Malaysia - Week 23 - Dawn of Christmas!!!!‏

Traditional housing from the past

Elder Gallinger at Cultural Village

Elder Kampenhout ready to cut the coconut

Elder Kampenhout with man with traditional Malaysian dress

  Kampenhout & Gallinger with
grave stone Willem chiseled

Malaysian members going caroling

Dec. 21, 2010

Woah,

   So I thought that maybe i could avoid the 'Crazyness' that comes with Christmas around this time of year by being: A) In a Nationally Muslim Country B) On a Mission C) 10,000 miles away from any family.

Boy was I wrong.

     We have been invited to about....10 different Christmas parties where we are told (not yet experienced) that you will eat about 2-3 plates of food at each. My trainer told me that he wanted to never eat again after his first Christmas. Oh joy! Ha ha. But we will make due :D It has also been nuts cause our Branch has been caroling every night for the last week. Now this is not the American or European caroling, where you stand outside and sing, and then they give you some cookies. No. This is Iban Caroling. You have a planned schedule of where you are going, who you are seeing and what times (rarely is such planning seen like this). Our Branch has then been traveling in a group of about...30-40 people, and they all enter into your room, sit down and talk for a bit, and then stand up and sing 2 carols, and then sing "we wish you a Merry Christmas." Then they bring out the drinks and crackers and you eat!! Let me tell you. It's nuts. The last night I swear it was our whole branch, and they carried all the members around in the equivalent of a Dump truck. See picture for proof! It was such a blast and definitely fun!

    We have also had lots of trainings and meetings around this time of year, as tomorrow is actually our Zone Conference! That combined with Caroling and Christmas day is making this a pretty eventful week. Definatly puts a twist on the usual hum drum of life (rare do you have such a week in Missionary worrk, let alone Sarawak). Now, when people talk about Sarawak, it usually has a very special "must have seen it to believe it" kinda thing. It truely is. Anything really can happen in Malaysia. Anything. We actually ran into some teachers from North Carolina a few months back who were teaching at a school for a semester. Middle of Malaysia, in an area where the English is pretty bad. What are they teaching? Communications. Lets just say they weren't too happy with the students in the course :D Ha ha ha. We also ran into a Malay woman (Muslim) who is visiting from Atlanta, Georgia. WHAT!?!?!?! Yeah, she moved there when she married and American, and is now on break with her 13 year old daughter. It was crazy. Many more stories, but Sarawak is definably an interesting, unique place. As are most places :D

   So on a more Spiritual side, one thing that our Zone leaders trained us on the other week was something called Faith Finding. Woah. It works. Just going out knocking houses to pass time = waste of time. But faith finding is completely different. You and your companion pray about an area you feel inspired from personal prayer to go to. You then 1) Pray as a companionship about the Area. 2) Set a date and time to go there. 3) Set Goals 4) Pray again to the Lord and involve him in your plan. Tell him where, when, what street, what houses, what times. Get Specific. He likes specific. 5) Follow through on what you have committed to the Lord to do. Wow....Day 1 did this have results. "But why are you giving us this mission pattern Elder Kampenhout?" Because it can be useful in everyday life! Not for just missionary work, but for everything. Maybe you had an argument with your wife/husband and want to talk with them about it or something else really important. You can receive added help from this set pattern. Maybe you are hunting for a job, playing in a soccer game, giving a presentation. Anything. All you basically do is:

1) Pray about a problem/need
2) Set about a plan to solve or fulfill the need
3) Set goals about what will be accomplished
4) Pray unto the Lord with Specifics of what you have planned.
5) Follow through on what you have committed to the Lord to do.

I know that this is going to change my life. I can't wait to use it in normal civilian life. Maybe you guys can try it out for me ;)

  So some of the pictures above are of me chopping open a coconut here in Malaysia. Here the brown outside is covered with a green or orange "flesh" which protects and preserves the coconut. Only on the coast and certain areas are they just the brown furry kinds. Also as you can see I failed to cut it in half with one fell swoop :( But I still got him open and ate his insides, and drank the milk! A bit sour, but alright....Elder Gallinger thinks I'm nuts and doesn't like the coconut.

 Also above is a picture from Thanksgiving! And also a gravestone that I carved out, painted, and then finished for our member who died a while back. It has been a slow work in progress, and all the carving was done with a hammer and chisel. For a first time...not too shabby! But it definably was a once in a lifetime experience. Really makes you think about the reality of Death in our lives, and what comfort the Resurrection brings. To truly have that firm faith in your heart that you will live again, and see all who you have seen.....what joy it brings at such sorrowful times. :D

   Well I must get going, but know that things are going well out here. Elder Gallinger and I are having a blast, and while we are lacking in snow (as I am sure all of you are NOT) we have been nailed by rain the past few nights. Gets quite cold now. My body is starting to turn into a little old Iban man body. NO!!!! Good thing I come back in the Summer time! But we are really good here. It is flying by way too fast. Sometime I wish you could just pause and enjoy, but there is never enough time. Never enough.

Your Loving Friend, Brother, and Son,

Elder Kampenhout

P.S. We went to the Sarawak Cultural Village today, so that is what Cultural Iban's look like. Way sweet!!! I wished they really dressed like that. Nope. Now they were western clothes, watch western movies, and have western names, like one of our investigators....Randy Austin.....a WWF Wrestler's name. Yeah.... We have seen a Sylvester Stalone, Michael Jackson, the works. Sarawak....I tell you.....you have to come here. 

Malaysia - Week 22 - Non Stop‏

Dec. 14, 2010

Hello Semua!!!!

   Wow.....these last few days have seriously been the longest days ever. In the past week we had a 2 day Missionary Leadership Training, a 2 day District Conference, a zone meeting, and a big baptism for alot of our investigators. It has been absolutely nuts!!! But this storm has blown over, and the next half week will be a bit of a break before we have Zone conference and Christmas next week!! I guess no matter how hard you try the Christmas time of year is always crazy.

   But none the less, the work still goes on :D With tears of joy and frustration all mixed in together :D One thing that I have really really learned on my mission is this. Mankind is not perfect. It is a fact. In fact we are so far from perfect that it is a wonder we do anything right! Ha ha! I often look and think about all the things that "missionaries" should always be doing, and in fact in order to "do" all of those things would be impossible. I guess that is why the Spirit is SOOOOOOOOOO important in this work. For all the mistakes, bobbles, and screw-ups you do, the Holy Ghost will still bring the message unto their hearts, and it makes everything better. I have learned how important the Holy Ghost is in Life. If you let him, he will guide you through everything!

  So cool story, the other night we were talking to our investigators who are getting ready to be baptized, whose oldest daughter (and very intelligent) was off at Youth Conference, and so it gave us a nice chance to just talk to the parents. The mom, Bayah, was very active in the Kampung Church before (Anglican) and at first had a lot of reservations, but as we were talking about whatever, she started telling us about how her old church were saying really bad things about her. She said they even used the word 'benci' which is a strong word for hate, and forbid her from even coming back into their church. WOAH! I was a bit set back, cause the whole time I really kinda felt she was just following her husband and joining this church, but maybe one day later fall back to her old church. I then asked her what she felt about it, and she responded " Aku tidak kesa" or I don't care. "Kenapa?" (why?) i asked her. "Sebab saya sudah cari Gereja yang Benar." (because I already found the true church). Right there, I felt the strength of her testimony. I shouted for joy and gave her a high 5 right there and then. I was super excited, and knew of her testimony. She can't read, can't sing very well, but can see and feel the spirit and opened her heart to these things. It was amazing. The interesting thing was that that very day before in personal study I had read about how Nephi in 2 Nephi 26:25-28 he said that Christ never denied anyone from entering into his fold. I then shared it with her and she again shared more of her testimony. This work, this church, this gospel is 100% true. Nothing else could change peoples lives for the better as much as the gospel does. It has been such an eye opener for me to see how important the Gospel is to each one of us (setiap daripada kita). We all need it. We may just not know it yet, until it is too late. Don't wait. Treasure up the words of Christ, and they will bless you always.

   Another thing I have not shared with too many people is how I KNOW that God places us in places, in situations, where we can uplift others. God listens to our prayers, but it is through others that he answers them. Countless times I have seen how I have been the person that acts as his answer. I often think about those who have been the answers for me in my life. How have other people been the answers to your prayers? How have you been the answer to others prayers? Think and ponder these times. Write them down, and most important. Be grateful. I can't tell you how grateful I am for so many people in my life. Every little struggle has taught me something, and they are all for our good, our learning, and experience.

   Elder Gallinger and I are still doing great out here. The country is great, beautiful, and fantastic in so many ways. I wish I could bring you all here :D You could really see it's beauty.

I love you all and hope you are well. Pray always :D He listens.

Elder Kampenhout

Malaysia - Week 21 - Mission Leadership Training!‏

Dec. 9, 2010

So this letter comes a bit late because our p-day (aka hour of emailing) was delayed until today because all of the Missionaries in Sarawak (42) all met in Kuching for a training on the new methods of how Missionaries are going to be trained. This has happened in times past, but now was taking place in our own city! Well.....our area is still a 30 minute bus ride away, but close!!

But the time before the conference was really awesome. Elder Gallinger and I have been doing some finding this week in order to avoid a Tidal wave (where all your investigators get baptized and then you have no one new to teach! Ah!) so we went to some newer areas, mainly Kampung Melaban. Well lets just say they didn't really want to listen to us there, but we found this awesome little dock and took a picture of it :D But we have been getting some new investigators and looks like we will survive :D

So this past weekend was fast and testimony meeting, and as custom, the missionaries bore testimony to avoid silence in the building. For all of you that know me, when I get up in front of people I usually get a bit antsy and nervous, but when I stood up this time, in front of a foreign crowd (only 3 other white people) and bore my testimony in a completely other language, it felt comfortable. I never thought I would be able to talk comfortably in Malay, but it looks like it is finally coming. What matters most is that you give your heart and your mind and strength to the work, and God will take care of the Rest. He has single-handedly blessed my language skills so much, it is incredible. When I tell people that I've only been here 5 months they kinda get this funky look on their face, and when they ask how, I tell them "through the blessings of God." 'Cause it really is a blessing. The Malay language is very very non-descriptive, so I definitely miss English at times while teaching, but it really does make you simplify what you are teaching. The kind of people we teach are 90% like children, so it has been so incredibly humbling in teaching. While during my personal study I am having super deep and revelatory insights to scriptures, with the investigators we need to humble ourselves and use pictures, songs, and short scriptures and stories. But it's working. It's working because the spirit is there, and HE is the great teacher. He is the great comforter. He is everything, and all I am as a vessel. President Clark has asked us to start singing in all our appointments, and Elder Gallinger and I also sing every companionship study. This equates to about 5-6 hymns a day (if not more). That frequent singing has often led me to just sing hymns to myself at random too, and it is so uplifting. I would challenge all of your to sing at least one hymn a day with your family, and when doing so, you will find it draws you closer to your Heavenly Father, and will find hidden treasures. You don't have to be a good singer to sing. Trust me. When I stop singing so I can listen to them sing, they quickly fall out of rhythm, tune and tempo. Its funny ;) But what matters is that you are singing your heart unto the Lord. Doing so brings such blessings. I can't explain. Just try it.

   So the Leadership training was absolutely amazing! Pres. Clark was right, in saying that "what we give, we will receive." What a wise and inspired man he is. All the work he is doing is truly inspired by our Heavenly Father, and it is having profound effect. One thing we have been asked to do is to teach with "inspired questions." For the longest time we wondered, what is an inspired question? Well, he told us it is a question that opens someone's heart to the gospel. True....but how? This is what I learned this time. It is a question you don't know the answer to. Whoa. So many times we as missionaries like to ask questions that will lead the investigator down a certain path or train of thought. While good for examples and learning, for getting them to open their heart it is manipulative and not of God. However, when we humble ourselves and ask them for their feelings, their thoughts, and questions, they truly do begin to think and open their heart to the gospel. Elder Gallinger and I are super excited to implement this as best we can. The only hard part is that Malay is not very keen on questions. Ha ha, its a strange language at times. But I know through the guidance of the spirit it will be good :D

Well I must get going, but I hope all of you are going to have a wonderful Christmas Holiday as I am going to. Given I don't have snow, they still play lots of Christmas music in some of the shops and wear hats! Its great. For a Muslim country, its kinda funny that they have Christmas as a public holiday :D I enjoy it very much. I Love you all, and remember to read the Book of Mormon every day! Doing so will bring happiness and insight you could never believe.

Your loving friend, brother, and son,
Elder Kampenhout

Malaysia - Week 20 - Movements of the Spirit‏

November 30, 2010

Woah, what a wonderful week!

Last Wednesday after I sent the email out, our whole zone (10 missionaries) gathered at the Senior Couple's house where we all played games and told stories and ate a wonderful Thanksgiving lunch. It was so incredible, it kinda felt like home. Even though I wasn't home with family, I was in the middle of Malaysia with those who I loved :D So it was a thanksgiving will spent :D

Last week was a long one, and at the end of the week, Elder Gallinger and I definitely needed the rest that came with church on Sunday. Incredibly, I ended up giving a talk in Sacrament meeting, and then teaching in both Gospel Principles and in Priesthood. Yet somehow I was spiritually re-energized and had the energy to take on the coming week. Every Sunday really is a miracle when you give it the time and thought it needs. Here it is very common for kids to be running around and talking in the sacrament meeting, and I know back home I would get a bit upset wondering "why don't those parents control their kids?!?" But here, with absolutely no parental discipline, it is far worse. Trust me ;) However I have been able to learn how to just focus my thoughts and feelings inward, and smile and love those naughty children. This inward focus and prayer has brought me some of the most spiritual sacrament meetings ever, and its even in another language. That is hard, but its working. Its amazing.

Ever since Sunday, the Spirit of the Lord has been ever present with Elder Gallinger and I. We went contacting on Monday in the town of Samarindah, which had had lots of Missionary exposure in the past, but none recently. Our first couple streets proved unsuccessful, even dangerous as we were nearly eaten alive by a pack of 6 Chinese dogs (they were big ones too). However, we kept going, and at one juncture I remember distinctly asking "ok Holy Ghost, guide me." I then had this feeling to start riding down Lorong 4 (Street #4). There we encountered a couple people who gave us the time, but really didn't have too much interest, but we kept pushing on. Not long after as we turned this corner, we saw a group of Iban women and approached them, and they waved us off, but told us to go next door, and that her son was home. She immediately called out for her son. I was absolutely blown away, and thought maybe they were springing a trap on us! But this older boy came to the door and said "Elders! Come in." Now it was getting weird, but we went with it. Parked our bikes and went in. We sat down on the couch and the Boy came in and introduced himself as Jerry Clinton, and began talking to us as if he knew who we were! I then just had to ask him "I've never met you before, how do you know who we are?" He then unfolded about how he was baptized years ago, by Elder Morgan and Freeman (haha) and would then ride around and do missionary work with them. He would even wear a tie and white shirt too! It was incredible, and he brought out a bunch of memorabilia they had left behind (including Elder Freeman's name tag). I was saddened to hear that he was forced to start following his family to church over a year ago, because the church in Kuching was too far, and he had no transport. But now we are just a 10 minute bus ride away! He says he wants to come back to church, but will need to talk to his family first. We then set up another time to come over and meet with his family, and maybe even bring them all to church. It was absolutely amazing. As we were sitting there, I could literally see the great Spirit that he was, and how strong his testimony was before, but after many months of inactivity, how he had fallen into weakness in his testimony. However, I also know that while the branches here may have forgotten about him, Heavenly Father didn't, and guided us to his door that day. He even told us that earlier he was playing on the computer and then the thought popped into his head about the old Elders and all the things they used to do together. Seconds later we showed up on his doorstop. There is no coincidence in anything that happens. We were lead to his door that day because the Lord has a plan for Jerry Clinton. I am just grateful to be able to witness it in the beginnings :D Will keep you all in tune for what happens next :D

   I am so happy right now. It is amazing. I realized the other day that my mission is already a 1/4 over and this big sad feeling overcame me that one day, I would take off the name badge and I would be done. It really made me want to work that much harder, trying to do all that I can in the short amount of time that I have, to help other people come to the knowledge in their hearts that their Savior lives, and loves them too, and has prepared a way for the to partake of His love. Many people will reject, but for those few that do accept, oh what joy it brings to my heart. These truly are some of those best and memorable years in the making. I would encourage all men of age to do ALL that they can to prepare themselves. There will be sacrifices, there will be trials, in getting ready. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.

I love you all and hope you are all keeping in good health. Don't let my 2 years of summer get you jealous. I miss snow. The closest thing we have are 7/11 slushies (even better tasting here than at home). Build a snow man for me :D Or a snow angel.

I love you all,

Elder Willem Kampenhout

P.S. We met and are teaching a Nigerian man named Franklin this week. Wow.....that is a story for another day. Ask me about him later :D Teaching a Nigerian in Malaysia. Who would have thought?

Week 19 - Malaysia - Lessons for a Lifetime‏

November 23, 2010

Nama Berita!!!!

 

      Hello my loving family and friends! Oh how at such a time I wish I could berkumpul (come together) with all of you and celebrate thanksgiving, but sadly I am only a couple thousand miles away. Maybe next year (wait......oh.....sadness) but! Don't worry, even though Malaysia doesn't have Thanksgiving, the Missionaries are going to gather at the Senior Couples home and have a Thanksgiving dinner today :D Its great. I can't wait! Mashed Potatoes here I come!!!!

 

   Other than that I am doing so very well. Well, other than the fact that I started getting sick Sunday night, and when I woke up Monday morning I had a splitting headache, and throughout the day it only got worse. By the end of the night I couldn't eat anything (which brought teasing from our Church member hosts) because I was feeling so ill and dizzy. My head has never felt so hot, but I knew I must press on. We started sharing a bit after eating (or not in my case) and as soon as the Spirit of the Lord entered the room, all my sicknesses went away so I could focus on the topic of the Gospel. It was insane, but once we left it came right back. The comforting and pure love of the Spirit really is true. Now I can see how those who are 'filled with the spirit' like Samuel the Lamanite are unable to be harmed by the firey darts of the adversary nor the weapons of man. It really is true.

 

    Other than that the week has been uber fantastic. We have had lots of fun working hard together as a new companionship. Many times it is very easy into finding 'fun things to do' which take away from the missionary work, but Elder Gallinger and I have found that in working as hard as we can that we are enjoying ourselves with pure joy. There have been times where we haven't been as fruitful with our time, and while fun between missionaries, it was nothing compared to the Joy that comes from the work of the Lord. It really is true, that through our Heavenly Father that we can find that true love and joy in life.

 

   One thing that Elder Hill and I were discussing last night (while out on exchanges to do baptismal interviews) was how the parents and their parenting skills are around here. There is almost no discipline at all, and they just kinda let the kids run free, hoping one day they will become good kids. Sometimes when meeting new families, they tell us that they don't want to learn from us, but that we should teach their kids so we can teach them to be good people and not 'nakal". The one thing that always comes to my mind is that quote from Joseph Smith and is an Eternal Truth. "I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves." When we teach just kids, the kids will change a little bit, but without the support of the parents they are more likely to fall away from the things they have learned. However, when we have taught families, the family as a whole has grown significantly more happy, more clean, reverent, and more Christ-like in all ways. Its amazing. The parents want us to change their kids, but that is not our responsibility. You are the parents. It is your sole responsibility for the raising of your children. This starts from a young age, and if handled right, can bring good fruit. Given you can't control every aspect of their lives, as they have their free agency, but if you teach your children correct principles as a young child, strengthen those principles in their youth and teen hood, then they can govern themselves just fine in their latter years. The most important aspect would be that they walk in the footsteps of our older brother and Savior Jesus Christ. One family we just met has recently started to gather as a family and read from the scriptures and pray every other night of the week. While effects have not necessarily taken place immediately, I know that the promised blessings of the Lord will come. With everybody and everything (children, parents, employees, students, etc.) if you teach them correct principles, they will take care of themselves. It is geniusly illuminated in this example. "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." While one is definitely the easy way out, the hard and longer trek is the better way. Apply this to all things, and you will see the benefit thereof. 

 

   So many things are learned on a Mission, that can't be described in words, in the scriptures, or in images. But if you put your full effort in, and labor with all your might, mind, and strength, you will be lifted up. Callings, Jobs, and Family relationships. Applies for all. Don't take the easy way, take the best way.

 

I love you all, and hope that you are doing well. I apologize that I don't share as much of what is actually going on (mainly cause it is kind of the same thing day in and day out) but I choose to share the things that could benefit others, as they have benefited me. 

 

Your loving friend, brother, and son,

 

     Elder Willem Kampenhout

 

P.S. 2 Nephi 11:3. Things to think about. Building a foundation through the words of three. Parents and the Child, Missionaries and the investigator, God the Father, The Son, and Joseph Smith. To build the foundation, those learning must also be a voice.

Week 18 - Malaysia - Rembus on the Rise‏

Nov. 16, 2010

Hello family and friends!!!

   Wow. Time just flies, yet crawls at the same time. Ever since the MTC it has been this strange morph of the time/space continuum. I can't believe its already halfway through November, and yet it seems so long ago when my birthday party was. Its insane. Its hard to think that just over 6 months ago I was living in Provo. Woah......

  Anyway. What a week!!! Elder Gallinger and I have been working SUPER hard in finding and teaching families, and we have been having such awesome success out in one Kampung called Rembus. Elder Steele and I have always had good feelings about this kampung, but only about 1/2 of it. One side is very.....well. There is just a not so good spirit there. But on the other side the work is really picking up, and we are teaching 3 new families! Its amazing! I love it. The biggest difference is that we have just been talking and inviting everyone we talk to to learn about the gospel. Just today as I was sitting in a bus ride going to Kuching (Zone Soccer game) I was sitting next to this woman, and it would have been soooo easy to just keep on riding and take a minute to relax my mind, yet that is not my purpose. I didn't come halfway around the world to just sit next to people, but to invite everyone (and everyone!) to learn and partake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So I started talking to her, and while she just ignored me when I invited to learn about the gospel, I definitely felt a warm peaceful feeling of "you did your best, my faithful servant". It was really a good feeling. While many people will not heed our wonderful call, if one should turn an ear and listen, oh how great will be our joy!!! This goes the same for all of you too!!!

   So it has certainly been interesting, this mission. I'm not even close to being done, yet my life, my whole perspective of things has changed. Where as before I was thinking that making it big in the movie business was going to bring happiness, now I can see that just having a strong family in the gospel is what really brings happiness. 2 Nephi 12? I think talks about how the Idols of man will be laid low, and all the positions of the world will be for naught when the savior comes. Pretty much told me that any title that you gain as a man is....well....pointless if you put it before what is most important. Prioritize. I also just watched a CES broadcast from Elder Quinten L Cook about this. SO VERY GOOD! 2009 i think. Check it out.

  Well, I haven't really crashed my bike in a long time, so it was about time I did, and I did. Hahah. So we are riding out to our furthest kampung ( Sungai Batu "River Rock") when we passed this house where the dogs always chase us. However, only one did today, and since Elder Gallinger was in front, he started after him, being right on his heels. However, without his companion, he couldn't see me coming up behind him. I thought it was going to be great to scare the wits out of this dog, right until he stopped dead in his tracks and I ran right over him! And went flying! Elder Gallinger saw the whole thing as he was looking back, and mentioned "funniest thing in my life". I'm ok....don't worry mom. No bike damage, just one little scab about the size of a US quarter on my elbow. It was kind of a miracle too, cause the owner was there, and yelled if we were ok, which I was (after laying on the ground for a bit). We then got on our bikes and continued on. Later on we were talking with one of our members about it, but he knew the whole story because his daughter had called him the other day to talk about these two white guys who ran over her dog. She wasn't mad, thankfully, but just wanted to talk to her grandpa. Possible contact? We are going to go back there later this week :D Sometimes accidents like that aren't really accidents.

   Other than that we are doing really awesome. Elder Gallinger and I love working hard, and being obedient. I am so grateful to have a companion who desires to be exactly obedient as I do :D Newb-Squad for the win!!! We are rocking it up though.
Not sure what we are doing to thanksgiving, cause they dont celebrate that here, but us missionaries might do something. you never know. But!!! I love you all, and be sure to send pictures of all the wonderful food!

Your loving friend, brother, and son,
       Elder Willem G. Kampenhout

Malaysia - Week 17 - Where in the World am I?‏

Nov. 9, 2010

Hello All my wonderful Family and Friends!

    Wow. Reading all of the birthday greetings and letters that I was sent this week made me finally realize that I just turned 21. Woah. Lets just say my birthday here was quite different than what it would have been over in the states. I didn't really realize it was my birthday until I read all your greetings. Thank you all sooo much :D

  Well, let's just say life is really interesting over here. Its always throwing you new challenges. Twice in the past week we have been abandoned by the Public Transportation. First was last P-day when we were trying to get back home, and second was Saturday night when we were trying to get to our Baptism. Yeah. Seriously the buses would just drive past, not wanting to pick us up, and the vans would see us, but just choose not to pull over. Well....what are you going to do. Luckily both times we were saved. The first time by some Chinese Free Thinkers who didn't want to hear our message, but gave us a ride all the way home! The Second time some members saw us on their way to a different city and gave us a lift. It was amazing. The Lord takes care of his servants, but not before giving them something to worry about ;)

   But for my birthday, It was a pretty normal Missionary day, except to end the night some of the members and one of our investigators all gathered at the Branch Presidents house and I sponsored Cake and they all brought food! It was wonderful, short, and definably a good party. In case you haven't seen, Elder Gallinger is quite the Giant, and President Sup's house has a very low running ceiling fan that he just barely fits under, and every time he walks by all the Iban women gasp in Horror, as they think he is about to be decapitated! Hahah, its a great thing to see :D

  Also these past few days have just been absolutely amazing. Saturday night at our baptism was my first time translating for a talk, and with less than 4 months experience in the field I was a bit nervous, but I knew the Lord would help. The talk was about The Holy Ghost and was given by a senior Sister, Sis. Erickson, and she gave me her talk ahead of time so I was able to have the general Idea of what she was going to say. But at the end of the talk she just had written "Testimony". "ok' i thought to myself, "just a could 'i know the church is true' kinda things." WRONG!!!! At the end of her talk she launched into 2 full fledged stories about how the Holy Ghost helped and saved her in her life. During the beginning of the talk, the old couple who were getting baptized weren't paying much attention because they have a hard time understanding Malay, but as soon as Sister Erickson starting telling her stories, Kisang (the man) looked up at her and never took his eyes off of her. His eyes even began to water up (rare for Iban men, especially old ones). During his testimony at the end, he said in very quite Iban that while he couldn't completely understand my translation, he understood the Spirit that was talking to him. This very profound statement made me realize even more deeply, that the work that I am doing is 100%, hands down, all about the Spirit. While we may not be able to speak the language well, if we speak by the spirit, the Holy Ghost will carry it unto their hearts. There have been times when we were teaching and you could just feel the absence of the Spirit, and those were the lessons where we struggled to communicate the most. It is incredible.

   I know that this work is not doable without the spirit. That is what Elder Gallinger and I have to rely on every day. One thing we are doing now is at the end of the night is telling each other about the miracles that we witnessed with each other. Sometimes one sees the miracle and the other doesn't. It really is incredible. Lately because I have been the senior companion, I have been leading the lessons and taking the larger part of the lesson. However, last night our lesson plan had to change last minute, and when we started I honestly had no Idea where to go. We were teaching a 14 year old boy about fulfilling his priesthood calling and hopefully reactivating him into the church, and right when I ran out of things to say, Elder Gallinger says to me "Let your light so shine, where is that scripture?" Woah.....Elder Steele and I a month earlier prepared a lesson around that scripture, and I knew it was 3 Nephi 12:14-16. We then turned there and began reading, and it literally brought a spirit and liveliness to the lesson that was before dead. It clicked for me how important it is for US as people to rely on our companions. Our companions at work, in our home, in our marriages. This work, this life, is not doable on your own. You need help. That is why you have a companion. :D When I told Elder Gallinger about this little miracle, he hadn't even realized it happened. I love the man, but when I told him my thoughts and feelings at the time, it really did click. We are in this together :D I love my companion. And we should always tell each other about the little miracles that happen :D

  Well I must get going. But thank you all sooo much for your love and support. read your scriptures! They hold the keys to Eternal Life.

Elder Kampenhout

Malaysia - Week 16 - A New Life‏

Nov. 2, 2010

Hello Family!!!
 
    So this week has really been a different one. New Companions
really do bring in all sorts of new challenges and opportunities. The
place is certainly more quiet. Thats for sure. Elder Steele and I were
really active and fun with each other, but not yet with Elder
Gallinger. He's a big guy from Tri-Cities area, and is pretty quiet
and keeps to himself mainly. Love the guy though :D He's fun.
   This week has been one to remember. My language skills have shot up
leaps and bounds, as I have become the leader of our companionship, I
now lead the lessons and do alot of the talking. Elder Gallinger is
coming out of his shell, but the Lord is definitely blessing both of us
as we are both very young and inexperienced missionaries. We are just
doing out best to be obedient and do our duty, relying upon the Lord.
That really is the key. Learning how to listen to the Holy Ghost. Its
hard, but as we follow more and more promptings, it becomes easier to
hear. It is a skill, something we can practice. Does skill come
without practice? Nope.
   The one area I do struggle with though is with questions. Our new
missionary work is revolving around asking our investigators inspired
questions. While we are not the best at it yet, it is improving, and
it definitely shows in the work.
   Life is still wonderful out in the field here. My body is finally
getting used to the temperature. I now get cold when it rains, and
freeze in the church buidling along with the members. Its crazy. Its a
good thing it will be summertime when I come home, otherwise I would
probably die. Elder Gallinger noticed that it was about...82 degrees
in our study room, and that was pretty nice and cool for us.
Woah....inside a house...crazy.
    But the work is moving along. The Church is true, and I know it
with all my heart. As we were teaching some investigators about the
Temple the other day, I really felt that I know that it is the House
of God with all my heart. Not just a belief, but a knowing. I know
that We are all children of God, and that we can have true Joy in our
life as we follow his voice, through his prophets and their teachings.
I love you all, and pray for all of you always :D
 
Your Loving friend, brother, and son,
 
   Elder Willem Kampenhout

Malaysia - Week 15 - Dawn of a New Calling‏

Oct. 26, 2010

Nama Berita Semau!!!!

   Things have been kinda nuts these past few days, with seeing members and investigators before Elder Steele leaves, and getting everything ready. It was kinda nuts. He even gave a talk on the last Sunday, but that wasn't the only surprise. BOOM! Mission President walks through the elevator with his assistants and attends our tiny branch's Sunday sacrament meeting. We knew he was in town, but were told he was going to another branch for church. Well......people fib sometimes ;) It was awesome though. There was such a spirit and a presence in the room. It was awesome :D

   So the transfers happened yesterday. Elder Erickson (senior missionary) and I took Elder Steele to the bus station where he boarded the bus and headed off to Bintulu, the place where he first served. It was kinda sad to see him go, mainly because of all of the new responsibilities that I will have and in having no 'safety net' in the language. I am not that safety net, as my new companion (only halfway through training) came into the field only 6 weeks after me! And I'm suppose to train him! I just finished my training 2 weeks ago. Well....i guess the Lord calls us in our weaknesses. All I can do is pray and trust in him.

  So one of the great excitements has been with a Investigator named David. He is the husband of a little family that was just baptized, but he didn't want to hear about the church, so just his wife and 2 step daughters we baptized. Every time we would come over and teach, he would just sit in the next room over and listen or text his friends. It was kinda sad to see that he didn't want to learn, when it was helping his family soooo much. Well, we have also been teaching his parents, and the other day went over there and found his family was there! They were helping the Parents plant rice and were resting up before going home for the night. David was a little drunk, but he sat down in the room at the start of the lesson about Prayer, and how we receive answers through the Holy Ghost. About halfway through we invited him to join us, and he came into the circle and actually participated! Even in a buzzed state he answered questions very well. He told us he would come to church the next day :D Well.....he didn't, but the next night we saw their family again and David wasn't drunk this time, and he was SUPER active in the lesson, and you could really see in his eyes the change that he wants. It is incredible. :D We are really hoping that he continues to grows and will come to church this Sunday :D

   Last night Elder Gallinger and I had our first appointment together, and it was in English! Our Indian investigator Magis is a little old Indian man who is wanting to join a christian church, but wants to join the right one. He has so many tiny little questions that he often distracts himself and is very hard to teach planned out lessons, so last night, we just went in with the desire to testify about the book of Mormon, and wanting to answer his questions. and WOW. I already know that Elder Gallinger and I are going to work well. Magis talked most of the time, and when we just let him talk and we listened, his real questions came out. It was amazing. One of them was about the 12 tribes of Israel, and he was rambling about how Christ was a Jew and the Jews wrote the Bible, and how we are not Jews, so how can we become one of the Chosen people of God? He really just wanted to know how he could become a chosen son of God? It then just clicked in my mind what to teach him. We testified of the 12 tribes, and how everyone can be adopted into the tribes through patriarchal blessings, taught about that really quickly, and then testified that he can become one of God's chosen sons. It was amazing so see how his questions were answered through listening to him, and to the spirit, and not trying to 'combat' him with the standard missionary lessons. Listening truly is a skill we all need in our lives.
    Later when we mentioned godhead, Magis flat out told us that "I will not believe in the Trinity. Cannot." Elder Gallinger and I were both surprised, and worried. But, we then asked him in return "When you are raising your children, are you and your wife not one in purpose?" We then testified how God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are 3 separate people, but are one in heart and mind, meaning ONE IN PURPOSE. You could see the chains of confusion lift from his eyes, and he said "Now it makes sense. Thank you." The power of asking questions and testifying is sooooooo apparent, and is the Chosen Way to teach others. Just as Christ did in Jerusalem. Now the hard part is asking questions in Malay. Apa boleh buat, kecuali terus untuk belajar dan ingat.

   I realize that I often talk about the people more than I talk about myself. Well, it's because i'm not here in Malaysia for myself, but for these people, and I am realizing that as I help these people change their lives to follow Christ, that they are in turn changing me. I am still the same quirky, intense and hard working Willem that you all knew, but am just doing everything in a different language, in a different country, working for a different Boss. Let me tell you, He's a good boss :D

   I love you all so very much, and hope that my letters are something you enjoy to read :D

Elder Willem Kampenhout

P.S. Elder Gallinger's name out here is Elder Gergasi (Elder Troll or Giant) LOVE IT!!!!

Malaysia - Week 14 - A New Horizon‏

October 19, 2010

Apa Khabar Semua!!!

    These weeks really do just fly by. Its nuts. I think I'm going to wake up one day soon and be old, married, 4 kids and a big belly. That will be interesting :D
    So!!! We finally got to watch Conference!!!! WOOOO!!!!! Lets just say watching it in another language is a completely different experience. Not hearing the apostles normal voices takes a strange power from the words, but they are still good. I'm still fairly new and the weird accents are a bit hard to get use to, but it was still an awesome experience. President Uchtdorf's talk on Pride? Wow.....talk about rad. We have watched a couple of the conferences since in English (as we have them on DVD's) and they are so inspiring. It's never been so Inspiring before. I was thinking about back home when we would have those big Conference gatherings at the Dalton's house and all i would want to do would be to play with all their awesome toys. Thankfully my parents only let me horse around so much, but now I wish I would have listened better.These words are truly from Jesus Christ to us, and we need them. Bad. Read them and listen to them again and again. You will find power. Oh yeah. The modern prophet is more important than prophets of old. WOAH!!!! Never heard that before. Talk about revolutionary. Simply amazing.
   So we had conference on Saturday and Sunday, and on Monday we bussed up to Sibu for another Mission training session. 3 days this time. Woot! The training thus far has been absolutely amazing. We are going over the same stuff we did before, and while before I took notes on everything, not I am just taking notes on what the spirit tells me to write down. Its really heavy stuff. One thing I have been realizing is in my quest to constantly better myself as a missionary, that it is impossible to be a perfect Missionary. You can't convert everything, share with everyone, or baptize every investigator. Look at Jesus Christ. Even people rejected him. I KNOW that an imperfect soul as myself is no where going to be able to accomplish close to what he did in his ministry. But the Lord doesn't ask us to be perfect. He just asks us to Love him, try our best, and continually remember him. If we do those 3, we will be ok :D
    One of the recent miracles in my Mission has to be with our old Iban couple, Kisang (M) and Imang (F). Kisang has come to church and all the activities since he started learning, but Imang has yet to come, since she already had a church. However, since we have been teaching them the restored Gospel, we have been able to see a difference in Kisang. He has more energy, more liveliness and a spark to his step. His wife has also begun to open up too. The other day we committed them to be baptized, but Imang was wondering "How can I be baptized if I haven't been to your church yet?" So we told her if she comes three times and follows the commandments she can be baptized with her husband. So she agreed. YES!!!! The coming Sunday was conference though, and we were a bit afraid. Sitting a bunch of Ibans with devil children in a freezing room for 2 hours twice in one day did not really seem like a good 1st church experience. However, I prayed that it would be a spiritually uplifting environment. Then came game day. I remember at one point during conference I was frustrated that people were leaving and going so often, and that very few were really listening, but I prayed that it would be ok. A peace came over my heart telling me that things would be ok. When we met them that night and asked them what they thought. Imang loved church, and acknowledged while a bit different, she loved it and wanted to come back! YESSS!!!! The power of prayer is real.
    Well, just as things were starting to get a bit slow in our area, Elder Steele and I realized that we were really wasting a lot of our time on people who really didn't have a large interest in learning, or who were not keeping commitments, so we went through and cleaned out a lot of our bad investigators. This cleansing felt very good and like we are getting ready for the area to get hot with investigators. Then?!?!?! Transfer news. Elder Steele is going back to the city of his birth in Bintulu to become a Zone Leader, and I am going to stay in Kota Samarahan. I had a deep feeling that this was going to happen soon, but its sad when it does. I really have loved my time with Elder Steele, and we have our way of working and talking and working hard and having fun. I will definitely miss him as he has taught me lots. I will need all I can to help me with the challenge ahead. To replace Elder Steele, they are sending down a fairly new Missionary, Elder Gallinger. I was actually in the MTC at the same time as this man (our groups overlapped) so I have only been in the field 6 weeks longer than he has. While I have officially ended my training as of about a week ago, he is still halfway through his. I don't think this usually happens that someone as young as I am starts training (or half training) an Elder. I was a bit....unsure of my own abilities, but I have since realized that I need to trust in my Mission President (whom I love), my new companion (also love) and the Lord's Strength (love him too). Boy do I need his help. This will be a new adventure for me, as I become the senior companion and take upon myself all of the appropriate duties. Am I ready? Well.....Pres. Clark himself said "Well....no you're not, but the Lord calls us before we are ready to fill an assignment, and when we are ready to fill and assignment, he gives us a new one." Oh so true are his words. The only way that I will be able to do my job will be through the strength of the Lord and the power of the Holy Ghost. I am excited for this new horizon and can't wait to tell you more :D
   Well I must get going. People to baptize. I love you all so very much, and love hearing from you. Time is flying so fast, it seems i will see you all so very soon. How odd.

Your loving son, brother, friend,
       Elder Willem Kampenhout

P.S. Hey parents....did you see the guy in conference who had my middle name? :D

Malaysia Week 13‏

Oct. 12, 2010

 

Hello Everyone! <----English? Odd....

 

   Malaysia is doing soooo awesome :D We just had our first Sacrament in the new church in Batu  7 (7 Mile) or Kota Sentosa. Here in Malaysia they like to take off their shoes before they enter houses or respected areas, so when everyone showed up for church they ALL took off their shoes outside the front. It was really cool to see. Talk about a shoeless sacrament :D It was really fun. The new building is so clean and new and beautiful. While there are some growing pains with figuring out where classes are and what not and who goes where, it was still a very wonderful sunday. Another bonus is that we can take the bus to church!!! YAY! No more 45 minute bike ride in the sweltering heat and showing up drenched with rain or sweat. It is awesome :D

 

   This last weekend we also had another branch activity!!! WooT! This time we took a 2 hour bus ride and went to the Pantai Siar (Siar Beach) and played in the Ocean, played soccer on the beach, ate delicious food, and played tug of war. It was absolutly amazing. The beach is so shallow it was about a 5 minute walk on the sand to reach the water in the morning. It was so much fun though. Tons of fish and crabs were stuck in little pools of water, and all the little kids were running around grabbing them and putting them in bottles to take back home (doing what I have no idea). We as missionaries were not allowed to swim, but we could walk around up to our knees. It was really fun running after and chasing the kids and playing soccer on the beach. We had a quick impromptu keep-away game with Orang Tua (Old guys) vs. budak (kids). We played with the old guys, and did well for a while. Konok our 60+ year old recent convert even played some soccer with us. He is still on his game :) He was quite the respected soccer player back in the day, and MVP of his village. That was a LONG time ago though. He can't run, but his passing and dribbling was still in good form.

   The bus we took was absolutely packed, and some people even had to drive cars to make it there. Two of our married investigators who came (Jonathan and Jaeclyn) are still very young and love the missionaries. They were playing with us on the beach, and then would go sit and walk and talk with each other. With the sun rising in the morning, it seriously felt like a scene out of a movie, as those two were so madly in love :D Jaeclyn is moving off to Nursing School in a few days and is going to miss her Military husband like crazy. She plans on being baptized in Bintulu (where she's going) the same time Jonathan gets baptized here. I can't wait :D

   One thing I have been learning out here is how the gospel helps people grow closer together. Many couples that we start teaching are very passive towards their spouse when we start teaching them, but by the time they have been members for a little bit, you can just see the increased love they have for each other. They hold hands, and are so kind to each other where as before that wasn't there at all. It is absolutely amazing. I love this gospel and how it draws people closer together. Everything really does get better through Jesus Christ.

    We also got a chance to go visit some long time members for their birthday party where they only invited their close friends and family. While only a small portion of the people there were members, everyone in the room had such a strong love for eachbother, and you could totally feel it. My heart just wanted to burst I felt so much love with this group of people. Seeing the mother and daughter cook together, the grandson singing songs with friends, the father and I sitting on the couch talking about life. It was so wonderful. I love my family :D

   Well I must be going. Know that I am still doing well, healthy, hearty and strong. Not sick yet. Haven't been hit by a car yet. :)

 

Your loving missionary,

     Elder Willem Kampenhout

 

P.S.

The picture sent are a couple of nice sunsets here in Malaysia. Seriously the most beautiful I have ever seen.

 

One is of a very dark rain cloud we got here. That was about 5 o clock in the afternoon. Summer time. Yikes!!!!

 

The other is Elder Steele and I standing next to the Governor of Sarawak. He tried to hold my hand :D Talk about an honor to meet the man. He used to be Christian too.

 

Elder Kampenhout

   

Malaysia - Week 12 - No Longer a Newbie

Oct. 5, 2010

Nama Berita Semua!!!!

   So many many new missionaries are often referred to as Greeny ( Hey Greeny, grab me this!!) but from Day 1 I didn't take that kind of talk. I told Elder Steele he could can call me Newbie (cause its true, I'm new) but not Greeny. It stuck ever since :D Never really came around though. He's a good companion like that :D But!!! As of Yesterday I have finished my training!!! Woot! No longer a trainee!!! Its really not all that different. The change is slow, and if you need a title to tell you who you are.....well...i guess you need a title.

  Things have been great out here! Elder Steele and I finally found a bank!!! And a Post Office (or Post Laju)!!!! We can finally survive! haha. Our money has come in for the month and we feel like rich men. Its quite fantastic :)

  The language is really really coming now. My Malay is really getting there, and I will teach large parts of lessons at times. The only time when i'm quiet is when we are teaching some really old Iban Grandparents, and they can't understand Malay. They its mainly Elder Steele and a member we bring. The Members are SOOOOO important in these lessons, and are largely responsible for their teaching. It's quite amazing. The fellowship and testimonies are what really brings these kind of investigators into the church. No fault on our part, its all in the Lord and the Members. It's quite amazing. The members here are the best :D Many people can't read or write, and have never been able to understand the Kitab Mormon (Book of Mormon) but they have a feeling that it is true, and they know in their hearts that it is. Talk about a leap of faith. It really is something extraordinary.

   So last Sunday was our last Sunday in our old shop lot at the Kingcenter Building. The Kota Samarahan branch (ours) and the Kota Sentosa Branch are receiving a new building in Kota Sentosa! Talk about rad!!! There are actually buses and vans that go to Kota Sentosa, so a lot of our areas will be able to have public transport when they don't have their own. This includes Elder Steele and I. We will no longer have to ride our bikes in the blistering heat or the pouring rain and freeze in the Air Conditioned Church. We will get to take a nice bus ride there :D Now, when I say bus ride. This is nothing like American Bus rides. These buses largely have no shocks, and launch you in the air with every pothole. And there are many. Wooden and metal seats. Engines that roar so loud you can barely hear. No AC. People smoking on board right underneath a no smoking sign (Jangan Merokok). But this really is wonderful :D Makes you really appreciate cars, and we can't wait to make this a regular routine.

  That being said, the work is still moving along. While some investigators still and fall, and others push forward with faith, all I know is that Elder Steele and I are doing our best, and loving every minute of it. Last week on P-Day (after emailing) we went out to one of the Villages and played soccer with all the children on the village. All 40-50 of them. It was the best soccer game I ever played. I've scored goals, made saves, and won tournaments, but nothing compared to this day. As we arrived all the children crowded around us and were screaming and yelling and soo happy to have some people to play with. As we got of our bikes it started to rain. Most Ibans ran inside to get out of the rain, but the children still wanted to play soccer. So we played :D There were huge puddles of water, deep moggy patches of grass, and hard patches of dirt and rock, but it was still the best playing conditions ever. Everyone was drenched, everyone was muddy, and everyone was happy. Kids would switch sides every 2-3 minutes, mainly cause they just wanted to kick the ball. Elder Steele and I had a following of about 7-10 kids at all time, and all the girls were screaming and yelling from the sidelines. We would slip, fall, miss the ball, miss the goal, slide off the field into the jungle, but we did everything with a smile and a laugh. This was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. I loved every single one of those kids, and I could feel the light of Christ in All of them. I now know how Christ could love children so much. Who couldn't? It wasn't the game we were playing, nor the country we were in, but it was the people we were with, and the joy we had together. This was true Love.

Your fellow brother, son and friend from Malaysia, 
             Elder Kampenhout

The Famine - Part II

So I forgot to add the part to my email why it was called The Famine:

   The other day I accidentally lost my wallet, which contained about 140RM ($50) which was the rest of the money Elder Steele and I had for the rest of the month. With this event, we had about 20 RM ($7) to survive for about a week. Lets just say food got pretty low, and we couldn't buy everything we needed. We normally would be able to pull out some personal money, but our area only has Islamic banks, which don't support VISA. Haha. So we have been trucking along like poor little white boys. We get along though. The members and investigators gladly feed you at appointments, so no worries :D

Malaysia Week 11 - The Famine

Ani Agah Mu!!!!

 

   Bagu!!!! Ha ha, all the different languages make it fun to connect with everyone around here. I actually just ran into an Indonesian Boy on the bus and he asked me if I had ever been to Indonesia. Ha ha, he was expecting No....So when I said Yes he was uber surprised. Good times.

 

   Another week in the working world. It has been a crazy week too. One of our Investigators passed away. Remember that little old Iban Grandma Sindu? Well her lungs eventually got too full of liquid and her body quit on her. She passed away in the Hospital last week, soon after I sent my last email. It was tough to stomach, and even harder for her family. The next couple days we made frequent visits out to their Kampung to see them and check on how they were doing, and we got to see how the Ibans do their funerals. They lay the body out one some blankets and cover her up with blankets up to her neck, and have candles around her. All the women and some of the men sit inside in a HUGE circle that goes around the whole room, and people will come in and worship, wail, or pray over the body. The rest of the men are outside smoking and drinking. For Sindu's it was especially hard because she wasn't baptized into a Christian Church yet, and this "lack of religion" led other religious leaders to tell everyone that Sindu was a lost soul. They actually stopped us from dedicating her grave because the Head of the Kampung told us "Angan!" (Dont!) because she didn't have a religion yet, and so we were not suppose to pray over her. Talk about a hopeless message. Her family was heartbroken, but when we spoke with them later, we reminded them of the Spirit World, and that Sindu does live, and that they will get to see her again. They started to smile again. :D Its crazy to think about all the other churches around here, and how their messages are so....hopeless I guess you can say. Makes you really appreciate the true church :D

 

   So those events kinda threw a wrench into our planning for the week, but we are still pressing on. We had over 50 people at Church on Sunday too!!! It was soo awesome to have the little building packed with all sorts of different people who are all in different stages of growth. Many New investigators, a couple recent converts, and old time converts. It is so great to see the Church growing :D

 

   One of the people to come to Church was a 21 year old named Kevin. His family is pretty strong Roman Catholic and they only really go so their kids can learn, but Kevin is VERY, VERY Intelligent and sees that his parents church is "not all there". We weren't sure where his desire was when we first started teaching him, but we somehow knew that he was the key to his family. His mom was concerned for him because he has not yet been baptized. So when we started teaching him Kevin was really in favor of his Agency. Good :D But as we started teaching him more, he really grasped onto the restored truths that we were teaching, and the Spirit really played a huge role in opening his heart. When he came to church with his family (except his dad) his mom asked me to show them where the bathroom was in the middle of sacrament, so I took their two younger boys to show them where the bathroom was. A few minutes later, Kevin came out and we waited for his brothers. He then turned and saw the painting of Christ Coming out of Heaven with all of the angels surrounding him. He just stood there, staring at the picture. After a few minutes he told me "I've seen this picture before, in a dream I had." I asked him "When did you have the dream?" "Two Years ago." He went on to relate how he saw everything excatly as it was in the painting, and how that picture alone in our church made him feel the truths that we were teaching. He told me "This is the most free sunday I've had." :D

 

      The gospel is true, and the path to Freedom lies in the same path that Christ walked. I know this without a doubt :D

 

I love you all so much,

 

Elder Kampenhout

Malaysia - Week 10 - A New Way of Life

Sept. 22, 2010

Selamat Patang Semua!!!!

    Sorry this is coming in a day late. Yesterday we had Zone conference with two zones, Kuching and Sibu, and we had to push back our P-Day till today. Zone Conference was SICK though!!! President Clark gave this really awesome lesson about Angels, and how they are everywhere all the time, doing the Lords will, and that a lot of the time we see them and don't even know it. It is incredible :D It's crazy to connect all the dots and see how prevalent Angels are in the Bible AND the Book of Mormon. Amazing.

   So this past week has been so packed with happenings there is no way that I would be able to say them all. Living in our area is 100% better, now that we don't have to spend 1 hour plus riding too and from our house just to go tracting or to appointments. It's insane. The work is picking up, and while Elder Steele and I are living alone, we are becoming more involved with the members and better connected to the area. It's nuts. Every morning we go running around this beautiful lake for our exercises. Its amazing. We actually taught these two 20 year old boys yesterday on the lake side, and it was a just natural being in such a beautiful area talking about the Restored Gospel, and how it can bless us all in our lives :D Halfway through the lesson though this Indian guy pulled up and parked his car about 25 feet away and just sat in the car. When we rode away afterward to our next appointment, we called out Cegu!!! which means teacher, and I stopped and started talking with him. He was driving by and when he saw us teaching these two boys he just felt impressed to stop and talk to us. Woah. WOOOOOAAAAHHHH.....He wants to bring us to his Kampung (Village) and have us meet his whole family, because he currently  has no religion. It was amazing talking to him, and he said that my Malay was very, very good, especially for only being out here for 2 months. The gift of tongues is real. I am now following about 90% oh what people say, and find myself not struggling to express myself. I still have leaps and bounds to go (questions are hard in Malay) and am still working on the Iban. I can understand a bit and speak a tiny bit. Aku nemu Mimit-mimit!!! Tak uleh Jako!!!! Haha. Its amazing.

  So when people say that being a missionary, and having a companion is like marriage training, they are so right. Now that Elder Steele and I are living on our own, we can never really get away from each other, so its 24/7 :D I love the man though, and he's a hard worker. You really do get used to peoples little "things" they do that bug you, and focus on the big reasons that you love them :D I have been truly blessed with Elder Steele. He really does like to work hard and we have a lot of fun doing it, and he doesn't make me feel like a trainee at all. Its great :D

   So oh!!! HUGE NEWS!!! A while back we had an investigator (Lintang) that moved to Johor Baru the week he was supposed to be baptized, and he was going to do his best to find the church there, but he didn't have a hand phone and we had no way of contacting him. It made us very sad, and we heard no news from the JB Elders if they found him. Then, the other night, right after this family committed to come to church, we got a text message. "Hello Elder. Mr. Lintang Anak Judi from Jesus Christ. Please Call me back." WOAH!!!!! People often associate themselves with their church by putting the name on the end. He's not even baptized and considers himself a member. Freaking sweet :D So we called him back. He just got a new phone and he called us, and we hooked him up with the Elders in JB. He is so awesome. He reads the Book of Mormon everyday and highlights it and loves to read. He even shared an experience where he almost lost his hand at work (a welder of large factory machines) but thanks to a prayer he was saved. Woah. It was one of the sweetest nights ever!!!! We were so pumped. I love the people here.

   Looking at the last 4 paragraphs starting with "so" I figured I would start a new one without So. But!!! Another Miracle this week. As we were riding out to Kampung Nangka, as we passed by a members house, Elder Steele thought he might have seen the car of one of their old investigators at a members house. These investigators, Jonathan and Jaeclyn, were very very awesome, but suddenly dropped off the map. We kept riding, but both of us had a super strong feeling to turn around. So we did, and we ran into them, and re-established contact!!! They have seen us tons as they drive around, but they just been too shy to stop and say hi or honk, so this was the perfect thing to happen. Since then we have met a few times and we are now back on track. They are on date to be baptized again, and when they do, they will immediatley become strong strong members. It's incredible how some people are just flat out prepared for you. All you need to do is be obedient and listen as the Spirit guides. On that note, our Branch President in the MTC had this quote, that I think applies very very well. An apostle said this: "When obedience ceases to be an irritant, and becomes a quest, in that moment you are endowed with true power." There are no other words that explain it better. As we grow closer to God through our obedience, we begin to desire more, and obey more fully so we can become more like him. Perfect. It really is incredible.

   Before the mission I never really read my scriptures a lot (bad Bad BAD) and I didn't really feel a need. But now, I LOVE reading them, and find new strength and insight every day, that I need for that day! I sit at a desk for 90 minutes everyday studying and writing my thoughts. It is awesome. I love it. I've finished the Book of Mormon once in the MTC and once out in the field, and now I am going through again, but in more detail with certain patterns in mind. There is much depth to them, and the knowledge gained through your own study, and sharing it with others is amazing and uplifting. I encourage all of you to do so. One thing I find particularly fun in topic is the Millennium, and how we are going to receive new scripture :D Just blows the mind.

  Well I must be going. I love you all so very much, and I pray that you remember the Lord in All things. Don't just settle for the good things. Find the Best things :D

Elder Willem Kampenhout

aka Elder Belanda atau Elder Kempen

Malaysia - Week 9 - Winds of Change‏

Nama Berita Nuan!!!

So another great week in Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia. So this past weekend was Hari Raya which is a Muslim Holiday in which all the Muslims close shops and go visit each other. They go house to house treating eacho ther with food, drinks and company. We were invited to a couple places including......(drumroll)......The Governor of Sarawak's Palace! It was awesome. We were part of a private selection that were invited, and we shook hands multiple times and took photos :) I would have some for you but my camera's battery has been sakit (sick) and won't charge, so I can't load it into the computer. I'm working on it though :D But it was really really fun.

The Malay people (Muslims) are soooooo incredibly nice, and friendly. They are incredibly gentle. We've heard about some really dumb pastor in Florida who are burning Koran's, and that is horrible. So very. These are the kindest, most respectful people I have ever met. It's sad we can't teach them because there would be many who would enjoy and love the message of the Gospel.

   One especially touching incident happened the other night. One of our members (Brother Juni) has a daughter who married a Muslim, and therefore had to become a Muslim. This utterly broke his heart, especially because she had a testimony, but she also loved the man she married. For many years Juni wouldn't talk to his daughter, but recently he has been talking and visiting, and is starting to heal. One of these reasons is Adam. Adam is his grandson, his daughter and husband's first and only son. He is the cutest, happiest, friendliest and most talkative child on the planet. When he is rattling off in Iban, Malay or English (7 years old) it is adorable. He calls everyone Kawan (Kaban in Iban [Friend in English]) and is the most adorable boy there. The other night we went there for his birthday, and happy birthday, ate food and started singing songs. We sang all sorts of songs and laughed all night long. The Light of Christ was soooo strong with this boy it was incredible. His sweet nature touched everyone in the room. His father is one of the kindest men I know, and yet their government won't let them learn about how their family can be sealed together for all eternity through the Power of Jesus Christ. When we left their house, and realized this, my heart was crushed, and I felt a fraction of what his grandfather, Brother Juni, must feel.

It was at that moment that I realized how strong Love is, and how it hurts sometimes. I realized that the cars we drive don't matter, nor the clothes we wear, nor the color of our skin, but our family. Family is Everything. I then thought about everyone who is in my family, and how much I love them and pray for them everynight. All I ever want is the best for them. Then I related this to our Heavenly Father, and how much He cares about all of us, and has the power to bless us eternally. All we need to do is Love him back, and show him that love. That is everthing. We are one big family. Let's show it.
     So we just moved (again) this morning to our new house out in Desa Ilmu, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak. It's awesome. It's just Elder Steele and I, and this new location will cut out a 40 minute bike ride everyday. Living in our area is going to be awesome :D We will have a lot less contact with other missionaries, but tons more with members and investigators, which is more important. I can't wait to tell you how this is going to change alot :D
    One of our investigators went to the hospital this week because her lungs weren't working very well. Her name is Sindu, and she is about 75 years old. She is learning with her daughter and 2 granddaughters. We went to go pay her a visit, and boy was that something! There are no front doors on the bottom floor, it's kind of open and you walk in. It's hot, humid, with people smoking. Definitely not the clean places we are used to. She was on the eighth floor, so we waited for 5 minutes for a slow elevator to arrive and then went up. When we reached her floor and were looking for her, we saw the visiting hours were already over. Too bad. We were there on business. The Lord's business. Passing by all the other sick patients was one of the most shocking things I've seen in my life. 50% of the patients had tubes running up their noses with some sort of sedative that helps keep them calm, unconscious, but left their faces in strange painful looking positions. Many of the older men and women who looked at us seemed to scream with their eyes "help us", as younger daughters and family huddled around some, with hopeless looks on their faces. Some younger teenagers were on their own beds, and terrified of what was to come, with no one there with them. All of this had me worried out of my mind for Sindu. When we found her, she had her own containment room. Oh No! When we walked in, there she was, the adorable little 4'3" little Iban Grandma sitting on her bed, with nothing hooked up to her, smiling. She mumbled some Iban and said that she misses church, and wants to be baptized. Ha ha :D It was such a relief. We left her with a blessing of health, and went on our way. The Lord protects His chosen children.
    So we are also at this moment teaching a man named James. He is married to a member here in Kota Samarahan, but works and lives in Bintulu (North). However, he was down here for a month and his wife convinced him to meet with the missionaries. This man is by far the most intelligent person we've taught (he's a doctor's assistant) and his heart is so huge. I loved this man the instant we saw him. His wife and her sister (24 and 19) we have been way good friends with, and now that he is learning about the Gospel it makes my heart swell with Joy. This last week we asked him to be baptized, and he accepted! He just needs to talk with his parents first. During our lesson last night, we were teaching him a bit about temples, and how he and his wife can be sealed for time and all eternity, and I just felt the Spirit so strongly you could have cut the air with a knife it was soo strong. I could see the love these two married people had for each other, and having been in the temple, I just desire for them to partake of the same blessings that I have. It's strange, because out here I am realizing what is most important in life, and what really matters, and I am seeing how the unseen powers can change our life for the better. I would urge all of you to dwell on these same experiences you have had, the same blessings you have received, and then think about those who have not yet received these things. Those who have not yet heard. Share it with them. It is the greatest gift you can give. The gift of Eternal Life.

    I love you all, and hope to hear from you soon. :D Jangan Nakal.

Elder Willem Kampenhout

Week 4 - Malaysia - Getting Wet

Aug. 11, 2010

Hey All!!!!

    Wow. I love this country. So this week Elder Steele and I had our first Baptisms!!!! Woot! 3 Young men. They are all awesome and wonderful spirits. I was given the lucky chance of baptising Sebastian (in the picture) and let me tell you, it was a life changing experience. I did it all in Malay and did it in one try, but the whole time I was a bit nervous. However, as soon as I stepped into the font I felt like a different person. I was no longer Elder Willem Kampenhout, but a representitive of Jesus Christ, who was helping this young man make covenants with Jesus to follow him and enter into his Kingdom. It was amazing. The other missionaries call it "getting wet" which is a kidna funny term. Haha. It was a good thing too cause on our way to the Baptism I crashed my bike when I slipped on water and mud mixture. I'm ok (don't worry Mom) but I got a hole in my pants and got some mud all over them. Luckily I was able to dress into my baptisimal clothes :D

   So this week has been interesting. Some days are scorching hot, while others it completely pours the rain down. One day it started to rain right as we rode into Kampung Rembus and the member there Dundang said "Get in the house now!" The rain picked up quickly, and soon afterwards we could not even see the next house over. The house our Zone Leaders were at was struck by lightning. It was nuts. We lucked out though, because the rain caused Dundang's neighbors and our investigators to come home from work, and we taught them a very personal and quite lesson, something we often don't get in a house at night full of Iban children. It was awesome, and their family are planning on getting baptized soon! It is so amazing to see people make the commitment to take upon themselves the name of Christ, and put aside the desires of the world and follow Him. It really does warm your heart.

    So some of my emails won't go through because of the pictures I attach, so now on I will send one with pictures and one without :) Just in case. It also helps if you keep your inboxs not so full (MOM!)

 So one of the pictures is a bathroom at a members house. The little hole in the ground is what you squat over, and then wash off your bum with the buckets of water surrounding you. At our house we have a shower hose, but its pretty much the same. I haven't used TP since I left the states. Its weird, but you get use to it.

 One picture is me with these kids out in this Kampung where we were helping a member build his house for his family so his kids could live close to their school, and so they could get an education. These people are very selfless, and family is everything to them. It is amazing to see how they will work so hard and be so kind all on behalf of someone else. It's very humbling.

   Another picture was this odd day where it looked like it was raining fire. It was the most beautiful skies I have ever seen. I more to show when I get home :D

   The work is going very well out here :D Elder Steele and I are going to move out into our area at the end of the month, that way we don't have to spend over an hour everyday biking to and from our area. It will definitly speed up the work and help us and our investigators. We will miss living with other missionaries, but we will get use to it :D

   Well we must get going. The work calls. The Lord blesses the obedient and awards us with truth and light in our lives. Follow him always. Read and Pray everyday and go to Church every Sunday. I Love you All!!!

Elder Willem Kampenhout