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
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