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