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?
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