Malaysia - Week 41 - Kota Kinabalu‏

April, 26, 2011

Selamat Pagi!!!

It might not be morning where you are, but it is a very beautiful sunny morning here in Kota Kinabalu. Yeah... Kota Kinabalu. Not Sandakan. I got transferred.
It will be an interesting change, but I know the Lord has a purpose for me here.

One thing of interesting note is actually the presence of our Relief Society President here, Sister Marrycle. She has lived in Sandakan most of her life, and because of that many, many, many people know here. Not just because she is a big public speaker or throws big parties, but because she has the biggest heart and is so full of charity, and is always helping with her hands. Many of the older Filipinos who have lived here will often see us and then ask us if "Auntie Marrycle" is a member of our church. When we say yes, they immediately begin to trust us, because of her great Christ like example. Oh how if all of us could be like this. Is it not possible? How could you be a better example to those around you?

In getting ready to leave, it was really interesting to see how much good a leaving missionary can do. There definitely were thoughts and temptations to just slack off because it was no longer going to be my area, but that was all false. Sandakan will still be within my responsibility, always and forever :D But I found that I did a lot of good with final testimonies, final trainings, and saying goodbyes but with a knowledge that we will meet again. At the bus stop Ednel, who has stormed back into activity since February, really, really did not want me to go. So much that he walked up into the bus with me and we sat and talked a bunch until he had to go. It's hard to let go, but it was a lot easier knowing that we will see them again :D

So you'll never believe it. While getting on the bus to more to KK, I struck up a conversation with a white couple, and they just so happened to be Hollanders!!!! It was so cool to hear them talk and get to know them. The boyfriend, Gerrard was most interested, and man they were tall too. Both of them. How come we are so short? HAHA :D But I started to talk about what I’m doing here and he actually wanted to hear what we were teaching. I only had so much time, because the Malaysians kicked me out of their seats, but I shared a bit about God and prophets, and it was crazy to see all of the questions that just came up. He had had no religious background, but had a genuine interest. So I gave him 2 pass along cards (they finally were of more use than the picture), but also kept helping them along on the journey as we stopped to eat and whatnot. They definitely recognized the Willem Kampenhout name. :D It felt so right being around Hollanders.

   Once again I find myself in another land, amongst new and familiar faces, but with one thing that remains the same. God is still watching over, the Book of Mormon is still true, and Jesus Christ is our Savior. I love you all, and hope to see you again.

Elder Willem Kampenhout

P.S. The computer is wigging out so I will have to send pics next week.

Malaysia - Week 40 - Spiritual Enlightenment

April 19, 2011

Anu Abarmu?

    So things have been crazy here. When is life not crazy for a missionary? Last Wednesday I was at a Leadership Training in Kuala Lumper, which is the shining Beacon of Malaysia, and WOW it is a big city. I thought Sandakan was big. Boy was I taken for surprise. Then after two days of getting caught up in the area we had General Conference, and Wow the spirit of the Lord really began to descend into the hearts of the people here. With it have come tons of trials for all. We had some really good investigators living out in mile 8, but at some point they stopped answering their phones and avoiding us. So when we went out to investigate, and all of them were not at home except for Lela. At first she acted dumb, but finally told us that their landlord who lives next door has told them that they can't learn from the Missionaries anymore. If they continue to do so they will be evicted. What?!?! Yeah you don't really get that story everywhere. They weren't happy about this either, but there is nothing they could do :(  

This knocked out about 4 families of learning, and really weighed heavy upon our hearts about the injustices that can take place in this country. However, someone once told me "The Lord closes some doors so he can open others." This statement is so true. That is just one of the many trials that are coming to the area, but it is within the fires of a furnace that a pot is made hard and strong. I know that Lord is solidifying his saints here.

   My question for all of you is this. What did you all think about General Conference? Whoa....I have never listened to a full session of conference in English until this last weekend, and I was so uplifted, but also inspired to make changes in my life. And yet, with this great inspiring time comes the lower attendance records, the wearing of casual clothes, and it seems that many saints take these fantastic Sundays to be "break Sundays" where you don't HAVE to do to church. No, you NEED to!!! Haha. Man I can't wait to be able to get tickets to attend Conference, and ponder the words of the prophets within the walls of the Celestial Room at the temple. How lucky all of you are, to have a temple so close and so near for seeking revelation from the Lord, and performing works for Him. Are you living to the potential you could? I guess it wasn't until the closest temple was a country away that I came to value the temple that was just 2 hours away from my house. Take hold of the opportunities of heaven. Use them, before it grows too late.

    I hope you are all safe and sound, and would love to hear from you all. Life is crazy, busy, and full of adventure. :D Find it.

Your loving friend, brother, and Son,

    Elder Kampenhout

Malaysia - Week 39 - Quick Email !!

April 14, 2011

Hello all!

   

 Sorry so short this week, and late. We had a training in Kuala Lumpur on P-day so I am just taking a few minutes now to tell you that I am alive, and have truly received revelation from the mouth of my church leaders. This weekend we get to see General Conference, and I can't wait!!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D  I will also take a second to list some habits that I want to implement when I get home, and would suggest you try them out too :D 

     Daily Vocal Prayers

     Memorizing 1 Scripture a day.

     Daily Family Kneeling Prayers

     Weekly Christlike Attributes

Love you all :D

Elder Kampenhout

Malaysia - Week 38 - Hope in the Home‏

April 5, 2011

Hello Family!!!

   Never before have I really relied on the Home as much as I have this week. Elder Martin and I are much like a little old couple now. We know all of our little habits, and how we each work, and have successfully worked together to create an amazing unity in our home. Every day, as we go through our studies, I can just feel the spirit growing and swelling to fill the whole house. It is incredible, and as we walk out of our house everyday to go and battle the evils of the world, I can feel the Spirit coming with us. When the day is done, and the work has to be stopped for the night, coming home feels like walking back into a place of comfort, safety, and rest. It is incredible.  :D If this is just an inkling of being "of one heart and one mind" then I can't wait for Zion to come . :D

Now THESE are BIG leaves!!!

Elder Kampenhout pointing out the cockroaches that were all over the railings in the cave they visited last week

Elder Martin, Sister & President Wieland at dinner at a member's home

Elder Martin studying on our hamoc

Largest Triple Combination I have ever seen

   This past Friday we had an amazing branch social, and while it started 30 minutes late, we all just sang hymns together until the leaders arrived. It was so amazing how the music brought everyone to come in and sit down and participate, and it ended up being the most attended Branch Social yet! Excluding the Christmas Party. You can't beat the birth of the Savior as a day to celebrate. But it was such a fun social, and wasn't even all that complex. A couple songs, a short talk, and playing Pictionary, and eating. It is finding joy in the simple and plain things that brings true happiness.

   So just yesterday, I ran into my first "ONLY ONE BIBLE" person. Wow....11 months and only one thus far. Ha ha. It was really incredible to see how she had placed her faith in Her Church and not in Christ, and the true nature of God. We didn't argue with her, but instead asked her questions to invite her to think. She told us that she only needs the bible, and then we asked her if she believes that God still lives, and she said yes. Does he still talk to us? Yes! Well, couldn't he reveal more word to us in a time when we desperately need it? Her mouth remained closed. "I can't answer that question." She didn't accept a Book of Mormon, but she accepted a pamphlet, and said she would read it. It certainly was an interesting experience, because she was the one who sought us out when we were following up a contact. We acted in a calm and reverent manner, and the scriptures proved right in that "therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men" I know that the word of God will always be proven right :D

I love you all so much, and hope you all enjoyed General Conference. We get it in 2 weeks. Woot!!! Can't wait!!!

Your loving friend, brother, and son,

   

      Elder Willem Kampenhout

To the Troy Branch and the Rolling Hills Ward

April 5, 2011

Apa Khabar Saudara dan Saudari!!!   <----Malay

Anu Abarmu!! <-----Sungai

Nama Berita!! <----- Iban

    How are all of you doing? Things are great here in East Malaysia. Yeah, not Singapore, but Malaysia! Singapore is a World Class City that is surrounded by a developing nation called Malaysia. Many people know about West Malaysia, but East Malaysia is like Northern Idaho. Lots of Jungle and friendly people! Only about 20 years ago there were headhunters running around in the Jungles here. While the head hunters have replaced the heads with TV's in their homes, we still have to hike up jungle hills to get to people’s homes. :D

   But the work is going very well. :D The people very much need the Gospel here to guide and Direct their lives in a world that is throwing temptation and masked misery at every turn. It has been incredible to see the change that people have made from being Non-Members to Members who are filling their calling to the max. This is that pure and simple Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

    I am having the greatest change to my life out here. While I had lived on my own and taken care of myself before, I had never really learned to rely on others. Here I have learned that when we learn to rely on Christ, we are empowered from on high. This knowledge has not come quickly, but over time and trials. And it is worth everything that I have given up to come out here. I gave up a fine school, a high paying job, and a very nice life to come trek around in the jungles of Malaysia for the Lord. I would make that trade again without a moment’s notice. Before I was hesitant to go on a mission, but I want to tell all who are even thinking about maybe possibly going on a mission: Go. Whatever it takes to go, GO. There is no better life than giving your all to serve the lord. It will certainly be a step of faith, to leave behind the wishes of the world, but you will be gifted with treasures from heaven. We all know which ones we would rather have, but its just hard to give up that which is before our eyes. I know that this is true. You can know of its truthfulness as well. :D This is not just for the young men of the church, but for the sisters, and the seniors as well. The Senior Couples in each of my areas have brought invaluable spirit and direction, and are priceless. My mission is composed of less than a 100 missionaries, covering 3 countries, 4 cultures, and 10's of languages. The Field is White and Ready to Harvest. No truer words. Serving in whatever capacity you can, always rely upon the Love of the Father. In your decisions in life, remember to "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." 

Elder Willem Kampenhout

Malaysia - Week 37 - God Must Have Sent You.....‏

March 30, 2011

This week has been incredible! :D

   Since the District Conference, there has just been this new spirit in Sandakan. It is showing in the members, and within the missionaries. There is power in Church gatherings. There and afterwards. It is the repercussions that have been the most influential to me.
    Never before have my companion and I been more unified, and this past week, this unity and listening to the spirit brought us to a place that God wanted us to go. In our area, we have avoided going to the further areas because more of the Christians are illegal, and have a hard time getting to church, but this one day we had this good feeling about a specific area in Mile 8   (a 30 minute bus ride from the church) as we were approaching a certain house with our Filipino branch missionary, we went over to a house that Ednel (Branch missionary) said that he knew the person that lived there. Lela was her name, and he and Elder Martin thought that she had been at the branch Christmas party. Well, it turned out not, and she really wanted to come to our church and hear our message, but works on Sundays, but told us that her neighbors were Christians too and would want to listen to us. That is when the miracle happened.
     As we came around the corner, there were dogs fighting all around us, and a Filipino man and two women were sitting outside and look VERY surprised to see us, and were a bit hesitant with the missionaries, but trusted Ednel because he was Filipino. We then began to share with them about the restoration, and eventually came to find out that one of the women had at one point learned with missionaries a year and a half ago, and only stopped learning because of work, but had moved as well. The most impressive came from the man though. Tahta. He was a very quite and sincere man, who seems hard out the outside, but is really looking for truth on the inside. His eyes listened so attentively, and asked a lot of great questions. After sharing a bit, we started exchanging numbers and setting up for them to come to church. It was in this small talk that we realized that ALL of us were not suppose to be there today. One of our appointments fell through, and we followed the impression to go to that house. The two girls were home sick from work, and Tahta was sent home early from work. Of all the days.....we were led there. "God must have sent you to me this day." - Tahta.
    Follow the impressions of your heart, and what you should do that brings you to do right. Yes there will be things that are logical, or make sense, but sometimes they are not "right'. I truly believe that there are NO accidents in life. Its just about how we see it. Things are swell and going great here in Sandakan. With so little time this week, because we went exploring at some caves here in Sandakan, I will have to send pictures and more stories next week. There are just too many stories to share. :D

Your loving friend, brother, and son,

    Elder Kampenhout