Things are going well here in Malaysia. The End of the Islamic month of fasting is here, and yesterday downtown KK (Kota Kinabalu) was absolutely packed!!! I ironically chose to start a fast on the very day that the Muslims were breaking theirs, so when we went into a jam packed KFC after District meeting, I was now on the opposite end of what had been happening all month. For those who don't know, around august every year the Islamic holds a time of fasting called Ramadan. They will begin fasting every day at 4am, and break it at 6:30pm. So they don't eat all day, but will stuff themselves at night right afterwards, and wake up at 3am and eat before the fasting starts. Fairly unhealthy, but they do it with good purpose. Many many restaurants are empty during the day, so it is mainly Elder Hawkins and I and the Chinese here eating lunch :D But its now over and we can all eat together again :D
Some more amazing news is that our brand new Branch is going to have a baptism this weekend!!! Yay!!! This incredible little group of Filipinos has been through many challenges and trials, and been taught very well the doctrines of the Gospel. Each and every one of them is loved by the branch, even though there is a bit of a language barrier (they only speak English, and only a few select members speak English) but they are all so friendly towards one another. Each and every one of the four people who are being baptized this Saturday will be making sacred covenants with God, after having faced many life changing decisions. Upon reflecting, Elder Hawkins and I are just blown away at how far these people have come. They are so incredible and their faith is amazing. It inspires me to know that the Lord is preparing his children, and that the Gospel really will change lives if they let it :D
Last week I also had the opportunity to fly down to Tawau, the edge of the world when it comes to missionary areas. It is so far away from the mission home, and has a little branch of its own and a senior couple and a pair of elders there. For many months at a time there is no senior couple either. Oh, what amazing trust the Mission President must have in his missionaries. Honestly, it would be pretty easy for them to do whatever they wanted, and get away with it all, but instead they choose to wake up on time, study the scriptures, and follow all the little guidelines they are given. Now, let me ask you this. How many 19-21 year old boys will pay to go somewhere foreign, and obey a voice that is thousands of miles away, and give up things such as movies, video games, girls, cars, music, and go and talk with people about religion? Only the sons of God. It is because they walk on a higher path, and obey not because they are motivated by guilt or fear, but because they love their Heavenly Father, because they love their families, because they are obedient out of the desires of their heart. In this world where standards of morality and family values are crumbling before our eyes, I have never seen such faith, devotion, and firmness than I have seen here in the Sabahan Missionaries. No one is looking down their backs, but they continue to choose the right when a choice is placed before them. They are Missionaries of the Lord Jesus Christ, and are doing their best to follow his lead :D I am proud of the missionaries in my zone, and know that they will continue to do great and marvelous things.
"When obedience ceases to be an Irritant, and becomes our Quest, in that moment God will endow us with Power." ~ Pres. Ezra Taft Benson
Sometimes it feels so easy to just let a little bit slide here or there, but I know that when it does become a desire to be obedient, one being motivated by the blessings which are bestowed upon the obedient, you really do have the Lord's promises and power backing you up :D
Your Loving Friend, Brother, and Son,
Elder Willem Kampenhout
P.S. Attached Pictures are of a Family home evening help for the YSA (Young Single Adults) in KK, and the second is a majority of the group of Filipinos we teach, sitting on their single bed in their one room home :D
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