Oct. 18, 2011
Dearest Family,
The KK (Kota Kinabalu) members unknowingly prophesied that I would be transferred, and it once again came to pass. I can always tell because they will start to give me their books of remembrances to write in and say "You never know when you will leave." Its been 2/2 so far ;) But!!! The news came in, and I will be transferred to Miri to take on even greater challenges. I will be serving as a Zone Leader, but also training at the same time!!! Woah!!!! This will be a new interesting challenge, but for a change our zone will be able to easily meet for activities and meetings. It is a bit hard to leave behind Sabah, and its great mix of nationalities and languages and faithful people. The Sabah Zone is really starting to boom, and and they are even getting another companionship of Elders in KK as well :D Things are just looking good. But worst news of all....next week Pres Clark comes to KK and is taking the Missionaries to Mount Kinabalu. ARG!!!! Just barely missed it. Haha.....its ok though. I got the best part of Sabah, that is serving and teaching its people :)
This transfer was a bit different, as after Sunday we still had a full two days of work, which is unusual. So we spent some time on Monday preparing the house for holding 4 Elders, and getting my stuff all together. This allowed for us to have an incredible Tuesday, where we taught some very good and memorable lessons with Investigators and even contacted a few new ones!!! Working up until the very end ;) One of the most special experiences was what happened with a part member family. The Mother and her younger sister have been baptized about a year and a half, and the Husband had been learning before, but due to pressure from his family, he stopped. This absolutely broke the heart of the Mother, but she kept that desire burning within her. After some recent events (death of family members who gave opposition) the mother finally felt that it was time to try again, but she knew that the Sister Missionaries whom always visited her and taught her were not what her husband needed. So she asked us to come, and befriend him and then spark a conversation about the Gospel, so we did. Skipping out on a Going Away Party, we went to their tiny little shake where they sell and cook food, we sat down and ate and drew the husband into conversation about kids, cars and man things :) It was really awesome :D He went from just sitting and holding the kids inside to coming out and sitting with us. As we turned the topic into the Gospel by inviting to come to a branch activity, he then surprised us by willing saying that he could and would go to church. "apa?!?" (what?) responded his wife. She had told us he worked on Sundays, so going into the meeting we weren't sure if it would be of any use, but he told us that he could not make it to the morning session, but the 11am session he could make it. It was so amazing, and as we continued to teach him about prayer and blessings that could come to his family, he really just listened and took it in. At the end He offered a very humble and good prayer, and as we were leaving the mother looked at us and with water beginning to form in her eyes she said " Elders.....Thank you." Such a simple saying, but at that moment, at that time, it meant the world to me. It was so joyful to see that families can be repaired, wounds can be healed, and that nothing is impossible with the Lord. I know that this mother and her husband still have a lot to learn, but she now has a hope. It is hope that keeps us going. A hope of good things to come. If you don't have hope, you can't have faith. I really saw hope fill her eyes at that moment, and it has given me hope for my own life, family, and future :)
What kind of things bring you hope in your life? For me, the biggest one is my Family. I have one of the greatest families in the world. Yes, its not perfect, but that is why I have that hope, because one day it will become the perfect family. It will be sealed together for all eternity by the Love of the family members, and the Love and Priesthood of the Lord. I also find Hope in children. Each child has such great potential, and only needs proper guidance and direction in order to become one of the Sons of God (Moroni 7:48). What can we do in order to make this happen? We can all assist each other in helping each other. Sometimes one may feel that their service is of no use, or not good enough, or that no one really cares. This is False. Many many times I think back to the Leaders and the Teachers and the people who were there to support and strengthen me at the times I needed it most. They had no idea what I was going through in life, or what the condition of my heart was, but the fact remains that they were doing their own best. Anything worth doing is worth being done poorly. Even if you don't do the best job at it, by doing it you get better, and you become a better person and uplift others :D Whether it is a little or a lot, you are still lifting where you stand. Keep on walking, keep on talking, and keep on serving with all your heart, might, mind and strength. Our Loving Heavenly Father is happy with all good that you create :D
Your Loving Friend, Brother, and Son,
Elder Willem Kampenhout
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