Dec.7, 2011
Dearest Family,
Don't worry, the Village is saved from the Deadly Storm, but Miri did have some casualties. This past week, a couple member's Mother died, and the whole family went into mourning and once again The Church had to spring into Funeral mode. Having been through this twice before in Kuching, I was ready :) It was a bit interesting going through it again, as this one had a large number of members that are investigators affected, and like many times in the past, these gatherings and stress often bring relapses on the Word of Wisdom and a lack of spirituality. It's a bit sad, but a lot of it is based off of their lack of knowledge about the Plan of Salvation. Its amazing how some people believe in it....but when trials such as this come, it really shows who KNOWS. You can see it in their eyes. I would compare it to the video that they just released on LDS.org. It is at moments like this that the Peace that the Gospel brings is invaluable.
But this also gives me a chance to talk a bit about the Iban Funeral tradition. Typically they will lay the body in a coffin out in the middle of the family room floor and keep it there for 3 days of mourning. Many people will come and mourn and cry, and throughout those whole days it is non-stop work for the family in cooking food and providing for all the family and guests who come. They will pass around a can in which people are expected to donate money for purchasing the graveyard spot and to pay for the coffin. Then after 3 days they will bury the body. They will travel in a massive group of people and many are in attendance, as funerals become family reunions and a chance for everyone who is of any relation to come together and meet each other. It is rather rad. :)
So that has taken quite a bit of our time, with helping the family set up, and then helping the Branch do special funeral services for the family.
We also had to move out of our house on Monday, and are temporarily staying at these super nice suites while the contractor is finishing our new house here. Wow.....I feel spoiled. But we are working hard, and earn it :) Right now I am in Sibu having just finished another inspirational Zone Leader Council. I love these gatherings of church leaders. We are learning how to work with the Branches better and how to coordinate our efforts. It really is awesome :) But all of that translated....let's see. Friday was the last day we had regular Missionary work. Haha :) We had a baptism this past Saturday, and it was really awesome to see more people commit to God to follow him, and we are way excited for Gelang, Kadam and Jessica :) Now we are working with their mother, who has come to church many times, and joins us in prayer, but is just a very shy and nervous woman. She is Chinese/Iban, but according to the Chinese Elders her habits shows that she considers herself a part of our church. We feel that too when she keeps telling us "See you Sunday." :) It's cool. This Gospel is So true.
So in the coming weeks before Christmas, this will be a great time for us to give back to others around us. But what can we give back to our Heavenly Father? Our Will. Many of us have little sins that hold us back from allowing the Lord to bless us fully. Look into yourselves and pick one. Give it to the Lord this Christmas Season. Whether it be pride, wrath, greed, lust, poor eating habits, dishonesty, or many other potentials for sin, if we give ourselves more fully to the Lord, the blessings will come :) I know it's true. I know that this Gospel is true, that families can be forever, and that Jesus is the Christ. We will all see each other again :)
Your Loving Friend, Brother, and Son,
Elder Kampenhout
No comments:
Post a Comment