Singapore and Malaysia - Selamat Tinggal‏

June 5, 2012

Hello Dearest Family,

     As this is my final weekly letter as a missionary, I hope that I can convey the great spirit of missionary work within my words. This has truly been the greatest time of my life thus far. There have been times of great joy and times of great sorrow. I would have asked for almost all of them again, as I have grown in all situations. These past 25 months have been the greatest education I could ever receive. A true understanding of the Gospel will reach into all facets of ones life. The Doctrines and principles taught are not only applicable in the classroom, but in the very breath of life itself. It has helped me to live with people, understand others more clearly, love others more unconditionally, and serve others more fully. "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior." ~ Pres. Boyd K. Packer. There has never been a better time in which I was able to solely study the gospel and apply it in every facet of my life. This has wrought a great change in my heart, one that could never have been accomplished by any other means. I would implore and invite everyone who reads this email to prepare themselves to follow the Savior and serve God as a Full-time missionary. Young Men and Young Women can prepare to serve. Senior couples or Sisters can serve as invaluable support roles. They really do keep the young missionaries alive and well here. If one prepares well and serves well, the greatest adventure, experience, and improvement will come to your life. This has truly happened to me. 

    The people whom I have served have truly touched my life more than theirs. In Kota Samarahan I was able to teach, inspire and uplift many of the Village-folk to follow the Saviors example and be baptized. There I was taught about how to work hard and to love people with all of your heart. In Sandakan, I learned about the importance of Hope, and Hope that is based upon the Atonement of the Savior. Never is such a time did I have to rely upon the merits of Christ, to keep me going every day and to come together with my companion, despite our differences, and to preform the work of the Lord. Later in Kota Kinabalu I was able to witness the Church of Malaysia in its greatest efficiency, and about the faithfulness of these people. I learned about humility from many of my investigators, who were truly living on threads at times. However, God used my vessel to reach out to these people and deliver the words which he would speak. "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." It truly was some of my greatest joys and I developed some eternal friends there. Upon moving to Miri, I discovered the wonderful world of Positive Attitude. There was not a day in that area in which I did not roar with laughter, or feel great joy! The Hodders (Senior Couple) taught me by example about the Spirit of Christmas, and how it can bring incredible Charity to ones life. It truly was a Miri-aculous time. Then came the call to serve as an assistant to President Clark. Boy I had no idea what that would entail. I have learned more, grown more, and become more in these past 6 months than in any other time of my life. My most treasured times were when we would sit in council with President Clark in his office, and he would teach and train and expound the doctrines of the Kingdom to us. I feel as if that man has altered the course of my life. Serving other missionaries has proved to be a challenging and rewarding task. When one gives their whole heart and mind, the duties of being an assistant really can seem heavy, yet the rewards of seeing others success and growth in equally light. This has truly been the greatest time of my life. I love being a missionary :D

     This last week in Sabah I was able to see many an old friend, recent convert, and see the growth that the area has made in my absence. It has been so incredible to see how the Lords work goes forth even when we as individuals are gone. It really attributes to the power of the work. It is not about the missionary, but those whom he serves. His investigators, his companions, his family, his God. I have loved me mission and it has been the greatest decision I have ever made. I love the Lord, I Love this Gospel.

   Your Loving Friend, Brother, and Son

    Elder Willem Kampenhout

P.S. Picture is us with the Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Elder Hallstrom (Presidency of the 70) , Bishop Davies (Presiding Bishopric), and Elder Watson (Asia Area Presidency).

Singapore & Malaysia - Land of the Miracles

May 30, 2012

Hi Family!!!!

     Wow!!! How the crazy weeks just keep flying by!!! This past week I went on exchanges in Miri and have begun my last set of exchanges in the Land of Sabah!!!! I love Sabah, especially how diverse the people are here. I never really noticed it until i left, but the people hear (particularly the youth) have a love of the Rock and Roll music, the atmosphere and the style of dress. Its pretty cool as it gives the people here their own unique feel. Ha ha!!! I don't think it gets any better than the public transport buses that sport flashing disco lights, disco balls, blaring beats, and LED lights ALL OVER THE BUS!!! It looks like a blue and purple Christmas tree driving down the highway and feels like you have entered a dance club once you get inside (Sorry President). In addition is the great kids who will trick out their BMX bicycles with lights, speakers and flashing lights as well! These people really do have some style! Its just super fun. They will all bike around in little groups of 4-8 kids and just cruise the town together. So much fun. I wish i had that type of creativity as a child.

     So things are awesome here :D It has been great to serve the missionaries in the Singapore Mission. One thing in particular that I love is how everyone here in this mission wants to be here. It is the Greatest Mission on the Earth! The people are kind and accepting, and the food is fantastic, and the church is growing and doing well. It is advancing in ways one can never imagine. These saints over here and standing strong amidst a world of sin and transgression and they are developing testimonies that will bring thousands of others to the Gospel. Its pretty awesome to help them write the History of Malaysia :D We are called to such a great cause :D
         We are right now led by a Mission President who has been called and set apart by God. He has reached out and touched the lives of too many to count. The stories are too many to tell, and even more left untold. Just this past week I was able to participate in a miracle wherein the President called me in the middle of an exchange with my beloved son Elder Steadman (LOVE YOU!!!!) and asked me to go preform a particular task. I called for the assistance of the two Zone leaders in the area who came willingly and as soon as they could. They even beat me to the destination! As we were about the enter the home of a family who was in need of feeling the Lord's love and comfort, one of the zone leaders (a former companion) offered a prayer. As soon as he prayed, I felt as though legions of angels had suddenly descended around me. My hair tingled and my heart swellled with comfort. I felt as though an energy were pulsing between my muscles and veins, and that my heart and soul was filled with pure light. While we were just 3 strong in the flesh, I know that there were thousands more around us. This is probably because the disembodied family members both to come and already gone were coming to support those who are experiencing a challenge in the flesh. These angels were definably in our presence as we entered the home. I had never felt so protected, and the following meeting was life changing, and led to another life changing meeting the following morning when I witnessed a man who was called of God reach out a hand in love to a distressed daughter of God. God really does work through his servants, and the spirit that dwelt in that room as we left was evidence of the work which we had preformed. We were truly "on the Lords errand." I wish all of you could feel such a moment as that, and I know that you can and will as you fulfill your own callings to the best of your abilities. Your own efforts have unseen effects. I still remember the great times I had going Home Teaching with Randy Lawrence, back in Troy Idaho. He can and got me and always tried to make me feel included and important. Thank you Randy. I know that as each of us fulfill our callings in life, we can become part of something a lot bigger, a lot better, and a lot more impactful than anything we could ever do on our own efforts. I invite you to unbind your tongues and speak miracles. Do you want to see miracles in your life? Are you willing to do what it takes to facilitate one's creation? Go and Do.

Your loving friend, brother, and son,

     Elder Willem Kampenhout 

Singapore & Malaysia - Humility is in the Apostles and in the Children‏

May 25, 2012

Dear Family!!!!

    So, once again, I had the incredible opportunity to meet an apostle on my mission. Elder Dallin H Oaks is an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. Having shaken his hand one on one, heard him speak, and seen him laugh with love, I know that God is a happy and delightsome God. Elder Oaks has such a great manner about him. I wish you could all see it :D He came and have a conference with the District Leaders from Malaysia and the Stake Leaders from Singapore, and WOW!!! Talk about being taught from on high! If we truly relish those times in which we can "gaze into heaven" whether it is during sacrament meetings or meeting with leaders or children, we can gain so much. Now why do I mention children? I'm not entirely sure, except that I feel that the one thing that Children and Apostles have in common is that they are simple. They are just simply pure. It's incredible.
    I also saw that same humility this week in one of the missionaries whom I serve. His dedication to the work and his desire to do what is right has endowed him with great power. One can see the the great level at which he serves when he teaches, plans and works as a missionary. He has certainly gotten it right. I think it might have something to do with Helaman 14:13 which states:  . For me, this missionary really does believe in Jesus Christ, so he continually repents and becomes better. Repenting is not always mopping up paint which was spilled on the floor, but it is refining and repainting the painting with even more perfected detail. Every time I have read this scripture, it has hit me like a wall of force and has caused me to reflect and look within myself and ask, do I really believe? What am I going to do differently because I believe? In my time with this missionary, he taught me how that when one goes the extra mile, which we did together, we will find miracles. After praying along a roadside to find someone new to teach with the hour of extra time that we had, we both found us riding our bikes down this turn off at the same time!!! We weren't discouraged when the first person we saw ran into his house, slammed and locked the door, and neither was this Elder discouraged when the first person who let us into her home did not want us to come back. When I asked "should we go back?" this Elder responded "lets knock a few more."That is when we found the miracle, the family of 3 resting behind a door and her brother another 3 doors down, who all wanted to hear more about the gospel message. It wasn't easy though. As the mother was about to close the door, an inaudible voice spoke to both of us saying "say something!" so we did, and after conversing, she let us in :D "Unbind your tongues and speak miracles" said Elder Holland two conferences ago. I invite you to do the same. Open your mouths about the gospel to yourself, to your family every day but most especially Monday nights, and open your mouth to your God every day in prayer. Find the hand of God in your daily life and a new spirit will enter into your life. If ye know these things to be true, happy are ye if ye do them. I love you and I know you CAN do it :D

Your loving Friend, Brother, and Son,

      Elder Willem Kampenhout