Malaysia - Week 27 - Hitting the Road and Meeting an Apostle‏

Jan. 18, 2011

Anu abarmu!!!!

   So still have not yet had a regular week in Sandakan, 'cause this last week we had the opportunity to have our mission visited by a General Authority, Elder Pratt, a descendant of Parley P. Pratt. Woah!!! Cool!!!! The trainings that Sister Clark, President Clark and Sister Pratt gave were absolutely amazing!!! And then Elder Pratt followed up with an open discussion and the whole time people we asking questions and what not, I was trying to find a way to ask the question I wanted that subject around prayer. I never got to ask it though, but the spirit guided Elder Pratt and he ended up speaking with us about the prayers of our investigators, and how they MUST pray in that first lesson. It is only through their prayers that their answers can come. It was the answer to my prayer :D If there has been any theme to my personal study, and my mission, it has been the power of prayer, and seeing how God has answered my prayers in my life, and the prayers of those around me. It has been a long and most enjoyable learning experience. This is only the beginning.

   One of those prayers took place in our sacrament meeting this week. Elder Martin and I worked really hard and found lots of new people to teach and were really starting to feel that the little Branch of Sandakan was on the upward growth. That was until Sunday came. Before sacrament meeting not very many people showed up, except for the regular diehards (we love them so much :D) but only one of the many investigators had showed up, and this investigator hasn't missed a Sunday for months. When sacrament meeting started, there was only about 40+ people there, and one investigator. The Recent Convert who was supposed to give a talk wasn't there, nor were any of the people who we met, found, and prayed over nightly. I was not feeling so great. During the most sacred ordinance of the Sacrament, I closed my eyes and prayed. With all my heart. I wanted to know what I had done wrong, and what I need to do now to help build the Lord's Kingdom on the Earth. It seemed like tens of minutes went by, and then all of a sudden, a warm feeling came around me, and I felt someone nudge the back of my chair. The Lee family had just arrived (long time In-actives who are just starting to come back to church) and were working their way into the aisle behind me. As I turned around I saw that the house which we use as a chapel was completely full! A miracle had just taken place in my eyes, after the works and labors of Elder Martin and I's faith. If you pray and then don't do any works, it is of no use. Someone once told me "Pray like it depends on the Lord, and then stand up and work like it depends on you." I saw the fruits of my labors that day, and they were sweet.  :D It was one of the best sacrament meetings ever, and a new record attendance for Sandakan Branch.  :D

    This area is definitely going to be a tough one, and I am lucky that I have a good companion to go through it with :D But then again, all areas are tough. None of them are easy, nor should be easy. If you give a light effort to your works, you will only get a light return. You get what you put into it :D Even if it is seems there is no reward. Look outside the box. You will see it :D

   Well the work is still going very well, and with the new insight from Elder Pratt and Pres. Clark, I am excited to put it to the test, and "build the Kingdom." That is our mission. It is all of our missions, each in his own way. How are you building the Kingdom of God on the earth? Making it a happier safer place? Think about it. I love you all, and pray for you :D

Elder Kampenhout

Attached are some pictures!!!

Elder Martin and I fixing a broken walkway :D Down in the MUD!!!

Elders Wieland and Martin near the Sim Sim Kampung which a nestled over the ocean.

The work to be done! Elder Martin and Pres. and Elder Wieland , our Senior Elder who is the Branch President

With no rubber boots that fit, we resorted to normal shoes with plastic bags. Tacky, but it works!!!

A fair warning to men on a bus

Me trekking through the jungle to get to an investigators house :D

Elder Martin in front of a Recent Converts house. They have no water nor electricity.

A part of Sandakan

Elders Wieland and Martin near the Sim Sim Kampung which a nestled over the ocean.

Our shoes at the End of the Day. Shows what real work is. Making sacrifices to find the lost sheep.

 

Week 26 - Malaysia - Sabah-bah!!!!‏

Jan. 11, 2011

Hello family!!!!

  So I am now currently emailing you from Sandakan, Sabah. Wow. The OPPOSITE end of East Malaysia. I guess we are about 1000 miles away from the Mission office. How many missionaries can say that! And it is just the two of us. Elder Martin and I. Well...I guess the Mission President's older Sister is here with her husband as a Senior Couple, so we have some white man company :D It's nice. We have been working very closely with them, and it is about night and day difference from the last branch. The Kota Samarahan branch was growing from an infant into a giant of a branch, where as the Sandakan branch has roughly been around the same size for a while. I think. It is completely different up here though. Yes its still hot. No snow, but as in contrast with Kota Samarahan, NO IBANS!!!! It's funny. The first day I start studying Iban in my language study I get transferred to a place with none! haha Nasib (fate). well.....I lied. There is one Iban member from Bintulu named Lucy. Her speech reminds me of Kuching so much :D   Love it!!!

   But other than that, the words they use here are different. Instead of 'kamu' for you, they use 'kau' and 'mu'. Pretty different. Gotta work that one into the language. They also speak tons of different dialects. AND!!! There are tons of Filipino's!!! Most of them are illegal who come over from the Philippines, and are totally different than the rest of the people. People here are way more courageous, and have more concerns than those in Sarawak. They are also not shy at all!! Its kinda nice :D We are no longer trying to bring people out of their shells! They come right out :D  Its awesome :D

   We also just moved from a tiny little one floor, to a huge house where just 2 missionaries live. No idea why we need that much space!!! Its crazy! The place was pretty dirty and messy when I got there, but we have been doing some good work to clean it up. I have really become keen on a clean house out here on the mission. I probably owe it to living with Devin Graham in college :D

   We also don't use bikes here in Sandakan. All of the people mainly live along this main highway, and so everyone uses the insanely good transportation they have here. Compared to Sarawak anyway. That makes for less sweaty days :D More bus rides too!!!! Woot!

    Elder Martin is a good companion :D  Only a little bit taller than I am, and older than me too! I am older than him in the mission (by about 6 weeks) but he is almost 4 months older than me age wise. Its nice to have a good wise and more experienced in life companion. Miles of difference. We are not here together on accident. There is a purpose for us :D  The only downside is that Elder Martin's first station was in Singapore, and so he really didn't use his Malay at all, until now! He has not even been in a Malay speaking area for a month! But he is doing just great :D  I forget at times that he doesn't speak the best. But this has also given me the opportunity to translate for the Senior Couples, and translate in meetings for non-English members. It's very hard, but very cool :D  I am still amazed and grateful for the Lord's blessing of this language ability. I myself am amazed as to what has happened in the past 6 months. Incredible.

  So! Stories!!!! Well the very first house we go to go visit with the Branch President (who is also the Senior couple here, Elder Wieland) we are walking on wooden walk ways, and as we turn to walk into the recently converted members house, the walkway breaks!!! I nearly fell into the muddy bog below, but with some quick feet avoided the muddy fate. The member was horrified, but I quickly promised we would return and do a service project for her. Sweet!!! So just like Kuching, my first full day in the area included a service project!!!! It was so awesome to see. When we showed up with the necessary supplies, the member (Jessica) was actually gone with her husband, but her mom was there, who is not a member, and in the past has been very.....grumpy towards the elders. At first she was telling us that we should go home, and that she would hire someone else to fix it. Ha ha! yeah right!!!! No way i am letting the opportunity to crawl around in the mud and build something get out of my hands. So we kept on going. She eventually gave in and even made us some drinks! After about 3 hours of good labor, we not only fixed the broken part of the walkway, but made it even stronger than before, and fixed around 20 ft of walkway that wasn't looking so hot either. At the end of the Service the little old grandma was so thankful, and even invited us to come back later on that week. Woah! Just last week she was telling the missionaries not to come back. This really strengthened my testimony of what service can do. I took a metaphysical step back and looked at the situation. 3 white guys wearing white shirts and ties come to a little old woman's house made of tin and wood over a swamp. We come preaching of Jesus Christ and all this beauty and happiness, while she is still living in dirt and poverty. I wouldn't blame her for not believing us, nor for wanting us to 'humble ourselves' to her level. She wouldn't want us to do that to ourselves. So when we came back the next day, hoped right into the mud, and free of charge made her home a safer and better place, I think it really put an example into her eyes. The example of Jesus Christ. He humbled himself below all of us. He was born in a dirty smelly sheep pen, and was laid in a very filthy eating bin as a baby. Can you imagine a more humble birth? It is when we humble ourselves to meet people eye to eye that they can really see the Light of Christ, and find it within themselves. There is no better way to humble yourself other than service. Yes, you can speak of a better world from the pulpit, in a class, or in someone's home, but you can make a better world by serving them with all your heart, might, mind and strength. The service that is needed most won't find you, you have to go find it. I just so happened to be lucky, and was privileged to do this service here in Sandakan. Now I would ask each of you, how are you making this place a better world? A wave to a stranger? A smile to the lonely old grandpa? A smile to the angry man walking down the street? Service has many faces. We just have to find it. 

   I love you all and hope that you are doing your best in your life. Seize every moment. Don't just do good things. Do the Best things.

Elder Willem Kampenhout

Malaysia - Week 25 - Transferred!‏

Jan. 5, 2011

Apa Khabar Semau!!!

So I just want to tell you that while Christmas was a bit tough because of all its...parties and eating and alcohol (none taken by me....don't worry), New Years was awesome!!!! Our Branch didn't have the branch Christmas party in time, so we just held it on New Year’s Eve!!! We brought a ton of investigators and had an absolute blast with a little nativity play by the primary, songs by the youth and Relief Society and Priesthood, and then had good old Iban Karaoke. Haha. They actually picked good songs that night too! It was a bit sad to leave at 9:30pm, but they got along just fine without the missionaries there. :D

It was also an awesome night because we later found out that one of our investigators quit smoking that night as part of his new year’s resolution! He had been struggling, but has finally put it down! We are so pumped!!! All of the investigators we have are doing so well, and are such a joy to meet with. There are some great referrals and contacts that we will be getting in touch with who will really be exciting to teach! One of the people we are teaching now is an ex-minister at the local church, and we have now been told twice that his friend (who is also an older brother of another investigator) is looking into joining the church. Yeah....joining. A lot of the time these people will make up their minds before they even meet us. That is how well the members here are doing. It is so awesome. :D

One thing I have been really focusing on lately, and gave a training on in our District meeting, was on the Power of Prayer. Wow....it was amazing. I even learned tons in the training from spiritual truths that were revealed and experiences that were shared by Sister Erickson. I would suggest to all to read and study the Bible Dictionary section on Prayer. It is incredible.

Then came the news. Yesterday morning as I was getting into the mindset of doing the training I had prepared, and thinking about how best to teach it, the phone rang. President Clark calling. Oh no! What did we do wrong!!! Haha.....So Elder Gallinger picked up. Some quick chatting led to a funny exchange: "Is Elder Kampenhout there?" "Yes...."........long pause.........."Well can I talk to him?" Haha. That is so Elder Gallinger :) Love the Guy tons. So then President Clark and I chatted. He normally doesn’t call to tell you that you have been transferred when it is a normally planned transfer, so this Emergency transfer called for a call from the mission president, and some instructions for its reasoning. So the news is.......Sandakan, Sabah! He gave me the low down on why the transfer was needed, and then asked me (in a way I couldn't say no) if I think I was ready for it. Well, I guess I don't have a choice. I have absolutely loved the people and places of Kota Samarahan, but welcome all of those who live and reside in Sandakan. It sure will be different, with no bike riding, just taking buses and walking. Also being out of Sarawak will be different. No Ibans, and people just tell me "it’s completely different." Well as I’m sure you know....that is descriptive. :D My new companion will be Elder Martin! I actually knew Elder Martin from the MTC, as he was in the same group as Elder Gallinger! It will be like switching out friends! I will miss the fridge sized companion, but know I will love the "Tom Cruise" looking one as well. :D There is so much more to talk about, but so little time. I'm rather glad I'm leaving so fast, that way it doesn't torture my mind for 2-3 weeks if you find out way in advance. The only sad part about the transfer is that I go this Friday, so I won't be able to see everyone at church on Sunday, nor give a talk and bear my testimony one last time. I sure will miss it, but the Lord’s call must be answered. The few members I have spoken to about my transfer have been absolutely shocked, and very sad that I am leaving. I've also received texts threatening that they will kidnap me and stash me away in a Kampung. Haha. They really are a playsome people. :D It will be hard to leave, but I know it will be for the best. I was just getting comfortable. That’s the thing. As soon as you get good, the Lord gives you new challenges that you aren't ready for, so you can grow to fulfill the role, and continue on your Eternal Progression. He knows what’s best. :D

Well I must be leaving, but know that I pray for you always, and I hope my letters hope are somewhat of an interest. Next time I will email you from Sabah-bah!!!!

Your loving friend, brother, and son,

Elder Willem Kampenhout

Malaysia - Week 24 - How can Christmas still be going????‏

Sweet young Malaysian boy

Dec. 28, 2010

Hello Everyone!!!

   So a bit of Crazyness over here. Elder Gallinger and I handled Christmas day likes pros. We went to about 8 houses and ate lots of food, but we didn't want to Die afterwards!!! Yay!!! The crazy part is that here in Kuching, Christmas goes for about 3 days.....maybe 4. Not sure. Still not over. Last night was pretty died down. We will see though :D

   So yeah...calling home on the mission. Not as bad as I thought :D You guys sounded the same, which was comforting. Many other missionaries told me that calling home trunks you out of your mind (trunk=missing home, want to go home, etc) but I didn't think it was too bad :) I'm loving what I am doing over here and so I am not really ready to go home yet ;) I'd hope so!!! Still got an eternity here!!!

   But as far as getting missionary work done this last week was really really hard. The village we have been doing a lot of our work in lately was a roar with drunkards, and fire works all over the place. Now the fireworks here are not flashy at all. Pretty much just loud with no lights. So it kinda sounds like a war zone at times. Ha ha. But the times spent with members and friends was worth it all :D I have come to realize that the country of Malaysia is not anything super special (like all countries) but it is the light of Christ that is in the members and investigators here that makes it so awesome and attractive. The members are all so diverse and fun in their own way, and the progress that is going on here is a miracle to behold. In the History of the Troy Branch back home, I can only remember 2 converts to the Church. One being an older man who is sweet, and the other was Colton, the 16-17 year old kid, who later fell away from his testimony. Not the same here. When I first came to Kota Samarahan, it had only been a branch for 1 month. Wow. Since then I have seen first hand the growth that has taken place. My first sacrament meeting there were 17 members. Talk about humble beginnings. Since then we have grown up to about a regular number around 50. It has been incredible, seeing the faith grow in this area, and how much the members are taking upon themselves to bring others to the gospel :D Many people think that the Elders in Kota Samarahan are doing a great job. No....we are just along for the ride. We are just doing our jobs in being obedient, teaching, baptizing, and supporting the Branch with all our might, mind and strength. And I've loved every minute of it.

   So a cool little experience had the other day. As we were teaching one of our Recent Convert's son about the Restoration, and about Joseph Smith's first vision, we told him that while our own answers may not come through a pillar of light, they will come to our hearts and minds telling us this is true. At this point the parents kept telling us about this light they saw. I was a bit confused at first, but when we were watching the Restoration movie, they point to the pillar of light and said "We saw that!" "What?!?!" I thought? They then went on to explain that when they were driving over to the church to get baptized, as they were driving, a hole opened up in the dark sky and a magnificent pillar of light shown down from heaven that pointed towards the direction of the church. They told me that when they saw it they had a swelling in their hearts that what they were doing that day was right in the eyes of God. Woah...I was blown away. I guess the Lord does give His people signs and wonders to behold, to those who are looking.

   Many more great experiences to tell, and yet so little time. I guess we will just have to have nice long chats after the mission :D I love you all and hope you are doing well and feeling loved in this Christmas season :D

Elder Kampenhout