Week 94 - Singapore & Malaysia - Time Well Spent‏

May 16, 2012

Hello to all!!!

    Today we went with the Johor Bahru Zone, and the Singapore Zone out to Pulau Ubin (Ubin Island) and went bike riding ALL DAY!!!! It was so much fun! The morning we spent Mountain biking on some black diamond courses and a couple double black spots. SUPER FUN! We rented bikes, and while mine was not the best, I made it work. One of the other missionaries who had down mountain biking in the past was impressed with my ability to ride! It must have come from my trail riding days on the motorcycle, and my bike riding in my youth. It was such a blast flying through the jungle riding bikes, avoid rocks and cliffs and climbing up steep hills. It was the best Zone activity yet! It definitely helped the missionaries in the zone to bind together in spirit of unity. I feel that this is one of the most important things to do. Do something together. In families especially, sometimes you just need to set some time apart and do something outside of the normal together. Whether it is a movie, going to the park, painting together, whatever the activity, I still remember all the times my father took me out. They are times in which I will never forget, and will help build immortal families. Eventually if you keep saying "Tomorrow" it will become an empty pile of "yesterdays". So I am ever grateful for my parents going out and doing things with us :D

     Another great event of this last week was my last Zone Conference. It was also an all East Malaysia conference, with over 70 missionaries together!!! Wow!!! Talk about an army to feed! It was such a great spirit there, and the missionaries were so obedient and incredible and easy to work with. The final testimonies were amazing (and there was also more than 11) all the final testimonies of departing missionaries. Including mine :(. It was so great to see missionaries share about how they've changed, but the most incredible were their testimonies, when they testified about the savior and how he has changed. As I gave my own, I could barely speak at times as I spoke about the power of repentance. I was brought to tears, and all because I knew that what I was stating was true. It was a huge memorable experience. Testimonies are huge. President Clark's testimony was incredible as well. I can't describe. Just pure spirituality :D

     Well i hope each and every one of you will find some time to spend with family, and bear testimony to your children, parents, friends about the truths of the gospel. It will change your life :D

Your loving friend, brother, and son,

       Elder Willem Kampenhout

Week 92-Singapore & Malaysia - Elder Koay has landed!!!‏

May 1, 2012

Elders Koay and Kampenhout

Hello family and Friends!!!

     This past week has been fantastic!!! We went on exchanges last week in Butterworth and Ipoh, where I got to meet and teach some Malaysian Indians! Such wonderful people!! I love this people. Elder Nowland and I were able to experience a couple cool miracles too when his hunch to want to go contacting in a certain area led us to a house. The contact went like this: We walked up to the gate and announced our presence. The tall and slim Indian woman came outside as her older boys moved around and arouse from their tv watching position in the house. She asked us "Hello? Can I help you?" "Hi!! My name is Elder Kampenhout! This is my friend...." " Elder Nowland!" At that point I remembered how we have been trained to observe their surroundings and to compliment them. So i quickly said "You have a very nice nice!" She paused for a second, then said "Do you want to come in?" Wah!!!! and we were inside. There we met a wonderful family and her son, who had been studying all the religions of the world trying to find God. "Well we have just the book for you" said Elder Nowland. So amazing. I love missionary work!!

     Just two days ago, my new companion, Elder Koay, arrived! Since the moment he arrived we have been planning and preparing and just having a great companionship together. I can tell that we are going to have the best of time together. His energy and excitement for the work is phenomenal. He is a Chinese Malaysian, so can speak English, Malay, and Chinese!!! Its been super cool so far. He can actually place correct orders at Chinese restaurants! Oh the uses of being in companionships. That has been the real eye opener. Over the past two weeks I have been having to do a lot for East Malaysia while I have been attached to other companionships. Elder Jones and Elder Whittaker have been incredible in helping and encouraging and being there for me. I learn so much from those two. But I have now come to realize the strengths of pairs. They not only keep each other safe, but they can communicate better with more people, they can focus their spiritual thoughts and counterbalance each other. They can support each other in lessons, and you have twice as much spiritual knowledge than when you are on your own! You can call twice as many people, while still being able to preform other tasks. Plus you both will have different approaches to all the situations you encounter, and those different approaches teach you to "Teach people, not lessons." So huge. I love it :D

    Things have just been great. We had 2 confirmations last week, and have another baptism this week!!! That has been the cool miracle, that we as the Assistants have been able to do our duty as assistants AND have an area too! Not to mention an area that baptizes monthly! This has been some of the best times of my mission. I love serving the Lord, serving his servant President Clark, and serving the missionaries. Its amazing how they really are the mouth out of which the prophets message is declared. Its pretty amazing :D Try it yourself. Missionary work is the greatest work you will ever do. Don't let a day go by without doing something.

Your loving friend, brother, and son,

       Elder Willem Kampenhout

Week 90-Singapore & Malaysia - Zone Leader Council and Bintulu‏

April 17, 2012

Dearest All,

     I LOVE MY MISSION!!! Just to let you know ;) We were just talking a few minutes ago about how serving a Mission for the Lord is the best thing any young man could do at this point of his life. As President Clark always says: "The Mission is the Lord's University, what did you learn today?" Its pretty incredible. While much of the learning is not in factual knowledge, but it is in Heavenly Wisdom and in the development of Character, things that no human institution can replicate. The admission requirements are worth it! If you are not able to get in, make yourself ready. It is never too late for a young man. I can testify of that.

     So what makes a mission so awesome? Well this past week we went to Sibu for our Zone Leader Council, and it was such an incredible experience. The attitudes and the righteousness of the Missionaries was huge, and inspiring. They were a bit newer, and so the reports were not the best, but whenever President or us gave trainings, they listened intently, asked great questions, and truly sought after knowledge. I feel that ALL were edified and uplifted. It was great :D

    After Zone Leader Council, we took a bus with the Bintulu Zone Leaders up to Bintulu, about 4 hours on a roller-coaster like bus, where I went on exchanges with a Trainer and his trainee who are serving in a struggling Branch. It would be so easy to lose hope in the situation they face, but I was impressed with the brightness of Hope that they had towards it all. We met some really really great investigators and recent converts, and experienced miracles that came as an answer to prayers. Prayer. I love it. That day, as we prayed before we preformed our priesthood duties, I could feel a greater sense of the Spirit, and it helped remind me that this is not the work of men, but the work of Heaven. There really are angels all about us :D

     So another cool story. On Monday, when we had already returned to Singapore, some of our missionaries were coming in on Visa-runs, and one of the missionaries was a Local Malaysian who had lived in Singapore for quite some time. I had a distinct impression to take him on an assignment from the Bishop of our ward to teach another Malaysian about the Melchizedek Priesthood, so he could be prepared to receive it next stake conference. This brother can't speak English very well, so he really needed our help. After jumping through many hoops, the timing worked and in this ever so small window of opportunity, this Elder and I were able to meet his fellow Malaysian Brother. They were best friends, but I was most surprised how they didn't get too overly excited, but how this Malaysian Elder remembered his Duty and his role as a Missionary. Afterwards, as we were talking, we spoke about how an Assistants main concern is the welfare of the missionaries. Its not about the numbers, nor the investigators, but the missionaries. As I related this principle through the fairy tale of the rich man and the goose that laid golden eggs, a light seemed to click on for him. He realized how if one will inspire and uplift the missionary (goose) that he will go out and find and teach and baptize more investigators (golden eggs). If you kill the goose trying to get inside to find more eggs, like the rich man sadly did, than all is lost. The Missionary pondered this principle much, and we went on to set some goals on how he could apply this principle in his own companionship. WOW!!! I was so excited that the Lord was able to lead me to relate a teaching that I had received from my Mission President so that it could help another missionary. All because of a still small whisper. He really does lead and guide us. We just need to listen. He is speaking.

    I love my mission, and the Lord, and All of you. Be the Best you can BE!!!!

Your loving friend, brother, and son,

      Elder Willem Kampenhout

Week 89 - Singapore - Open Your Mouth and Speak Miracles‏

April 10, 2012

Dearest Family!!!

    Another Fantastic week here in Singapore. I think among all of the Singapore wards, that I have been blessed to attend the ward that fits me the best! The Filipino ward! In case you have never met a Filipino, they are a smaller people, but very loving, friendly, bubbly and love to eat! They are a super passionate people and they are quick to make friends. They also know EVERYBODY! Their memory is incredible. And they speak English really well :D

    This past week we had a Ward Sports Fest on Friday which allowed Elder Martin and I to get to know a lot of the Ward members very quickly, which is helpful due to our frequent absence. It was such a blast, and we had the coolest jerseys made too :D

    But!!! Story Time!!!!

    So it starts back when a certain Elder became the office Elder, and he is still very young in his mission, but had excellent training in a really tough area, but his desires continue to burn bright, and he literally TALKS TO EVERYONE. It is inspiring! He has inspired me to do more contacting while going out and about, and to ask for numbers and give referrals. It has turned out really well :D But I would like to talk about the Miracle that occurred yesterday. After having a lesson with an investigator and grabbing lunch with the members who came along, we attempted to catch a free shuttle back to the train, but we took a wrong turn and just barely missed the bus. Like by 15 seconds. So instead we decided to take a bus back to the church. We were planning on taking bus 175 to Orchard and then get on a train to Novena, but our member sister Noemi kept mentioning that bus 5 will take us to Newton (close to the church) so we didn't have to switch over. Well, before bus 175 showed up, bus 5 did, and a last second decision brought us to jump on that bus, and Sister Noemi and I stood next to this Filipino woman on the bus, and I immediately struck up a conversation. "hello, how are you today?" She responded good, and then Sister Noemi jumped in and asked her if she was Filipino, and then went on to talk about where they were from. Our conversation quickly led to us inviting her to come to church this Sunday, which she agreed to. She gave us her number and the contact was successful! But still had time on the bus! So we asked her if she was busy this afternoon, which she wasn't, so we offered to take her on a tour of the Church, and she agreed! After the tour, we taught her about the message of the restoration, and she was extremely interested, and when she was giving the closing prayer, she couldn't utter a verbal word, as her heart was so full of the Spirit. She kept touching her heart and saying she felt warm, and that this is something she has been looking for for a long time. She needs the guidance in her life. After the lesson, she went out to eat dinner with one of our members, Bev, and then they watched the Restoration at the office while they were waiting for a Chinese Ward baptism to start. Wow.....talk about an incredible day!! All because we missed the shuttle, and because one was willing to open his mouth and speak miracles. We have such a unique message to the world. We NEED to share it, and to invite others to learn for themselves about the happiness which we radiate. I am so glad that Sister Estralita accepted our invitation to come on the Church tour, because not only will this gospel change her life, but her faith has changed mine as well. 

 I love you all, and hope you all will find opportunities to speak miracles in your lives. Its a great feeling :D

Your Loving Friend, Brother, and Son,

    Elder Willem Kampenhout

Week 88 - Singapore & Malaysia - A Man of Change‏

April 3 , 2012

Elder Tovar and Myself. Both a changed man!

A snapshot in Singapore. A bit different than the jungles of Malaysia.

Elder Martin, Inus (Recent Convert in Singapore), and Myself

Eve and the newest chapel in Singapore. Baptism NIGHT!!!!

Noemi, Porxia (Investigator) and Bev with Elder Martin and myself. Porxia just received permission from her family to be baptized after much fasting and prayer. She was so happy she was literally jumping and squealing with joy in the office here :D

Sister Burtis and her deaf Malaysian investigator in Singapore. That little girl is permanently smiling :D

Dearest Family,

     This age is so full of technological advancements, isn't it? Here I can click a button and on the OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD you can receive an image of my life captured in time by a camera almost instantaneously. Now just think about those in the 1700's and tell them that this was possible. Hahaha!

    So the life keeps on getting better here. This past week was our first big transfer that went down, and honestly is was pretty painless to figure out with President Clark. It seemed that the revelation just flowed into the room and the assignments just came. Some changes were made last second (due to inspiration) and it just made the entire transfer feel right. It was a pretty big transfer too. I think 7 of 48 companionships were not affected. THAT'S A LOT!!!!

   Last night we sent home the group of missionaries that came before my group, and in that group was a missionary who literally turned his whole life around. In his closing testimony this Elder talked about how when he came into the mission he didn't know anything about the gospel. He knew it was true, but if you asked him how old Joseph Smith was when he had the first vision, he had no idea. From there he had many experiences and met many people, but was still fairly the same person until there came a turning point in his life. I don't know what it was, and I probably never will know, but the fact remains that this Elder has completely changed his life. As he stood there bearing testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel, I realized within myself how much I have changed. I can relate in a sense to that my Gospel knowledge was not very deep before the mission. I had never really read the Book of Mormon all the way through either, but that all changed when I went on my mission. As I look back to where the change began, my mind turns to the point when I was getting ready to be set apart as a missionary. I had just sent a goodbye text message to Amanda N. and then turned off my cellphone while standing in the doorway of my mother's living room. I placed the phone down on the little table next to her love seat where she and Papa watch movies together. I feel that at that point I made a choice. I made a choice to serve the Lord and to give my all to Him. I shut off my desires to participate in Non-missionary activities. It's not that those things aren't fun or good and wholesome, but during the next two years, I didn't quite know it then as I do so now, but I was enabling myself to truly enjoy doing things that I could only enjoy and do as a Full-time Missionary. Once I made the choice, the rest was easy. Well, there are still difficulties, but I knew where I stood. Since that moment of time, I have truly changed. I promise each and every one of you that I am a different man than I was before. I am a better one. Not because of anything I did, but what the Lord was able to do with me. I feel that I am more personable, quicker to observe, more positive, patient, and personally confident. These have all been gifts from God. There is no earthly shopping center where one could purchase such gifts, but when you give your whole heart to someone who has given you everything, He is able to give you more. This change in my life has been the sweetest repentance I have ever enjoyed. Because of Jesus Christ's atonement I have been able to repent and allow Him to change my heart's desires. It has not been easy. It was never meant to be easy, but it has been worth it. I feel such a spiritual high that if I don't read the scriptures in the morning that I am missing something. I NEED to keep this going the rest of my life. It is so great :D Miracles never cease. Where are the miracles in your life?

    Look for them. They are there.

Your Loving Friend, Brother, and Son,

      Elder Willem Kampenhout

Week 87 - Singapore and Malaysia - Kembali ke KK!!!!‏

March 28, 2012

Obviously Singapore!!

Hello all!

   Ni hau ma? Haha! So my Chinese has been getting a bit better. Im still not able to have a conversation, but i can banter back and forth with other Chinese missionaries about certain subjects, and I can recognize words they are saying. Its so much fun learning other languages. Its amazing what you can pick up if you just try. 

  So this past weekend we were able to go to KK for a Special Missionary training (which we held on Mount Kinabalu) and then stayed in town for the Sabah District Conference. WAHHH!!!! SOOOO AWESOME!!! of the 4 branches there, I had only not served in one, but i know a few the of the members really well. It was a a pretty sweet re-union, especially with Jacky and Jeffery (some of my recent converts from KK). They had fallen on hard times, but came to district conference to see me, and they were able to hear some messages which both they and I realized was prepared for them it was incredible to see how the Lord works through inspiration. He really does lead us through the inspiration of his Word.

   Another cool opportunity was that over 20 members of the district are planning on going to the Temple soon. WOW! So awesome. 4 of the people being interviewed were Young Single adults who had received mission calls. SO COOL! They are all waiting on their visa's but should be able to leave in April. Two of the missionaries are the identical twins (Laura and Elsie) who's older brother is currently serving a mission in SLC Utah. WOW! Having 3 kids out on a mission. Talk about a blast! They have such great Spirits, and will be able to do a lot of good. 

   As the KK District Conference came to a close, we flew with the Senior Couples to Singapore where we had another Senior Conference, but we were also waving farewell to the Cunninghams (Mukah Senior Couple) and the Larsons (KK Senior Couple). They have both been an extraordinary assistance to the mission and the missionaries. Both Elder Larson and Elder Cunningham are Patriarchs, and every Elder who has served underneath them has really grown from their testimony and wisdom. It is pretty incredible how the Lord can take someone and work them and shape them to be a powerful servant. When we give ourselves, our whole selves, the Lord really will make it happen. Their testimonies were astounding, and I will greatly miss them in the mission-field.

  That same evening we were blessed with the testimonies of Brother and Sister Bradford, who were Ex-pats living in Singapore, who spoke to us about the Atonement. They lost their oldest Son Parker when he was 17 when he attempted to save a drowning friend, but was knocked unconscious and drowned. He was taken to the Hospital where he was put on life support, but after two days was taken off. It was an incredible story of how they found comfort and healing through the Saviors gospel and his Love, and through the sealing power of the Priesthood. It was incredible. It really helped me see that work is being done on both sides of the veil, and that as angels over there are assisting others, we are serving as the Lord's angels here on this earth. That never became so real to me until this point in time. It was particularly touching to know that :) There is so much to be learned and to be gained in this life. This life is truly one worth living. LOVE IT!

Your Loving Friend, Brother, and Son,

     Elder Willem Kampenhout   

Week 86 - Singapore and Malaysia - Bintulu and KK‏

March 23, 2012

Elder Kampenhout in front of Mount Kina Balu! 4K high!!!

President Clark and Myself in the middle of the hike

Waterfall on Mount Kota Kinabalu

Dearest Family
 
    This past weekend we were able to have lots of missionary appointments
in Singapore on Saturday and Sunday, and WOW!!! It was awesome! I love
teaching the Gospel, and it was amazing how it flowed so much easier when
teaching in English. WOW. Super Rad. We had double digits on investigators
at church this Sunday, and it was especially great because out investigator
Enos has quit smoking on the drop of a hat so that he can be baptized this
week!!! YAYA!!!!! He has progressed so well over the years. He has taught
himself how to read (slowly) and absolutely loves the gospel and the
church. He understands that when he moves back to Sabah that he is still a
member of the Church and that he is going to do his very best to move to KK
to go to church. So rad.
 
    Well, we quickly went to Bintulu Sarawak early this week, which is the
factory central of all of Sarawak. There are 4 growing branches there
though! There I was able to help President Clark translate over 20 Temple
interviews, which was an awesome experience. To these people, and temple is
something which requires great sacrifice to attend. Many of them can only
go once or twice in a lifetime, but will renew their recommend so that they
can always live worthy of their covenants. It is so important to always
live worthy of that standard. Also while in Bintulu we drove up to the Niah
Caves where we hiked through the gaping caves and had a devotional in which
we shared our latest enlightenment and testimonies from the scriptures. It
was incredible to see the growth and strength in the testimonies of the
young Elders, and the maturity in the older ones. Their studies in the
scriptures may play the most important role in their lives. Imagine our
world without scriptures today. Do we really appreciate the greatest gifts
we have given? We should be ever so grateful that Nephi returned to
Jerusalem to retrieve the brass plates, that William Tinsdale made his
efforts to translate the bible, and to all of those who have sought to
bring forth the Word of God. We have been given the source of knowledge.
Often there are many questions that I want to ask, but then I realize that
the answer is already made available in the scriptures. Oh how I need to
read them more diligently.
 
    Last night we flew into Kota Kinabalu, My longest area in the mission,
and I was able to accompany Elder Brodie in teaching some of their
investigators, all of which are solid. The most special though was when we
visited Joebort and Marilyn. They are a young Filipino couple whom Elder
Hawkins and I contacted into over 6 months ago. They are not yet baptized
because they are waiting to be legally married in the Philippines first,
but they have been faithful since the day we met them. When I saw them last
night, there was a noticeable difference in just the way that they looked.
Their countenances had completely changed, and they were happier, more
active, and the Light of Christ more prevalent. I was nearly brought to
tears when we were teaching them about enduring trials and doing good. I am
ever so grateful that I was directed by the spirit that day to go knock on
their door. Perhaps I can retell the story.

Elder Kampenhout, Joebort and Marilyn

     We would often ride the bus out to appointments in our area, and we
always bussed past these apartments that we located close to the church.
After a while I felt an impression to go knocking there, and my companion
and I set a day and off we went. Our initial success was poor, as most of
the doors had already received and rejected missionaries, but Elder Hawkins
and I persevered all the way up the 6 flights of stairs. By the time we
reached to top, things were not looking good. When we knocked on a door, a
man answered and told us that while he was not interested, his friend would
be, and he pointed us to the door across. So we eagerly knocked that door,
talked with the woman who answered, and gave her a pamphlet. She seemed
rather interested, but was unable to meet right then. When we closed our
discussion, President Clark's training about Following Up with referrals
came into my mind, and I felt prompted to return to the mans door and tell
him how things went. When we knocked he opened again and we told him how
things went and invited him again to learn himself. This time he let us
into his apartment where we sat down and talked with him about God and
Prayer and he told us an incredible story about how God answered a prayer
of his. When we invited him to learn more, he asked for us to wait for his
wife to come back from the Philippines, and the following week we were able
to meet Marilyn. Joebert has since quit all of his addictions, and is
living the commandments, and is progressing incredibly well. Marilyn too
has changed more dramatically. I still remember the first day we met her.
In her closing prayer she thanked God for sending his servants to find his
lost children. This touched me so much. I don't know what all was going on
in their life, but I know that the one whom we represented was able to heal
them. This Gospel is true. It can Heal the broken hearted, restore sight to
the blindness of emotion and blindness towards one situation. It can
restore strength to family relationships. This Gospel is True. I love the
man whose message I bear.
 
Your Loving Friend, Brother, and Son,
 
     Elder Willem Kampenhout