Oh mah Goodness This Week.
To preface this, Elder W said this week probably had some of the highest highs and the lowest lows of his entire mission.
Lets get started. Everything I say now will lead up to Sunday.
This week we've been focusing a lot on our less active work. The Asia mission presidency asked us to spend at least half of our time doing that, and we've seen miracles after we worked for them. This week we've worked a lot with Bro. Day. His story is that he's an alcoholic that is married to a member and all his Children are baptized. He's gone through 3 companionships already. He has a sincere desire to change and even asked how soon we think he can be baptized. We met with him a couple times this week. His kids are fantastic and come to church every week (Augustine, Diana, and Moose).
This week we unfortunately weren't able to meet with Bro. Hitam. He's doing much better though, and we've been praying for him every day.
We also have been able to meet with the Penan's once, compared to three times, but now the day-by-day account.
Wednesday was when it started going down hill when Sis. Sia, a less active in Kampung Api, told us bold faced she doesn't want to go to Church any more. She's been drawn in by one of the charismatic churches here, involving weekly 'stage healing' by priests and rock bands. We then went to Sister Katrina's house and talked with her. When we left Elder W hit a nail, and their dog followed us to the nearest PETRONAS Station. We had to fend off all the dogs that tried to kill the traitor. We've developed a theory that dogs must have devils possess them when Missionaries are near unless they belong to members, and that would explain a lot. A nice man gave us a ride in his van, but Elder W's helmet fell off the bike and we didn't see it, so he has it now somewhere. We tried for almost an hour to fix it, and in the process Coby (the dog) got hit by a car. Don't worry he's fine. I got the idea to pray over the bike, we did, and it held air. Coby was still traumatized; so Elder W carried him all the way back while riding his bike. After we got there, it went flat again so we walked home. We pumped it again and miraculously it worked again.
Thursday we had an appointment fall through, though we were able to place 1 B.O.M. contacting. We also had to bike all the way out to Senadine for the Sisters baptismal interview. Because of Weekly Planning, that took all the time we had.
Friday, we had the great opportunity of every planned appointment falling through, except for when we met with Robert and Darrell who were going to help us teach the Penan family that night. Also, to get to everything (including a Baptismal interview at the Church for the Sisters again) we biked for over a total of 5 hours that day. Also, Elder W's bike went flat again, but we pumped it and it held air since. We took Robert and Darrell to Pasar Malam (Night Market) and I bought them burgers.
Saturday we were going to visit Bro. Hitam, when Elder W was pushed into the Open Kampung Sewage Ditch by a Pakistani Loan Shark on a Moto, because of the narrow path and the mud. Of course we went home after that, and Elder W was clean in time for the Baptism that night. It was a pleasant experience, a triple baptism at that, and there was a Makan (eating event) afterwards so that was the highlight of our weekend. Then after walking in the door at home, the Sisters called and said that they had a flat at the church, and we rode all the way back to help them.
Then came the blessed day of the Sabbath.
We left at 8 am to wake up the Kampung. We visited Bro. Day first, he was drunk (He's very functional though), and he told us that due to the nature of living on technically illegal land, he might have to move soon because someone might have bought the land. We weren't sure that was what happened though, but he gave us his Iban drinking jar to remember him by.
Sis. Rita said she couldn't come either, but all their children came again.
We went back home for a little to prepare, and then we came to Church.
We had 6 less actives come yesterday, which was amazing. Also, Bro. Hitam showed up and even stayed for Gospel Principles, which was amazing! Also, Bro. Kevin is the Branch Mission leader for branch 2, and his parents make things to finance their future trip to the Temple. They finished my sweet bead tie and they're making a basket for me for 180 Ringgit total.
The last Sunday of every month our branch has started having a Potluck Makan, last month was the first and didn't really do that well. This time lots more people brought food and it served its purpose perfectly by uniting and mingling, and it was a great experience for that. Also, we were able to finally finish the Plan of Salvation with the Penan family that night, the spirit was super strong. We were able to get to have a soft commitment for Baptism, and they committed to start having family prayer. It was great.
Now we're exhausted so we'll go home and sleep. I got Dropbox working so more pictures will come by next week, Dad, please Download and Delete so I can have more space to work with.
McKay, We're going to the Caves week after next.
I love you all, thank you eternally for your prayers this week. They were felt and needed.
I'm looking forward to the Letters when the Zone Leaders come within a week or two!
-Elder Christensen
