December 8, 2013 – New Companion and New Area – Week 1 in Ipoh

So, lots to tell. Please excuse my typing, I’m using a keyboard where the letters have been painted on with nail polish, literally.

First off, saying goodbye to everyone sucked. I miss the people on Matang so much! You don’t realize how much you love the people until you have to leave them.

That being said Ipoh is awesome so far. There is only 1 branch here, split into 2 halves, we have the east half. The members here are all either Chinese or Tamil, there is one half Karazan family (a tribe from Sabah). Typical attendance is about 50-80. Basically the biggest difference branch wise is that the branch is more mature and runs much smoother. I think I already told you but almost all the people here speak a broken Malaysianised form of English.

The members here are really great. On Thursday after flying in on a janky ready to fall out of the sky turboprop Kit and June picked me up, they are the sons of one Sister Chris. They are 18 and 19 respectively and received their mission calls the next day (1 Hong Kong and the other San Jose California). Anyway we met Sister Chris at a restaurant and we ate there. Sister Chris is famous Mission wide because of the things she does for the missionaries, I found out yesterday that every week she buys us some groceries such as real milk and cereal (just an example). Almost all the members in Ipoh have cars and they drive the Elders to probably about half of their appointments, it’s awesome twofold, first cars are much quicker and less sweaty than bicycles and second it means that there are members present to testify and help teach. They also throw tons of referrals our way.

Elder Coloma, he’s from Paris, France. English is his second language. He is pretty cool, and we’re getting along alright. He and his first trainer didn’t communicate much and so he’s not too sure about some things. He also had never touched a bike before his mission. He’s doing alright but still pretty shaky. He related to me a story from like his first week. The poor guy was trying to follow the other Elders in and out and around cars and in one particularly narrow stretch managed to break off 3 side view mirrors.....

Our apartment is in a condominium tower, we are only a 3 minute walk from the church. The apartment is truly a step up from our last house, the shower doesn’t flood; there are two usable bathrooms, and much, much more. The church here is sort of a middling church if you will. It is a standalone building, maybe it was a house at some time. It is basically the step between a shoplot and a full sized building.

Work wise it’s all right. Right now we have a few investigators, maybe 1 or 2 will be baptized soon (maybe within this transfer?). The other thing is it’s not burned over like Matang was. Basically we have half of a city about the size of Kuching. Also distance doesn’t matter because almost everyone has a car. On Saturday we tracked maybe 10 houses while waiting for an appointment and we got 1 return appointment and 1 maybe return appointment. So I’m pretty enthusiastic because there is a lot to do.

I’m placing the shipping order for my bike today.  It should get here in about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. Until then I am using an old bike from an Elder that already went home. I also am going to order an English name tag, I’ll have three languages then. Our mission has 5 available, English, Chinese, Tamil, Malay and Iban.

This morning we hiked up a mountain (through the jungle, lots of fun). Ipoh is in a valley. on either side are jungle covered mountains. Also throughout the city HUGE chunks of rock stick up through the ground covered with jungle, like as tall as the Finnoe’s hill, maybe as big around as our property but sheer cliff most of the way around with jungle all over it. Also there are large Chinese and Hindu temples all over. In Kuching the predominate religions were Islam and Christian. It’s kind of different, here you see people all over praying to statues and such all the time, straight up idolatry.

So yeah, having a blast, Dad nice job on your talk, that’s cool that he remembered your lesson from all those years ago.

Now for the bad news.... I managed to forget my card reader in the mad rush out the door this morning at 6.... I’ll send some pictures from my last days in Kuching, but Ipoh will have to wait until next week.

Love

Elder Halpin

Pictures:

Sister Gulang weaving a basket with her cats.

President Mobil Sister Nisi and their family with us.

Saying goodbye to Anaias.

NOTE: The pictures never made it this week.

 

Well maybe not. The computer is rosak... mintah maaf...

 

 

December 1, 2013 – Transfers, Going Ipoh - Week 24 in Kuching

Dad: Ohhhh... You’re going to be an Uncle! Gladys and Bright are expecting in July 2014!!!!

Elder Halpin: Congratulations Gladys and Bright!!!!

This week was pretty good.

To start Elder Ferguson finally got better on Wednesday.

Thursday the two senior couples in Kuching put together a Thanksgiving feast!!! It was delicious!

After that we went and visited Brother Aret and Sister Linyang for the first time since the Temple. It was a really good experience for them and when they bore their testimonies at church it was really awesome. Malaysians are very private with their emotions but when Sis Linyang bore her testimony she was crying, the first time I have seen that since I've been here.

By the way, I'm getting sangat pandai makan Durian. Durian season is in full swing and every other member we go visit gives it to us along with Rambutan. It turns out it's true, what people say, by the 4th time I ate it I actually liked it a little bit.

The rest of the week was pretty normal. Oh, my bike tire exploded (a used one I scavenged at another missionary house) and I had to do quite a bit of searching to procure a suitable one.

We also finished Elder Ferguson's training this week, a bittersweet moment... haha

So yeah, we are waiting for transfer news now, it'll come sometime around 12 noon..

Did I ever tell you about what Elder Ferguson does in his sleep? The first time I noticed it we were about half way into his training. Basically he goes into an awake/asleep state. What he can do varies depending on what awareness level I can get him on (yes that's right I can trigger it when I hear his breathing go into a certain stage). Anyway, the first level is when he talks and makes noise in his dream, basically uncontrollable and the quality (for comedy purposes) of the episode is completely random. The second level is fun, basically I can hold conversations with him and sometimes get him to sing and such. The third level is just plain scary... I've only gotten him to that level twice. The first time I got him to that level he danced around like a madman. The second time was actually just a couple nights ago. He tried to kill me, yes, you heard that right. Basically he had a dream where he was fighting transformers/cyborgs. I apparently was the lead cyborg.... Long story, bottom line is that he woke up outside sitting in our courtyard with the keys and locks, a can of air freshener he was using as a gun, and a monkey wrench he tried to bludgeon me with after I fought him for the war hammer and won.... Long story. When the episodes end he wakes up and has no clue what just happened. I video some of them and he always gets a good laugh, all in good spirits.

Mom: Could you tell us about some of the Malaysian members? Do you have a favorite family or single member and why?

Elder Halpin: Let's see a favorite family or member? Don't have one, I couldn't pick if you put a gun to my head. They are all great and I love them all. I guess I could give you a list with brief descriptions.

President Mobil and Sister Nisi and their family. They have 6 kids and one moto, Most of them use the bus on Sunday. President Mobil is the best example of Priesthood service I have seen in my life. He works very hard to support his family and then does a TON to support the Branch. They live in a Malay style house on the outskirts of Kampung Kudei and their son Cyrill, who is 13, comes with us to visit all the less actives in Kampung Kudei.

Brother Aret and Sister Linyang and their family. They have 3 kids and live in Kampung Kudei. They just went to the Temple as you know. Really a great family.

Brother Dunggat and Sister Dina and their daughter Dorina. They live in Kampung Gita, in a Kampung mansion. As you already know Brother Dunggat owns a palm oil plantation. He is exactly like Grandpa and she is exactly like Grandma. Exactly, no joke.

Sister Gulang. She lives alone with a bunch of cats and dogs so we go visit her a lot so she doesn't get too lonely. When she talks she campors (mixs) Iban, Malay and Bahasa Sarawak (a slangy language that basically mixes the 2 aforementioned languages and then shortens and twists all the words. Only the locals know it) so it's always fun.

Sister Munah. She is like 80 years old and lives with her family in Siol Kandis. They are half less active and half Muslim. You see she is from Indonesia and was a Christian there. When she moved here she married a Muslim and thus was forced to become Muslim. He died and she decided to become Christian again, (very difficult). So she went to the government building and whined and made a riot until they let her change back. A few years later and now she is the only active member in Siol Kandis.

Brother Ulat and Sister Janta and their family. They live in the Batu 5 flats. They have a couple kids that are already grown, one of which, Angela, is going to Unimas and wants to go on a mission. Really cool family.

Brother Spincer and Sister Pauline. Their kids are already moved out, they live in Maliha. Awesome family.

Brother Fredy and his wife, (drawing a blank, maybe lina?) and their daughter. They live in Taman Genesis. Brother Fredy makes Kuching famous BBQ chicken and pork.

Sister Anaias. One of Elder Trotter's recent converts, she works in emart and lives in a hostel in one of the shoplots. Super awesome. A lesson with her was the first lesson I went to (she taught me).

Sister Christy. Also one of Elder Trotter's recent converts. Lives close to Sister Gulang in Semarah Padi.

Brother Liman and Sister Norsia. They live in the Batu 9 flats. Awesome family they have 2 kids that are like 5 and 6, the most nakal (naughty) kids I have ever met. Bro Liman makes a mean burger.

The new family in Sungai Maong. Brother Dickson and Sister Remus with their 3 kids and her 2 brothers Jimmy and Danielson. Awesome family.

This is only a short rundown of some of the members. I love them all and am going to miss them so much.

Transfers are in 10 minutes... It's like Christmas. Really, I couldn't sleep last night.

Love you all,

Elder Halpin

I'll send some pictures after transfers.

Elder Halpin: So, I’m going to Ipoh 2 to finish the training of an English Elder who's name is Elder Coloma. I'll most likely have a flight out on Thursday. This transfer is sort of bittersweet, I'm basically going to a different mission. For one, the Ipoh Branch is probably the strongest in Malaysia. Secondly, I'll be speaking English and we are going to be working with Chinese most of the time. It's still a biking area. It'll be fun, I'm excited.

Mom: Where is Ipoh?

By "different mission" you mean the type of area and the people/language/culture are very different?

Elder Halpin: Ipoh is in West Malaysia. Basically instead of Ibans, Bidauyus, and Chinese I'll be working with Chinese and maybe some Tamils. Ipoh is mainly a Chinese city and I will be speaking English 99% of the time. That's the biggest downer in going to Ipoh for sure. But other than that it's going to be a fun transfer. It's still a biking area so I'll have to haul that over, it'll be fun.

Mom: Well.... just keep reading your Kitbab Mormon. You'll probably get transferred again to a Malay branch and you won't want to get rusty!

And just when you were starting to like durian fruit!! :) (Maybe they eat it over there too)

We didn't get your final package list. We really need to send your package tomorrow.

Elder Halpin: Oh yes, package list well here it is. And why are you sending it to the MTC? Anyway, so the bike lights and tire patches. A pair of jeans (you can pull them out of storage). Anything else that I had in the previous list that I have not mentioned. The chocolate of course. Other than that I honestly don't know, I couldn't really think of anything. Surprise me!

Mom: Whoops...did not mean the MTC.... We will send to the address you gave us. We will surprise you then.

Pictures this week were provided by Sister Moulder, one of the Missionary Couples who provided the Elders and Sisters Thanksgiving dinner.

 

Brother Aret and Sister Linyang family

 

 

 

 

November 24, 2013 – Missionary Splits and a Sick Companion Week 23 in Kuching

Ok so first off I didn't think I had a BYU ID or anything like that, unless they are referring to the thing I made anciently for EFY...  I haven't logged on since then....  Over 5 years ago...

About the package, no need for deodorant, still working on getting to the stuff you sent me the first time...

I will send you the definitive list next Monday, lots of options etc, etc...

THIS WEEK.....

So basically we went on double splits on Tuesday & Wednesday. That was fun.

Wednesday night however, Elder Ferguson fell sick... and has thrown up 18 times since then. I am feeling fine however and despite my confinement to a concrete almost windowless, fluorescently lighted box for the past few days I’m doing alright, only half crazy...

On Friday one of the other Matang Elders fell sick as well, so his companion and I went on splits. We went to some flats in their half of the Matang area and went contacting.  After that, we went and visited a member.

(We’ve begun asking Matthew to answer questions in the emails from us and will be including the questions, along with his answers in his blog going forward)

Mom:  I feel prompted to ask you to share with us an experience on your mission where the Holy Ghost has guided you and has helped you know what to say.  Also, could you share with us what the greatest blessing is that you have received thus far while on your mission?

Elder Halpin: There have been many times when I have felt prompted to say something or do something... Honestly mostly it’s been promptings to talk to certain people or say certain things to people as we are about. For instance, on Friday, we knocked on a door, a lady answered, and as we spoke to her i felt prompted to testify about the Holy Ghost and how it could bless her life. We weren’t able to get a return appointment but she said she would talk to her husband and read the restoration pamphlet and start the Kitab Mormon and that she would call us if she wanted to learn more. So yeah, nothing yet but we will see.  As for blessings, there are a lot. Both spiritual and physical. Probably the biggest blessing I have received is knowledge, knowledge that i can rely on the lord.

So yeah, that was my week. Elder Ferguson is still kind of sick, so after this we will probably just limp home and spend the rest of the day in the dungeon...

Glad to hear your week was better than mine!!!

Also!!! On Tuesday, on splits, we went to a member’s home and they gave us durian..... Actually it wasn’t as bad as it was the first time, and I managed to eat 6 bijis... (6 seeds). yummy...

Also I am probably being transferred next week. Maybe deeper into Sarawak. My theory is that I’m going to Bintulu (I do have reasons for thinking this, it’s not idle speculation), never know though. What I do know is that I am going to hate saying goodbye to everybody here.... So yeah. If I do get transferred I will know about 12 on Monday and probably fly out or bus out Thursday the 5th.

I forgot my SD card adapter so I will borrow someone else’s camera and cord in a little while and send you guys some pictures.

(Matthew and we were able to “email chat” for a bit)

Mom: So you have been working a lot with inactive members.  How is your little branch doing?  How is the priesthood leadership?  How are the youth doing?  Do you see the branch becoming stronger or is it going to be a much longer process?

Elder Halpin: President Mobil is amazing, that being said it’s going to take a lot of effort over a long time to reactivate a lot of these people. The Youth here struggle a lot. We’ve been working with the young men in the branch a lot, and when we go to appointments we bring one of them if we can. That all being said I feel like the branch is stronger than when I got here.

Mom: Also, let Elder Ferguson know that we will be praying for him.

Elder Halpin: Oh, Elder Ferguson says "Well I haven’t got you sick yet, so that’s good"....

Mom: So you are waiting right now to find out if you have been transferred?

Elder Halpin: No, transfers are next week. Don’t mind my English it’s sort of gone off a cliff. I’m constantly trying to remember words... As the people say here, "oh my English". So here’s the deal with transfers. Basically the mission is being prepared for a split, since the beginning it’s been like 2 different missions. In West Malaysia and Singapore all they need is English and Chinese except for in one city. Also the work is very different. You mostly work with Tamils and Chinese and a lot higher percentage of the population is Muslim. So as the mission doubled in size just after I came in a majority of the missionaries were English speaking. Basically the President is putting all the Malay missionaries except a few in Sarawak and Sabah preparing the mission. Because of this and because the President wants to strengthen the cities, before pushing into the Kampungs, all the areas in east (and most of west), with a few exceptions, are being split into 2 like the Matang branch. There are still a lot of Malay missionaries in west and Singapore right now finishing up the training of English Elders. This transfer they will be finished. Anyway, basically, the only city not split up is Bintulu so my theory is that I will go there to split an area, maybe with an elder from the West. So yeah...

Mom: Has Elder Ferguson gone to the doctor....Throwing up that many days is probably not the normal stomach virus.  He could have picked up a parasite.  Katherine says she feels sorry for your sick companion. David says I hope Elder Ferguson gets well.

Elder Halpin: Also, when Elder Ferguson got sick in the US he was sick for several days too. That being said, he called Sister Mains and if he’s not better by tomorrow then he will go to the doctor.

Mom: That brings up a question - Are you taking your vitamins and when will you run out?  Are you using your preventive oils? 

Elder Halpin: As for me, yes I’m taking my vitamins. I don’t know when they will run out. I haven’t touched the oils except for the clearskin stuff which I am now trying in conjunction with face wash stuff.

 

Sincerely

Elder Halpin

Durian fruit before.

Durian fruit after.

They trick out the junkiest cars here.....

 

 

November 17, 2013 – A Family Goes to the Temple – Awesome! Week 22 in Kuching

This week was pretty good.

First off dad, that is huge progression. When I left you probably would have died had you tried that....

Adam, yep, pretty much the youth conferences are the best. Also, nice with the tiller.

Micaela, that’s pretty cool.

David, I bet your voice is improving a lot. Also Turbo does look cool.

Mom interesting with the whole lettuce thing.

Katherine, I miss you too. my chess skills have improved I think, I’ve come up with an opening, middle game and end game that I seem to be pretty good at. I will teach it to you when I get back.

The first half of the week a lot of the less actives we are working with were at Kampung so we couldn’t really meet with them.

Theresa I don’t think will be going anywhere, she really doesn’t want this and has cancelled on us twice now...

Also we found out that the "Jumats" already moved to their longhouse. It is in Batu Kawa branch and is 20 (we think) minutes by car from MJC where the Elders in that branch live. Any way we are going to try and pass them to the Batu Kawa Elders after we get some more info. However the less active member who referred them to us said that our building is actually closer for them than going to the KDC where Batu Kawa meets. Anyway, we will see. Apparently this longhouse has 18 doors meaning that up to 18 families live there, probably less. Anyway if it is within a doable distance it will be good.

The best part of this week was with Bro Aret and his family. They left for the Manilla Philippines Temple this morning and will be there for a week. We went to his house on Thursday and helped them fill out family group sheets for several hours, that was a lot of fun. I’m so excited for them.

We also have a new half active family to work with, they moved in from Kota Sentosa branch on the opposite side of Kuching. Basically it’s Bro Dickson and his wife Sis Remus with their 3 kids and her 2 younger brothers Jimmy and Danielson. Jimmy is 16 and Danielson is 14. Bro Dickson and Sis Remus want to keep attending Sentosa at least for a little while. Jimmy and Danielson are going to start coming to our branch though, and Jimmy came on Sunday. Anyway he is super excited to able to come to church again. Basically they were less active in Sentosa and when they moved nobody really knew. Anyway because of the distance to the Sentosa building Jimmy and Danielson stopped going because Kuching buses are NOT reliable and the family only has 1 motto. Anyway the bus route from where they live to the church is much more reliable and they will be coming from now on.

The rest of this week was pretty normal. Not sure what all we are going to do today... We will have to figure something out. This evening we are meeting with Christy, a recent convert, and Pres. Mobil and his family.

Sincerely,

Elder Halpin

Pictures

 

Bro Arets Family

My comp sacked out after morning exercise

 

Danielson and the bike he tricked out.

 

November 10, 2013 – A Week of Ugh… - Week 21 in Kuching

So this week was my most unproductive week on my mission ever....

So first off on Monday we had an appointment scheduled with a potential named Madeline. It fell through that morning.

The next day we had 2 appointments, one with Teresa and one with the “Jumat" family. Both of them fell through.... ugh...

We weren’t able to reschedule any of the 3. Teresa can only meet Thursday. The "Jumats" are gone the last half of the week working on their new longhouse and Madeline isn’t answering her phone.

So yeah. Anyway on Wednesday we went to Singapore. We jalan jalaned it up all afternoon and then had dinner and a family history workshop.

Thursday was Zone Conference. It was pretty good, learned some useful things and also was spiritually uplifted.

Friday we traveled back to Kuching. That went well until I had waited for a long time at the baggage claim and realized they had lost my bag. Anyway, they said they thought it was on the next flight so we went home and proceeded to unpack and plan for the coming week.

We then found out that our house rent was up and so we had to call the senior couple who are in charge of that and have them work it out. Anyway,.yea.

Saturday they finally located my bag. and guess where it was.... Beijing China..... Yeah I know right, apa hal.

Anyway I proceeded to call them, actually no just kidding it finally arrived in Kuching, and set up a taxi to bring it to me. Said it would arrive around 2 in the afternoon, but it didn’t arrive until about 5....

Ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh ugh...

But anyway, we did go visit a couple members yesterday, Bro Dunggat and his family and Sister Munah. Both of those visits went well.

We didn’t have any of the less active young men come yesterday, but a couple random less actives from Siol Kandis came, so that was good.

Anyway this morning we went to the wind caves again. There was just 4 of us this time but it was a lot of fun, instead of renting a van took the public bus... Slowest jankiest thing in the world. We finally made it to Bau and found the caves. They were a lot wetter than the first time we went, it is the rainy season.

I did hear about the storm in the Philippines, no land break here. Malaysia is probably the most storm proof place in the world though. The Philippines take all the storms from the pacific ocean and Indonesia takes all the storms from the Indian ocean.

Anyway the caves were really drippy and soggy, but we still managed to explore quite a bit, including getting up, close and personal to the bat hoard.

The trip back was fun too, took us forever to find a bus, but we eventually did.

Anyway we made it.

Love Elder Halpin

Pictures:

 

 Some random village in the middle of the Borneo rainforest.

 

One of many Singapore skyline photos.

 

In the wind cave

 

 

November 3, 2013 – Death by Overeating… - Week 20 in Kuching

David, sounds like you are kuat pandai biking api! (very good at making fire!)

Katherine, it’s a very good drawing, also, your handwriting is sangat cantik (very pretty). I miss you a lot Katherine, when I get home we will have to hangout. Good luck with your school, the kids here are almost to their "summer break" if you could call it that. Anyway just be grateful you don’t have to wear a uniform to school.

This week was good.

On Monday we jalan jalaned it up at waterfront, went to a bunch of museums and such. Also our sink exploded. Anyway, a new pipe and some tinkering and we have jury rigged a new pipe to the faucet.

Tuesday I woke up feeling well, we rode to the KDC for district meeting. Half way through district meeting I started to feel off. By the time we were at lunch I was genuinely ill. I then realized that it was my old friend the 24 hour stomach flu. Anyway, it turns out that either the Malaysian form of the virus is weak or my immune system is strong because I felt better by that evening and never threw up. Anyway, first time getting sick in Malaysia!

Wednesday I woke up and just felt off, we stayed close to the house and contacted, and also went to dinner at Brother Ulat and Sister Jantas house, it was good. Typical stuff, curry and rice, some sort of noodles, some sort of vegetables / fruit and also some fish.

Thursday we went to KG. Kudei and met with a bunch of people. We first met with Bro Sirai and his wife Sis Rimbor. They are a great family, still trying to figure out why they don’t come to church and how we can help. Anyway, in preach my gospel it says to ask everyone for referrals. The whole time we’ve been doing that, and on Thursday brother Sirai took us to visit a family that lives close to them in the kampung. Their names are Jumat, his wife Leah and somebody’s Mother Sudang. They have 2 kids, Justin and Giri. They seemed somewhat interested and we have another appointment tomorrow. The problem is that they live in kampung Kudei, and if their "fellowshipper" is less active why should they come to church? Therefore they are like Theresa in that that they live or die by those around them, to a certain extent anyway,however, if they are truly converted they will be fine.

We also met with Theresa and her family, they are doing alright.

Friday was just another day, nothing special.

Saturday we met with President Mobil’s family. They are so awesome.

Anyway, yesterday we went to Bro Spincer and Sis Pauline’s house and after that to another member’s house. Both made us dinner and I pretty much died from over eating. According to Elder Tyler that’s what Christmas is like. You pretty much are invited to everyone’s houses and you are force fed 2-3 plates of food at everyone’s. I guess you just throw up every 3rd house.... Looking forward to that....

Anyway... my shirts are doing better. It’s taking a few washings but they are noticeably whiter than they were last week. Anyway, I think I will try the vanish stuff again, maybe this time, since it’s being backed up with a real washing, it will actually work...

Thanks for the photos guys, also the recipes Mom!  They’re all great. Christmas music is an anytime CAN. There is no Christmas season here, as it were, so you just kind of up and listen to it. Actually last night at the 2nd house they had Christmas karaoke going, heaps and heaps of Christmas songs in Malay, it was pretty great.

We go to Singapore this week for visa runs and Zone Conference should be fun.

Today all the Missionaries were invited to the District President’s open house, he is Tamil and the open house is for Deepavali, the celebration of lights. Should be fun.

Mom and Matthew exchanged an email and it is added below:

Mom:  I thought the pictures of us at the Temple with Rosemitha would be great for you to share. Are members there able to get to a temple?  Where is the nearest temple?

Elder Halpin: The Temple: The people here go to the Manila Philippines Temple. Brother Arets family will be going on the 18th of this month. Basically they prepare themselves and their families and attend the Temple preparation classes and save a certain percentage of their income, and the church will basically pay for them to go, it’s pretty great.

Love you all,

Elder Halpin

October 27, 2013 – Revelation! Clean Shirts… - Week 19 in Kuching

This week has been pretty good. We contacted a ton of people and will hopefully have some new investigators by the end of the week.

We have started to teach Theresa again. We will have to see how far it goes, she is married to a less active member and yeah, we will see.

On Friday something both wonderful and terrible happened. We were waiting in our house to go to an appointment and the other Matang Elders came over to get some supplies. One of them pointed out that Elder Ferguson’s shirt was basically yellow. We both agreed and Elder Ferguson lamented the fact that no matter how hard he scrubbed and no matter how much soap he put in the wash the sweat stains wouldn’t come out. Elder Tyler then asked what kind of soap we used. I cheerfully responded with full confidence "Softlan."  He then asked a question that will forever haunt my mind: "is it... FABRIC SOFTENER?" I responded with a muttered, "never thought of that".... "maybe that’s why my clothes always stink".... We quickly walked to the back and confirmed my fears. For the past 4 months I have been washing my clothes with fabric softener. Yes you heard that right. For the past 4 months I might as well have been just soaking my clothes in a bucket of water....

Anyway it’s all Elder Berger’s fault. He’s the one that picked it and I never questioned his decision. So yeah on Friday night I washed all my clothes and hung them up to dry. The next morning when I could put on clean clothes for the first time in 4 months was quite possibly the most glorious feeling ever...

Anyway, holding out on bleaching things seeing as I haven't actually used SOAP yet...

Facepalm.... repeatedly.....

Anyway this week people were all in Kampung or super busy, we didn’t get a whole lot of appointments in. We did meet with Sister Munah. The old one in Siol Kandis that used to be Muslim. Well anyway, last week she was in Kampung and was cutting a ring around the bark of a tree, not exactly sure why and some sort of juice or sap from the tree got in her eyes. Long story short she is partially blind now. It’s super sad because she can’t read now. She loves to sing the hymns but can’t read them now. At one point some missionary recorded all the hymns in Malay and so I am trying to track down someone who has them so that I can burn them onto some discs for her.

We also had a district activity all day Saturday. In the morning was a Young Men’s activity, so we went to Kampung Kudei and got together a bunch of less active youth to go. They had a lot of fun and the next day one of them was at Church. While I feel that a lot of the adult less actives are somewhat hopeless, I feel that if a good Young Men’s program were to be built that a lot of them would stay active and eventually go on missions.

So yeah, new project.

Love Elder Halpin

Here are some pictures

Sister Gulang’s house.

You will notice that the bottom is concrete and the top is wood.

That is because it is an old Meleyu house and 30-100 years ago the bottom wouldn’t have existed.

It would have just been the top half on 6-8 foot tall stilts.

You’ll notice the door going to nowhere on the top level, that is the original door.

 

Me attempting to Oxybleach 2 shirts overnight.

Might have worked better if had had real soap the next day!!!