Sunday was out first Fast Sunday here. My goal when I got here was to bear my testimony in their language on my first Fast Sunday. I did it. Sort of anyway. I wrote down very simple sentences of what I wanted to say and the Elders translated it for me And I practiced the words as best I could. I had to read it, but here's what I think I said. Elders said I did ok.
I love to serve as a missionary for Jesus Christ.
The Church of Jesus Christ is true.
The Book of Mormon is true.
I believe in God, Jesus Chirst, and Holy Ghost.
Name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Saya suka melayani sebagai seorang missionary bagi Yesus Kristus.
Gereja Yesus Kristus adalah benar.
Kitab Mormon adalah benar.
Saya percaya kepada Tuhan, Yesus Kristus, Roh Kudus
Alman
Yesus Kristus
Sunday, March 2, 2014
I want to tell this amazing story: I was in a mall and I picked up one of those free books that has advertizing and stuff in it. Sure enough it was talking mostly about hotels and beach destinations, but there was a great article with a pull with pictures of birds and where to go birding, but that's not what this is about. I will check on that later!
In the back it had an article: "Changing Lives for the Better." Caught my attention since that is what we are here for. The article was very interesting about skills training and aids to low income households. 8 week courses teaching skills in sewing and cooking. Well long story, but I told Elder Przybyla we needed to go this place.
The next day we got in the car to go, and they had an address in the book; a street but no number. So we looked in our GPS and just put the street in with no street number. Didn't think that would really help, but figured maybe if we went to the street and drove up and down it we would find this UNASCO market. The training center is on the second and third floors. After traveling a while the GPS says you will arrive at your destination in 1000 feet. We looked at each other and said what destination we didn't put one in. But in 1000 feet there was the UNASCO store we were looking for.
On the second floor we found the Training Center and the couple that are running it, They are our age and the nicest couple we have ever met. They volunteer and run this center. They told us all about it and showed us around.
It's for girls and women only from age 17 to 50. They have to be very low income to qualify. It's a two month course either in sewing or baking. They get money for the taxi to get there, they get a free meal, they get free babysitting and and at the end of the course they are given 2 free ovens or 2 free sewing machines. They are also given classes on finance management (not to give their husbands the money if he drinks it away) and motivation. They can choose to start their own business by themselves or with 2 others in the class or stay working there making uniforms and make up to 1500rm a month.
That is my definition of a self reliance center. We found this place last Friday and we already have found two members who have taken the course. They have not received their ovens or sewing machines yet. We are going on Tuesday to the couple we met and find out why they don't have them.
This is a government sponsored program. Looks to me like they are doing a lot for their poor.
This is just an example of things we are being led to and finding out about.
Our bosses in Hong Kong don't know what to do with us. We skyped them the other day and got to know them. I don't know what they do all day? I think they sit in the office and do something. We are on the ground doing the real work.
They said the reason PEF funds are not available in Malaysia yet is because the government wants to tax the loan money 25 per cent. So the legal department of the church is still working on it.
In the back it had an article: "Changing Lives for the Better." Caught my attention since that is what we are here for. The article was very interesting about skills training and aids to low income households. 8 week courses teaching skills in sewing and cooking. Well long story, but I told Elder Przybyla we needed to go this place.
The next day we got in the car to go, and they had an address in the book; a street but no number. So we looked in our GPS and just put the street in with no street number. Didn't think that would really help, but figured maybe if we went to the street and drove up and down it we would find this UNASCO market. The training center is on the second and third floors. After traveling a while the GPS says you will arrive at your destination in 1000 feet. We looked at each other and said what destination we didn't put one in. But in 1000 feet there was the UNASCO store we were looking for.
On the second floor we found the Training Center and the couple that are running it, They are our age and the nicest couple we have ever met. They volunteer and run this center. They told us all about it and showed us around.
It's for girls and women only from age 17 to 50. They have to be very low income to qualify. It's a two month course either in sewing or baking. They get money for the taxi to get there, they get a free meal, they get free babysitting and and at the end of the course they are given 2 free ovens or 2 free sewing machines. They are also given classes on finance management (not to give their husbands the money if he drinks it away) and motivation. They can choose to start their own business by themselves or with 2 others in the class or stay working there making uniforms and make up to 1500rm a month.
That is my definition of a self reliance center. We found this place last Friday and we already have found two members who have taken the course. They have not received their ovens or sewing machines yet. We are going on Tuesday to the couple we met and find out why they don't have them.
This is a government sponsored program. Looks to me like they are doing a lot for their poor.
This is just an example of things we are being led to and finding out about.
Our bosses in Hong Kong don't know what to do with us. We skyped them the other day and got to know them. I don't know what they do all day? I think they sit in the office and do something. We are on the ground doing the real work.
They said the reason PEF funds are not available in Malaysia yet is because the government wants to tax the loan money 25 per cent. So the legal department of the church is still working on it.
Sunset over Batu Kawah, looking out my kitchen window.
Family Home Evening at President Chunggi of the Stampin Branch. It was in honor of Elder Parker being transferred. Guess he had been here for about 5 months. The room was full of women and children. I think besides missionaries there were only 4 men there. Branches are hurting for Priesthood.
This is Elder Parker.
The President's home has this big room in it. The road to get to his house is like a path through the bed of a river.
Loading the old furniture from the Elder's apartment. (But it's going to a member's home)
This is looking into a Kompang. Where the very poor live.
More Kompang. They do have cars around.
This convert baptism was awesome. He takes people on tours. He said he has watched missionaries for 10 years. When he would see them he would stand near them, hoping they would talk to him. They never did. Finally, a Sr couple were on a tour with him and he noticed their badges. The Elder gave him a Book of Mormon and someone followed up. He knows his Bible very well and when he compared the two books he knew it was true. His name is Eric Chung,
Our new car. No power,
This is the member's home where we took the Missionaries' furniture. Those are the ugly couch and chair sitting there. I think they were happy to get them.
Well nothing is as it seems. Remember the Jello story? Well, I found Marconi and Cheese, so I bought a box. Cooking was as usual, then I opened the package of cheese and it was in a gooey state. You just squeeze into into the noodles and mix, no need for butter or milk.
It was GOOD!
Wow. I'm going to buy some boxes for the Elders. They can make it and don't need any other ingredients.
It was GOOD!
Wow. I'm going to buy some boxes for the Elders. They can make it and don't need any other ingredients.
Saw our first cockroach in our apartment yesterday. Yeh!!
I am very thankful for my shower. I have to press a switch about 10 minutes before I want to shower. And then I have all the hot water I want, as hot as I want. That is so wonderful and such a blessing. Sometimes I just stand there.
When I wash dishes that's another whole routine. I have to filter the water and then heat it on the stove. Then it's usually too hot, so I have to cool it down. And then it's usually too cool by the time I get to the last dishes.
But since I get a hot shower I can put up the dish washing routine.
Really no mosquito bites yet. I got bit on my back twice by some kind of black bug and bit on the leg by an ant. The ant bite hasn't gone away and it's been over a week.
We have never had to use an umbrella yet. The weather is quite comfortable (no sweating). I don't like it when I get up and the sky is clear, which rarely happens, but when it does it's going to be hotter.
Out my kitchen window we have beautiful sunsets. If I am home to see them. They are always at 7pm. That's just weird. Gets light at seven and dark at seven.
Our washing machine works nicely since it's been fixed. We do our own underwear, socks, towels, sheets, dish rags, etc. But we take the shirts, nice pants and clothes to the laundry. Not very expensive.
Some things are expensive here and some things are cheap. It's kind of random.
I am very thankful for my shower. I have to press a switch about 10 minutes before I want to shower. And then I have all the hot water I want, as hot as I want. That is so wonderful and such a blessing. Sometimes I just stand there.
When I wash dishes that's another whole routine. I have to filter the water and then heat it on the stove. Then it's usually too hot, so I have to cool it down. And then it's usually too cool by the time I get to the last dishes.
But since I get a hot shower I can put up the dish washing routine.
Really no mosquito bites yet. I got bit on my back twice by some kind of black bug and bit on the leg by an ant. The ant bite hasn't gone away and it's been over a week.
We have never had to use an umbrella yet. The weather is quite comfortable (no sweating). I don't like it when I get up and the sky is clear, which rarely happens, but when it does it's going to be hotter.
Out my kitchen window we have beautiful sunsets. If I am home to see them. They are always at 7pm. That's just weird. Gets light at seven and dark at seven.
Our washing machine works nicely since it's been fixed. We do our own underwear, socks, towels, sheets, dish rags, etc. But we take the shirts, nice pants and clothes to the laundry. Not very expensive.
Some things are expensive here and some things are cheap. It's kind of random.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
I have been called to be the 1st Counselor in the District Relief Society. They wanted to call me as President, but we said no, we are only supposed to do shadow leadership. So I will be training the President from this position. Dad has been called to be on the High Counsel.
We are kept very busy doing our Self Reliance stuff. I have a great story to tell you about that. Maybe tomorrow. And we have to go District Missionary meeting every Tuesday. We have to help shuffle missionaries around on transfer days. Several trips to the airport on those days. The Sisters or Elders call us all the time to go visit someone with them that need a job, etc. We are going to baptisms every week.
One of the members here, has been here a very long time from England, and he is the one that brought the church to Malaysia. So he knows everything and everyone.
He is taking us to meet the Prime Minister of the State of Sarawak on Monday. That should be fun.
Our brand new car, a Toyota Innova, has arrived on the boat!! It's nice, but a lot bigger than what we were driving. Now I can't touch anything I might get it dirty!!! Driving is insane! We saw an accident yesterday with a dead body. Besides dodging the cars, there are motorbikes everywhere, splitting lanes and darting in and out. And then there are these crazy kids on bikes (missionaries).
A missionary was killed on his bike here about 6 months ago. It's quite dangerous out there.
One of the Sr Couples is in charge of housing. We put grubs on and went to one of the missionary apartments.. It was quite a disaster. It was very dirty and the air conditioner was broken and leaking all over the floor. Sister Mains told us to remove the couch and chair and they aren't replacing them.
New thing, young missionary apartments are now suppose to have 3 bedrooms. Four missionaries sleep in one bedroom.. The other two bedrooms are for study purposes and no couches or chairs in the living room. They want them out of their apartments and working.
Hope to get pictures on here as soon as I can get Elder Przybyla to do it for me. We only have one phone between us. Couldn't survive without it.
It's late. Church all day tomorrow. We have 2 Branches to look over.
We are kept very busy doing our Self Reliance stuff. I have a great story to tell you about that. Maybe tomorrow. And we have to go District Missionary meeting every Tuesday. We have to help shuffle missionaries around on transfer days. Several trips to the airport on those days. The Sisters or Elders call us all the time to go visit someone with them that need a job, etc. We are going to baptisms every week.
One of the members here, has been here a very long time from England, and he is the one that brought the church to Malaysia. So he knows everything and everyone.
He is taking us to meet the Prime Minister of the State of Sarawak on Monday. That should be fun.
Our brand new car, a Toyota Innova, has arrived on the boat!! It's nice, but a lot bigger than what we were driving. Now I can't touch anything I might get it dirty!!! Driving is insane! We saw an accident yesterday with a dead body. Besides dodging the cars, there are motorbikes everywhere, splitting lanes and darting in and out. And then there are these crazy kids on bikes (missionaries).
A missionary was killed on his bike here about 6 months ago. It's quite dangerous out there.
One of the Sr Couples is in charge of housing. We put grubs on and went to one of the missionary apartments.. It was quite a disaster. It was very dirty and the air conditioner was broken and leaking all over the floor. Sister Mains told us to remove the couch and chair and they aren't replacing them.
New thing, young missionary apartments are now suppose to have 3 bedrooms. Four missionaries sleep in one bedroom.. The other two bedrooms are for study purposes and no couches or chairs in the living room. They want them out of their apartments and working.
Hope to get pictures on here as soon as I can get Elder Przybyla to do it for me. We only have one phone between us. Couldn't survive without it.
It's late. Church all day tomorrow. We have 2 Branches to look over.
I had 4 Elders over for dinner on Thursday. We had roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, cauliflower with cheese melted on it, some other mixed vegetables, rolls (not homemade) and jello salad.
Sounds impressive right?
Guess I will share the jello story. I was excited to find jello in the store and the boxes looked the same as home, just not the same brand. So I bought a box of cherry.
Looked up on line for an easy recipe.
Found one that said make the jello and put half in refrigerator to gel. I cut up some Asia Apples in it. The other half put together with softened cream cheese and put on top of the other layer.
I thought that sounded good. So I ran back to the store and bought some cream cheese and a couple more boxes of jello. Fixed according to directions of the recipe. (side note: the jello only calls for 2 cups of hot water.)
Next morning, being very excited to see the jello, I took it out of the refrigerator and the top later didn't gel. Very sadly I poured the top layer off. Made another box of jello and put it on top of the first layer.
Dinner comes. I cut the jello to put on plates and it's as flat as a very flat pancake. And it was jelled but kind of thinnish, hard to describe. It tasted ok, but it really looked funny. It was hard to keep it on the plates!!!
One of the Sr. Sisters told me her jello story. Said she thought she would make it for a treat to take to RS for something the sisters were having. She put pineapple in and carrots. She said they ate it, but they said it tasted like their medicine.
So jello is off our menu here!!!!
Sounds impressive right?
Guess I will share the jello story. I was excited to find jello in the store and the boxes looked the same as home, just not the same brand. So I bought a box of cherry.
Looked up on line for an easy recipe.
Found one that said make the jello and put half in refrigerator to gel. I cut up some Asia Apples in it. The other half put together with softened cream cheese and put on top of the other layer.
I thought that sounded good. So I ran back to the store and bought some cream cheese and a couple more boxes of jello. Fixed according to directions of the recipe. (side note: the jello only calls for 2 cups of hot water.)
Next morning, being very excited to see the jello, I took it out of the refrigerator and the top later didn't gel. Very sadly I poured the top layer off. Made another box of jello and put it on top of the first layer.
Dinner comes. I cut the jello to put on plates and it's as flat as a very flat pancake. And it was jelled but kind of thinnish, hard to describe. It tasted ok, but it really looked funny. It was hard to keep it on the plates!!!
One of the Sr. Sisters told me her jello story. Said she thought she would make it for a treat to take to RS for something the sisters were having. She put pineapple in and carrots. She said they ate it, but they said it tasted like their medicine.
So jello is off our menu here!!!!
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