Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Dear Family,
The title of this email in Bahasa literally translates to "bitter and sweet".  It is an expression used here to describe the ups and downs of life.  I find this title fitting for the past week.  A lot has happened. 
Perhaps I'll start with the "pahit".  Last Wednesday, a bus full of 37 people returning from Genting Highlands (a resort town on top of the mountains surrounding Kuala Lumpur) crashed through a fence and dropped down a cliff, killing all of the passengers.  It has been the talk of the city, and everyone is mourning it. 
A few days ago, an Elder Wiberg was hit by a car in Kuching.  He broke his shoulder, femur, and hip, as well as serious brain trauma.  In efforts to relieve the pressure on his brain, they performed a surgery on his head.  He went into a coma on thursday morning.  All of the Church in Singapore, Malaysia, and several members of the Quorom of the 12 fasted for Elder Wiberg.  When Elder Scott and I were reporting with the Assistants this morning, we found out that he passed away late last night. 
I got to serve with Elder Wiberg for four months here in KL.  He's an awesome Elder- so humble and always happy to be around.  He's a good friend to so many people here.  It has been quite the morning so far.  President Mains spoke with his parents, and emailed us saying that Elder Wiberg's Father said that their son has now been transferred to a new area on the other side of the veil.  Please keep the Wiberg family in your prayers. 
This event has reminded a lot of us, especially me, to thoroughly be grateful for every moment we have been given here.  It is sobering to think that the breath of life that is in us is so fragile.  It has made me reevaluate how blessed I am to be where I am today- to be able to be in such a wonderful place, surrounded by some of the greatest people I've ever met.  Elder Scott and I were just talking last night about how beautiful God's plan is for each of us, especially in regards to the experiences we are able to have, and the unique individuals we get to cross paths with.  I'm grateful to be here today.  I'm thankful that I have another day to live, to enjoy all the blessings this life has to offer.  I'm also grateful and comforted for the message the Gospel brings.  I know attitudes would be much different if we didn't have the assurance and knowledge that we do.   I'm grateful for you all, as well.
Despite these tragic events, this week was also filled with some of the sweetest moments of the mission.  On Friday, Elder Stahle and I got to be reunited to do district leader exchanges.  It was great to be back with him.  He interviewed Alice, and she was baptized yesterday.  She gave such a sweet testimony afterwards, that left all the expats in tears.  President Woodford, our branch president, gave a nice welcome, and included a story where he came early to church, and found Alice sweeping the leaves in front of the entry way-- before she was even a member.  He was amazed at her devotion, and respect for her Father in Heaven. 
We had zone conference in Singapore this week, and it was great to see some old friends, eat some great food, and learn from President Mains.  I always love being with the other missionaries.  It's a refreshing boost. 
Elder Scott and I also had a unique experience.  We got to work with President Gerrit Gong, the Asia Area President and member of the 70, in some official church business here.  He has asked us not to talk about the details until it is official, because it is still in the works, but if it goes through, it would drastically change the mission dynamics here.  We got to go to his hotel room and discuss it with him, as well as learn from what direction he had for us.  It was very exciting, and I'm excited and praying for successful results. 
Hope you have a nice Sabbath day.  Good luck at BYU, Eric.

Elder Robinson


NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

pahit manis



Dear Family,
The title of this email in Bahasa literally translates to "bitter and sweet".  It is an expression used here to describe the ups and downs of life.  I find this title fitting for the past week.  A lot has happened. 
Perhaps I'll start with the "pahit".  Last Wednesday, a bus full of 37 people returning from Genting Highlands (a resort town on top of the mountains surrounding Kuala Lumpur) crashed through a fence and dropped down a cliff, killing all of the passengers.  It has been the talk of the city, and everyone is mourning it. 
A few days ago, an Elder Wiberg was hit by a car in Kuching.  He broke his shoulder, femur, and hip, as well as serious brain trauma.  In efforts to relieve the pressure on his brain, they performed a surgery on his head.  He went into a coma on thursday morning.  All of the Church in Singapore, Malaysia, and several members of the Quorom of the 12 fasted for Elder Wiberg.  When Elder Scott and I were reporting with the Assistants this morning, we found out that he passed away late last night. 
I got to serve with Elder Wiberg for four months here in KL.  He's an awesome Elder- so humble and always happy to be around.  He's a good friend to so many people here.  It has been quite the morning so far.  President Mains spoke with his parents, and emailed us saying that Elder Wiberg's Father said that their son has now been transferred to a new area on the other side of the veil.  Please keep the Wiberg family in your prayers. 
This event has reminded a lot of us, especially me, to thoroughly be grateful for every moment we have been given here.  It is sobering to think that the breath of life that is in us is so fragile.  It has made me reevaluate how blessed I am to be where I am today- to be able to be in such a wonderful place, surrounded by some of the greatest people I've ever met.  Elder Scott and I were just talking last night about how beautiful God's plan is for each of us, especially in regards to the experiences we are able to have, and the unique individuals we get to cross paths with.  I'm grateful to be here today.  I'm thankful that I have another day to live, to enjoy all the blessings this life has to offer.  I'm also grateful and comforted for the message the Gospel brings.  I know attitudes would be much different if we didn't have the assurance and knowledge that we do.   I'm grateful for you all, as well.
Despite these tragic events, this week was also filled with some of the sweetest moments of the mission.  On Friday, Elder Stahle and I got to be reunited to do district leader exchanges.  It was great to be back with him.  He interviewed Alice, and she was baptized yesterday.  She gave such a sweet testimony afterwards, that left all the expats in tears.  President Woodford, our branch president, gave a nice welcome, and included a story where he came early to church, and found Alice sweeping the leaves in front of the entry way-- before she was even a member.  He was amazed at her devotion, and respect for her Father in Heaven. 
We had zone conference in Singapore this week, and it was great to see some old friends, eat some great food, and learn from President Mains.  I always love being with the other missionaries.  It's a refreshing boost. 
Elder Scott and I also had a unique experience.  We got to work with President Gerrit Gong, the Asia Area President and member of the 70, in some official church business here.  He has asked us not to talk about the details until it is official, because it is still in the works, but if it goes through, it would drastically change the mission dynamics here.  We got to go to his hotel room and discuss it with him, as well as learn from what direction he had for us.  It was very exciting, and I'm excited and praying for successful results. 
Hope you have a nice Sabbath day.  Good luck at BYU, Eric. 

Elder Robinson

Friday, August 9, 2013

Dear Family,

This was just the best week imaginable.  Everything turned out SO WELL.  I don't know if I'll even remember most of it, but I'll give it a try.

Alice, one of our star investigators, introduced us to her sister in law, Padima, a few weeks ago, and we have been meeting with both of them.  Their lives have been changed as they continue to read the Book of Mormon.  Long story short, Padima has been having a hard time leaving her previous congregation (which only has 10 people in it), so she invited us to come to one of their prayer meetings.  We were hesitant, but decided to go.  It was a rather strange evening, but a good experience.  We stood for 35 minutes chanting in tamil.... their way of singing hymns.  I don't want to include too much of the details of what happened, because it was quite strange, but Padima left feeling hurt and empty.  Several days later, we brought a member to her house and watched the restoration video.  She was again touched, and determined to go to church.  

Yesterday, Alice, Padima, and her children came to church.  it was FANTASTIC.  The members were all over them!  People (independent of us asking) had saved seats for them all and brought toys for the little ones to play with.  It was fast and testimony meeting, and BOTH Alice and Padima rose to bear their testimony.  It had the whole branch tearing up.  Both of their testimonies were rooted in the Book of Mormon, in the power it has.  They both mentioned the family that the branch has become, and the nourishing feeling that these new relationships have brought.  After that, members began to bear their testimony towards them, and thanked them for their faith, and diligence in learning.  It makes me feel at ease knowing their testimonies are grounded in the Restoration.  It really is the tool for bringing about a lasting conversion to the Gospel.  After all three hours of church were over, they were beaming.  
Two members of the branch that have been helping us invited them over for dinner, and had us tag along.  Another member scheduled an appointment with them and asked US to follow O.o I think I have already mentioned this, but not only the investigators are being touched, but the members are too!  It's too private to say, but these sisters, and their families, have brought a real healing to several members lives.  It's so visible.  I was on cloud 9 all day yesterday.  

We had a very interesting experience on Wednesday.  We went down to Malacca to conduct a baptismal interview.  This was my first baptismal interview ever (which is odd for a ZL, usually they have that experience...) and it was so nice.  The woman that I interviewed has had such a trying life, and it is so hopeful to see the way she describes the Gospel changing her life.  She talked about the church was different.  She said they are all cheering her on, trying to help her, caring for her, and don't want anything in return.  When I asked if she thought she was ready to be baptized, she whispered, "I think so".  It was a powerful statement, and it was "all in the tone".  I love that even though this woman has spent her life trying to figure things out, even at her age, she can still have the hope expressed in those 3 words.  I love it.

What happened just after the interview is where the story gets weird.  Because she is a single mother with three kids, we had to bring another adult male.  There were four elders, and Elder Jensen (senior couple).  While Elder Scott was interviewing one of the kids, there was a text message received by the teenage daughter, some talk to the mom, and everyone getting nervous.  Apparently her ex was coming back to the house, expecting no one but the kids to be there.  We didn't know, but it turns out her ex is deeply involved with Indian black magic O.o (what even!!) and he shows up with some big tamil man.  He was shocked to see us there.  He was mad, and nervous all at the same time.  It was a very intense 10 minutes.  It scared the living daylights out of this family.  I guess while he was trying to talk to the kids, he had some sort of talisman/stone he was rubbing/chanting some sort of charm.  What even is malaysia.  Thankfully, he left without any real harm.  It's interesting how the Lord places us in the right places, at the right time.  

That's great to hear about *******.  From a missionary perspective, the best ways you can help is to just love her, and make her feel welcome, cared for, and at home.  From all the people we are working with, a conversion to the gospel is something that is done on an individual basis between an investigator and the Lord.  At the same time, the warmth and confidence that comes from the support and concern of others can often be the extra help they need. 

I told Alice and Padima that you sew, and they want you to make them something :D

KL is doing very well.  Elder Stahle is a district leader now, and is training down in Puchong (still in KL Zone)

OH!  Guess who I got to meet the other day?  The Trotters came to KL haha!  It was really good to see Elder Trotter again.  He is still the same.  His parents were very nice, and invited me up to their spread in South Dakota.  May have to take them up on that.

It's nice to see pics of the ranch.  Mom, you might need to delegate the whole picture taking thing to someone else.  

We also received the first wave of english elders/sisters for the mission.  Some missionaries are now getting their calls for english speaking here.  Elder Stahle's trainee is an english speaking one.  

I go to singapore on thursday for MLC.

Ok Bai
Elder Robinson

Friday, August 2, 2013

members, members, members

Dear Family,

Another very long/busy/rewarding week.  Where to start.

As Zone Leaders, we are supposed to go on exchanges with everyone in the zone at least one time per 6 week transfer, so we have been doing one a week.  Well, we planned to do exchanges with the Puchong elders this week.  We got a call late on Tuesday night from the Assistants that they ALSO would be doing exchanges with us for 48 hours!  Oh my word.  It was such a long couple of days.  Terrible idea to do multiple exchanges at the same time..... but we also had a lot of fun because of it!  We had plenty of work to do, and it was nice being able to have extra people there to help teach.  

Elder Parker (the Assistant) and Elder Smith (Puchong District Leader) followed me to KL, and the Elder Scott went with the others down to Puchong.  We had a lot of good talks about deep doctrine stuff-- lot of fun haha!  Elder Parker is leaving this week, as well as Elder Trotter, so it was good to hear his advice and input about the mission and missionary life.  

We also had two sisters transferred to KL, which is SO nice.  They don't have anything to do, so we had to fill them in on the branch, the work, and just about everything else.  It's so nice having them because now, since they don't have any work, they absorb all the busy work that we had to do!  It sounds bad, but they're perfect for it, and are doing some great things.  There are some serious pros to having a set of sisters and elders in a branch.  

As stated in the title, the highlight of this week was the members!  I can't believe how people are assuming position, and stepping up to the plate.  Missionary work takes on a whole new lead when there is a member there who is interested in helping another draw closer to Christ.  We have had several people approach us just this week and tell us, "we want to follow you to an appointment atleast once a week from now on".  It's fantastic.  What is really interesting to see is the effect it has on ALL parties involved.  There is a line in Preach My Gospel that talks about what an investigator needs to know and feel, what the missionaries need to know and feel, and what the members need to know and feel in order to help welcome a person in.  So true!  For example, Sis. Alice (one of our investigators) feels like she has a family because of all the people that come to her home, share their feelings, stories, etc, and also the same people that she sees on Sunday humbly worshiping.  The members have an opportunity to feel the missionary spirit, to get to know others in the area, and, as one of our members put it "it revived something that dulu mati [had died before]".  The missionaries feel the Spirit that sets the groundwork for continuing missionary work, as well as solidifies the work that we are doing.  We have had so many great experiences with the members.  

We had 2 new expat families move in the past two weeks.  The first just came from Seattle Area, and the ones that came yesterday came from the US Embassy in Uzbekistan.  They have 12 kids between the two families.  We have a primary and young women now.  haha.

I just got an email from Elder Crum, he is the new Zone Leader in Sibu Zone (Sarawak)!  I'm super excited to go to MLC in two weeks now.  Elder Mayo, Elder Crum, and me as ZLs... who would have thought!  Fun times ahead!

Do you remember me telling you about the Dr. Bertin in Hong Kong mailing me the iPod for the random chinese guy?  Well, Elder Scott and I tried to find this guy, and spent an entire afternnon looking for his office building... and couldn't.  Well, I have been keeping the iPod in my bag, just in case, and while I was on exchanges with Elder Smith, we just so happened to have an appointment near Bukit bintang.  It finished early, and another appointment fell through, so we had some extra time, so we decided to go give the iPod another try.  This road, Jalan Raja Chulan, is just lined with tall office buildings and hotels... so we were lost.  Btw, no one knows the numbers of the buildings here.  Finally, I saw a DHL man, and literally sprinted to ask him.  Of course, he knew, and pointed us to the building we were right in front of.  We asked the security guy at the front desk, and he took us straight to this man's office.  We walked into this nice office, with a little chinese old man sitting behind a massive desk, sipping on a little cup of tea.  He gave us the funniest look, and asked what we wanted.  I pulled out his iPod, and his demeanor completely changed!  It was a really nice meeting.  We was shocked that so many people would go out of their way to deliver a small iPod to him, and that we wouldn't accept any type of reward!  We talked for about a half hour about what we do, and he was very interested.  He gladly accepted a book of mormon, and really wanted to get in contact with Elder Dr Bertin in Hong Kong.  I'm sending him the email right now.  It's amazing what little ways the Lord uses to spread his work.

Also, just send stuff to Singapore for now.  I keep forgetting to get the address, and I go there every month.  

A lot more happened this week, but I can't remember too much.  Transfers are this morning, so everyone is on edge haha.

Bai
Elder Robinson


NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.