Oct 12 2014 - Thanksgiving

Hey this was the last zone meeting in Sibu

Hello Everyone!

Just saw on LDS Newsroom the statistics for meet the mormons (a movie playing in some theatres this week) haha, looked pretty cool.

I'm downloading General Conference talks right now, so that we can share them with members, and to have them for study! General conference was so incredible. (It's still super cool to be able to watch it in 2 languages)

I like pretty much all the talks haha, but a few of my thoughts on the talks in general, the General Authorities made a definite emphasis on Priesthood Power, Organization, and how this is God's Church. It seemed to me that General conference was almost stern, trying to correct some of the passiveness that has snuck into the church.  I found that the last session was very strong and bold, as well as priesthood session.

I enjoyed how the apostles were very bold this conference in declaring how they are apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.

My favourite talk however, was addressed to the non-members of the world, by David A Bednar, and although the main focus was investigators, the talk was well written to the members. The analogy of his sons was incredible, and I encourage anyone and everyone to read and study that talk.

His notes on our individual responsibility:

"Devoted disciples of Jesus Christ always have been and always will be valiant missionaries. A missionary is a follower of Christ who testifies of Him as the Redeemer and proclaims the truths of His gospel."

"88,000 full-time missionaries laboring in over 150 sovereign states around the world. These remarkable men and women help the members of our Church fulfill the divinely appointed and individual responsibility each of us has to proclaim the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ (see D&C 68:1)."

and his boldness in declaring the gospel:
"Absolute truth exists in a world that increasingly disdains and dismisses absolutes. In a future day, “every knee [shall] bow” and “every tongue [shall] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10–11). Jesus the Christ absolutely is the Only Begotten Son of the Eternal Father. As members of His Church, we witness He lives and His Church has been restored in its fulness in these latter days."

"As one of the Lord’s Apostles, and with all of the energy of my soul, I bear witness of His divinity and reality. And I invite you to “come and see” (John 1:39), in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

(I'd also like if mom could put the conference video on my FB with the caption: "Why I'm serving a mission")

Letter that he sent to the family for Thanksgiving

Well for thanksgiving (I hope I'm not too late, but if I am I guess this is just for you!) I've been thinking about family a lot, this last weekend I had the opportunity to watch the leaders of the LDS church give counsel and advice, and all the talks (as usual) are centered on the family and happiness.

The home can truly be heaven on Earth, and when a family is gathered together, we come together emotionally. Sometimes we gather, and we are still thousands of miles apart, but we put our best foot forward to be with our family.

If there is one thing I've learned as I've been learning and serving in Malaysia, it is that the family is the basis of everything. A family gives a home, where all members of the family can come into, and take refuge from the outside world, and grow together.

I miss the family, but I know, as I've sacrificed two years away from my family, I've helped others have their families for eternity, and I know that I have the chance to be with mine for forever.  I'm glad for the home I was brought up in, the relationship of my parents, and what they taught me has taken me to great places, and supported me as an individual. I hope that I will be able to come home and follow their example, and be an incredible, dedicated father later in life. I know that my parents have given everything they can to their kids, and I hope that I will one day be able to make my home, a heaven on Earth.

I miss you all, and look forward to the next thanksgiving, where I will be able to meet, eat, and play football together with every one.

With love,

Elder Brent Bester

Baptisms! - Oct 5, 2014

How were the baptisms, did everything go ok?

The baptisms went great! All 5 got baptized, however, as Melvin was leaving the baptism, he got a call that someone in his family had died, so he was unable to get the holy ghost this week so he will be getting it on the coming sunday.

Coleman is leaving on his mission this week.

 

Coleman is gonna be a beast, I'm excited to hear about him... what is his mission email?

Do you want me to send stuff for Christmas, or maybe buy you some music, or just put some money in your account?

Music is great... but I really don't have much time...

Money sounds like a good option :P

Also! There were two people who came back from the temple from our branch! The first two to ever get sealed in our branch! (There have been 2 others endowed, both currently on missions (Elder Takin, came back and baptized 3 of the people (because they were his family) this last saturday))

 

Our next investigator getting baptized (Oct 25) her name is V, she is 14, which is cool cause it's like baptizing mom!

Do you watch all of conference, just Sunday, do you watch on Saturday and Sunday? Just Sunday? Do you have to translate?

Haven't watched any of it. They pay people (returned missionaries) to translate it in Salt Lake... they send a flash drive of general conference in Malay. Watch it on both days

also just for information I've been a little sick, but life is good

Mom don't freak out

This of course prompted me to send questions...

A little hot, but I am fine. note that I said "just for information" and not for "mom should freak out and ask questions about it :P "

anyways I'm outa here! Jumpa Lagi!

 

 

Sept 1 2014 - Awesome p-day

HEY EVERYONE!

So quick stories, last monday after e-mail we went to the Bashaw's house with S and ate and talked with the Singapore stake president! He works for seminary/institute, and came to Mukah to meet and talk with S (the teacher... who is preparing for his mission...) it was absolutley awesome, I realized that it was the first time I had every just sat down and had dinner with a stake president (although on my mission I've eaten with a few district presidents)

The Zone Leaders came on splits this week (that was a lot of fun) on the way home we were riding (in a lighted area... with lights on) and a drunk guy on a moto hit us! Luckily no body injuries and all my bikes injuries have been healed :P

I did the ALS challenge today! (I'll send a video next week... or you could FB the Bashaw's and they could send you it) and nominated Kirsten, Russell, and Brendan, I don't care if they have already done it, I'm freaking nominating them from Malaysia... so they better do it again :p

Sibu Jaya Branch came up to Mukah today, and they went to a beach by our branch President's long house, so we went with them today, with a few members from our branch, that was so much fun! played on the beach and I got slightly sun burnt... so I'll be really dark soon! woot!

I'm emailing later today because we went to teach our investigators instead of having a p-day :P so sorry I was un-able to chat back and forth today

I'm sure there is more stories, but things kinda melt together :P So i'll just explain missionary work in Malaysia when I get back next year.

It was weird waking up on the 28th and realizing that the next 28 August I would be in Canada... I think I'm just gonna apply for a Malaysian passport and live in Sarawak instead :P

We are having miracles with investigators going to church, we had 52 people at church this week (first week 30, last week 46) so everything is going really well.

I wish every one good luck as they get ready for school!

Jumpa Lagi!
Elder Bester

Sept 28, 2014 - Talent Show

Hello!

So this week has been absolutely awesome investigators passed their interviews for baptism, and 5 baptisms (fingers crossed) on Saturday!

There is an awesome old couple that is (currently on a plane) going to Manila! The first 2 people to be sealed from the branch...EVER! It is so exciting, The branch is on fire right now, the new branch presidency has sparked a change (The presidency changed the week before I got here) there hadn't been baptisms in 2 years in the branch, there was 1 right before I got here, now 5 more this week, and even more to come in October, it is so incredible to see the miracles around us, as the Lord's work continues.

The work in Mukah has reminded me of a few scriptures

Doctrine and Covenants 3:1-2

 1 The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught.

 2 For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.

and

Doctrine and Covenants 88:73

73 Behold, I will hasten my work in its time.

 

The work is continuing forward!

Jumpa Lagi

Elder Bester

 

Oh ya! I totally forgot! Our branch had a talent show this last saturday... so that is where some of the pictures are from. There is a picture of our branch president playing drums with his brother (branch clerk) playing the guitar. The older brother of Elder Takin singing (he does shows, he cancelled a show in Kapit so he could go to his parents' baptism)

Last p-day we took pictures with the blue prawn... cause that is about all there is to do in Mukah :P

Sister D did a traditional Iban dance

We did a thing for the talent show, we sang the song "Kantoi" with S, that was fun :P

 

 

Sept 21, 2014 - Staying in Mukah

Well Everyone! How was this last week? Mine has been crazy! All over the mission, Kapit, Kuching, Sibu, Singapore, and finally Mukah! We had 54 people at church this week! It was so good! Some awesome people getting ready to be baptized, I met Elder Takin, who is from Mukah and is currently serving in JB! His dad has quit smoking! and is able to be baptized on the 4th of October (so far, still needs to hold out)

Exciting that Coleman went to the temple, I hope he goes multiple times before the MTC...

I'm waiting for transfer news, so far none, I had no problems at borders this week, but an entire zone  got black chops (7 days to get out of Malaysia) so might not have news for a while... A church attorney is flying down to meet with immigration Malaysia today :P

this happens a lot.. people get chopped, they just go back to Singapore or go to Indonesia for a couple days :P will see though, because there are a lot :P a lot of Americans (which is why I feel safe going through borders because I always have a different passport than everyone :P) although the other Canadian Malay Elder got questioned in KL.

Speaking of going through Kuching, me and Elder Sutherland had a 4 hour lay over in Kuching and went to Batu 7 to see members, and I got to see R and P! A was at work, but I saw his wife. Saw a ton of people in not much time. Wanted to see some more, but no transport and no time.

Elder Sutherland has pictures and I'm gonna get him to e-mail them.

Then the next night I was in Sibu 2, and bused up to Mukah, so in 24 hours I'd been in all 3 of my areas!

Also the border thing isn't that big a deal, people get stamped every zone conference. Luckily no one was deported this time.

Also speaking of deported, Sister Simon some how had my camera (no SD card :/) So I got my old camera back!

So I just got transfer news, and Me and Elder Shorts are staying together in Mukah!

Elder Reynolds is training! So I'm excited for him, and Elder Harr is zone leader in Miri! other stuff also, but that is the highlights

Jumpa Lagi!

Elder Bester

Sept 15 2014 - Visit to Kapit

I love Malaysia so much, especially Sarawak, I have gotten to see so many cool things, I went to a town called Kapit today to visit some members. To go to Kapit you have to take a boat for 3-4 hours, (there is no road) and it is a pretty big town (bigger than Mukah) with a lot of people, but our church isn't there yet (although missionaries always ask President to open it). The family we saw has already been married in the temple, and they were so awesome! Kapit is one of the most beautiful places in the world!

 

I'm uploading a bunch of pictures... but might not all have time (sorry I'm in Sarawak... so biasa :P) (if I was in Singapore i could send anything :P)

The picutres looked awesome, and I was stoked to see Monster Trucks! I can't believe it snowed... considering it was 30 the day I left...

A few people (2) (including you guys) mentioned the trees falling all over the place cause of snow. You'd think the trees would know they're in Calgary, and not have this problem :P

Also so pictures, there is a picture of me with Brother J (cause I saw him last week)

 

Pictures of Sibu (the swan and the fountian with Elder Shorts)

 

Pictures of us on the boat going to Kapit

Sleeping Elders on the boat to Kapit (6 in the morning...)

Pictures of the Kapit port

 

Elder Jahali (from Kuching) (just cause he's funny :P)

The family we went to see in Kapit!

Downtown Kapit

Elder Jahali playing an Iban instrument (he's Iban...)

Us buying bead things from a lady in the Kapit Market

 

Monkey, Snake, etc (Also I got stung by a massive bee right there, and the brother we were following found some old lady with cream or something haha it was funny because just previous I was thinking "What would happen if someone got hurt" I had no real injuries and I'm totally fine.

Various other shots of Kapit :P

Jumpa Lagi!

Elder Bester