Singapore, Malaysia, and the Rest

Well hello everyone, I hope you are all doing well and are happy. I am writing you this email from inside a small internet cafe in Malaysia, about a 30 minute train ride from my area: Klang. So far things have been good, there is definitely an adjustment to be had but I am doing well. :)

I figure I'll start out at the beginning. Leaving the MTC meant leaving a lot of good friends who I have gotten to know and have enjoyed spending time with. So... you will see a couple pictures with me and some others on our last temple walk. In fact, I had a lot of "lasts" this last week and a half. Last time at the temple for two years, last time in all the buildings at the MTC, last MTC lunch (very sad occasion :).

But all good things must come to an end. We rode the train to the airport and then called home and got food before we flew to LA - which is a massive airport. After LA we got on a 15 hour flight to Hong Kong. Because we got on atmidnight and we traveled west, we traveled with the sun and so had complete darkness outside the whole plane ride. When we landed in Hong Kong I could see the humidity on the windows, and figured that this would be the last time I was dry for two years. From Hong Kong we landed in Singapore and met the mission president and his wife, the AP's, and we had lunch.

After eating at the Airport, the President and his Assistants led us up to a car and gave us all a Book of Mormon and pass along cards. It was our job from the train ride from the airport to the chapel/mission headquarters to hand them out. I went with an AP and we got talking to a Chinese man. The AP was an English missionary so I got to explain about what the Book of Mormon was, and bear my testimony in Chinese to the man, and then give him the book. It was really cool and I felt the spirit. Then the AP and the man talked and they exchanged phone numbers.

We stayed in Singapore for a night at the mission home (an old Chinese polygamists home - fun fact) and then went to the chapel the next morning for new companions and mission assignments. I didn't realize that we would only be able to take 66 pounds of stuff to our area and then have to leave the rest in Singapore so I had a good time cramming and selectively choosing what I wanted to bring.

I was assigned to be Elder Rogers' companion and serve in Klang. So we picked up our stuff and took a flight over to Kuala Lumpur. We eventually arrived in Klang after many long train rides. I included pictures from our apartment - both the view and what is inside. Our apartment is definitely one of the nicer buildings around. It is interesting that in Malaysia, big buildings dot the land, and our apartment is one of those. We are on the 9th of around 25 floors. It is a cool view and the apartment is actually pretty nice, with air conditioning to save us at night and allow us to sleep.

It is hard to be a missionary. Elder Rogers and I are both new to the area, and that is why we had to have different Elders take us to our building. Elder Rogers has been out about 6 months and he has been out the longest out of anyone in our district. We got to our area with no investigators or knowledge of the area. White Washed. This is the term they use when they send two new elders to an area. We have spent some time cycling around and trying to understand where we are. Because we were new, my first meal in Malaysia was very authentic: McDonalds. Don't worry though I had some bek ku teh yesterday...I honestly have no idea what was in it. There was some meat... and other things...they all seemed pretty fatty and slimy and they didn't honestly taste very good. No worries though because I am sure that this is just conditioning: I'll grow to like it.

We are the first elders in this area to be Mandarin Speakers: and I'm not surprised. I have spoke almost exclusively in English since I have gotten here - but I still have trouble understanding the language. There are heavy accents and the English used is often in a weird order. There are also plenty of other languages that are frequently used: Tamil and Malay are dominant.

Anyway that is a lot, sorry if I bored you. My Chinese is starting to suffer because I am not speaking it. But the Church is true. This is something that I believe with all my heart and I am able to witness the fruits of this through small experiences that I have. Thoughts and impressions that bring comfort and clarity have been a huge blessing while I have been out here. Part of the struggle is just the adjustment: going to church with 20 people and preparing for it by sweeping up cockroaches, trying to spread a message that most people don't want to hear, and learning how to communicate and act in a new culture.

I am not even close to feeling comfortable but I have a lot of hope that I can become comfortable. Elder M Russel Ballard spoke to us the day before we left the MTC (4 apostles in 9 weeks!) and he said what he wished he had figured out sooner was that he was just there to give his time to the Lord. It is my prayer that I can do that. I know that we can all become better, but we need to be patient and not get discouraged. We also can't give up.

The work is good in Malaysia. The Church is true: no doubt about it.

Sincerely

Elder Allen

Note from Mary:  According to a travel website, Klang is famous for its seafood and "Bak Kut Teh" restaurants.

Bak Kut Teh (肉骨茶)

The dish that started it all: bak kut teh at the Old Stall

Klang is the original home of Bak Kut Teh (literally "pork rib tea"). You would not be forgiven for mistaking this with Singapore's version of peppery, clear broth Bak Kut Teh. This Klang-style Bak Kut Teh contains pork ribs that are cooked in a strong, thick herbal stock, served with tea on the side. Understanding the anatomy of a pig is crucial in picking the right type of meat of your liking.