Great Zone Conference Week in the LION CITY🦁 9 day week from the 13th-22nd. Zone Conference week so our P-day is this Wednesday. Unfortunately, with traveling restrictions and everything going on with people getting chopped from moving from Singapore and Malaysia constantly, this Zone Conference was NOT in Kuala Lumpur. It switches off every 6 weeks between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Last Zone Conference was Singapore and everyone from west Malaysia got to come down, but now it's just only the Singapore missionaries are having Singapore Zone conference. Kinda weird. Not like how it's usually done. So this one should've been us Singapore missionaries flying up to Kuala Lumpur, but we did not unfortunately. Still really miss Malaysia and was hoping to see other Elders that are currently serving in West Malaysia at Zone Conference in Kuala Lumpur, but it's all good. They can't keep Elder Stevens and I away for too long.
Of course, we just absolutely gave our all this week though. I'm happy Elder Marshall and I counseled last Sunday night. Counseling works. Doesn't magically solve problems but it helps. Sometimes that change from one companion to the next is harder than a change from one area to the next. I'm happy that week and a half happened because it really really pushed me out of my comfort zone and I grew a lot from it. Elder Marshall and I rarely talk still, but I've come to let go of any control over the situation. To just accept that that's who he is and not to worry. Great opportunity to practice what I had preached a couple of weeks ago in eliminating outcomes and focusing on action and mindset. Or effort/attitude. Elder Buckner wasn't lying when he taught us about hard companionship and marriage preparation as well🤷🏻♂️ I sure hope my fast friend and I don't ever have to get to that point.
What am I saying memang it'll happen.
Whatever--we're locked out here in Sing City.
SINGAPORE MISSION STUFF TRANSFER 7. WEEK 44. 380 DAYS LEFT.
MARILAH
P-night
- great P-night. We didn't know where to go because for some reason we just didn't plan so went to Caldecott and not a SOUL was there because Elder Marshall refuses to take my advice on what actually worked from last transfer, but we had prayed where to go and Elder Marshall was led to Caldecott, so we went there. Met a Sabahan Malaysian Christian. So rare. One cool thing was this 17-year-old Bro who we stopped originally who wasn't interested but came back again and asked Elder Marshall a question. I didn't hear the question he asked but I felt like I needed to keep talking with him. I asked him what question he had just asked Elder Marshall and so anyways we ended up getting into a 10-minute-long conversation about who we were, what we were doing, why we're here, what church were from, just all the good stuff. I offered to read a verse from the Book of Mormon, he declined, offered the QR code on my phone for the Book of Mormon, also declined, and then invited him to church, also declined. I know in my heart we were supposed to be in Caldecott for that one kid. A massive seed was planted that night. The fact we got a second a chance and that he was curious enough to listen to all that. Next time he sees us, he could come. Love it.
Tuesday- exchanges with Elder Leavitt for 3rd Ward🇵🇭 got to find Filipinas all day🙏🏻 3rd Ward is the Filipino Ward here in Singapore. So much fun. Of course, 3rd Ward finding is so much different than Newton finding. In Newton it's super-fast paced. Head on a swivel, running people down, sharing Books of Mormon with educated Singaporean Chinese and heard heated prideful people all day. Just so much rejection. But with 3rd Ward, it's awesome. You only stop and talk to Filipino helpers, and you literally just say to them, "Hey, we do video calls at night and like to teach people more about Jesus. Can I take your phone and put in my contact information and have you text us from your side." It's so smart because then at the end of the night, we (the 3rd Ward Elders, of course, I'm still a Newton Elder) just check their unread, add them to all to the calls. (They also do that because they don't want their own Whatsapp to be blocked when they add a ton of new numbers) Pretty much any Filipina that joins is getting baptized. Rinse and repeat and that's how 3rd Ward is the highest baptizing area/ward in the entire mission. Elder Caldwell I'm sure can back me up here. Filipinos are just elect. Especially here in Singapore. They're just more humble and ready to receive the word of God.
Anyways, it was so much fun to just stop these Filipino helpers and then they scan the QR code on my phone, I then proceed to TAKE THIER PHONE, willingly of course, and then text our number on their phone. It's actually so funny. It works. Anyways, great day. Elder Leavitt is so awesome. These exchanges are so clutch. Elder Leavitt was so kind. I was able to kind of talk to him about my companionship and he just listened and gave advice. We laughed and had a great day. Worked hard. Loved it. It's how it should be.
Wednesday- calm cool day with Elder Marshall. Got it done. Found in Dhoby Ghaut for two hours. Went to Tao Payoh for an appointment that fell through. Studies and then found in City Hall for two and a half hours. Went Back to Newton and had some calls. Tried to get Wingstop for the first time with Elder Marshall, but it was packed. Met some cool people in City Hall. Got alcohol (I think?) poured on me by some small Burmese woman after I spoke the little Burmese I knew to her. She was like 4 feet tall but luckily, I instinctively didn't put my hands on her or anything. I just kinda scrambled off. Hari yang betul betul sangat gila. Day which truly very crazy.
Thursday- another day with Elder Marshall. They're getting tolerable. (reviewing my email on Tuesday during Zone Conference, right now at 9:01am, and it's really not tolerable. It's actually just borderline abusive behavior and I'm still counting down the days) but let's just say that I don't come home and want to call President Ho for an emergency transfer, at least. We have to counsel a lot which is never fun. We're making it work.
Had weekly planning but we found in Bishan first. It was alright. Cops were there so we left. We actually went back to Bishan and that was the best finding block of the entire transfer. So good. So many people. Absolutely flying around. There were these pop-up hiring stands off to the side of the little plaza we were in, in Junction 8 Mall in Bishan and these volunteer bros were just watching us, Elder Marshall and I just absolutely hawk every single person down. I think I shared like 8 Books of Mormon, met so many chill YSA bros. By the time we were leaving, the volunteer bros that are trying to hire people for their companies asked me If I wanted to work for them. That was awesome. Had a lot of cool conversations, I was kneeling down talking to this one guy sitting down and he ended up saying that he has studied "Mormonism." Sadly for him I have absolutely no clue what "Mormonism" is because we don't study the prophet Mormon life and earthly ministry, we study Jesus Christ but anyways he was saying a bunch of random heresy and claimed we believed all it. He was calm, I was calm. He eventually just broke off into some prayer for me, and I was just smiling the whole time. This is what I love about Singapore. You get serious, educated people who just are bold enough to come at you and you just gotta be the bigger person. I'm not gonna lie, Elder Huntley and I weren't taking any of it but being around Marshall, I have had to tone it down. It's good though. Anyways, this Chinese uncle finished his prayer, he didn't say amen or address Heavenly Father, but I thought I would say amen for him. Stood up and tried to give him a handshake, and he wasn't going for it. Just that whole interaction taught me so much. I could've butted in as he was calmly reviewing the "doctrine" that we supposedly believe in, but there's no point. He didn't have a desire to want to learn more. I invited him to read the Book of Mormon and that it would change his life, and he didn't say a word. Just a really interesting interaction. I was kneeling there on one knee. In a smaller crowded area with so many people around and I just couldn't stop smiling with this man. Going from flying around and trying to stop everyone to then having a calm still moment. Everything else faded. That whole finding block I was overcome with the love of others. Especially this man who sadly has been led astray. It felt good to be the bigger person, too. I've had to learn a lot of that these last couple weeks. It's good.
Friday- Friday was awesome. We went over to a baptized-but-not officially-baptized Chinese uncle's house in Katong Park. He was "baptized" 40 years ago in Panama. But this uncle isn't in the record books. He's retired and wants to meet with us at his super insanely nice apartment near the ocean, and the view is incredible. Such a nice area of Singapore. So, we might have to rebaptize this guy, but anyways we met with him, and it was great. Talked with him for about an hour and he wanted to know more church history. Of course, I had to bring up the fact I'm related to the man, Israel Barlow. He thought it was so cool. It is. Got some Mcgriddles too from McDonald's. Great morning. We helped our Spaniard bro do his family history work again in the family history room at the church while doing our personal study. I think this Javier guy (from Spain🇪🇸) is starting to become more and more interested in what we do every time he comes over. It's so cool, too. He's doing family history work for his Spanish ancestors. ¡Viva! Sepanyol🇪🇸 Anyways we went and found in Maxwell. Called and put a past on-date, on-date for baptism again. Hopefully he can make it all the way. Got Shake Shack for lunch. Went to Bouna Vista, did some finding there. Really good finding once we changed our spot. Went to Kent Ridge for an appointment, but it fell through. Met with a member, she gave us food.
Went to Harbour Front and I thought it was going to be trash because Elder Huntley and I went there last time and there wasn't a singular person outside. I should've known this time around it was going to be a lot better because it was a Friday night and we were finding on Sentosa boardwalk. We also were at a different part of HarbourFront than we were last time. So memang place was jumping. Anyways it was the most chill finding block ever. Just walking down the boardwalk. Had this one just normal heart to heart conversations with this one Bro who was smoking. We just INSTANTLY connected and we were both looking out over the ocean and it was just so funny looking back on it, like I didn't even mention Jesus. At the end I was just like, "Bro, you're always invited to Church" (memang he already knew my purpose, everyone already here does) He was asking me how my mission was going and how I got out here and where I've lived in Malaysia, how long I've been out. We were talking about how Singapore is small, and I don't even know I loved that so much. He didn't treat me like a missionary or anything. We were just bros and talking about life. Mind you, my companion does not speak to me if it's not about missionary work. Clutch. Met this other really chill guy named Prince from Manila. I won't say much but let's just say by the end, I was scrolling Elder Caldwell's photo album and telling and showing Prince every single church we have in and around Manila and the exact town he's from and where the nearest church was. Showed him the Manila Philippines temple. Shared the Book of Mormon. Told him about the difference between temple and churches. Told him other doctrinal stuff. He was super super interested. He's actually getting baptized so fast when he goes back to Manila. Even mentioned Bishop Divine to him and all the missionaries we have had in and around Manila and church history. I'm telling, we talked about so much. Prince. Shoutout. Went back to the church, did calls and called it a night.
Saturday- exchanges with Elder Moyer for Sembawang🇲🇲
3/4th day exchange with the man, Elder Moyer. He actually was in the same high-school Chinese class as my MTC companion, Elder Stevens and grew up playing soccer with him, so he's equally a stud as well. Parker, Colorado apparently breeds amazing people. We found all the Burmese helpers the whole day in our Polos no tag on. It was fun. Kind of boring. I loveeee my Newton finding. Talking to every soul instead of just one select group of people. We got Wingstop for lunch and then did more finding in the tunnel in Clementi. Then headed to the church to hear Elder Causse speak at Singapore Stake Conference.
It was a great adult session that night and the highlight of the night was when Elder Marshall and I were talking to this one member about a friend he had given us. Elder Causse was making his way out of the room. Usually, the apostle leaves first but for some reason, I don't think if Singapore members know the courtesy. Anyways, we were standing behind the first row of all the benches in the chapel. Anyways, whatever, I'm not gonna paint the picture I give up, Elder Causse walks right by me and gives me a handshake. So awesome. I got sooo excited when I saw him make the turn down the aisle towards me. He gave a very soft kind handshake. Also shook his wife's hand. He's so awesome. If you know me, I LOVE France, French, the culture, the people, the flag, the history, and the country of France. It's where I wanted to go on my mission and I prayed so hard to go somewhere in France or just to speak French anywhere. But of course, I needed to come and be here in the heart of southeast Asia. Man, I'm so grateful he sent me to Malaysia and Singapore. What a mission man. What a place. Now I LOVE the JALUR GEMILANG🇲🇾 and 5 stars of Singapore🇸🇬 I loveeee the duality of both nations and its culture and people. I loveeeee with all my heart Malaysians and Singaporeans. They drive me a little crazy sometimes, but it's righteous frustration. I can't describe every little cool thing about this mission and how it works all on an email. Anyways. Shoutout, France. Got to shake the hand of an Apostle from France. Let's go.
Sunday- Sunday session of Stake Conference and it was great. New stake president and they are going to redraw the boundaries out here which will make things interesting. We got our friends to church and then went out and found in Dakota and then Orchard and then Novena. Pretty rough day. There was just contention in the air. I get pretty antsy around Elder Marshall in general. We walk so fast and I have no time to really take anything in and so I always feel super super rushed + I'm completely alone other than getting rejected 200+ times a day by rich Singaporeans who are "free thinkers". Don't get me wrong, Singapore is cool and all, but man, Newton is a tough place to serve. We don't keep anyone we find as we pass them off to other companionships, and we find in downtown business central part of Singapore so memang everyone is successful and they don't feel like they need the Gospel. I don't even know. Anyways. Little to no point in finding when there's that contention in the air. It's pretty frustrating. It's really frustrating actually. It's like Elder, this is what we did last transfer. We can't keep going to City Hall every singular day. I don't even know. I just have to submit and do nothing and say nothing or there'll be contention if I do. It's lose lose. Either way, he doesn't show me any love, so how am I supposed to know when I'm doing the right thing in finding or teaching? It's hard. As we got to Novena and I was feeling pretty frustrated and super tired, feeling pretty faint, was super-hot outside, it's been actually ridiculously humid here in Singapore, it's actually not even okay. and all of our lessons fell through.
Missions are hard
I said a prayer in my heart
and my mind caught hold upon the fact that God is still a God of miracles.
I thought about Moroni and the travails of a lonely man, like myself, of God trying to do all he can to bring others unto Christ. I feel similar to a lesser extent. Took one look at Moroni burying the plates (my favorite picture of all time) and started walking the bridge.
Ended up finding this super awesome 15-year-old and ended up inviting him to be baptized on first contact. Stood and taught him the entire restoration, told him the entire First Vision. Shoutout, Jared. He asked me a couple of questions, shared the Book of Mormon with him. Hopefully we can take him all the way. Really cool miracle that God delivered. There were very few people on the bridge that night, but God knew we both had to be there. I tried telling all my thoughts and the experiences I just had with my business partner, but if it doesn't concern baptism, of course, he's not too intrigued. Such a joke. 23 days left with business partner.
Monday- not p-day. Still woke up and got ready super-fast at the crack of dawn to go and do our Zone Conference service in Sengkang. Took an hour to get over there. Got some Mcgriddles from Mcds memang had to. It was great service. Went and hung out with some of the seniors and played games with them. Went back to the church and did Personal study and then I got my blitz companion for the day. I went with ELDER STEWART AGAINNNNNNN. Back-to-back Singapore Zone Conferences with Elder Stewart. When our ZL read out the blitz exchange companionship, I was literally saying to myself like, "Well, I'm not getting Elder Stewart again." Then he says us two are together and we both just look at each other in so much confusion. It was so funny.
We got assigned to Queenstown for the day. It was good. Did a little bit of finding in Bishan. Had interviews. Interviews went so good. Basically, just got to tell President Ho everything about the companionship and what was going on and yeah President Ho literally said he felt sad for me and almost started crying for me when I told him that Elder Marshall calls me his business partner. He told me to focus on what I can control, and he was just really supportive and uplifting. Pretty sure Elder Marshall and I won't get that 2nd transfer together, and President Ho seemed to really be on my side (that sounds bad, but you know what I mean) of "Your assigned companion needs to be your best friend," like yeah, you think? It's obvious, but clearly, I'm still the business partner unfortunately. All good. 3 weeks left--gotta keep grinding. Sister Ho also told me to have the "Countenance of Jesus Christ" and to let the little things go and focus on what I can control. That this will make me a more caring and compassionate person. Which is so true. I have grown so much in those areas. Anyways, great stuff. Left feeling the Spirit and felt seen and heard. So important, so crucial. Anyways went out with Elder Stewart again for the 2nd Zone Conference in a row and we found in Queenstown for little bit. It was great. There's of course a lot I can journal, but I will try and make this short email which is actually so long, it's getting a Lil crazy. Met this Melayu Muslim guy named David who I met a couple months ago in Singapore on the same trail in Queenstown or maybe somewhere else, and he recognized and stopped me, and we ended up having a really interesting and deep 5-minute conversation. He was bewildered I could speak Malay and understand his Malay and that I lived out in Sarawak. He couldn't believe I was so far away from my family and only 20 years old. Then he mentioned that he was seeking for truth, and that he was going to travel the world to find it.
When he was speaking, I felt the Spirit so strong yet again. It shatters my heart again even just typing it out that I couldn't preach to that man. I felt so much love and confirmation from the Spirit that one day he will find the gospel and it will change his life forever. We talked about life and its challenges, and I just wish I could tell him the name Jesus Christ.
By the way, that entire time in the conversation my Malay was so much magically better than it has been over the last couple weeks. I actually could just speak Malay so well and didn't even have to really lock in and try. Gift of tongues had to kick in and yeah, I literally felt my tongue constrained and my mind blank from saying or thinking about the name Jesus Christ with him. The Spirit literally basically made it, I feel like, so I couldn't give him just that name. The name that changes everything. That has changed my life. I know it can and will change David's life. His Muslim was name was Da'hul so Shoutout him. Hopefully one day I get to be Penatua Barlow and preach to him in spirit prison or something. By the way preaching to Muslims and converting them in Singapore is TECHNICALLY legal. It's still very frowned upon, but TECHNICALLY we could if we really wanted to. But I don't know man, it's hard to explain. It's just not that guy's time yet. God's got him in his hands. He knows him and his needs. I needed that spiritual confirmation and witness from the Spirit that God loves his children of Malaysia and all Muslim countries that cannot and are not able to hear the message of the gospel due to the craftiness of men. God will not suffer that they will not get a chance in this life or the next. It's comforting. Great day.
We ended our finding super early and just went and got Chick fil a. Elder Stewart and I were both so exhausted from the week, so we took it easy for sure. Last time I was with Elder Stewart in beauty World, I lost my voice because I went way too hard for a Zone Conference Blitz. Didn't wanna have that happen again. Anyways. Met at the church. Miracle share time. Transfer slides. Then had a half an hour with Elder Marshall from 8:00pm to 9:30 to finish the night. We had SEVEN calls and ALL of them fell through. We went finding in the rain and went to Tao Payoh and I found a really cool YSA girl named Jeena who was super interested in the Book of Mormon. It was awesome. Went home and called it a night.
Okay, yeahkah this email is actually so long there's just so much going on and it's a longer week. I'll save Zone Conference stuff for next week. Love y'all I gotta wrap this up. I'll finish out with a couple thoughts.
One thing, out of the many, I learned this week from counseling with Elder Marshall was that sometimes the failures are needed. Memang I don't want to be accused of "hindering" baptisms, but I started off the counseling, as usual, and I just told him that of course I do not want to hinder. He told me he said it out of anger. We made up and I told him that I am mainly on a mission and still on a mission to enjoy it and deepen my conversion. To experience and to grow closer to Jesus Christ and to meet people. Like that's why I'm out here. For him it's literally only wanting to baptize (which is awesome) So even our whys are different. We do everything different. That's why we're together. Then I got into the point of what I was trying to say and I told him, "Elder, we are both built on the rock of eternity. If we get up, we cannot fail. Failure is such a necessity of life. Every time Elder Marshall and I "fail," we are improving. We are both learning. I told him, "Elder, we are getting this 2nd transfer. The goal is to be unified by that second transfer. The Lord is letting us get 6 weeks to work it out and then we baptize next transfer. This is the set-up transfer. We just need to keep getting up and going out the door and working through things. As long as any of us keep getting up in life, we cannot fail. We cannot fall."
I have fallen many times before and even still during my mission. I feel like sometimes I should not be out here. The Lord saw where I was and met me where I was at. The Lord provided. I had faith and hope I could keep serving him. It was all he needed. I'm a miracle. The fact that Singaporeans are still being talked to and introduced to the Book of Mormon is a miracle.
I WILL PROCLAIM, God is a God of Miracles.
"And the Lord said: Blessed is he through whose seed Messiah shall come; for he saith—I am Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock of Heaven, which is broad as eternity; whoso cometh in at the gate and climbeth up by me shall never fall"
Climb up. Put the work in. I had to work 6 months in field before the miracle came.
But once we make it and choose to stand up upon it.
He is The rock of heaven, Broad as eternity.
Every day Elder Marshall and I are working it out. It is improving slowly but surely. We're both built on the rock of eternity. We both know he lives. No matter what happens, we will be successful. What a miracle.
Let us never fall.
Marilah kita tidak pernah kalah
🇲🇾 Penatua Barlow 🇸🇬
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