The past week has us both
physically and emotionally drained. We were up at dawn, and were not in
bed at "Missionary rule time:)" The setting of the Camp is about an hour
and a half from Amsterdam in a beautiful wooded area. There was a main
office area, then dorm accommodations attached to that. The Senior
couples got their own dorm away from all the hustle and bustle of the
YSA's. There was a dining hall, then down the path were two buildings
that were used for classes and Testimony meeting. There was a hugh
grassy area used for sports as well. We think we walked at least 1000
miles in the 5 days we were there. Each day started with an 'early bird
activity'...finger painting, cookie decorating, crafts....then we went
to breakfast. Each day for breakfast AND lunch we were fed, bread,
cheese, meat and fruit. For breakfast plain yogurt was served to put on
the cereal. I told dad that if I had to eat one more piece of bread and
cheese I would turn into a mouse. Dutch tradition is eating only one
hot meal at night. By the time dinner was served, the JoVo's were so
hungry they ate like they had not eaten for days......we could not
believe what these kids could consume. They were back for seconds
before the senior couples even had firsts......and it was the girls that
piled their plates high. Anyway.....then workshops were held after
breakfast. 4 workshops each day were offered, and it was hard to choose
which one to attend. In the afternoon each day a different activity was
planned. One day it was sports, another a service project, swimming,
something to do always. Monday evening was FHE, Tuesday
was a dance where the YSA's were asked to dress up as something they
wanted to be 'when they grew up'. We noticed how many dressed as moms
and dads. (There were 122 registered). Thursday,
somehow, a hugh circus tent was brought in and set up for a talent show
that was held, and a 'roaring 20's' dance afterwards. Some of the
JoVo's you would never think of having a talent performed, and wow. Friday morning ended the week with a Testimony meeting.....Kleenex please. Tuesday
a young woman confided in me that she was just diagnosed with a very
rare cancer.......I asked if I could tell the camp council so a special
prayer could be said in her behalf. Permission was given, and talk
about the spirit being present. Not a dry eye in the group. This girl
bore her Testimony on Friday
and said she already felt the strength of the prayer. Dad and I heard
stories that broke our hearts....conversion stories, and feelings of
loneliness. We could not tell you how many times a YSA would come up to
us and say: "we just need a hug". There was a young man we thought was a
JoVo, but is an investigator, who we just fell in love with He is 22
years old, has 3 siblings, and told us his mother suffered from
depression and died 10 years ago...his dad has raised 4 children by
himself. Quincy, a VERY handsome black young man, just turned 18, joined
the church 6 months ago, and is working on his mission papers. His
parents we were told are 'Devil worshipers' and are always trying to
cast a spell on him. We just fell in love with him, and on the last day
as we were saying goodbye, he came up to me, threw his arms around me
and just sobbed.....Quincy is about 6'2", is a basketball player, wants
to go professional, and is built like a rock. He just stood there
sobbing and told me thank you for telling him we loved him. He said he
was never told that by his mother in his 18 years of life. And the
stories I could tell would take you a week to read. Dad and I said this
was the highlight of our Mission so far. When we got home we had so
many want to 'friend' us on Face book we just laughed. Pictures,
messages......For Oma who does NOT like Face book, this has opened a
whole new communication world for us. At the testimony meeting the
Senior couples were asked to stand up by One young man. He looked at us
and told us what examples we were of what marriage and service to the
Lord is. More Kleenex.....The weather was wonderful except for one day
when it rained and was on 14 degrees C. That is 52 degrees F. We took
lots of pictures I will send in the next couple of days.
Long sentence......you will laugh at Oma. One night at 10:30
'night games' were planned. Part of the staff dressed up scary to take
the JoVo's on a walk along a trail, telling stories as they went.
Well, 3 other staff members thought it would be funny to dress up as
well and scare the staff that was scaring the JoVo's. Sister van Komen
and I were in the office looking at our emails, and were invited to go
with them. We changed into dark clothes, hoodies, had our face painted
and off we went......talk about fun. We really had some of the kids
going....don't anyone write our Mission President:) At 12:15
it started to pour down rain so we had to call it a night. The next
day the JoVo's were coming and asking if WE were the ones dressed
up.......will they ever know???? The theme of the camp was 'NOW AND
FOREVER" The choices we make, determine our destiny. We learned some new
games we will share with you when we get home. When we got home Friday
night, Opa said " I never thought a bed would look so good.' We slept
on narrow, hard twin beds all week, shared a bathroom and didn't sleep
when we went to bed. BUT, we had a GREAT WEEK, one we will never forget.
Today at Sacrament Meeting, two of the recent
converts bore their testimonies. One is the girl, Jenny, from England
that Opa Baptized. They mentioned how their lives had changed since
being Baptized....How they came to meet the Missionaries, not by
accident. More Kleenex.....
We had Elder and Sister Pankratz, and Elder and Sister Salden in for dinner today. The Saldens leave the Mission this Thursday,
so this was a 'goodbye" dinner. Elder and Sister Anderson left last
Thursday.....it is so hard to see these couples leave, but we are eager
to welcome the new couples arriving. We will be lifelong friends for
sure.
One of the scriptures that was read this week we
want to share with the Klein Kinderen.....Open the Old testament to Joel
2:2. This applies to YOU! "A great people and a strong; there hath
never been the like, neither shall be any more after it. Even to the
years of many generations." YOU are this generation......one that is
strong, like no other, and shall never again be. Stay active in the
church. Keep the Commandments. Pray. Read you scriptures. Choose good
friends. Be an example for good wherever you go. Honor your parents. Be
worthy of a Temple recommend when the time comes. Never be afraid to say
NO! Stand up for what you know is right. Wear modest clothing. You all
know what is expected, so do it:)
We leave you with OUR Testimonies. We are so
thankful we followed the promptings of the Holy Ghost to 'go into the
Mission Field'. We KNOW that prayers are answered. We are so thankful
for the restored Gospel upon this earth, that is bringing so much joy
into the lives of those who are seeking. We are thankful for a living
Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who through inspiration, leads us today. We
find joy in bearing Testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon,
and the Prophet Joseph Smith. We are SO thankful for our family who is
supporting us as we serve the Lord. We love the people here in the
Netherlands, and feel so blessed to be among them.
We love you all and feel of your prayers.
Love, Opa and Oma...Vader and Moeder, Elder and Sister deLeeuw
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