A quick thanks to all who write to me, and have written to me in 2017. Keep on sending the emails!
Two weeks ago I moved to Malang with my companion at the time, Elder Putra. We are whitewashing together, for the second time, in a new city. For anyone who doesn't understand the term whitewashing, it is missionary language for moving to a new city with a companion who is also new to that same city. Neither of you know where anything is, or how to get anywhere. It is a lot of fun!
Malang has turned out to be a lot better than Surabaya. It isn't too much colder, but I am grateful for the difference. It also is a pretty windy city, which helps to keep the sweat and mosquitoes off. The city is pretty hilly, which makes riding a bike lots of fun, but I wouldn't give it up for anything else. Also the water here is pretty clean. The shower water in Surabaya had a nice brown color to it from all the dirt, but here the water is the color it should be. The culture is about the same, but the missionary work here just feels more rewarding.
Something I don't think I have written about yet is Javanese, the local language on Java island. NO, it is not a dialect of Indonesian. The two languages have some similarities, but are completely different languages. The languages are just as different as you and I are, but are one in purpose (also a good way to explain the godhead). My companion is actually more fluent in Javanese than he is in Indoensian. That is fairly common for people who were born in Java. I have actually met a few people who only speak Javanese.
In Malang we have one branch, and six missionaries, my own companion, Elder Schenk (Idaho), Elder Zebua (Indonesia), Sister Evans(Florida), and Sister Stefani (Indonesia). My companion and I have been meeting with lots of the members recently, really trying to help them be more brave in sharing the gospel with their friends. At some of our member appointments; however, after I share a spiritual thought from the scriptures, the family will just talk with my native companion in Javanese, leaving me in the dark for the rest of the meeting.
This last week my companion and I took the bus, a two hour uncomfortable ride, up and back to Surabaya twice. The first time we traveled with our entire district for Christmas devotional with my Mission President. The second time was for companionship exchanges with the zone leaders. Exchanges are 24 hours long, and I learned a lot with my companion Elder Ariono. After we finished exchanges, I rode back down to Malang, but because of traffic the two hour bus ride rather slowly turned into a four hour bus ride. Then, to add to everyone's enjoyment, the radiator blew, and we had to get off the bus and switch buses. I would ride the train, a more reliable form of transportation, but all the tickets were sold out.
I have some really good pictures that I want to send, but the computer I am emailing on right now is less than decent. I will try and find a better spot to email next week.
If at any point in my email you thought that I am complaining, I'm not. I love serving in Indonesia. Serving a mission is not a walk in a park, but it also not something to be grudgingly endured. From my own experience I know that as a son or daughter of God, we are entitled to his heavenly assistance. He is simply waiting for us to call him with a humble heart and meek attitude, and ask for what is right. Then he will provide a way. On a mission and in our life, we are sometimes pushed around in the whirlwinds of doubt and despair. This will happen until we resolve to stand against the winds (and always remember, if you aren't strong enough to stand, kneel). Our great trial in this life is not to endure pains and afflictions, but endure them well, while continually choosing the right. This is God's plan for us, and he has sent his son Jesus Christ to help us accomplish it. I hope we can all look at ourselves and what we have done this past year, and ask for God's help in doing better this coming year.
Elder Allen
