We were given the special privilege of visiting another part of the mission. We love to see places and meet people, and this trip did not disappoint.
Brunei is a small country which is attached to East Malaysia (Borneo).
It is a very rich country located where the Pacific Ocean meets the South China Sea.
We had some mix-ups in our airline reservations so we flew to Kuala Lumpur, spent most of the day there in the airport and then got a flight from there to Singapore.
This picture is one of the beautiful areas in the Singapore Airport.
After a couple hours wait, we were on Royal Brunei Airlines to Brunei.
In spite of all of the trouble getting there, it was definitely worth the trouble.
We arrived very late Saturday night, but Sunday morning we went with Elder & Sister Childs to a Sacrament Meeting in a members home. This young couple recently moved to Brunei and are sharing their home as a place that the Saints who are living here can meet occasionally. These people are working here and most do not have their families with them. They were so happy to have church.
The mom told me that when they found out there was no church in Brunei, she was very sad and worried about her family. Then she decided that it was up to her to teach them,
so she has Primary for the children every week.
I continue to be amazed at the things that we take for granted. It is such a blessing to be able to have church buildings and worship each week. There are many people throughout the world who do not enjoy that same privilege. Seeing these people who are willing to sacrifice so much, just to be able to meet and partake of the sacrament, makes my heart so happy. I am thankful to have been a part of this special meeting and to hear their testimonies and share in their spirit.
After church we stopped to see the famous Empire Hotel. It is so luxurious it cannot be explained in words. It was originally built as a resort for the Sultan's friends to stay in when they came to Brunei. It has since been made into a luxury hotel situated right along the beach. This is definitely how "the other half" lives. I 'm sure it isn't really half.
We saw two very beautiful mosques.
About Kampong Ayer - Venice of East
Technically part of the Bruneian capital of Bandar Seri Begawan, Kampong Ayer has more than enough uniqueness and history about it to be considered separately. Meaning “water village”, Kampong Ayer is built on stilts above the Brunei river. More than 30,000 people inhabit Kampong Ayer, the largest water settlement in Southeast Asia, and travel about by boat or the extensive network of wooden walkways, footbridges, and boardwalks. Kampong Ayer’s 4,200 structures include homes, mosques, restaurants, shops, schools, and a even a hospital. People have been living here for more than 1,300 year. Many of the traditional lifestyles of its inhabitants; fishermen, traders, and artisans; have remained unchanged. Visitors can experience this heritage by taking one of the many water taxis in front of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah in Bandar Seri Begawan.
It would have been fun to visit this water village, but we simply ran out of time.
It sounds pretty amazing.
It is hard to read the road signs in this country.
I am happy that we weren't driving.
