Elder Robert Thomas Van Den Dungen Bille is a young American serving as a full-time missionary in Belgium and The Netherlands for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was born in Utah, spent most of his life in Beverley, England, and spent the last five years prior to his mission living in Gilbert, Arizona. He was at the site of the Brussels train bombing just 12 hours before the attacks last week.
We had just a few minutes to interview him today (March 28) via email during his break time. This article is a hybrid of his weekly correspondence and answers to specific questions, as it relates to the Brussels bombing attacks.
Excerpt from his weekly correspondence:
“I’ll begin with the somewhat obvious — my heart truly goes out to everyone directly and indirectly involved in everything that happened in Brussels. I’ve really got to consider myself blessed, because just 12 hours before the Metro bombing, my companion and I were on that exact Metro train that was bombed, heading home from a day in Brussels. Let me repeat that. 12 hours before the Metro Bombing, we were on the EXACT SAME train that was blown up. We also take a train that passes through the airport on a weekly basis; I still can’t really comprehend how blessed I am to have avoided all that stuff. I am currently serving in Leuven, which about a 25 minute train ride from Central Brussels; so while I’m pretty close to it all, I still feel quite safe and distanced from it. There was a bomb threat at the Leuven Station, about 4 minutes from me, but that turned out to be nothing.”
Elder Robert Thomas Van Den Dungen Bille often travels via bike, while serving in Belgium.
LM: What was your initial reaction to the Brussels bombings?
EV: My initial reaction was embarrassingly casual; I don’t think I fully grasped the magnitude of what was going on, only a few miles away from me. We were lucky to have received multiple updates throughout the day, and after each update, it began to sink in more and more. I wouldn’t say I am angry, I am more confused I suppose. I don’t really understand why; what was the ultimate goal? Who benefited? Why? I suppose these are questions terrorists ignore, but I really don’t understand. Anger never really set in, I guess I was caught up feeling more like, “Is this real life?”
LM: Do you feel insecure about moving in and around Brussels?
EV: Yes, I do feel insecure about moving around. Although I am not stationed in Brussels, the effects can certainly be felt in the surrounding cities. We were given the go ahead to take public transportation, but my companion and I have made the decision to avoid it as much as possible. I’ve grown up in a safe environment my entire life, so being suddenly exposed to something like this is … scary. I think the most thing I am insecure about, is proselytizing. These terrorists aren’t really too fond of Christianity, or any other form of religion besides their own, and I am out here, 7 days a week, proselytizing and preaching about it. I suppose it scares me that I could knock on one door, and my life could change.
LM: Has your religious/spiritual faith bolstered you?
EV: With that being said, my faith has bolstered me. I’ve made the conscious decision to move forward with faith, knowing that the Lord will provide a way and a warning for me. I also have immense faith in the Lord’s hand, regarding these attacks. Those four Elders, and that one Sister missionary were being watched over, and protected. The Lord had a hand in their protection, without a doubt in my mind.
What are local people saying?
EV: The locals are pretty angry; mostly with the government for allowing unchecked immigrants to enter the country. It’s been a pretty hotly debated topic, whether immigrants should be allowed in or not, and it’s a pretty 50/50 split on the matter. Most of the local Belgians would agree that something needs to be done in Molebeek (The part of Brussels that houses most of the immigrants, and is known for its ISIS connections). Yet nothing really seems to have been done, even after the attacks. The saddest part, is that most of the Belgians believe this is simply the beginning. It is almost as though they have resigned to the fact that there is more to come.
Additional excerpts from his weekly correspondence:
“The day of the attacks was a weird one — we essentially had to stay in our apartment the entire day, with limited contact, wondering what was going on in the outside world. Honestly, it was a pretty bizarre day in my short life; having to actually have a conversation and a plan about what to do in the event of an ISIS terror attack; these are the types of things I see on the news; stress about, but ultimately end up forgetting about it. But now I’m in it; I’m living close to it; it is way more real. I am sure you heard about the four missionaries that were caught up in the attacks, and my thoughts are with them continuously. My bishop here in Leuven is actually quite good friends with one of the Senior Elders (Elder Norby), and we will be going out to see the missionaries involved soon.”
Elder Robert Thomas Van Den Dungen Bille enjoys a moment with some furry friends.
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