OCT. 19th - 23rd
Sun., Oct. 19th
Our day turned out different than expected at the start! At 6:00 a.m. we were on the road to the elders' place to meet up up with the Peahkday family. Yes, Cambodia starts the day early! (this was for an 8:00 a.m. appointment). However, we received a message as we were driving that the elders were quite sick. Appointment cancelled. We were very disappointed; we were looking forward to this visit with these dear friends so much! But then our time opened up to go to Pochentong Ward. What friendly people!! This is the group that embraced us on that first Monday in the country with the ward social, playing UNO, singing karaoke, and eating food. I have missed going there as frequently. And what a full functioning ward it is!! Never take those blessings for granted. So good to see Srey Neang again and find her happily hugging and sharing as before!!
Then, as we were getting ready to go out to Kamboul in the afternoon for our 2:00 Sacrament Meeting, we received a message that we had been invited to speak in Sacrament Meeting. Ohhhh!! Quick thinking. I am learning that I need to be prepared with short gospel thoughts and talks all the time, to be ready at a moment's notice. Even though there were a number of people there (about 60!), I felt peaceful and calm. It was actually kind of fun! Sis. Kaltaler translated for me (bless her, bless her, bless her!). I spoke on what it takes to be a disciple of Christ and tied in 2 Book of Mormon verses. My message was on being disciples of Jesus Christ by: 1) being on the covenant path - making covenants, keeping the commandments, and joyfully repenting every day - Mosiah 2:41 2) growing in faith 3) serving others - being the Lord's instrument. - Mosiah 2:17. Jim shared about the restoration in a very powerful, engaging way.
Meal at Danette's
In the evening, Danette (the very recent convert) invited all the missionaries to come over for dinner. What a great memory made! We will never forget that night!! Another huge mission highlight! First, she walked us around the little neighborhood. It was dirt and mud paths, with little hut-like homes along the way. There were many children gathered in our group, and I felt like we were on a Pied Piper parade! They were SO happy to have these American friends, especially a respected older couple. When we passed a machine shop, Jim was particularly interested and went on in. There were about ten men working away on very elaborate metal pieces.
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We walked over to one home where NeDaa and SoPeah live (two nonmembers children who go to English class). Their parents were thrilled to have us there! (Later we learned he posted our picture on Facebook!) We find our own way of communicating - thank goodness for the sister missionaries to interpret for us! They live next to a lake and have a little deck with hammocks that they invited us to enjoy. It was so peaceful! Hammock relaxation is a big thing in Cambodia!
We walked back over to Danette's. She and her mother were just glowing with the opportunity to share with us! Her mothers had a lovely meal of Boba soup, which included such things as chicken's feet, pork, mushrooms, a seafood variety (such as little octupus!), bean sprouts, green onion, etc. The most interesting was little cubes of coagulated pig's blood! (I didn't eat that!). And of course, coke. Always coke. Offered everywhere at every meal. We have come to like it! We ate outside at a large square table with a single bulb hanging from a tree and a hammock nearby. The children/youth in the group were absolutely delightful. I just can't get enough of their joyful, beautiful faces! As we sat there in the midst of this happy group, I kept thinking...."This is the real Cambodia that tourists will never see." We are so very blessed to have these up-close experiences with people so full of love.
Mon., Oct. 20th - P-Day
We were able to take the sisters in our district to the Oudong Temple, an ancient capital of Cambodia. Long ago history just abounds throughout the land! It was an intricately carved temple and beautiful grounds. I kept feeling like I was walking on the same exact ground that many ancients had been upon before - it was a sacred feeling. To reach the top (and descend again!), we climbed up 500 steps! Many monkeys entertained us along the way! Sisters are very different in their approach to outings - they are all about the different poses for pictures!! Makes me laugh! Sis. Gapasin loves to imitate the "El. Duffin" stance,!
We ate lunch onsite, back in the little at the base of the temple. The sisters taught us how to do it right! You sit ON large square tables with bamboo mats (take shoes off), order food from there, and rest in hammocks. Some individuals also come around with other food to sell. The whole setting was so authentic!! On our way home, when we were back in Phnom Penh, we treated them to the very westernized Swensen's Ice Cream. (Sis. Kaltaler, Sis. Gapasin, Sis. Christensen, Sis. Larsen)
Once back at home, I made caramel bars for Tuesday's district council. These do not look like my caramel bars back at home at all!.....but they still taste pretty good! Definitely have to freeze or at least refrigerate them to keep from becoming a runny, sticky mess! I am trying my best to incorporate ANY culinary skills into my Cambodian routine!
Tues., Oct 21
District Council - sure love the leadership of El. Madrid. We talked about commitments with Book of Mormon during the week, and I personally tried to incorportate these in my own little way. It does make a difference in the spirit invited into meetings! This week is the challenge of seeking personal revelation and following promptings. I loved the article by El. Tad Callister shared. He recently died, and I have pondered the significant impact he made through his teachings.
Tender Mercy
In the evening we decided to check out the Chip Mong Sansok Mall. And surprise! Huge tender mercy! I finally found some contact solution!! Hallelujah!!!! I have looked everywhere! They simply don't wear contacts in Cambodia, thus no need for contact solution. Who knew! I even checked through InterCare Hospital. They researched for me and emailed back that they came up empty handed. Sis. Larsen had some which she wasn't using that she gave me and helped rescue me in the meantime. Sooo grateful for this temporal yet vital need!
Wed., Oct. 22
I had my 2nd resumed language tutoring lesson with Sis. Thueson. She always get great hope!...even when I feel rather hopeless at the whole language game! 🙃 It seems like the more I learn, the more beginning things I forget. I feel a real renewed drive with language learning. Practice, practice, practice!
Then it was my turn for sharing a message on the Senior Missionary zoom meeting. I once again gave the Enabling Power of the Savior's Atonement experience that has literally been a spiritually defining anchor for me. This is what I shared in my farewell talk. I had a lot of response from the young missionaries - that made me feel so grateful that this insight could be appreciated by others!
A highlight of the afternoon was going to a Wat Monastary in Kamboul. Four adorable children followed us around everywhere. I had a dejavou of the cat attack as they played with their little pet, but I subtly moved behind JIm to not have that happen again! Children are so always so enjoyable in their sweet happiness. We especially enjoyed watching their coordinated skills with Chinese jumprope! Also, we saw a very old woman with a delightful toothless smile and no hair!
We found yet another new way home, and this one was almost magical in its serene landscape. Nice surprise. Our driving adventures never cease!
Thurs., Oct. 23rd
Blessings ABOUND!! I thought we had the best mission day ever before, but now another "BEST" has been added!!
We spent the afternoon and early evening with El. Madrid and El. Little. Those two have magic! The have a magnetic dynamic energy! And every time we go out with them, good things happen!
We went to visit Chesoot, a teaching friend, but he wasn't home. We ended up sharing a lesson with his parents instead that was very special. His dad, Chai Huot, and his mom, Hing See Phnna, listened happily and attentively. The ah-ha surprise was his mom's desire to learn. She was thirsting for it! She is especially spiritually sensitive; you can just feel it in her countenance and in her attentive responses. She really wanted to learn how to pray. We thought she got up to attend to another need but instead came back with some paper to take notes. She and I are the same age, so we connected in a unique way.
One of the big moments was when we gave them a Book of Mormon. She literally took it out of her husband's hands and said she wanted to study it. As she was looking at it, I recognized the sign of strained vision. (Of course I would know that one with my horrible eyes!) I asked her if she might like to try some reading glasses. An immediate grateful yes! Fortunatey, we keep several new ones with different prescriptions in our glove compartment. She tried on three different pairs and found one that seemed to work the best. BIG TENDER MERCY.
(And another side note tender mercy is that his dad just happened to have rubber car mats sitting there for sale in their little shop! We have been looking everywhere for some! The only thing we had found was over $200 - not happening! He sold these discounted for us at $12.50!!)
Next, we ventured over to Pheakday's beautiful little village neighborhood. We had a lesson with a lady whom the elders had previouslly met. An older lady joined, then two more.....as well as her husband and daughter. We received the same kind of lovely reception from them. Such gracious, kind people! And they fed us some kind of new fruit (not too good - dry in my mouth) with this spicy sauce. More will happen with them!
Next stop, Peahkday and Po-un's home! (and, of course, their beautiful children, RoSaa and VichaCam). They were just finishing preparing their meat to sell: frogs, chicken, and fish. Well, I was very curious about seeing the frogs cooked up, and the next thing we knew, we were being fed a feast! I hesitantly tried the frog legs (while they watched in delight!) and then the stuffing inside the main cavity (made with tumeric, etc.). It was actually pretty tasty!, but not something I will go out searching for again! They also shared some of their delicious smoke grilled fish and chicken - delicious. Next came fruit like longan berries and lotus berries. Lots of firsts!! They were just soooo happy to serve us!! New level of friendship!!
A miracle happened with El. Madrid. He got a fish bone caught in his throat. He tried and tried to get it out, with bananas, water, big spitting efforts, etc. He could breathe, but his face was red, his eyes were watering, and his throat kept getting more irritated. He was having a hard time even talking. JIm felt very impressed to say a silent personal prayer for him right then. Immediately afterwards, El. Madrid was able to relax, and the fishbone dislodged. .
Our lesson was on the restoration. The elders taught clearly and beautifully. The spirit was strong. If the fishbone hadn't come out, this whole experience wouldn't have happened. Jim and I were both asked to share our testimonies. I felt impressed to bear witness of the Book of Mormon. When El. Madrid asked if they felt that the gospel was true, they both gave a very sincere "yes." This family is going to be the foundation for many to turn to! I can hardly wait to see where this goes!
Last visit, we walked over to see three ladies of our group, JaNee, DaNae, and SaRan. They work together in a little homemade workshop area. They sew clothing, and this day they were sewing shorts. We got to join in on some of the work as a service (although they are soooo fast, but it was a delight to serve with them! I threaded ties throug the top elastic band). They make 500 shorts a day and earn about $15 each for their labor. They shared a delicious banana rice treat wrapped in a leaf. I laughed to see one of them fanning a baby with one of the church pamphlets we left here last week! They are spreading around! After they were done, we taught them a lesson on faith (including an additional friend). These sisters have had choice experiences and their faith is beautiful. I learn much from them with their purity and trust!
WHAT A DAY!!!
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