KAMBOUL DAYS ARE FULL!
KAMBOUL
Sept. 28 - Oct. 4, 2025
Sun., Sept. 28th
Today, four people were baptized! The baptisms took place at the Pochentong ward in an outdoor font that is about six feet high. The ward had a wonderful turn-out for support. Danette Yoeun, age 18, was one of the newly baptized members today. We feel an extra connection with her after the social and church meeting times together. I wrote her a personal note congratulating her on her decision, and her response was so loving. She said my note made her want to cry because it was the first time she had received such a special card. She said when she's around me, she feels like I'm her mom - best compliment ever! She also said that God blessed her to meet us. I feel the same, indeed.
(Danette's Baptism Day. Look at that font!)
Right as we were leaving, we received the news that Pres. Nelson had died. OH MY GOODNESS. Such a flood of tender feelings for a prophet whom I have loved so much and who has deeply impacted my life. I will share a separate post about his influence on me. I know with all my heart that he was the Lord's prophet. Big changes in the church leadership ahead, and great anticipation on the timing of this just one week before General Conference, but for the moment, I just like reflecting on the past seven years of his significant role in my life.
In the late afternoon we drove over to the temple, and after finding a small place to park on a sidewalk off the crazy-traffic road, we were able to walk around and see the temple and temple grounds behind the gated fence area. It is stunning. What a true blessing this will be for the Khmer saints here. Even though it is not finished yet, there is such an incredible spirit about it.
Mon, Sept 29th
Today we journeyed with the Mortensen's over to the Intercare Hospital for our Japanese Encephalitis vaccination. Check! Done! Very impressed with the kindness and courtesy and respectful manner of all those who helped us, and the facility itself was top quality. There was another American in the waiting area that was quite brash and even rude with his expectations. This made me want to represent our country and our "missionary tag" even more respectfully in our interactions with others - we can follow the Khmer example much better. We are always watched, and gentleness goes a long way.
Part of our afternoon was going to the church service center. Nak Nak works in the distribution center, and we were inspired by her stories of faith to go to the temple once a year. She and her husband save up their money at great sacrifice to fly to the Philippines to make this happen. She said they always go with a special question or problem for their family, and each time have had big miracles happen. She has such deep, solid faith.
Tonight was a very special dinner at the Fairfield, Marriott, 27th floor, for all senior couples from both missions. We sat next to the Ransoms (family history; former temple president) and the Webbs (writes articles for church public communications; former Deseret News columnist). This evening was a special honor for 3 couples who are leaving. I felt surrounded by top caliber people in the two missions, and it inspired us to be the best we can in our contributions. Food: I had asparagus soup, duck salad, and coconut water served in the actual coconut with a straw!
On our drive home with Pres. and Sis. Hoare, they received a call that El. Adams had a biking accident, cut his head open, and was headed to Intercare Hospital for stitches. We volunteered to go meet them there and be parents for a moment! Made a late night but glad for the timing and opportunity to help out.
(Elder Adams is such a trooper! Still has his tie on at midnight and through the whole stiches process!)
Tues., Sept. 30th
Today we had our first district meeting with our new missionaries since the transfer. The current missionaries are: El. Hallam and El. Villar, El. Madrid and El. Little, El. Acton and El. Adams, Sis. Kaltaler and Sis. Gepasin, Sis. Christensen and Sis. Larsen. Many new faces! Looking forward to new relationships! El. Madrid is the district leader and asked us to share thoughts about fasting. I shared a favorite scripture in Hel 3:35: fasting and praying leads to stronger humility, firmer faith in Christ, souls filled with joy and consolation, heart purified and sanctified - all because of yielding our hearts to God. El. Madrid gave us a challenge as a district to fast this Sunday for our area. He has a very sincere way of teaching and sharing testimony. I look forward to the joint purpose and unity!
I did my first baking attempt since arriving in the country because I wanted to take homemade cookies to the missionaries. It took several trips to different stores to round up the right ingredients (baking powder still eludes me!) and a couple of burnt batches to figure out our little toaster oven, but I did it!! I made chocolate kiss peanut butter cookies! As chocolate is a rarity here, and peanut butter and butter are very expensive, this was a real gift of the heart. I felt so proud of myself, and their responses were worth it all!! El. Hallam's expressive face made me laugh right out loud! My little way of serving.
Afterwards, we went to lunch with the district to a place called Jars of Clay. As we laughed together, we really got to know the missionaries in more personal ways! We offered to drive Sis. Kaltaler and Sis Gapasin back to their area and accidentally ended up on the expressway all the way to Kampong Speu! An unexpected road trip! Oh dear! They couldn't get over all the countryside they were seeing.
When we finally got back, we had an incredible visit with Thida. She is home from the hospital now but still recuperating. The sisters arranged for some food from one of the members and then offered to clean her home while we visited with her. She shared her life story with us (see separate post). It was one of the most meaningful times I have every experienced. Her life has been very hard, yet she is a resolute woman of humble goodness.
We enjoyed pizza at the Pizza Company with the sisters afterwards. Good food, good company, good day.
(Sis. Gapasin and Sis. Kaltaler)
Wed., Oct. 1st
We try to spend time every day in our area, even if it is just getting more familiar with it. Today's highlight was walking around the market. We were by ourselves, without missionaries to translate this time! We do stand out as white people with church tags on and who do not speak the language! We feel like we are always the example, and who knows what one observation made lead to when they meet the missionary "tags" again!
The market - wow! How do I begin to describe it?! So many little, individual places selling their goods. Stalls, carts every which way. Beautifully displayed fruits and vegetables of all kinds. Meat hanging and small poultry being prepared on the spot. Fish of all sorts in bins. Such unique smells and sounds. What an experience!! Food safety and handlers' permits would definitely be a no-go here!!
We purchased a little birthday cake for El. Hallam and dropped it by. "Have I done any good in the world today?" I hope so!!
Thurs., Oct. 2nd
Today we received word that our sweet mute handicapped friend in the Pochentong ward, Srey Neung, has been missing for two days. (My guess is that she is about 12-14 years old). OH NO - this is heartbreaking. Apparently she lives in a very poor area of town where bad things happen. She could have been taken, she could have had a serious accident, she could just be lost. Everybody is looking for her and offering prayers.
This afternoon we went to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S-21. What a sobering experience to be at the place where up to 20,000 people were executed. It was formerly a high school that overnight turned into a prison camp during the Khmer Rouge regime. There were around 175 other camps like this around the country who killed perceived political opponents or those who were Cambodian minorities (wanted a national purity). About 2 million people were tortured and executed during the Pol Pot era, 1975-1979. It was heart-wrenching to see skulls of victims and pictures of innocent people who were massacred. It is unbelievable and frightening to think what happened, and this during my lifetime.
Fri., Oct. 3rd
WHAT A DAY! BEST DAY OF MISSION YET!!! I have a special place of gratitude in my heart for El. Madrid and El. Little. They have taken us underwing as their adoptive lost grandparents in Cambodia! AND I LOVE THEM FOR IT! They asked for help driving to a place that was quite far away for riding bikes. In fact, the first time they came, they were having a hard time even finding it. A young adult girl asked if they needed help and led them there on her modo. As we drove, the land became more rural and less busy. So very peaceful. We wound down little lanes and finally came to a humble "village" of sorts.
Pheakday, the dad, had responded to a Facebook Ad about the church (which is the mission's main way of reaching new contacts). We were invited into their dirt yard, complete with dogs and a rooster. He said he would be right back and left on his moto to go tell others to come. Within a few minutes, people started pouring in. We counted at least TWENTY-SIX people there in all!! It must have been everybody on that road! And the girl that led them there on the first visit also was interested in learning, even though she didn't know them. Sokaneen has come back for the lessons and is intently learning, even taking notes as lessons are given. It was an "1830 Miracle" - somewhere in the world, the church right now is in its very beginning stages, just as it was in 1830 during Joseph Smith's time.
The Elders were so good to translate and include us. The group were all such humble learners, with very earnest desires. El. Madrid led the lesson on prayer and El. Little interpreted for us. Imagine learning about the most beginning parts of the gospel! Who is Heavenly Father, who is Jesus Christ, what is prayer. Then one of the older children was asked to pray (with help), and we ended up with an echo going!.....First El. Madrid, then the child repeated it, then a mom repeated it for all to understand and hear, then the whole group said it out loud! It was pretty awesome to witness their first time praying ever!!
We were given a chance to bear our testimonies at the end. I felt really guided as I expressed my witness that Heavenly Father knows us individually and loves us and of the peace and joy that can bless our lives. Afterwards as we visited, one of the grandma's, Vwen, and I discovered we were the same age. Instant close friends!! She said she didn't understand it all, but she liked what she felt and wanted to learn more.
On our way home, we all just kept reflecting on the happiness felt in that moment in time. It was one of the most spirit-filled moments I've ever experienced!! We feel SOOO grateful to be a part of that!!
When we got back, these good Elders got some authentic Khmer food for us for lunch. They biked down the street and were back in under 10 minutes! They had sugar cane drinks, fried bananas, steamed pork buns, and brohut (fried meat fries). We set up a table on the street outside their apartment and enjoyed the delicacies!! What fun!!!
(El. Little and El. Madrid)
Other things of the day:
This morning went on a walk with the Mortensen's and Clark's. We saw a cat, and Liz (aka Sis. Mortensen), took a picture of it for her friend. Because of that, I casually brought up in conversation that a stray cat had attacked my ankle last week, nothing serious. However, Liz's health crisis radar went up (she is the mission nurse) and said I should probably get rabies shots. Oh no! It was very minor, but there was a bit of bleeding. After consulting with the one over her and after some background checking on both of our parts, it was decided that indeed I should act on this. Back down to Intercare this afternoon. A five-shot course of doses. At first I was balking at it all, but in the long run, I see that it was a series of meant-to-be things that came together. And...rabies can be fatal. Better safe than sorry, for sure.
One more exciting thing.....the Mortensens came over tonight, and Rob (the housing coordinator) said they found a home for us in Kampong Speu that can also serve as a church when that area opens up! Yay! It sounds perfect for our needs. This "domino" of moving is about to happen!
Sat., Oct 4th
Srey Neung has been found!! Prayers answered, for sure. We do not know what happened to her, but such relief nonetheless. She was very far from home. Prayers continue for her recovery; she looks pretty beaten up in the picture. She is in the hospital right now. Oh, this sweet, happy girl. What has she been through? Will she be the same? She is unable to fully communicate, so who knows what the full story is, but she is alive and here. So very grateful.
Today we drove out to Kampong Speu to check out the new home and surrounding area. What a peaceful setting! Very different than Phnom Penh. More rural, wider streets, cleaner, less stores and more markets. Looking forward to seeing inside the building, but first impressions are wonderful.
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