Photos of the Week

In their apartment

At a new members home

Baptism & A Great Day At Church

This was a fantastic week, and I am just super happy. A few weeks back on November 3rd, the work was really slow and our efforts to find new investigators were all unsuccessful. And I remember that I really had to push myself to push on, cause sometimes it is hard when nothing is working out to keep pushing. But on that morning I had a scripture pop in my head, and felt the smallest impression that it was meant for me, so small I almost didn't realize it was from the Holy Ghost. But anyways it was Alma 26:27. Be patient and I will give you success. That really helped me the last few weeks. And starting since last week our area is doing super super well. 

Yesterday was an awesome Sunday. First off our investigator got baptized! He is super cool. He came late to church so it was a little stressful, and I forgot to do some stuff for the baptism so that was also a little stressful, but it all turned out great. The spirit was there. And Last Thursday we started teaching his family! 

But yesterday at church we had 8 investigators come! It was awesome.  One investigator lives by another church, and she is super awesome. She was the one I told you last week that ever since she met us she has felt more happy. And she says she honestly doesn't want to come to our church because it is far away, but in her heart"for some reason" she wants to come to our church! (And it isn't that far about a 10-15 min bike ride.) Her husband is also learning with us but hasn't been to church. 

Another family we contacted over 6 weeks ago. We just couldn't find a good time to meet her and for some reason or another we could never meet. But we are now meeting them on a consistent basis. And they came to church yesterday too and doing very well. 

We've been working with another 15 year old boy for a while, but he came to church yesterday and is doing well. 

There is a super cool story another man and his son. We contacted him about a month ago. And he uses his house as a shop (which a lot of Cambodians do). And almost everyone in that situation says they are too busy selling. So he said we could come back and share a message, which surprised us. But I wasn't super optimistic about him. Then we came back and he wasn't home, so we almost stopped going, but we went again. And it was a very short (because he is selling and it right next to the road) but a good lesson. Nothing special. The next time, we taught the whole first lesson but still really short, and he said that when he prays he feels good in his heart. Then on Friday we meet him again and we teach the plan of salvation and the importance of baptism. He said he wants to get baptized (which really surprised me, this guy looks like a really tuff military guy) and he said when he prays he gets this dream where he is having a celebration with his friends and family and he said he only get it when he prays and he has never had a dream like that before. And then we are like, well in order to get baptized gotta go to church. Then he came!

So it is obvious that God has prepared all these people already to learn about the gospel. Without the spirit encouraging them to go there is no way they would learn or do anything. 

There are six investigators who all have a baptismal date on the 28th. (Which happens to be my last week in SMC.)  We are trying to give them lots of TLC and help them get some member friends. 

We are also working really hard helping some of the recent converts remain strong. 

Baptism on Sunday, December 7

Here are some random photos of the Stung Mean Chey area.

Thanksgiving & Stake Conference

So this week was really really great! There are some great things happening in SMC 3rd Ward! But before we get to that I'll tell you about thanksgiving. Well first off please remember that my last Thanksgiving all we had was a ham sandwich and chips so it really didn't remind of Thanksgiving at all. So I haven't had a solid Thanksgiving dinner since I was 2012. So when I was eating all the delicious food that Sister Belcher made it was triggering lots of memories from home, especially the turkey - haven't had turkey since Thanksgiving two years ago. So Thanksgiving was super great! After Thanksgiving dinner we met with a great investigator and taught a wonderful lesson. He is so cool. And every time we meet him I love it. I love being a missionary mode.   But overall thanksgiving was delicious! We had turkey, rolls, mashed potatoes, gravy, a yummy yam and apple dish. And all of the missionaries in SMC were there along with the APs. I was the oldest missionary there, including the APs. So that is cool. But overall it was great and fun and delicious! 

So because of stake conference the Bishop wanted to postpone the baptism till next week, so our investigator will be baptized next week, and he is still doing great. 

Another investigator, on the other hand, is not really progressing and has his head in the clouds, but we are not sure exactly what to do with him. 

The guy we taught after Thanksgiving dinner is still awesome, he just can't get baptized till March. :( 

Our other trash mountain investigators aren't really progressing, they are still drinking a little and smoking. One of them we taught on Saturday about the importance of baptism and how he had to quit smoking to get baptized, and I forgot my planner and came back to get it and he was smoking...... I can tell he really gets a lot out of our lessons. 

The Bishops nephew that is studying at one of the universities, and his hometown is far away. But he is good, we have met him three times and he is reading and praying and he says it makes him feel good. And I think he is good. He has a date for the 28th. 

New Inv: 

Another couple we found on YOSO day. The wife lives near another Christian church called the Tree of Life Church (wait what?) So the first time we taught her was on Tuesday, and it was a okay first lesson nothing special, but she said that she wanted to go to our church in the afternoon after she finished The Tree of Life Church in the morning. Then on Friday we met her again and we told her that our church was in the morning because of stake conference, and I was expecting her to say well o well wait till next week. But she said that she would go! Because she said that ever since we met her on Tuesday she felt more happy and joyful and she didn't know why. I love when that happens! So she committed to baptism on the 28th, and she came to stake conference.

Another lady we actually contacted a while ago, about four weeks ago, and all she said was I want to go to your church, but it was really hard to meet with her. So 3 weeks ago she tried to go but got lost. :). Then the next week we went with her. (we all biked there) But the last two weeks she couldn't go. But finally yesterday we explained our purpose as missionaries, (because before we would try to teach her but she would always say, just wait till I go to church) but we finally were able to teach them and it was good. The lesson wasn't the best but it was alright. But she said she really wants to join and committed to baptism on the 28th. 

So right now we have 13 investigators with baptismal dates, those that I honestly think will make it probably about 8. The others aren't really progressing. But those 8 I feel like are doing really well.  

So stake conference was awesome. At 8 all the members that didn't have a ride we supposed to meet at the church for the tuk tuks. And it started at nine. So many of the investigators didn't have rides so I told them to go there. And at 8:00 there wasn't enough tuk tuks and the bishop wasn't there, but we called the bishop and he just said call another one, so we did and it all ended up great and we were only a little bit late. 

Stake conference itself was awesome. It was the highest attended meeting that I have ever attended in Cambodia. The chapel and the cultural hall were all filled, 404 people! It was great! All of them here not to get free rice or money but just to listen to the good word of God. 

Family Home Evening

Thanksgiving Dinner with Elder and Sister Belcher.

On a bed.

Investigator list and goals.

YOSO & the Meals I Eat

Well this was a good week. For the first time since Elder Asay arrived we went a whole week without either of us getting sick. 

On Saturday we got a really cool new investigator.  He had a ton of questions and he really didn't let us teach, but just had all these questions. He is a thinker. He is able to think past just work eat, sleep, work; eat, sleep, work--which a lot of Cambodians just can't get past at all. But he was just super cool and I can tell he is really searching for something good. He says every religion has its pluses and minuses, and he wants to take the best of all of it and make one religion. Of course he knows that can't happen, but he is definitely teachable and seems to have potential.  He is the one that scheduled a return appointment with us, and I love when that happens. 

Friday Elder Asay and I did a YOSO day, something Elder Asay came up with which means "You Only Serve Once!" We wanted to be more like Alma, Peter, and Paul and truly declare repentance and contact with all our hearts.  So on Thursday we both fasted and Friday was great. It was one of the most successful contacting days I have ever had. We had a lot of return appointments, and phone numbers of interested people. We already have a new investigator from it. So that was fun. 

We have two investigators in Trash Mountain whose wives and kids are recent converts and they want to be baptized too. But they smoke and drink. But recently they have been doing a lot better. They both came to church yesterday. One has been a super heavy drinker. For the past year or so he has been decreasing a lot. Then about three weeks ago he fell back and started drinking more again.  When he was drunk he hit his wife and kids, and they finally got sick of it and left for about a week and took everything. I guess that awoke something in him and he prayed really hard and finally truly committed himself to stop drinking. So he has been clean for about 2 weeks now. And last week his wife came back, and they are doing really well, but he is still smoking two cigarettes a day but he is working on it. :) 

Another investigator didn't come to church this week, and we think that we are going to postpone his baptism. We are now shooting for December 14. 

Last night we met with two recent converts who are cousins but for the past little bit they haven't been doing so well. Last night we talked about praying, reading, and going to church--the three basics. They said when they did those things it made all the difference and really helped their lives have more peace and happiness. The Spirit was super strong and it was a really great experience! So do the small things! They make a big difference. 

Here are some photos of some meals we eat.

Stir fried tomatos. We made this ourselves!

Our own cooking!

Dry Feet and A Couple of Good Investigators

Well this week was pretty good. Elder Asay and I really worked hard.  And I feel that this week we worked very  hard. We contacted a cool guy, he cuts hair and he believes in Buddhism and Christianity. Most people here think that religion is more like guidelines of life so more than one can be correct. He was really cool and when we visited him after the two days of the initial contact he already read to chapter four in 1 Nephi. Our other investigators are doing well. We are hoping for two baptisms on Nov. 30th. One is pretty solid and progressing very well. Seriously no problems with him. The other is a teenager and is a son of a moderately active member. So he is on the border, but we will see what happens. 

Yesterday was great at church. A lot of less actives and recent converts came, it was great! I taught 2nd hour, Gospel Essentials. And third hour was awesome. The elders quorum president who has been a member for a little over a year gave his testimony. He was the guy I wrote about last week who had no food. He was like, "I left my old church were they were paying me 130 dollars a month just to teach at church on sat and sun. And came to this church which I get no salary. But the blessings that God blesses me are my salary. This church is so much better than...then he names off Buddhims and a bunch of other christian religions" His favorite scripture his in Matthew where it says seek first the kingdom of God, then the other things that you need will be given to you. He is a boss.

Buddha actually said that there would be another come after him that would be more holy than him, and would be the last. And he would have scars in his feet and hands. Once I saw a picture of a monk looking guy with scars like Jesus so ya cool stuff.  

The rain is ended and both I and Elder Asay are happy about it. Riding through flooded streets and having our feet always wet gets old after a while. :)  

Every day we usually teach a lesson in the morning at 11:00. Eat lunch. Have one lesson between the hours of 1:00-5:00 and we do a lot of contacting in the afternoon. And from 5:00-8:00 we have three lessons. The early afternoon are rough hours, and we pretty much contact the whole time during those hours. But the barber dude we found during those hours so it can still be somewhat productive.

For thanksgiving we are going to the senior couples house, the Belchers.  They are cool and nice. And they said we'll actually be having turkey and thanksgiving food. Not to be ungrateful, but last years ham sandwich did not fulfill my Thanksgiving crave. :) But this year will be much awesome.

 

We have an investigator who is super Buddhist. He likes meeting with us but nothing sinks in. No matter what we tell him or ask him, he just responds the same way. But hopefully the Spirit will chip away at him a little by little. 

This week I was sick on Wed. First time taking a full day off of proselyting from being sick. And first time throwing up on the mission. I think it was food poisoning. I slept all day. But now I am feeling great and back to my normal self. 

Our bikes broke down to we took a ride on a Tuk Tuk.

A selfie with Elder Asay

From the courtyard of the chapel.

Elders from the zone eating lunch.

Elder Asay eating lunch.

Bon Om Tuk

So this week was Om Tuk, which is probably the third biggest holiday in Cambodia. It celebrates the end of the rainy season and the reversal of the Tonle Sap River.  To celebrate all the major Wats (temples) bring a really long boat two people wide and about 20 people long. And race each other at Phnom Penh. I wasn't able to see it in person but the mission president showed us a video and it was cool.

Our investigator pool is looking up. Yes, we gain and lose investigators a lot. But we have finally got a few that seem to stick. Our most positive investigator right now is a very quiet and sober man. Doesn't talk much. But he has kept every commitment we have given him. And he is 2 for 2 for church attendance. Right now he has a date for November 30th which I think he will be ready for. His aunt just got baptized with the sisters yesterday. 

We have a new couple we have been teaching for a couple weeks.  One is the son of a recent convert at trash mountain. They are gaining faith and doing very well. They aren't ready to go to church or to commit to baptism, but they both said since we started teaching them, they have felt more love, less anger and he drinks less (didn't even teach about the Word of Wisdom yet) and they are just overall happier. She got a new job but said she would ask for sundays off to learn and maybe go to church. They are really cool. I love it so much when people feel a change in their life!!! IT IS THE BEST!!!! 

Another investigator is still doing well, he is so solid, not able to come to church because he was out of town but still doing well. As soon as he is married he'll get baptized. 

We are teaching another man and his daughter. His wife and other daughter are recent converts. His only problem is drinking and smoking. And he is trying to get rid of that. We are not going to baptize him until he has quit for a good while. 

Another young man is fifteen years old. His mom is a less active, recent convert. He is super nice just has problems coming to church but yesterday he did come so that is solid. 

So these are the investigators we have been teaching for a solid while. More than just one or two lessons. 

But yesterday we taught a new guy. Very potential. It was one of the best first lessons I have ever taught. We taught him yesterday morning. 

A less active we have been working on for a while finally came to church and paid tithing so that was great. 

So now it is raining pretty much every day. And the streets are flooded a lot. Especially the one in front of our house. It is always flooded. So everyday our goals is to make it past our road without getting our feet wet. Sometimes we win, sometimes we have wet feet all day. :( But anyway, one night after a long hard day of work we were biking home through our flooded street (by the way, has potholes all over the place so I am taking dips and ups all the time and when it is flooded we can't see where they are) but I was biking and I my front wheel started going down. And I expected it to stop falling, but it didn't. And it just kept falling and falling until I went flying off my bike. It turns out I peddled into a big drain pipe and I flew off my bike and into the flooded street. Good times haha. But the bike was fine and I wasn't going very fast so it wasn't a problem, just a funny story. 

Wednesday, because of the holiday, we had meeting at the mission home all day so that was fun. And English class went well. Elder Asay was sick on Thursday so we stayed home all day. I had pretty much a two day break. :) 

Yesterday we visited a really active, awesome member who was sick and had no food. That was kinda sad. These people have hard lives. He is one of the coolest members ever. We blessed him and then he said, "Elder, the prophets were right, I should have collected my food storage, if I had I wouldn't be in this problem." He wasn't complaining or mad at God or anything, but he felt bad he hadn't done better. So that showed a lot of faith. 

We are giving a lot of blessings, and a lot of people are being healed. God's work is really amazing. 

I am loving life, the mission is great. Elder Asay and I are getting a long really well. I enjoy training much better than a zone leader. 

This is a picture similar to one Maggie sent from Chile. The sign in her picture read, "Smile"(see below). This one reads, "Do Not Litter".

This is a random image taken from the internet showing the Bon Om Tuk celebration.