Prey Veng

Well, we went to the Province of Prey Veng to a little, deep-in-the forest/jungle of Cambodia. We traveled about 2 hours out of Phnom Penh with one hours worth of the best asphalt road we've been on so far. It was almost free-way like until we got to the town where the ferry was. Then it narrowed until you drove to the ferry entrance. The picture you see here is of us being the first in line for the next ferry.

It cost about $2.00 to ride the ferry over with our mission van. Little children and adults all come up to the van and tap on the window. One little boy on the way back pointed to my sandwich. I would have shared it with him, but the minute I open my window there would have been 20 kids who wanted to eat also. People were selling, fruit, sun glasses, drinks, etc. It was amazing! And they don't leave when you drive on to the ferry, they ride over to the other side with you and stay at your window tapping, tapping. The Elders bought sunglasses from one of the young men. He had such a Mormon face. In fact, half the people that came up to us had Mormon faces, including the young girls in the van. They kept looking at us, so I smiled and they smiled and I pulled out my camera and asked if I could take a picture and she nodded yes. Then afterwards, she said in English that we flattered her by wanting a picture. So they chatted with Scott for a bit as we ferried over to the other side of the Tonlee Sap river.



It is such a swift flowing river with waves. I would hate to fall in it, you wouldn't last.
As we got to the other side, we drove straight ahead for about 5 miles and then met up with the Pastor waiting for us on the side of the road. He hopped in and off we went.



He had us turn off the pavement and we drove on these muddy roads for about 10 miles, then we turned off that road, onto a very little lane. that looked the same as the big road, only narrower.



We drove about 1 mile and came to a little clearning where this little church is. All along the lane, the homes are extremely poor. Made on stilits, of course, but also thatched roofs and walls. Some were made of wood. But everyone smiling. As we pulled in, they all were excited to see us.

There were about 38 adults and 19 children, 10 of whom came in after we started.

President Smedley (Scott) took charge and he thanked them for letting us come to teach them. Then he started teaching them about the Book of Mormon (one of our assistants, Elder Jenkins, translated). Oh, before that, he told a little bit about our family, then went into the Book of Mormon. He had me stand up by him, then he said, I will have Sister Smedley share how she got a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Well, that took me by surprise because I had been reviewing the first discussion so I could follow along as the missionaries taught and hadn't reviewed any words about that subject. So, I just swallowed a minute and thought. Then the thought came to share about when I was little. I said, "When I was about 6 years old, my Mother read from the Book of Mormon to us. When she read, I had a warm feeling enter my heart, telling me that the Book of Mormon is true. After I got older, I read the Book of Mormon, and that same feeling came into my heart and told me it is true. I bore testimony of that truth and also that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love them. That the Book of Mormon is another Witness of Christ. I felt like the words came back to me, and I was able to say it all in Cambodian except the word witness and something else I can't remember. Then Scott bore his testimony in Cambodian. Can''t remember all that he said. Sorry! It was good. Maybe when I write the family letter I'll remember.

Anyway, we divided into 3 groups, which you can kind of see from the picture seeing people sitting on the floor. They gave us their only chairs. Each group were taught the first discussion. I sat with Elder Jenkins and I was able to share my conviction that Joseph Smith really did see the Father and the Son and that I knew that was true.

We then showed the Restoration film. Many of the scenes in that, is just how Cambodia is today, especially where we were. It is just frontierlike and beautiful! They really related to the movie and were quiet when it depicted Joseph Smith talking to the Father and the Son.

Afterwards, the pastor wanted to bear his testimony on the Book of Mormon, and also another lady in his congregation read the whole book and has a testimony that it's true. I have a picture of her with her husband. She is in the red blouse and black skirt. A true Primary President type of woman.



Then there is the big group picture and a picture of me with some of the ladies. The first one on your right we gave a ride back near the ferry. She is totally a Relief Society President type person.



We thanked them all for letting us come. They were all gracious. The whole meeting lasted about 2 1/2 hours. The pastor wanted to know what to do, because it is so far for him to come to Church. Scott told him to keep reading the Book of Mormon, and for sure someday the church will be established near him. This area, was so far into the forest that there was nowhere any missionary could stay. There just wasn't a home and there wasn't any way for them to bike into town to get safe food. So for right now, we invited him to go to a church nearer than Phnom Penh. This one would save 1 hour of his 2 hour sojourn. Such a sweet man and also his wife. They wanted our picture taken with them. He is in the polo shirt and tan pants.

You can see the Elders and President Smedley (Scott) getting the van ready to go. It was such a narrow fit getting out and getting in, but we made it. You can see Elder Salmon and Elder Jenkins is in the background.




The two Elders on their bikes, Elder Cox on the left and Elder Salmon on the right, are the missionaries teaching the Pastor and they also went with us teaching the congregation.

I will tell more in the family e-mail.

All in all it was a very memorable experience. The first time ever that I will have born testimony of the restoration in another Church with a cross on the wall behind me! Many sweet people and several desiring to know more.