On the road again January 26th, but driving this time. On the way, there was a big traffic slow up. The police let those not in some kind of procession pass on the left. As we got to the beginning of the procession we saw what the hold up was. Apparently an older monk was being honored and many many people who are devout Buddhists were praying and chanting in their vehicles as they followed the monk on the elephant. We also saw a man on a moto with LOTS of baskets. I couldn't believe he could keep his balance. As we cross the bridge from Chup going into Kampong Cham, there is a beautiful view of a Wat by the Mekong River.
The missionaries listen to music and study before the training in the 1st and 2nd branch building. I also am studying. Elder Hill practices the piano while we wait for Scott for his Temple interviews. After we get to eat at the Mekong Crossing with our couples that are in Kampong Thom, the Grimnes, and in Kampong Cham, the Shelley's. They both are wonderful and are doing a great job. The Elders from Kampong Thom enjoy a game of Jinga while they finish eating their supper. They head off in the early morning back to Kampong Thom. The restaurant keeps some games handy and they discovered it. Elder Yem, a Cambodian, had never seen anything like that.
These are some of the candidates for the Temple. They will go either next month or sometime this year, depending on how much more money they need to save. I think for sure Sister Ming (means aunt) Ny and the family of three are going, and hopefully the family of four also. They are an amazing family. They are just about totally self sustaining with a garden and she sews. He has health issues and so cares for the garden and sells any left over produce. They have saved for 5 years I think.
These two just wanted a picture with me. I think they like to pat my nice "skinny" belly.
We did family visits on Saturday the 28th to the above families. The man isn't a member, and his wife has been for almost a year, but is struggling a bit to have faith to leave her store and come to church like she did when she was investigating. We encouraged her and I think the Senior couple will go by and visit also. The young women are sisters. They have a termite mound in this home and for some reason they won't take it out of the home. It's just a huge dirt mound. I guess tradition has it, that it will be good luck.
After the Saturday visits, the 3 branch presidents, the district president and counselor pose with us. Our translator is a newly returned missionary, Amereth Phirun. More sister who wanted a picture with me. They are all so short, it makes me look tall. They are all sweet, faithful and wonderful women. I love them.
The two families also wanted a picture with Scott and I since this was our last District Conference with Kampong Cham District. The older Sister is a character. She went to the temple last year and has been a faithful and devout member. The young sister is a returned missionary, kind of shy, but sweet and very knowledgeable about the church. She is also a very good teacher. Here she looks at President Smedley with her beautiful smile. We had a great conference and a good attendance even though it was Scott presiding and no general authority. We have our District conferences there in the third branch building.
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