Bugs

We were eating at a hotel in Battambang and Elder Sweeten noticed a huge cockroach walking on Elder Cox's shoulder. He jumped up and pointed, "You have a big cockroach on your shoulder." Sure enough there it came crawling from his left shoulder to his right, he hurried and brushed it off. It probably was 2 inch cockroach. The staff came and swept it up. The next morning we were getting ready to go to Siem Reap and Elder Sweeten says to President Smedley,"President you have a big bug on you.' Scott brushed it off and I went to take a picture of it but it surprised me by flying away. It has these beautiful red wings. So this is a picture in flight of the big red bug!

Conference in Siem Reap

A worker at our Hotel in Siem Reap. The grounds keepers and anyone in Cambodia that works with trash or yard work, many wear green and protective scarves on their faces. They don't want to get browner. They would like to be white. Look close and you can see a shadow taking the picture!


We were looking at a lot that the church is interested in buying for a chapel there in Siem Reap. I thought that I probably have never put a picture on the blog of the mission presidents vehicle. It is a Toyota Prado and is a 4 wheel and stick shift. I drive once in a while when Scott is tired. The other day we were coming from a North Zone conference here in the city and Scott was so tired, that he pulled over and I drove. I am fine driving here in Phnom Penh if someone is with me, but the traffic is so crazy I don't like to drive alone. Up in the provinces, I don't mind driving there at all. Traffic is only a little bad.


A corner of the land. It is upside down L shaped with the bottom of the L at the top and that is what this section is.

The branch president here is doing a fantastic job. He tells us he only has a few people less active. He has maybe in the 90's percent coming Church every Sunday. We have 3 sets of missionaries here in Siem Reap and they all stay busy. Everyone would love to work here at least once in their missions.

The rest of the land looking North from the street where the Prado is.

The Zone conference here was great and I forgot to get a picture of all the missionaries. Next time!

The Reynold's Mansion

Elder and Sister Reynolds are the Senior Leadership couple in Battambang. They have been their since a year ago in February, I believe. They are serving for 23 months. The former couples had this home, and it is nice and big and Sister Reynolds besides being a top notch cook is a top notch cleaner and her home is always spit spot.


President Sam Saphon and his wife came to the Branch conference and the Reynolds invited them to eat with us afterward. Elder Sweeten is sitting by Scott.



The three sisters working in Battambang live in the upstairs of the Reynold's home. It works out really good and the sisters feel safe.

Visits for Battambang Branch Conference

Scott and I went with Elders Nybo and Schwindlehurst to visit a young woman and her brother. They are members but wanted to be taught again. They felt like they were missing something. While we were there their father and Mother came out and stayed for the lesson. The father is a kind of less active man who hasn't participated much. After the lesson he agreed to come to church and be prepared to receive the Melchezidek Priesthood so that he can bless his family. The Mother also agreed to come and she has never come to the Church. So, this was good.

Battambang Branch Conferences May 9, 2010

Sisters Noeur, Sok, Pin have taught the woman in the wheelchair. She comes to church in her wheelchair. I think it takes her about 45 minutes to get to Church. What a testimony.

New Home for a Widow in Battambang

We were up North in Battambang for two branch conferences and a Zone conference the weekend of May 8-10th. This woman lost her husband, who by the way was not the best of men. He gambled and drank away the money she earned by selling cell phones near the Thai border. He died and then her home burned down along with her business. She had no insurance and so had to move near her Mom. Her home is the little shack on the left. On the right is the new home being built. Members of the branch were helping her with the labor, but the builder made the home too big and used up the money allocated for the home. Hopefully she will get it all worked out.


She is such a good member and a good missionary. These are her two boys. They are good boys in church and mind her too. The church is helping her be a good Mom and parent.

Here is a better view of her current home and the new one going up.

This is a neighbor that the sister introduced to the church. She comes to Church on her bike. It doesn't have any brakes, so she uses her feet! She also is a very good member and has her best dress on! It is a pretty typical dress with the Khmer skirt and a white blouse. Sometimes people can afford a silk blouse that kind of looks like a jacket. Very beautiful.

Zone Leader Council

We had a great Zone Leader Council April 28th here in the Mission Office. We have 6 Zones and all but 2 Zones have 2 Zone Leaders. Starting from l-r in the front. Elders Matthews and Oldroyd. 2nd Row: Elders Sweeten (Assistant), Klinefelter, Jennings, Sister Smedley, Elders Anderson and Cox (assistant), 3rd row: Elders Steven, Ross, Allred, President Smedley, Morrell (behind Scott), and Elder Fisher. These are very good leaders and we love working with them.