Our apartment is located at House #5, Street 163 in Phnom Penh. It is on the 3rd floor of the apartment building (luckily there is an elevator). As you can see we don't have a great view, but the apartment is comfortable and its becoming a home for us. We've hired a branch member who helps couples out by coming in once a week, cooking a couple of meals and cleaning our apartment. This has been great because our days are long and it's nice to have something readily available when we come home at the end of the day.
Driving to our assignments is an experience like we've never experienced before. The streets are crowded and busy. Getting on the road is not something we look forward to in the morning. Kent has come up with the "Rules of the Road for Phnom Penh". The rules are still being developed, but they include the following:1. Moto's don't have any rules
2. The larger your vehicle the greater your right-of-way privileges
3. Stop signs, traffic lights and lane markers are only suggestions
4. Be prepared to stop at a moments notice
5. Never make eye contact
6. Be patient ... more to come
Our normal day is to get up at 5:30, roll (literally) out of bed for prayer, exercise, eat breakfast, study and prepare for the day. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we leave at 7:30 for the mission office. Our responsibilities there include housing, travel, and finances. On Monday, Friday and Saturday we have time to work on our other assignments of Young Men/Young Women, Family History and working with three branches. On Sunday we leave for church around 7:15 in the morning and spend time as needed with the members in these church units. In the evenings we have been able to go teaching and visiting with the missionaries. This is really the best part of the day because we get to interact with the people.We have had several choice experiences working with the people. They typically live in very humble circumstances. Much of their time is devoted to earning a living ... usually both parents work. Yesterday we visited with two families in TaKmao which is in the country south of the city. We found ourselves walking down a treelined dirt road, wading through mud and water up to our ankles from the heavy rain the night before. The discussion was on the importance of families and how temple work can result in families being together forever. The family was touched by the lesson.
This week is a major holiday in Cambodia. Most of the people in Phnom Penh have gone to the provinces to honor their ancestors. As we attended church today and a fireside last night the church members talked about how important the temple and the gospel is to them. They have the eternal perspective taught by Christ ... that being that we can be together through the saving ordinances of the temple. What better way to honor our ancestors than this? This doctrine has great appeal to the Cambodian people. They have lost so many of their parents, grand parents and other family members due to war and other circumstances that they have great feeling for family.
One of the best experiences was being involved in welcoming the 14 new missionaries that we knew at the MTC in Provo. They arrived on September 11. We were able to pick them up at the airport, help with their orientation and see them off to their new assignments. They were is a stage of "shock and awe" when they arrived. It was great to see their enthusiasm for the work they are here to do. Sister Fairchild felt like she was sending her sons out into the world. We knew that within a day they would be biking through the streets of their assigned areas, dealing with the rain and humidity, mud and other challenges that come with this service. We have seen them since then and they are doing great and are amazing young men and women.
We also helped with the open house for the new 4th and 11th branch chapel in west Phnom Penh. About 500 people attended the open house and saw displays of church services and programs. The people are very proud of the new building and enthused about what the Church is doing for them here.
We will be working with LDS Charities starting next month. They sponsor a puppet show for school children that teaches health and sanitation. The show travels out to the provinces around Phnom Penh each Monday during the dry season (December - June). We look forward to this experience because we'll be able to work closely with the puppeteers and will see the children and families in many villages in the country.Another assignment we have received is to visit an orphanage north of Phnom Penh. We understand that they have about 35 children at the orphanage. It is run by two women. We will not be able to begin this effort until it dries out. The road there now is flooded and it takes a 4 wheel drive vehicle to get there.
We enjoy what we are doing and love the privilege of serving. The people here are warm and welcoming and that helps us remember why we are here and Who we are serving. We know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us and that He cares about all of his children.
We love you all and appreciate your support.
