May 18, 1998

Letters from Cambodia #18                                                             May 18, 1998

Received June 1, 1998

Dear Family,

                I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk with you on the phone this morning.  Does it feel like a missionary family?  I think so.  It was really fun to hear each of you, answer questions and tell you a little of life here.

                This is going to be short as I have got to catch up on my journal and stuff today.  My major news is Luu Thom and my area change.  

                I pedaled 20+ kilometers ( 12 miles) today and left the city limits of Phnom Penh in an approved visit to a member out in the boonnies.  He couldn’t meet with us and so we turned around and came home.  Count it as one of our fun P-day activities. 

                Again great talking to you.  I hope you felt how much I love you –yet am so grateful for the opportunity to be here as a missionary!

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary

                Elder J. Clinton Rogers

             GO JAZZ!!

               

Dear Family,                                                                                                         May 25, 1998

                I got a great E-mail today from the office!  I really enjoyed the letter from everyone.  Even though Lisha and the crew slammed the bucket run record--- you must have had pretty good plans.  It was disappointing, you killed the record, better start planning now Bood!

                I have lots to report. First I took all my pills this week and as of Wednesday I am worm and parasite free. 

                Second, a neat thing happened this week as I was sitting at an appointment.  There was some people eating behind me but I didn’t think much of it.  As I got up to leave I turned and waved good-bye, to the people.  They offered me a snack before I hit the road, a bowl full of bugs.  Yes sir ree just like in the book from the library.  They were eating big crickets and cockroach looking beetles.  They offered us some and started laughing.  We just sat there and watched for a minute or two.  They crunched them down with a big smile and said they tasted good.  It wasn’t P-day so I didn’t have the camera, otherwise I would have shot a whole roll for Hailey Hammer.

                Third, Sunday I had the great opportunity to baptize two new converts to the church: Sophuanau Rit from my old area, and Koom Taal from my new area.   Both two great young guys!  I memorized the baptismal prayer in Cambodian and the baptismal clothes came out of the suitcase. 

                The baptism took place in the water tank seen on the Internet.  This was really exciting for me as I have never been a part of somebody totally unfamiliar with the church going through the steps and being baptized.  Also to baptize these two young men in another language, Wow!  It is just amazing how much I have been blessed and the great things that I have seen take place.  It was really neat to talk with them about their feelings, and see how excited they were.  I too was very happy and excited , and in my heart I really felt good.  I took some good pictures with them and have copies to give them to remember their baptism.  Also it was a packed house as we had 112 people at church.  Some people, like me, didn’t have seats, and in the next few months the branch will be split. 

                There is lots to be done here.  Teaching is the most important part but there is much more to be done.  All the Elders here are really good and each of them have a talent or role that makes them very needed.

                For example:

                Elder Daniels, Ruden, Madden------language masters

                Elder Walker-----computer specialist

                Elder Heywood and Clayton--------Special musical numbers

  

                I see all of this.  I am studying hard on my language but also systematically mapping the city in my head, and learning about lots of stuff by listening and being observant.  I have the “Angela Rogers” desire for knowledge and things that will help.  Trying to do my best to figure out my role and work here, and my talents and stuff.  I’m learning lots about my self, and learning from the Elders here, and learning from the variety of people and experiences each day.  Dad you can probably relate and had the same types of experiences.  Any tips?

                Thanks for all the treats.  You and the family are really taking care of me. 

                I love you all.  It sounds like May has been pretty busy, trips, grad nite etc.  Over in the industrial park are some storage sheds.  I think in B-ll there is a nice spyder boat. . . . Each day I have the opportunity to pedal over the bridge.  It is a neat view.  The other day the water was real smooth and I remembered “lucinda” and wanted to hit the glass.

                                                Love your Son, Brother, and Missionary,

                                                Elder Rogers

May 11, 1998

Clint’s Mission #17                                                     5/11/98

            Siesanbok!   Soksbaay Tee?

            How is everyone?  Not a whole lot of time to report this week, but I sent some more pictures.  This time I did a little better job showing you the house and the area I work in a bit also a little about how it is here in Phnom Penh.

            Sometimes I really feel confident with my language skills and other times people have a hard time understanding me, and , I them.

            Also it has been hotter than Toby this whole week!

            We have been watching conference.  I have seen Sat. Morn., afternoon, and Priesthood.  We will finish up the rest this week.  We have the video tapes from Salt Lake both in English and translated in Cambodian.  The branches watched the Sunday morning session for Sunday School and Priesthood.  Each house of Elders has been taking turns with the TV and VCR and watching the sessions.  We have been watching the sessions in the evening instead of study.  I have really enjoyed it.  It is neat to watch conference, especially as a missionary.  I was reminded of Pine Valley and the conference tradition at the cabin.  It was weird to feel like we were in Utah watching conference when Phnom Penh was just outside.  I really liked Elder Holland’s talk about teachers, it reminded me of some of the great MTC teachers I had.  Also Pres. Hinkley’s talk in the Priesthood session did too. 

            A hard thing happened this week as we realized that Bunrith was not progressing and we could not continue going through the discussions.  I bore my testimony again about faith and to open your heart.  This is his major concern: He has studied many religions but he picks out the pieces he likes and then builds his own philosophy or “road” for life.  The guy studies like crazy and is really good.  However we had to explain to him our purpose which is to explain the gospel and invite him to make commitments.  We told him we really liked him, liked meeting with him and stuff but that we couldn’t keep meeting him in order for him to pick out the best pieces.  So we ended with prayer, and told him that we would come and see him in a few weeks, and He promised that he would keep studying and praying.  We have planted a seed.

            At one point in our discussion  about the plan of Salvation ( 4^th Discussion) he asked about the other religions and their Gods.  He believes that there are many Gods and each religion has its own God.  After he said this I said: ( Approx. this is how I remember it) Okay, you and I have the same goal.  We want to go to heaven and we are looking at all these different choices of plans and Gods.  I’m scared because I want to choose the right one?  I set it up and personalized as I tried to get him thinking about all these choices.  Then I said this choice and this fear of which one is right was just what Joseph Smith was feeling.  We talked about his decision to pray and the vision.  “Either Joseph Smith is a prophet or we are more confused than everybody else.”  I said.  Then I bore my testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that we do not have to be confused.  Man my heart just burned in me as I said this.  Bunrith has felt the spirit.  He understands our testimony and that we are sharing our beliefs but can’t quit believe yet.  I still have two years to keep dropping in on him. 

            Sophanaarit still going for the 24^th but still hasn’t been able to get him to some to church.  Pressure from friends has scared him a bit about not having friends and stuff.  We are going to work hard with him this week.

            Luu Thom is fired up.  Bought a bike this week so he could go to church.  Baptism is on the 17^th. 

            Well I am out of time.  One message I heard lots in Conference was families.  I want you to know that I sure love my family.  Do good and love each other.  Also enjoy morning scriptures and things.  Keep up the good work.  I can’t wait to chat with you on the phone.  Big world yet small.

            Mom I especially want you to know I love you.  Your such a great example of love and service for others.  Thanks for preparing me so well for this mission since a young age.  I really enjoyed coming home from Dixie College and having some time with you before everyone got home.  I love you Mom !

Thanks for the letters of support and the distribution!

            Love your Son, Brother, Missionary

            Elder J. Clinton Rogers. 

May 4, 1998

Letters from Cambodia #16                                                                                             May 4^th, 1998

Dear Family,

                Well, let me tell you a little about my week.  The highlight was a great mission conference on May 1^st.  Once a month all 20 missionaries go to the President’s house from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 for a good meeting.  We sing, talk about how to better present discussions, the 2 AP’s give a message and the 2 ZL’s give a message.  There are musical numbers, mission policy review, Sister White presents the theme, President White gives a talk, and last but certainly not least a lunch!.

                This conference was really good as the theme was Endure to the End.  However it focused mainly on the attitude we have.  Often endure brings a bad taste to the mouth, but the theme is to have a good attitude and a change of heart while we are about this missionary work. 

                I especially liked President’s talk about how it is important to obey the rules and go through the daily schedule of a mission, but what are you feeling in your heart?  And what are your motivations?

                Obviously the goal is to always be in the service of Heavenly Father and the Cambodian people, and to be working hard out of Christ like love.  It is difficult.  On my goals in my blue planner this week I have my memorization and study goals and then two questions:  What am I thinking?  What is my heart?  I want to be able to ask myself these questions during the day to make sure I’m on track. 

                Also I really liked President White’s 3 signs of a changed heart:

                                                Signs of a Changed Heart

                1)Emotional Honesty-(I was sorry for the way I felt)

                2)Right Conduct---( Respond to Conscience, Listen to the Spirit)

3)      Always see others careingly and compassionately—

                Abandonment of accusing attitudes unselfishness, love, charity

                  How can I help you?

Also at church this week there was 2 baptisms.  Luu Thom was there at church and stayed with

us for the baptism.  It was a 16 year old girl and her little sister that were taught by Elder Daniels and Ruden.  Luu Thom is excited and fun to teach.  He is 39 and has 3 kids.  His wife lives in Philadelphia works and sends a little money for help.  She has already been baptized.  Sophanarit will start the 5^th discussion this week, but has not made it to church.  ( He keeps going out of town. )

                Bunrith is struggling to gain his testimony.  We are halfway through the 4^th but he won’t come to church either until his foot heals. 

                Sophanarit and Bunrith were scheduled for baptism on the 10^th but it will probably be on the 17^th.  I worry about Bunrith the most.  He will study like crazy and wants to ask all the deep questions but has a hard time with faith. 

                We have taught the first and half of the second discussion to another man named Bo.  This week he had several loads of scrap wood dumped in front of his house.  He has been sorting it and trying to get all the good wood under his house before it rains again.  Saturday for l hour Elder Heywood and I took the ties off and helped carry wood.  It was funny because the neighbors ( and the women especially) were laughing and came over to watch.  They said that we were going to get all dirty and that it was too hot. 

Bo and Tee ( a man hired to help) were reluctant to let us help, they didn’t think we were serious and because of the neighbors and women gathered around.  After a few loads they saw that we were serious, and that we were not afraid of sweat and dirt.  We had an appointment cancel and only an hour to give.  Tee sorted and loaded us up, Elder Heywood and I carried loads to Bo who stacked it under his house.

Yes, we did get pretty dirty and sweaty.  I took a picture.  We then ran home changed shirts, brushed off the pants, and made the 4:30p.m. appointment. 

                Elder Hoare and I had the opportunity to go on splits this week again.  It was fun and we are best buds.  We taught two new member discussions to two young men our age.  Also the Mom game in and had some questions about the church, she is a member.  Elder Hoare and I had the exciting yet very important job of resolving the concerns she had about Buddhism and church attendance all in Khmae.  It was a fun language challenge and hopefully, she felt better and her questions were answered.  I think she felt better. 

                Well that is all the time I have left.  We are having family home evening again tonight. ( That is what I named it ) We bake a cake or cobbler in the rice malar while we write letters and then the last hour of the day we have cake and ice cream and spend some time together.  It is really fun and good eats. 

                I love you all.  Especially Mom as it is almost Mother’s Day and you have done so much to get me ready for this mission!

                Love your Son, Brother, and Missionary,

                Elder J. Clinton Rogers