June 21 1999

Clint Mission 99 # 25                                                                          6/21/99

Dear Family,

                Hello to all of you! Another Preparation Day. . . One week yet I feel that I have had a month’s worth of experiences.  ( I have got 40 min so no big intro just start writing)

                Monday morning we met with Elder Richard and Sister Richards.  We ( President White, Sister White, Elder Hoare and myself, and the 3 Zone leaders.  Each of us had to give a 7 minute presentation to answer the questions. )

1.       What is the character of the Cambodian Phnom Penh Mission?  Elder Hoare answered a bond of friendship amongst the missionaries and the members .  Intense work, conversion, retention, activation, training branch leadership, trust.  We can be trusted.

2.       What is CPPM known for?  Elder Rogers

                      Alma 28:13  And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.

                        Bringing the glad tidings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ working together to accomplish a goal.  Exceed 1998 goal of 225.  Baptisms, finish with 257.  The District missionary program currently 40 people.

3.       History of Baptisms in the CPPM.  Elder McClain Viet Zone

        The first baptism was in 1994 this year it will exceed 1,000.

        Year to date 130.

4.       What are the challenges facing the CPPM?  Elder Folsom Zone 1

                     Khmae people have lack of example.  No traditions of righteousness, Lack of unity and love in the families and branches.

                        Training of our Priesthood leaders.

                What does the CPPM need right now?  Elder Sorber Zone 2

                        More translated material

                      More Training               

                         More families.            

                         Time for growth and maturity.

                               

After our presentations Elder Richards and his wife talked.  They were excellent.

                Sister Richards talked about pride from an article by President Ezra Taft Benson.  ( An area I could improve)

                Elder Richards drew this on the board:

_______________________________

Faith

Prayer

Obedience

hard work                                                    =  Focus =    Bring souls to Christ by baptism and                       

sanctification                                                                     confirmation

etc.

etc.

______________________________

His major message of his whole visit was don’t do anything that takes you from your focus.  He then talked about the atonement and the worth of souls to show the reasoning behind our purpose of missionary work.  We are a baptizing mission but we can’t be satisfied,  We have got to bring more souls to Christ.

                I can’t let anything get in the way of bringing souls unto Christ.  The Lord is speeding up the work here in Cambodia.

                Several times in the testimony of people speaking there was statements made which Elder Richards defined as statements made by the spirit of prophesy and revelation.  Here is three that I really liked.

                “ The fully translated Book of Mormon, when it is published is going to be to this people as was the plates coming out of the hill Cumorah by Joseph Smith to the rest of us. “  Elder H. Bryan Richards.

                “ There will soon be a temple here in Cambodia depending upon our preparation.”

                                                                                                     Nou Hoan 5^th Branch President

                                                                                                6/13/99 District Conference

                “ I am confident that some of you will return to Cambodia as mission presidents—Whether I’m here or on the other side I’ll help you and rejoice in the work that you do!!  I love you! I pray for you!”   

    President L. D. White speaking to the Missionaries of CPPM 6/15/99 Mission Conference.

                Elder H. Bryan Richards is my favorite General Authority.  He put his arm around me several times this week and filled me with desire to do better as a missionary and leader in the mission.  This work is fast and furious.  I love it.  Sophon and family were all confirmed and going strong. 

                Love your Son, Brother and Missionary

               Elder Rogers

June 14 1999

Clint Mission 99 #24

                                                                                                June 14, 1999

Dear Family,

                Word to all you sunburned “Lakers”! Sounds like you had a fun trip! Also seems like all of you miss me a bit more as you head out to the lake. Cause of all the fun we had before. Don’t worry Lucinda and I will be there in full form in 2000. Now back to the Spiritual stuff.

                The major news is that we had a successful baptismal service June 12^th. Twelve people were baptized, two families. Sam Sophon his wife and 5 children and Saom Soaphoun a single mother and her 4 children. It was a great service! We went to their house yesterday for a minute to schedule the new member discussions and they pretended they didn’t know us. The said, “ Since our baptisms yesterday we are all new people, and so have never met you.” Humor was an important part of building a relationship of trust with this family. I have such a love and vision for them as a family. I hope that they together can start a tradition of righteousness which can be passed on to friends , neighbors and posterity. Wow it was great to see them in white. Sophon went first followed by his wife and then from oldest to youngest. We tried to make their day special. The Spirit was so strong at the baptism. Elder H. Bryan Richards, of the Seventy and member of the Asia Area Presidency and his wife were there. It was really special. And I just can imagine how I’ll feel about it many years down the road when I look back on it, or in a few years when I see them go through the Temple built her in Phnom Penh. It is going to happen! The Lord loves these people and He pours his Spirit upon those who will read the Book of Mormon and have faith to live the commandments.

                The District Conference was a good success too. There were 654 people in attendance. The theme was Alma 5:33

                Alma 5:33

 33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.

 an invitation to Christ. Those who spoke did excellent, especially Elder Richards who spoke about what we could do specifically  to come to Christ.

                Daily Scripture Study

                Daily Personal Prayer

                Listen to the Prophet

                Prepare to go to the Temple.

               

                I sure felt the power and Spirit of the Conference and Elder Richards’ remarks.  I hope the members did too.  It is quite a production with 3 languages going at one time English, Khmane and Viet.  We have all been busy this week putting it together. 

                Well, I am about out of time.  I need to get caught up on my journal and get ready for tomorrow’s Zone Conference.  I will try to give you a better report next week. 

                I love you all!

                Love your Son, Brother, and Missionary! 

P.S. Elder Hoare and I purchased “Corn” flavored Ice Cream  I’ll let you know if it is good or not.  Doesn’t sound good, but had to try it.  

June 7 1999

6/7/99

Dear Family,

                A big fat hello to all of you! 

                6 Elders moved into a new house today, house 154.  I have enclosed a list of all the latest moves.  You will notice that our area switches from RM to TBL.  We split our area.  Also notice Elders Walker and Chean are office Elders.  They are going to come in part time and do some office work to free us up.  This past while has been fast and furious with all that we have been doing we haven’t had time for personal study and lunch so we are using the power of delegation. 

                Everything is falling into place for Sophon and family to be baptized on June 12.  Elder Hoare and I fasted this fast Sunday that they could all make it to church and be ready for the 12^th.  They were all there except Petra.  He was over at the school making sure his name was on the list so that he could take the test the next day.  Elder Hoare and I were worried.  He needed to be there the Sunday before so he could be baptized and we didn’t want to delay the baptism or baptize on separate days.  We went to their house after the 3 hr. block to see if he could make the afternoon branch.  He wasn’t home.  It just wouldn’t be as special to baptize the family except for one person.  ( comparable to our family making it to heaven all of us there except one. . . . it would be terrible.)  We taught our afternoon appointments on Sunday and didn’t know until Monday afternoon today but Petra had gone to the afternoon branch.  It was almost a test of faith.  Elder Hoare and I were cheering!!! June 12^th!!!

                Sunday was just a tough day.  Sometimes things run smoothly in the branch other times everything goes wrong.  You feel just like Joseph Smith back in the log cabin coaxing the church along.  Joseph Smith had to have great patience and an optimistic eye just like a Cambodian Elder.  It is the true Church of Jesus Christ.  Yet Christ loves us enough that he allows us imperfect people to learn, grow, and serve in his church and to help us become more like him.  We are building his church in Cambodia.

                I can’t wait to send baptism photos next week.

                Love your Son, Brother, and Missionary,

                                Elder Rogers