Clint Mission 99 # 42
10/11/99
Dear Family,
This past weekend has been a holiday it is called Pheum Ben. It is 15 days when the souls of those who have not made it to heaven are released from hell. The tradition is that at this time food is taken to the Pagodas and given to the monks. In the case of food, the monks eat the food and then chant prayers to the ancestors of the givers. According to tradition if you don’t give food your ancestors will haunt you or make your life difficult. I talked to a guy who took food to both the monks and his extended family out in the Provinces. He said he had a hard time believing that giving food to monks helped and so also gave food to the poor people in the Provinces. He also expressed a desire to learn more about the teachings of Jesus Christ, Elder Stewart and I placed a Book of Mormon and signed him up.
I had an adventurous week too. We finished up the housing and the changes in the information packets we give to the mission leaders. With the addition of Elder Haban’s group which will be here in two days from now, we have changed the leadership of the mission. Each house has a new houseleader who conducts the schedule of the house and the physical duties. A district leader has 2-3 houses in his district who he meets with weekly to skill train and also conducts a monthly split we each companionship. This takes the pressure off the Zone leader who supervises the District leaders in his Zone. The assistants will have a half-time area again and use the other half-time as splits/other assignments, office, etc.
I am enclosing a copy of the moves. I am staying with Elder Hirst right now and Elder Pruett and Nou until Wednesday when I will meet my new companion. Elder Hoffman from California. Elder Badger will train Elder Haban.
Let me call attention to Elder Brookings new assignment. Elder Brooking has the ability to tackle a project and solve a problem. ( Like the time when he rebuilt the pump and water system on a P-day afternoon in 210) Elder Brooking has been struggling a bit, but as we talked about who should go to Ta Khman, I proposed that maybe we should give Elder Brooking the project. President White said he had been having the same idea. I drew a map for Elder Brooking stapled some business cards of people we had met and shook his hand. He is excited about it!!! Remember him in your prayers!! The goal has been issued for him to find enough families to start a branch.
I am going back to 2nd branch. If I had my choice it would have been 2nd branch. Kampuchea Krom Area. I’m already thinking of re-activating some of those who are struggling and Mak Saran and family studied up to the 4th discussion. This is the family Elder Brooking, Badger and I taught every Sunday night from Sept 98 to Jan 99 but they were busy. Sarum the Father and his wife have testimonies I know it –We have to help them take the time. I left my house early to allow the new assistants to plan together and I spent a day with Elder Springer. We found a family and a younger man and taught great first discussions.
Well I will have much to report on next week. I have been trying to study Mormon and the last ¼ of the Book of Mormon. I feel like I don’t know it as well. I like Mormon 7 often Mormon has to speak directly to the reader because things are so bad around him his only hope is that the record will be kept and brought forth to reclaim his people and the Lamanities of future generations. It has been brought forth!
Love Your Son, Brother and Missionary,
Elder Rogers
PS I am helping to translate the Church handbook of Instructions—Melchizedick Priesthood Section
10/25/99
Dear Family,
How is everyone?
I want you to know that you might have received my release letter, but it is not over until I am setting on that plane and hear those engines roar. Then my mission is not over it is just another change. I will begin to prepare myself to support a family and continue to live, teach and spread the gospel.
The rainy season is here. I remember from last year . There is an unbelievable loud clap of thunder that signals that the rain is done, it is the warning to fish, crabs, and frogs etc. to find a wet hole and climb into it, so I am told by the Cambodian people. It is the most incredible thunder I have ever heard and If I remember it right. . . it’s about that time. I’m excited to hear it again.
Sunday was a rainy wet day and Elder Hoffman and I didn’t mind because we had an afternoon of appointments. Well every single appointment fell through, but one. Standing there in the cold rain with thoughts of numerous “ defeats”, after trying all plans and back up plans it could been pretty easy for us to get discouraged. I’ll admit that the thoughts started to creep in. But we said “ Oh Boy, It’s opportunity time!” Well we went forth with no other plan but to knock doors find the people inside and share our message of truth. After being let in a few times by people who felt bad for the wet “ Frenchies” but had no real desire to study. We saw a doctor standing out front of his clinic. Turns out he is a Psychiatrist.. He intently listened and wants to hear the first discussion. Things were going great. Elder Hoffman liked the opportunity to put the discussion memorization he has been working on into use. Trouble started to threaten again in the 5th principle about the Book of Mormon as his attention span was getting short. He flipped casually in the Book of Mormon and it fell open to the picture of the Rogers’ Family glued in the front. Puzzled he began to ask questions I bore testimony of the importance of the Book of Mormon in our family and again we got his full attention. ( I had been saving this copy for a rainy day) We finished the discussion, committed him to read and pray and scheduled a return appointment.
We were blessed to find a discussion and a great contact, as we shook off discouragement and physical discomfort and stayed focused. It turned out to be a pretty good day. I love the work and I love all of you. Keep up the good work at home.
Love your Son, Brother and Missionary, Elder Rogers