8/31/98
Word to my Awesome Family:
How are all of you?
I am writing to you from a new house, a new area, and with a new companion.. This week has been very weird. Tuesday I spent half the day in my old area, then moved in the afternoon and went to one appointment in the new area. It was time for me to hit the road againg as Elder McCormick was visited and observed by the zone leader for a day. I left my suitcases packed at my new house and lived out of a smaller bag for two nights and a day at House 61. I was companions with Elder Tolman. Elder Tolman and our zone leader speak Vietnemese so I was Viet Elder for a day.
Thursday was my first day in my new area: the Kampuchea Krom Area. It is big, thick city with lots of sied streets off the main roads. I am pretty much lost right now.
Friday we had a fun mission day. We rented a bus, piled in , and left Phnom Penh. We were told to leave the 28th open on our planners but we were not told why. We were thinking they had arranged for a service project of somekind. Howerver it was a fun day. We went 40 km to an old city called Udong. It was the capital of Cambodia from 1618 to 1775. It is two little hills that stick up in the middle of a flat. On top is ruins of Wats (temples) And stupas. Stupas hold the remains of past kings, like a pyramid. You will have to wait to see the pictures next week, also I will send my journal entry about the day. It was weird to be a true tourist for the day. The best part was just to be with President & Sister White, the couples, ans the other missionaries. It was a fun day.
Saturday we finished a 6th discussion with Chun. Chun is 20 and has been working with Elders McCormick & Folsom. It was kind of a trade as in my old area Elder Fernandez and I have been working with Kosal. Chun was baptized on Sunday and I hope down in the 5th Branch that my buddy Kosal was baptized, I haven’t heard yet.
As a new missionary it the 2nd Branch I thought I would have to speak in Sacrament meeting, however I gave the Baptismal talk. It is going to take some time to get to know all of the members, for them to know me, and know the area, like I do or did in the South. Also Sunday was the last day for House #30, home of the 2nd Branch, to be used. Today they moved to a newer bigger home #13. House #30 has been used since the beginning I think, it is also the house where tanks were fighting out front last year. I was able to attend a meeting there one time.
Today Elder McCormick and I have been busy paying bills and taking care of things like that, as we have just moved in to this House #17. One block north west of the Olympic Stadium off of Nehru. I live with Elders McCormick, Heywood, & Hoare.
We received a $800 check from the phone company and were taking it down to the mission office on our bikes. When we got the office, Elder McCormick had lost the envelope. We called the phone company and they hadn’t seen it. So we pedaled North again to find the check or plead with them to cancel the first one and write another one. Elder McCormick was upset at himself for losing it. As we left the mission office, I said a little prayer in my heart asking for help to find the check or resolve the problem. About halfway there, we say some papers that looked like a bill in the ditch. We slammed on the brakes and sure enough there was the $800 check and other receipts,......... and we thought Rolaids spelled Relief. There is so much trash and things on the streets an din the gutters it is amazing we found it, but we both saw it at the same time and knew. I know the Lord hears those little thoughts and prayers we say in our hearts.
Elder McCormick and I are going yo have to depend on the Lord and work hard to find people to teach this week. They have just baptized some new people and we have to start anew in the finding and teaching department.
I just finished my favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon. Ether 12. Check it out.
Good Luck with school, work, and all that is going on back home. Choose the Right.
Love your son, brother, missionary,
Elder Rogers