Clint Mission
We received two letters today. One dated 1-18-99 the other 1-25-99.
Jan 18, 1999
Dear Family,
I want you all to keep hyping up the hut with the neighbors. I want it still to be a real popular thing so that when I come home and sleep in it, Sister Wintch will bring me breakfast!!! Hype it up!!
Well a real busy week. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Most come from the Mission play day we had on Jan 14. We left town on a bus and went North to Kompang Cham. It was a real fun day trip. One of the best parts was hanging out in the city of Kompang Cham and the meal that we had for lunch. The pace of life is much slower than the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh. We all want to be the ones picked to come and open up the city. The people were surprised to see this bus of white people and even more surprised when we started talking with them in Khmae. We saw the Mekong, an old temple ruins built 2000 + years ago, and two mountains (small hills). Boy mountain and Girl mountain. It was a two hour bus ride. And we took the day off. It was a fun way to spend my hump day.
Yet the highlight of the week had to be yesterday as Banna was baptized. The first discussion Elder Badger ever taught in Cambodia was the 1st with Banna. Since then he has seen the whole process. Each discussion, each question, etc. Banna is quoted as saying, “ I thought Jesus Christ was the God of America, I now know that he is the God of the whole world.” He is awesome and fun to teach.
Again this past week we have had two or three experiences with people who are involved with other Christian Churches. It is strange that we meet this in a county of Buddhism. Yet I think it is a way to help prepare the people. We are meeting with a couple of people who say they believe in Christ but are really confused by the things they have heard and seen. It is great to meet and help them see the gospel and cut through the confusion. However we met a man the other day who would have nothing to do with us or the Book of Mormon, because we had added to the Bible and we were wrong. First time I have ever heard that on my mission.
We were out riding and we were going to head across our area to follow up with a man to see if he wanted to study or not. We started to pedal and then I said nope and pulled over. I told Elder Badger that I felt like we needed to go see Meng and his family. ( We had been back once but Meng wasn’t home.) “I feel like he will be home.” So that is what we did and he was home and we had a great discussion about 3 Nephi 11.
I am very excited for Mitch! Fiji !!! Thanks for the San Diego pictures.
Jon are you the official camera man? Your Lego boat was pretty cool.
Have fun in the hut!!
Love your Son, Brother and Missionary
Clint
Jan 25, 1999
Dear Family,
Thanks for the good letters I received from everyone. This week the highlights were Zone Conference and a visit from Elder H. Brian Richards. Zone Conference was on the theme “ Follow the Prophet”. I remember as a little kid Mom helping us to memorize “ We thank thee O God for a Prophet.” I can still pretty much sing this song without a hymn book. Sister White recounted President Hinckley’s visit to Cambodia in ’96 it was really good. At that time there were only 200+ members but 400+ people met President Hinckley at the motel. The next morning he dedicated the land of Cambodia for the preaching of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The other big topic of discussion was that of the Discussions. The mission has a goal of nine per week and all companionships are falling short of that goal. Including myself and Elder Badger. So we are all committed, determined to get those discussions up starting Feb 1.
Elder H. Brain Richards came and presided over a leadership training seminar for the Branches. Over 100 people attended. The older elders were involved heavily. Elder Richards sent a packet of material to be translated, which was spread through out the missionaries who were old and language masters. ( I do not qualify in either category …….yet.)
I went with Elders Brooking and Badger proselyting for most of the day while the meeting was held. Elder Brooking’s comp Elder Harmon was busy at the conference. Three is a crowd, but it was fun. I let Elder Brooking and Badger teach and helped here and there. Then at 5:00 pm we all met back at the Inter-Continental Hotel to hear Elder Richards meet with just the missionaries for about 30 minutes. He reminded us of the urgency of the work and that there were levels of missionaries and to get up on the higher levels. It was great to hear his testimony for a second. It is kind of a period of self-reflection and evaluation for me. I see where I have come from….and yet what remains to be done and where I want to be.
I have to tell you about a young man I met this week. Meesaa 20 +, and man is this guy hungry for the Gospel. He saw us go to visit the Branch president and then when we left asked the BP what we were up to. We talked the first time a day or two later, and he just ate it up. Went back and he had read from 3 Nephi 11 to the end. Invited to Church and he came on the 1st invitation. By the time he left he had tithing, Priesthood, Sacrament and all of these new things figured out. He is so quick mentally, he has a notebook that he writes his questions and answers in. We teach him in a one room wood house with a tin roof. He has a bike. It is a privilege and just fun to teach him.
We found another 20 year old young man named Vothaa. Vothaa’s parents live in the provinces and he is being trained to be a soldier and lives with his uncle. We had a great first discussion. We were excited and so was Vothaa. We went back and the uncle got after Vothaa for having us there. We were there when the Uncle walked out and looked at us and then at Vothaa. Didn’t say a word but the look said it all. He asked to hold off studying until he can get out on his own. We made sure he knew the name of the Church and said good-bye. It was hard for both us as Elders and Vothaa although we only met twice. I know that he will again see the name of the Church someday and remember the feelings he had with us.
A huge transfer is in the works, rumor has it that we are all affected and to get the area books in good shape. We receive three more Elders from America and 2 young men from Cambodia who have been called to Cambodia. Rothaa is one of these. The missionary quota is going to be 16 companionships of foreigners and also native missionaries. Number ? There are lots of young men. Maybe I will be able to work with a native. ( Hello language study.)
I have now been in this Kampuchea Krom area for the longest of any of my other areas ( 6 months) so I am probably packin.
I received two packages that were sent in November and were really beaten up. One was the deer jerky. It was moldy. We have lots of Books of Mormon so don’t spend too much trying to send them. I’m good and have everything I need.
Again thank you all for your letters.
“ A goal is nothing more than a dream with a due date.” - Joseph Fielding McConkie
I like this quote, put a few more due dates on your dreams.
Love your Son, Brother , and Missionary Elder Rogers