Clint Missionary Letter #47
Dear Family,
Word. Man it is cold here! This past week the sky has been overcast and there has been a real cool wind. The Cambodians are freezing. We Elders are a bit cool too. It is probably only 60 -70 or maybe 55-65 degrees but it feels cold here.
A good week. Let me tell you about it: Sunday we were a little disappointed to see only 61 in attendance. However this group of 61 was very focused. It was amazingly quiet as the Sacrament was passed. The Spirit was strong!. The Branch President didn’t want to break the silence to continue the meeting and tried to whisper into the mic. This doesn’t always happen. Sunday usually takes lots of energy and patience trying to help things go smoothly. This Sunday talks weren’t prepared somehow and the Branch President called on people from the audience to speak. I happened to be #4 on the list. I tried to give somewhat of a Christmas message and shared Mosiah 3:8, and Alma 39:16. I then concluded with a challenge/encouragement to spread the “glad tidings” by inviting friends and family to our Nativity Play on Dec 26th. The members are dressing up and putting on a play of Luke 2, and singing Christmas Songs. The goal is for a fun activity and most especially a good missionary tool. I’ll tell you about it.
Saturday we had a ward Christmas Dinner/ Party. The members spent much of the day decorating and making food. The girls came dressed up in formals and the guys were dressed up too.( Not for Church, but for a party). I didn’t really get to see the food cause I was busy providing the highlight of the party. I was Santa! It was quite fun as I got to dress-up and hand out gifts. I also shot 36 pictures with people who wanted a picture with Santa. It was funny because about half of the members and investigators did not know it was me until after I took off the beard.
Today Elder Badger and I went with E lder Hoare and Elder Stewart and the Young Men/ Young Women caroling to an orphanage here. We went and sang Christmas Songs to about 22 disabled orphans. Elder’s Hoare and Stewart do service there each week helping feed the children and they organized the event. All of the children were severely handicapped and it was kind of a hard place to visit. I think they all enjoyed listening to the 4 Christmas songs we sang. I talked with a young guy who could not walk but he was smiling there just as happy as could be. They are all special spirits. It was a good caravan of young latter-day Saints on bikes and motos headed for service at the orphanage.
Nary was sick this past week and has some other difficulties. We had to put her baptism off from the 13th to the 20th. Also, we can’t visit Sophiap and his wife anymore. They have studied up to the 4th Discussion. They live with a brother who has a job and Sophiap’s wife is the maid and cook. Sophiap builds wood stands for the flower business of the brother’s wife. The brother provides roof and food with his salary and Sophiap and his wife do all the housework. Sophiap and his wife are really excited too. Now however the brother says that they can’t or they have to find a new place to live. So we are done until they can find their own place or can get permission from the brother.
Sarun and his family are still coming along good, and we just have committed two college guys to baptism. They were invited to attend District Conference by their member friends. Their names are Naareet and Voun and should be baptized Jan. 10.
We’ll I’m out of here. I’ve got my Christmas tree up and enjoyed your Christmas cards! I can’t wait to see the “hut”. Sounds like quite a project. Can’t wait to talk with you on the phone. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! 21 years! And many more! Thanks for the e-mails. I like to hear about your past and present missionary experiences Dad.
Love your Son, Brother and Missionary. Elder Rogers