3/23/98
Dear Family—
A big hello from Cambodia! Well, I made it and I am pedaling around the dirt roads with my companion Elder Heywood spreading the gospel.
The plane ride was cake, maybe it was because I had so much on my mind, or the good pack of letters, or because I was tired and slept a lot. I don’t know but it went fast. Everyone knew who we were, ( the plane people and stuff) I sat by a member on the way down to LA and from LA on the people were either Japanese or Thai and I couldn’t understand them. We stopped in Osaka Japan and hung out in the airport from 2:45 a.m.-4:30 a.m. Then to Bangkok at 8:30 and flew to Phnom Penh at 11:something landed at about 12:15. ( If you ever fly Asia way Thai airlines took good care of us) I first noticed the mugginess in Bangkok. It is kind of scary as we just find our way through the foreign airports, but we had no problems.
When I flew into Phnom Penh I saw the Mekong ( looks like the Mississippi) and dirt roads from the plane window. We landed and walked down stairs on to the concrete. It was hot and a bit sweaty with my coat and long sleeves. We were met by 2 Elders inside. We purchased visas and got our luggage with no problems. Outside we were met by our new companions and Pres. And Sister White. The whole airport thing, the flight, and shaking President White’s hand, and looking at Phnom Penh is like a big dream to me. Everything that I have thought about since Sept 18th is now real ! The words Phnom Penh Cambodia Mission, speaking Cambodian is a reality. I wish I had a pair of James Bond glasses that I could wear and you at home could see everything that I have seen the last few days. Let me try and share with you some of the major events and highlights. Also let me say that it is Monday P-Day the 23rd. I promised to write ASAP the first pouch to leave since I have been here leaves tomorrow, Tues. the 24th and goes out every Tues. I had a nice pile of mail waiting for me and I read a good letter from someone each day. Thanks for rallying the troops!!
My companion is Elder Randon Haywood from Salt Lake City, Utah . He has been out 10 months. ( 2 in MTC, 2 in Thailand because of the evacuation, 6 in Srok Khmae) He went to BYU for l year and loves music. He plays the violin, he has completed Suskiki lessons, and is very good. Today he practiced for 1 hour at the mission office on one of President’s violins while I studied.
We have the big challenge of opening an area in Phnom Penh. The area is made out of two other areas and has been neglected so far. It is big and has lots of people. So Elder Heywood and I are in charge of the South Central area, and are pretty much starting from scratch.
After getting off the plane I shook a bunch of hands and then took my stuff to my home. I live with Elder Harmon, Elder Clayton, Elder Heywood, all from Wastach front Utah. They are funny and good with the language . Elder Hoare, Elder Williams and I are all in different houses, all different areas.
The house is nice. We have running water( sort of—you can not drink it) The maid does the laundry and cooks French toast for breakfast and for dinner a stir-fry type environment. It is good and there is plenty. Lunch we provide and I bought peanut butter and jelly sandwich stuff.
The first night I ate dinner with President and Sister White after spending the day with my companion buying my bike and food for the week. We had a nice dinner. (Elder Hoare, Elder Williams and me. ) We talked about our families and stuff. We have not talked about mission rules or had interviews yet. I am slowly learning from my companion.
I have a bike and there are only a handful of paved roads in my area. The rest of the time, Jon and I would have fun cruising through the dirt and bumps. The traffic is crazy. Mopeds, bikes, and dump trucks and delivery trucks, a few cars. Have you ever seen a few cars. Have you ever seen a family of four ride a moped, or a man pedaling a full living furniture set tied down to his 3 wheeled bike? It’s pretty crazy, today on P-day about half the mission was at the “monkey boys” for bike repairs. Like I said, the bike takes some abuse!
The people are poor , but nobody I have seen is starving or look like Ethiopia -type environment.
The houses are small and some of the kids run around naked or with no shoes. The kids are the best, they say “Hello” in English and wave as you ride by. Also when we stop to talk to somebody, they swarm around and want to know what these two American’s are doing. The other day we were talking to this guy and honestly there was 25+ kids around the bench that we sat on as we talked. Also there are these alleyways that we turn down and they are about a sidewalk wide with small shakes on both sides with families sleeping, watching TV, or doing other stuff.
There are lots of people, lots of these alleyways just in my area, and lots of work to be done in Phnom Penh. It is overwhelming at times. Each discussion takes a long time because they are so patient everyone will listen to as much as we want to tell them and then tell us one of these common answers. 1) all religion is good because it tells you to do good 2) you are rich, give me some money and I will believe. 3) I’m busy 4) Buddha 5) Please come back.
Saturday we tracked down our inactives in the area. We found that some had moved. We found 3 still here, and we got one to church.
Church was fun. I did not understand a whole lot, but I was called on to bear my testimony.
It is exciting to be here. My language is pretty good if we teach the first discussion, anything else and I am limited to a simple testimony. I like to tell people, that I have studied Khmae for 2 months and know just a little, but that I know that message is true and can help them if they will let it. My second day I had a neat experience. We were talking to Chaay Son who drives truck and was on his lunch break. We introduced him to the JSH story pamphlet. I felt the spirit as we talked to him. Afterwards Elder Haywood asked me if I felt anything while we were talking to him. Yes. We taught him half of the first discussion and then went back tonight to finish up but he ditched out on the appointment.
The hardest thing so far is being patient and knowing where to start as we have the big challenge of this new area.
It is kind of hot and sweaty!-- Like Rogers Construction Days.
Also I hit Lucky’s Burgers today for an ice cream. It was good!! A few times already we have stopped for a fresh coconut. They drill into it and give you a straw. It costs 25 cents or 900 riel. It is cool and wet, but it is going to take a while to get used to the taste.
All of the Elders here ( there are 22) are good and know how to work and speak Cambodian well and they know how to get around Phnom Penh. It is difficult the roads all look the same. I almost have the area mapped out in my head. There are many parts and alleys that I have not seen yet.
There is lots to look at and new smells to smell. There are lots of opportunities to speak and hear Khmae daily. I have only wrecked on my bike once. I fell on my back on the mount up--- I wasn’t hurt. It was a very busy street and it felt like everyone was watching or at least it felt like it.
Well, I need to wrap this up. Thanks for the good letters and the send off. I really enjoy your letters. Thanks Bood, Lisha, Ang, Annie, Word Jon, Hammers, North’s ( the cookies were great! ) Grandma and Grandpa Hafen, Grandma Talbot, for your letters and support!!
Be thankful , for your clean food, water and cars and nice clothes and homes! Mangos and Pineapple are great over here---best I ever tasted!! They are especially good after a hard day of proselyting .
I’m safe, well, and settling in, and excited about the work here in Cambodia. I think you would be good here Mitch!! Why don’t you come over in a year?
NEWSFLASH – Elders are receiving packages through the normal mail system.
My Cambodian Address
Elder J. Clinton Rogers
P.O Box 165
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
CTR and do good. I love you all very much and grateful for the opportunity to serve and struggle in Cambodia.
Love Elder J. Clinton Rogers