Letters from Cambodia #16 May 4th, 1998
Dear Family,
Well, let me tell you a little about my week. The highlight was a great mission conference on May 1st. Once a month all 20 missionaries go to the President’s house from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 for a good meeting. We sing, talk about how to better present discussions, the 2 AP’s give a message and the 2 ZL’s give a message. There are musical numbers, mission policy review, Sister White presents the theme, President White gives a talk, and last but certainly not least a lunch!.
This conference was really good as the theme was Endure to the End. However it focused mainly on the attitude we have. Often endure brings a bad taste to the mouth, but the theme is to have a good attitude and a change of heart while we are about this missionary work.
I especially liked President’s talk about how it is important to obey the rules and go through the daily schedule of a mission, but what are you feeling in your heart? And what are your motivations?
Obviously the goal is to always be in the service of Heavenly Father and the Cambodian people, and to be working hard out of Christ like love. It is difficult. On my goals in my blue planner this week I have my memorization and study goals and then two questions: What am I thinking? What is my heart? I want to be able to ask myself these questions during the day to make sure I’m on track.
Also I really liked President White’s 3 signs of a changed heart:
Signs of a Changed Heart
1)Emotional Honesty-(I was sorry for the way I felt)
2)Right Conduct---( Respond to Conscience, Listen to the Spirit)
3) Always see others careingly and compassionately—
Abandonment of accusing attitudes unselfishness, love, charity
How can I help you?
Also at church this week there was 2 baptisms. Luu Thom was there at church and stayed with
us for the baptism. It was a 16 year old girl and her little sister that were taught by Elder Daniels and Ruden. Luu Thom is excited and fun to teach. He is 39 and has 3 kids. His wife lives in Philadelphia works and sends a little money for help. She has already been baptized. Sophanarit will start the 5th discussion this week, but has not made it to church. ( He keeps going out of town. )
Bunrith is struggling to gain his testimony. We are halfway through the 4th but he won’t come to church either until his foot heals.
Sophanarit and Bunrith were scheduled for baptism on the 10th but it will probably be on the 17th. I worry about Bunrith the most. He will study like crazy and wants to ask all the deep questions but has a hard time with faith.
We have taught the first and half of the second discussion to another man named Bo. This week he had several loads of scrap wood dumped in front of his house. He has been sorting it and trying to get all the good wood under his house before it rains again. Saturday for l hour Elder Heywood and I took the ties off and helped carry wood. It was funny because the neighbors ( and the women especially) were laughing and came over to watch. They said that we were going to get all dirty and that it was too hot.
Bo and Tee ( a man hired to help) were reluctant to let us help, they didn’t think we were serious and because of the neighbors and women gathered around. After a few loads they saw that we were serious, and that we were not afraid of sweat and dirt. We had an appointment cancel and only an hour to give. Tee sorted and loaded us up, Elder Heywood and I carried loads to Bo who stacked it under his house.
Yes, we did get pretty dirty and sweaty. I took a picture. We then ran home changed shirts, brushed off the pants, and made the 4:30p.m. appointment.
Elder Hoare and I had the opportunity to go on splits this week again. It was fun and we are best buds. We taught two new member discussions to two young men our age. Also the Mom game in and had some questions about the church, she is a member. Elder Hoare and I had the exciting yet very important job of resolving the concerns she had about Buddhism and church attendance all in Khmae. It was a fun language challenge and hopefully, she felt better and her questions were answered. I think she felt better.
Well that is all the time I have left. We are having family home evening again tonight. ( That is what I named it ) We bake a cake or cobbler in the rice malar while we write letters and then the last hour of the day we have cake and ice cream and spend some time together. It is really fun and good eats.
I love you all. Especially Mom as it is almost Mother’s Day and you have done so much to get me ready for this mission!
Love your Son, Brother, and Missionary,
Elder J. Clinton Rogers