11/8/99
Dear Family,
This past weekend was a huge event, we were very blessed to be visited by President Kofford and his wife, along with Sister Sherri L. Dew and Sister Larson, who were the visiting dignitaries for a great district conference. The Sunday general session was attended by approximately 850 people a new record.
The first District Conference I ever went to had an attendance of about 450+ people. The International Hotel was packed to a brim. This time next conference will probably have to be split sessions. I saw a lot of good friends, especially all of the first branch people I just left. Elder Hoare and I guarded the same door for most of the meeting. President White spoke first followed by Sister Larson, Sister Dew, Sister White, Sister Kofford, President Kofford. President White really knows how to build esprit de corps. ( It means righteous pride or a good feeling about your team, mission, ward, etc.) in the members. He continued the tradition and had all District Missionaries stand and thanked them for all of their service. ( 3 conferences in a row that he has made them stand. ( President White taught me the word esprit de corps) We were able to have 13 investigators there. We were thrilled
They also called on Sambo from the first branch to give his testimony. He was incredible. He told about how his life was dark before the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Later that day we had a missionary only meeting with our guests. The highlight was a strong narrative of the events in the final days of the life of Christ. It was so good. It really made me think of the Savior. Sister Kofford said something which really hit me, “When you get home you will be called “Returned Missionary” you make that true in every sense of the word by obedience,”
The highlight of proselyting this week was committing a man by the name of Buntha to baptism and then as we talked about what day, we presented two plans. Plan 1: You could be baptized in a few short weeks. Plan 2: You and your whole family could be baptized in December (wife and 2 kids) He grinned from ear to ear and said he would like Plan 2. We supported him in this. We are going back to follow up on the plan. He has taken the weekend to talk to his wife and try to plan a schedule to meet for the discussions.
Several members have made the comment that me and the Elders of my group are the last of the oldies. We are the bridge between 20 to 48 and it is a time of growth and change in Phnom Penh. Elders Folsom and Heng go home this week.
The work is true, Jesus is our Savior
Love your Son, Brother and Missionary, Elder Rogers.
PS I finished the translating Melchezidek Priesthood Section today. It is 61 handwritten pages. It is double spaced in Khmae.