Sept 21 1998

Clint mission #36

                                                                                                                9/21/98

Dear Family,

                Clint starts the letter with a small paragraph in Khmae-but since I don’t have Khmae script I can’t pass that on.

                The highlight of the week was another great zone conference.  The theme was Alma 29:9-10 Remember what the Lord has done.  Our house, ( Elders McCormick, Heywood, Hoare, and I ) presented the spiritual thought.  We gave a brief overview of some of the major events from the start of the work in this country and then showed the testimony of a member from the Vietnamese branch and one from a Khmae branch that we taped on video the P-day before.  It was a hit. 

                Sister White gave a great talk about the importance of giving thanks to the Lord.  It went right with the theme, and she told a neat story about a dream Joseph Smith had after sending out some Elders to serve.  He saw them huddled around a campfire cold, tired, and miserable.  He saw Christ standing above them to help.  They wouldn’t look up or pray or give thanks for what they had.  Joseph cried.  Christ cried.  The next morning Joseph sent a letter for them to give thanks.

                Elder McCormick and I put this to work that very evening as we were out visiting an inactive in Steng Mean Chey, a ways out.  Close to six and we were cruzing down the road and Elder McCormick blew a tire.  There was no cyclos around and so we just had to start walking pushing the bike.  “ Im so grateful for that good inactive visit we just had, “ We both remembered Sister White’s lesson and tried to stay positive.  We soon found a cyclo, got home, and fixed the tire the next morning. 

                Also we wrote down on paper a compliment about each Elder and turned it into President.  We received a typed sheet of compliments that others had said about us but we didn’t know who wrote them.  It was really nice and went with how important it was to thank others and help them feel good.  I stuck my sheet in my journal. 

                New Elders will be here Thursday and I will be with Elder Brooking starting Thursday the 24^th.  Also President announced that he had sent a letter to the Area Presidency requesting the number of missionaries in our mission to be increased to 50.  It was approved.  We will be increasing our numbers and efforts here.  It is exciting but also selfishly I like the smallness of the mission.  The work is going forth in Cambodia.

                Another special moment was the departing testimonies of Elders Fernandez, Fortin, and Ruden.  It is quite a thing to see them stand up and bare their final testimony at their last zone conference.  I sit there and see my heroes, see what I hope to become, as I see their strength, confidence, and success.  The spirit was strong as we met together in Zone Conference.  We had good lessons on obedience and on use of District Missionaries.  I watched Elder Fernandez accomplish a goal.  He accompanied on the piano four elders while they sang a musical number.  He worked hard to get his song ready.  We also had a great lunch afterwards.

                Here in the Kampuchea Krom area we are working hard.  Sontee is the weekend guard for President White and lives in our area.  He has been studying with us and will be baptized on the 27^th.  We have been struggling to find people to teach.  We have  found two neat families that came from a member referral.  Raat and his wife Koontia have 2 young kids ages nine and 5 both girls, also Koontia’s mom and Raat’s older sister live together.  They all live together in a one room house.  It is slow as they are not educated, Raat reads, the rest listen.  Koontia wants to try and read the picture B of M reader.  It takes patience and faith to help nudge this family along.  However they showed us they are for real as Raat and Koontia came for sacrament meeting yesterday.  It was a surprise for Elder McCormick and I and we were happy to see them there.

                Only 30 people at church yesterday and that includes 6 missionaries.  It was a holiday like our memorial day.  It is a day for meeting family which is great, gut also it is a day to go to the Buddhist temples and worship and bring food and gifts to their deceased ancestors.

                Late Sunday evening, we met with another family that has been  referred to us. (Member referrals is where its at.) The man is a writer for a French newspaper here in Cambodia, his name is Saarun.  We taught him and his wife, his daughter, and his sister the first discussion about Joseph Smith and how to pray.  Saarun said the closing prayer and we had a great discussion we meet again next Sunday to introduce the B of M.  I am exciting for this family.

                Update Elder Hoare was sick of getting his mountain bike fixed and gained a testimony of the beauty of the Japanese Red Rider.  He sold his bike and bought a Japanese Red Rider today.  That brings a total of 4 Red Riders in the mission fleet.  I’m thinking of a team picture next Zone Conference.

                President gave us a copy of the transcript from the Larry King Live Show with President Hinckley.  WOW!! King Benjamin had to build a tower…..President Hinckley goes on Larry King Live.  President Hinckley is a Prophet of God.  I especially liked how he quoted scriptures in his answers.  There is great power in quoting from the scriptures.  I remember when I went out on a split for a day with Elder Daniels, a great elder a month going home, how often the things he would say would come right from the discussions and his memorization.

                I am so grateful to be a missionary and to be over here having so many experiences and working to spread the gospel amongst these brothers and sisters of ours.  I am so grateful for you and my good parents and family.  I love you all very much.  Good Luck in school, work, and other projects.

                Love your Son, Brother, & Missionary,

                                                Elder Rogers

Jon,

                Thanks for the letter bud.  The new pool sounds fun and nice.  It will be neat to see how things have changed and what new stuff is in St. George, when I come back.  How is recess at East Elementary?  Man we played some serious ball there on the hoopes by the bike rack.  Has flag-football started yet?  I remember watching you and A.J. as I was getting ready to leave last year.  Does that seem like a year ago?  What kinds of things are you learning in school?  I bought some cheese this past week and has some cheese-on-bread sandwiches.  Good Stuff!  Have a good week.  Love your best bud!

                Clint

Word to the DMS Eagles of the family.  How is Mrs. Loe’s P.E. class?  Watch out, those tests are hard.  Hope things are going well and you are liking Junior High.

Mom & Dad,

                I sure love you, thanks for your good letters and notes from Education Week.  I felt a bit of a sore throat coming on, put myself on antibiotic for 10 days, and as good to go.  Thanks for helping me be prepared.  I have everything I need and can concentrate on the work.  Keep up the good work.  Have a good week!!

Sept 14th 1998

9/14/98

Dear Family,

                Word from Cambodia,  How is everyone? 

                I remember walking in home from the first few hours of Freshman Orientation a year ago this week and seeing that white envelope on the counter.  A little later reading the words Phnom Penh Cambodia mission.  Seems like yesterday.  Yet seems like forever ago. What a blessing to be a missionary here in Phnom Penh Cambodia.  I love it.  I also love each of you. 

                I had my interview with President White this morning.  My big goal was my language.  I really have worked hard on it.  Elder Fernandez also really helped.  Every time he talked I grabbed the pen and word book.  I had set a goal for 150 new words.  I was happy to report 200 +.  We also talked about the work in the area.  Set some new goals for the coming month.  Also I asked him how to go about working with another member who is very active in another Christian Church.  Your “name” of Christ talk also helped with this Dad.  He still believes in our Church too he says.  We need to help him understand about Priesthood Authority, Covenants, and that our church is different. 

                President also told me about my new responsibilities.  As of the 24^th when the new Elders get here, I will be Senior Companion of the St. George Companionship.  Elder Brooking and I will work together in this Kumpuchea Krom Area.  In Addition I will be the District leader of House 17.  Some of the duties of the D.L. are managing the finances and employees of the House, Responsibility for Elders in the house, prepare district development meetings and give a lesson each Tuesday night, gathering results and receiving and passing inf. up and down the chain of command. The most scary responsibility is interviewing the candidates for baptism in the district.  I knew about becoming a Senior Companion but the DL responsibilities came as a real shock.

                The biggest struggle in our area right now is finding new people to teach after the group of people Elder McCormick and Folsom just baptized in the area.  It has been a struggle.  Right now we are teaching a poor family.  Raat his wife Kontea, Kontea’s Mom and Raat’s sister.  Raat also has two daughters.  They live in a one room house about the size of the dinning room.  They sell a dessert made of rice mixed with molasses or something rolled up in balls.  It looks like a Chocolate rice krispies treat.  They are so unconfident about themselves.  Raat is the only one who know how to read.  The woman listen to him read the scriptures.  We spent most of a week just teaching them to pray. 

Sept 7, 1998

Clint Mission #34                                                                9/7/98

Notes from a letter to Lisha:

A mission is the best thing.  It has helped me so much and I am just starting.  Just like Elder Wells said in one of his letters the first part of the mission the missionary gains strength, help and testimony.  Then later can really help the people.  It has helped me to want to be strong in the gospel for the rest of my life.  I also want to help the people here!

My mission President told me in one of my interviews to try and pray with the intensity of a crisis situation each time we pray. Which means really try hard to have good prayers. I have tried to do this and also try to pray in my heart like it says in Alma 34:27.

                Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

Also when we pray we should use 3 Nephi 18:20 and also remember that it has to be according to the will of the Father.

             And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given you.

                Elder Brooking gave me this quote:

                No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted.  It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility.  All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God and it is through sorrow and suffering toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in Heaven.   ( Orson F. Whitney)

Dear Family,

                I live at House 17 near Olympic Stadium of Nehru Road, with Elders Heywood, Hoare, and McCormick.  Elder McCormick and I attend the 2^nd Branch at House 30 in the North part of the city.  On your map there is a big radio tower at the North East Corner of the city.  The church ( house 30) is near that tower.  The Johnson’s live at house 30.  Brother Johnson is the District President and oversees the cannery.  Sister Johnson does Genealogy.  My area is the Kampuchea Krom Area.

                There are 7 Elders coming in on the 24^th.  2 Viet. And 5 Khmae.  With that huge load President White asked the 3 Elders who didn’t have parents coming to go home early ( however it was a choice) so the church didn’t have to rent another home for a month.  Elder Fernandez returns to Seattle Washington, excited to go home to 2 younger brothers and a father after his Mom died 8 or 9 months ago.  He wants to help his family join the church.  Elder Raden to Oregon will now see his little brother for a few weeks before he leaves on a mission.  Elder Fartin returns to Canada.  I’ll try to get Elder Fernandez’s E-mail Address.

                I will not have one of the newest Elders, but will have a new companion later this month. 

                Our maid’s name is Vanee, she had to work extra hard today—she took Saturday off.  She is a little slower paced compared to super maid 2000 at 43233.  However still very good to us. She has a great fruit tray prepared every night. 

                Chanee sewed a patch on my shirt and you can barely see the rip now.  Everything is on the inside.  I have a little scare of thread on the outside.

 

                My first real full week in my new area.  We have a bunch of new members and inactives to keep us busy, but shy on new people to teach.  We had an awesome first discussion with a family earlier in the week and then heard later through the person that referred them that they no longer wanted to study.  That was disappointing, but we aren’t going to let them slip away that easy. 

                Yesterday at church we baptized an awesome young man Sovannaa, 17.  I helped teach him from about half way through the 4^th discussion through the 6^th.  He really knew his stuff and was excited to be baptized.  He has a best friend in the branch named Raet who referred him.  They came with us today to play basketball.  It was the first time I’ve played ball since tearing it up with Elder Hoare in the MTC.  Elders Daniels, Heng, McCormick and I plus Sovannaa and Reet.  The court was not very nice but it was fun!  Also we broke a pretty good sweat. 

                This week I met a lot of new people and am learning my way around the area.  It is still hard as it is city and so flat.  There is a shortage of landmarks to keep me oriented, but I almost got it. 

                It still rains here for 3 or 4 days in a row and rest for a day or 2 and then again.  Most rain comes in the late afternoon or night.  It is usually not too wet  we just have muddy feet.  There are also a lot of puddles.  However yesterday , Sunday Night, we got caught in a downpour.  We were about 15 mins from home and it was 20 mins before six ( curfew).  We had to go.  It was pouring and had been for about 45 min.  The roads were rivers and every now and then you would drop into a pot hole and be pedaling through 3 ft of water.  About 2 and ½ blocks from home I blew a tire.  I just walked my bike home the rest of the way as it was Sunday and almost 6:00 p.m.  I pulled my bike into the garage at 5:59:30, soaked. 

                This week the major thing has been the big battle we are seeing between good and evil here.  The hardest part is the hate, poverty, and problems that we see.  There is a hate between the Khmae and Vietnamese.  Even our own members are caught up in the hating of Viets and blaming them for problems.  This is hard to see, and even harder to change something that has been a part of these people’s culture and history.  I wonder Dad if you found similar things in Germany, a country that has suffered from war.  We are urging and encouraging  our members to be examples of good and Christlike love, In their families and with their neighbors.  Each day we try to go out and do the same, smile, talk with people, show that we care, and invite them to learn more about Jesus Christ.  I’ve seen the gospel change people and also change their lifestyle.

                We have some more member referrals to meet for the first time tomorrow.  Elder McCormick and I also try to speak Khmae as much as possible.  Today at Lucky’s a lady got mad at us and told us not to speak Khmae if we couldn’t speak it clearly.  ( All righty then.)

                I hope things are good for everyone at work and school.  I love you all and think of you.  I sometimes talk with you and want to show you things in my head as I am out and about.  It is still kind of like a big dream still sometimes.  It is awesome, especially when teaching and procelyting is successful.  I haven’t received any mail yet this week so I am going to answer Mom and Lisha quick. 

                I love you all.  Good luck and do good.  Smile and help others!

                Love your Son, Brother and Missionary.

Journal Entry 8/17/98

                At the first of the month we were told to leave this day open on our planners.  They ( AP’s and President) have kept it a secret too.  We knew that we were going on a mission activity of sorts but we didn’t know if we were going to do a service activity or what.  We wore P-day clothes and rented a tour bus with AC.   We drove for about an hour North out of Phnom Penh, to a place called Oudong- ( U Don) I did not hear to much about the history other than the area was an older capital city to Cambodia.  ( like Filmore is to Utah ) Also heard that Pol Pot and the Khmae Rouge hung out there.  It is two small hills that stick up out of the flat landscape.  They are very wooded like jungle and have many old Buddahist temples and things.  Not to mention the great view from the top.  I enjoyed looking out the window of the bus, as we drove north along Sap River, at the people and the scenery. 

                Oudong is two hills that stick up out of the flat Cambodia rice field and palm tree landscape.  On top of these hills is several old Buddhist sites and temples, and Cambodians selling pop to hot sweaty tourist.  The most impressive was a big What ( temple) that used to be big and nice and had a huge Buddha statue.  The Wat was hit by a bomb in 1979.  The columns that once held the roof still stand also the outer walls and part of the big Buddha.  There were several other small Wats and small religious tower on the mountains.  We looked at all of these and also talked with a few of the people there.  I would have been cool and more educational had there been a tour guide or monk or someone to go with us and explain what we saw.  On the far hill they were building a brand new What. On this construction site we met an old English student who was working there, coincidence to meet him there.  After about 2 hours of hill climbing and picture taking we had sandwiches, chips, carrot slices, an apple, cookies, kit kat on the bus.  We are very spoiled  and do not have it too rough, here in Cambodia.  We are so blessed and enjoyed so many things compared to the people around us here in Cambodia.  Also from the trip we saw how much in terms of area and people here in this country have yet been reached by the gospel.

                After Oudong we went up the road a little farther to a Wat recently built by Hun Sen near the site of an old palace of Cambodian past.  The old palace was just a hole in the ground, again with no tour guide, or sign, or anybody who had studied enough to tell us.  Most of the people do not know much about the history.  Those who sold us pops and worked and lived in the area theses areas just as clueless as us.  The best part here was we were let into the Wat and allowed to take pictures.  It is a big room with a Buddha statute at one end and lots of paintings on the wall that tell stories.  For us the most interesting is the paintings of Buddha with marks on the palms of his hands and on his feet.  Buddha taught these marks were the marks of a God.  One who would come later and be greater than Buddha.  We talked about Buddha was as prophet who taught laws that are very close to the commandments and said, “Do not worship me later another greater will come.”

                After this a slight stop to look for the house of a silver smith but really just caused a big commotion in a neighborhood as all these white people.

                Back in Phnom Penh, President White treated us to dinner at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant.  The day was very fun, although it felt kind of weird not to be prosyleting.  Just not the same feeling.  The best part of the trip was the opportunity to spend time with each of the missionaries, the couples, and our dear President and his wife as a mission family.      

Aug 31, 1998

8/31/98

Word to my Awesome Family:

        How are all of you? 

        I am writing to you from a new house, a new area, and with a new companion..  This week has been very weird.  Tuesday I spent half the day in my old area, then moved in the afternoon and went to one appointment in the new area.  It was time for me to hit the road againg as Elder McCormick was visited and observed by the zone leader for a day.  I left my suitcases packed at my new house and lived out of a smaller bag for two nights and a day at House 61.  I was companions with Elder Tolman.  Elder Tolman  and our zone leader speak Vietnemese so I was Viet Elder for a day.

        Thursday was my first day in my new area: the Kampuchea Krom Area.  It is big, thick city with lots of sied streets off the main roads.  I am pretty much lost right now.

        Friday we had a fun mission day.  We rented a bus, piled in , and left Phnom Penh.  We were told to leave the 28^th open on our planners but we were not told why.  We were thinking they had arranged for a service project of somekind.  Howerver it was a fun day.  We went 40 km to an old city called Udong.  It was the capital of Cambodia from 1618 to 1775.  It is two little hills that stick up in the middle of a flat.  On top is ruins of Wats (temples)  And stupas.  Stupas hold the remains of past kings, like a pyramid.  You will have to wait to see the pictures next week, also I will send my journal entry about the day.  It was weird to be a true tourist for the day.  The best part was just to be with President & Sister White, the couples, ans the other missionaries.  It was a fun day.

        Saturday we finished a 6^th discussion with Chun.  Chun is 20 and has been working with Elders McCormick & Folsom.  It was kind of a trade as in my old area Elder Fernandez and I have been working with Kosal.  Chun was baptized on Sunday and I hope down in the 5^th Branch that my buddy Kosal was baptized, I haven’t heard yet.

        As a new missionary it the 2^nd Branch I thought I would have to speak in Sacrament meeting, however I gave the Baptismal talk.  It is going to take some time to get to know all of the members, for them to know me, and know the area, like I do or did in the South.  Also Sunday was the last day for House #30, home of the 2^nd Branch, to be used.  Today they moved to a newer bigger home #13.  House #30 has been used since the beginning I think, it is also the house where tanks were fighting out front last year.  I was able to attend a meeting there one time.

        Today Elder McCormick and I have been busy paying bills and taking care of things like that, as we have just moved in to this House #17. One block north west of the Olympic Stadium off of Nehru.  I live with Elders McCormick, Heywood, & Hoare.

        We received a $800 check from the phone company and were taking it down to the mission office on our bikes.  When we got the office, Elder McCormick had lost the envelope.  We called the phone company and they hadn’t seen it.  So we pedaled North again to find the check or plead with them to cancel the first one and write another one.  Elder McCormick was upset at himself for losing it.  As we left the mission office, I said a little prayer in my heart asking for help to find the check or resolve the problem.  About halfway there, we say some papers that looked like a bill in the ditch.  We slammed on the brakes and sure enough there was the $800 check and other receipts,......... and we thought Rolaids spelled Relief.  There is so much trash and things on the streets an din the gutters it is amazing we found it, but we both saw it at the same time and knew.  I know the Lord hears those little thoughts and prayers we say in our hearts.

        Elder McCormick and I are going yo have to depend on the Lord and work hard to find people to teach this week.  They have just baptized some new people and we have to start anew in the finding and teaching department.

        I just finished my favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon.  Ether 12.  Check it out.

        Good Luck with school, work, and all that is going on back home.  Choose the Right.

        Love your son, brother, missionary,

                                Elder Rogers

Aug 24, 1998

Clint Mission #32                                                                                8/24/98

Word Family!

                It is going to have to be a quick one today.  I just got word that I am moving and so P-day has been pretty much shot.  I am moving North.  My new area will be Kampuchea Krom area with my new companion Elder McCormick.  They have asked Elders Fernandez, Ruden, and Fartin to go home early to make room for new Elders to come in.  Needless to say big changes.  They will go home Sept 30 instead of Oct 28^th.  I was just going to work with the new 5^th Branch and now we will be in the North part of the city, 2^nd branch.

                Elder Fernandez has had quite a trial this week.  His chin got infected from a razor burn, and began to swell up.  He looked like the guy on the one movie stung by a bee and had a allergic reaction.  We went to the doctor and they cut open his chin and removed a carbuncle which looked like the white innards of a zit.  It had gotten pretty infected here in Equator land.  I watched the whole procedure.  Today we went back again they cleaned it out.  I watched again and still have not decided if I want to be a doctor. 

                Sunday was an exhausting day.  We had 46 people attend the new 5^th Branch.  There should have been  a few move but there is kind of a group squawking about the change and went to afternoon church.  In the meetings I spoke, lead the music, played the piano, helped the Branch President conduct a priesthood worthiness interview, and we also had Tal baptize a young man 16 that Elder Fernandez and I taught, his name is Mory.

                Mory quote,” This is extra special, because I am the first in the branch to be baptized”. Another awesome young man who is excited about the gospel, and has joined the church. 

                In sacrament meeting I used 1 Nephi 17:15 :

“Wherefore, I Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethern to faithfulness and diligence’. 

                And talked about how everyone needed to do their part in order to build the ship. 

                I still have to get packed tonight.  I will send pictures next week.  I have really enjoyed my time with Elder Fernandez and in the first branch.  I have learned so much in the last little while. 

                I am enjoying the work, and loving the people.

                Love you all,

                Your Son, Brother, Missionary

                Elder Rogers.

                

Aug 17, 1998

Clint mission letter #30                                                                       8/17/99

Dear Family,

                How is everyone doing?

                Here in Cambodia we just had Zone Conference.  The theme was on a balanced effort with special focus on planning and use of District Missionaries.  Also I took notes as Branch Elder on helping get the new members callings and running a better spiritual baptism. 

                There are 55 baptisms scheduled here for the month of August.  A total of 24 people received baptism in July.  The increase is a big part of the help from the District Missionaries.  It was announced yesterday officially in Church that the 1^st Branch will split in two.  A special meeting next Sunday, and the 5^th Branch will meet on Sunday the 23^rd. Yesterday there was 149 people at church and we thought 130 was too many.  The sacrament was blessed twice. 

                Also it was fun to see from the South Central Area, Sophauaarit receive the Aaronic Priesthood, and Luu Thom baptized a man I helped teach named Heng.  

                It is summer vacation here for the kids.  They have flocked to the free English class.  This past week over 150 people have been attending English.  I talked with and taught close to sixty people last Thursday.  You can’t really call it teaching.  I just mainly talk, answer questions and spell words for them.  We use all the folding chairs at the Church.  “You’re welcome as long as there is a chair. 

                One other fun part of Zone Conference was a trip to the Intercontiental Buffet as a mission activity.  Good eats.  I had a little pasta with shrimp, lots of mangos, some other oriental dishes, and cake and ice cream.  I just tried everything out, you should have seen some of the Elders who knew what they were after.

                We have also switched to a Siesta Schedule.  We now wake at 5:30 a.m. and leave by 7:00 a.m. after showering etc., ½ hour Book of Mormon Study and six French Toasts.  Lunch is 45 min plus 1 hour of companion study and personal study.  Proselyting again until 6:00 p.m. 9:30 lights out. Things kind of shut down here after lunch as everyone has there nap. 

                This week has gone by like a blur.  We have received a bunch of referrals from English and members. This week will be the first discussions with them and also we are trying to help Mory, Hout, and Kosal.  They continue to work towards baptism this month.  These 3 young men did not make it to church so we need to help them this week.  The first discussions are going to be a bit difficult.  We have run out of Book of Mormon’s again.  We are patiently waiting for more.  We had to copy 3 Nephi 11 and staple it together for them.

                I want to thank all of you for your prayers.  Sister White gave a talk in Zone Conference about prayers of the faithful in behalf of Cambodia.  We have certainly been blessed with peace and safety in this land and there has also been a boost given to us by the District Missionaries.  We are working hard towards our goal of 225 baptisms by the end of the year. 

                It seems I am never with my companion.  I spent 3 days this week without Elder Fernandez.  One day with Elder Williams, while Elder Fernandez went on a Zone leader training split.  I spent one day with Elder Harman as Elder Fernandez needed to do some interviews, and yesterday with District Missionaries as Elder Fernandez was sick.  It is kind of stressful which means it is good for me.  I am working hard on my language. 

                Well have a good week everyone!  I appreciate all of your love and support!

                Love ya and do good!

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary,

                Elder Rogers 

Week #31

Clint mission #31

                The letter to go with journal entries came today too. I am just going to share a few things that were not in the journal entries.

                                                                                                                                8/3/98

Dear Family,

                Wow, this has been one of the craziest and most challenging weeks of my life.  Elder Lloyd has been sick with bronchitis.  I am still not allowed to use a camera except at baptisms.  There are 6 Elders in my house now. House 43233, as this is best for our areas right now.  Elder Fernandez and I, Elder Madden and Sober, Elder Lloyd and Brooking. 

                The biggest thing that stands out in my mind about this week is Sopawn’s baptism and going out with a district missionary companion for 3 days in a row.  I would go out with Vee in the morning from 8:00-12:00 from 12:00-1:00 I would have lunch at the church with Bro. And Sister Olsen.  Bro. Olsen was my companion until Tal would come.  I then would work with Tal from 1:00- 6:00 p.m. Elder Fernandez worked with new Elder Sober in his area.  While Elder Madden filled in for Elder Lloyd in his area with Elder Brooking. 

                In all of this mess they decided it was easiest just to move in and that is the way it has stayed. 

                We are working with another good young man Kosal.  He is a friend of Tal and the gang.  He bakes French bread in Chba Ampoa each morning and has been studying in the afternoon with us at the church.  He committed to baptism this week for Aug 30^th.  He is excited and pushed his way up to have a front row look when Sopawn was baptized yesterday.

                Saturday the 1^st the young people who have been attending Seminary and Institute had a party.  Seminary and Institute are held each Saturday.  They study the Doctrine and Covenants in English and then talk about it in Khmae.  Most know quite a bit of English and help those who don’t.  It is taught by members who know some English too.  It is easier for me to speak English sometimes to these younger people.  They went to the Olympic Stadium to swim and then came back to the church for Pizza.  I heard it was really fun and most wore their T-shirt to Church on Sunday.  “Gathering of his Sheep “ C.E.S. Activity 1998  Asia.  ( Church Education System )

                I am working hard on my language skills.  I have started a new vocabulary book, and I am constantly writing new words.

                Dad I will send you pictures and a list of those I have baptized. 

                I am really busy and the weeks just sail by.  This week I did a lot of contacting by myself in this new area.  The people in this area live by the river.  It is also a busy small business area.  It was very difficult to find someone to listen.  Many Missionaries have this a lot, but it was a bit of a change compared to sitting at the church and teaching as fast as you can. 

                Most of these people have never heard of Jesus Christ.  I give them a pamphlet with a map to church, a simple testimony , answer a few questions and try to schedule an appointment.  A rare few are mean or rude, most just say too busy or are not interested.  Also lots are scared when they see this white boy in a tie pull up and start speaking Khmae. You can hear the people as we ride by they know who we are:  : Jesus Christ”, “Jesus Christ is coming” or for those who don’t know about the church “Frenchmen”, etc.  What an awesome responsibility!  I hope that many of those people that turn us down, that a seed has been planted for the future.

                It seems that we work hard like this for awhile not finding too much and then the Lord blesses with a couple of goo member referrals or someone who wanders into the church.  I know that Heavenly Father wants us to share the gospel with our brothers and sisters.  Especially when like me and our family -we are so blessed. 

                I love all of you, so much! Keep up the good work. 

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary, and Best Bud,

                Elder Clint Rogers

Dear Family                                                                                          8/17/98

                It is official as of yesterday, there is a new branch in Cambodia, making a total of 5.  Yesterday we had a special Sacrament meeting where the boundaries were announced and also the new Branch President Nou Houn.  On your map everything east of Monivong Road  and south of Mao Tse Tong is the new 5^th branch.  I am excited and humbled to be able to help as the Branch Representative and help get this Branch going.  Often I remember something Bishop Jennings once said, “Make sure you young men watch how the ward works, because you will soon help a small branch somewhere on your mission.” Sunday the 23^rd we will meet for the first time, in the same building from 8:00-11:00 a.m.

                This week has been patience week for me.  I think the hardest lesson comes by way of Sopawn,  Sopawn likes to talk and tries so hard to answer questions right and things,  that you really have to concentrate to know what he is saying.  Then you have to jump on opportunities to speak.  The problem is this he has come from the providence to Phnom Penh in search of the Church and now as found it and is a member, but has no job and lives in a one room house.  I really want to help him get established with a job and things in order to bring his family in and unite them in the same house and in the gospel. 

                Sopawn has asked this week for a job and if he could live at the Church.  He thinks for some reason that he must be at the church studying.  Elder Fernandez and I have been trying to help him see how important it is for him to be a good father, and help them have a chance to study the gospel, and also that the church can’t support him.  The day most of this broke, I was on a split with a District Missionary as Elder Fernandez was sick.  I asked how it was going trying to find a job.  He is in a new city and has been praying hard but has not done any looking.  I opened up with him to Nephi 17 and we talked about Nephi had to do the work but Heavenly Father guided him to build the ship.  We compared this to him.  Also I had a decision to make because I was carrying the news of a job offer for his wife as a maid for a couple who are members coming soon to work for UN I decided not to tell him and still haven’t.  Maybe it is the answer to his prayers and ours but I didn’t feel right about telling him.  We continue to follow-up with him this week, no job yet but he is truly looking. 

                We made the Viel Shao run this week.  It is actually outside of Phnom Penh past Chba Ampoa. I put the old Japanese Red Rider on cruise control and made it in 30 minutes. 

                We met with a family who has not been met by the missionaries for awhile and come to church pretty good.  They were excited to see us.  However we felt like we were going to see the inactive people in the house.  It turned out that their older son came who is a member in another branch and Elder Fernandez knew him.  The Son was having a bit of a rough day and was also assigned to speak in Church.  He felt like going for a ride on the ‘ol moto and ended up at his mother’s house, while we were there.  He said it was an answer to his prayers, and we didn’t find any inactive members home. 

                I love to read my Book of Mormon each day.  I’m in Mormon close to finishing the book again.  I finished it once in the MTC.  I like building chains:  Listing scriptures that have the same promise or contain the same themes.  I will send you some when I am done.

                I have also been thinking a lot about the people.  There are lots of people over here who work hard to make ends meet.  They are stuck in the day to day stuff.  It is hard to get them to give you a minute and then even harder to help them glimpse the promises of the gospel that have been given to us by Jesus Christ.  But wow the change that comes to those who accept and want to know more like Luu Thom, and the faithful members here. 

                Hope things are well for all of you. 

                Sorry not much time today.  Love you all very much.

                Love your Son, Brother, and Missionary.

                Elder Rogers