Year #2 of mission

Clint mission  week #56  letter # ?                                                             1/11/99

All other letters will be considered as from the second year so we will start our weeks over.

                Word from Phnom Penh!  How are things there on that side of the world?  What is the snow report?

                Things are going good let me tell you about it.  We have been doing a lot of finding, let me tell you about it.  Finding is always an adventure.  Finding here has got to be unique.  There is no such thing as a door slam.  Everyone wants to talk with us.  Typically what happens is we ride down the road looking for men.  We have to look for families, and can not intro females unless they ask us about the church.  We ride down the dirt roads looking into the yards and houses looking.. . . ( There is a family let’s stop Elder) Many times we pull up and there first reaction is they are usually scared.  Then they send their son or daughter who knows a bit of English to come forward and figure out what we want.  After they figure out we speak Khmae they usually invite us to sit down.  We then talk with them and they ask who we are and we find out if they live there, if they have ever studied, if they work on Sunday etc.  You could sit and talk for quite a while and they are happy.  The difference is the commitment to study.  They really protest or say something.  A Buddhist would say “I’m too busy, I don’t have the time”.  These are the most common answers.  It is funny the way people react.  Some are genuinely interested, others won’t answer when asked a question.  Some will not look us squarely in the eyes.  They flinch away from light and truth.  Others want us to be their English speaking friend, but won’t make the commitment to study the gospel.  It is awesome the families and people we have met this past week as we “open our mouths”.  One trick I like is, many times I will see a family up on the 2^nd story and call up to them and convince them to come down or yell at them from down below.  Also this week we saw a neat family sitting on the driveway/entry of a house and stopped and they answered back in Vietnamese. They had a friend across the street that knew Khmae and Viet so we talked to the family through the guy to see if our Elders could come and teach them about Jesus Christ.  They were busy, but we tried.  I also talked to a family on a moto as I rode my bike alongside them down the road.   ( 3 people were on a moto) It turns out they were headed to attend their catholic church.  “ Have you ever heard of the Book of Mormon?  . . . . Another Witness?. . . We can give you a copy.”  The wife says, “Let’s stop for a second.”  We stopped there on the side of the road and he drew us a map to their house and we scheduled a mtg for Wed.  ( Name Meng)

                Elder Badger approached a guy ou in front of his house, he gets real excited and he tells us he believes in Christ but doesn’t have a church to go to.  His brother and others are in the house also and interested.  (Name = Sokuen)

                This week we need to follow-up with this people and filter out our finding pool, determined by who keeps their commitments. 

                Probably the biggest success of the week was we were able to get Sovin, who hasn’t been to church in 3 months to come.  Wow it was great to see him there.  However the Branch  1^st counselor then announces the program and they ask Sovin to speak.  I am sitting right next to him and I help him prepare a quick talk on Mosiah 2:17.  He prayed at the pulpit to close but did a goo job.  I was so worried to get him back and then lose him cause of this.  He took it well.  We went and played volleyball with him today all 6 Elders from 210 for p-day it was fun.

                One scary experience was on Sunday after church.  We went to Kloch Saat’s house, he is father of Phet.  Uncle of Snaa.  His boy and nephew were not at church.  We had seen him the day before.  He had come from the providence’s.  He had spent about 1’2 a month helping to harvest his rice field. He said that he felt sick.  Then when we saw him on Sunday he was in bad pain.  He talked about high blood pressure, pain in the upper body and shoulder /arm pain.  He said sorry and just ran in and laid down, almost crying in pain.  I had him diagnosed for a heart attack.  There is no ambulance in Cambodia unless you have money.  They sent for the doctor.  I walked into the house and ask if we could give him a blessing?  I had talked with him about it the day before.  He asked.  Elder Badger anointed.  I sealed and pleaded to Heavenly Father for him, I also reminded him to strengthen his family as a father, through prayer, scriptures, and church.  After that there wasn’t much more we could do.  I was really worried about him.  We saw him today and he came right out and shook our hands and said he was good to go.  Wow!

                Clint wants to know with all of our wet suits, why we are not out skiing on Quail Lake every a.m.?

                I was quite proud of Elder Badger this past week.  He has been somewhat timid to speak   to people but really got out on the streets talking to everyone a couple of times. We took “doors” or “turns”

and sometimes it turns into somewhat of a street meeting a time as people gather .  We stand side by side and teach halfs.  These opportunities have given him new confidence. 

                Thanks for everything.  It is hard to believe that it has been a year.  I am so old!

                Love your Son, Brother and Missionary,

                Elder Rogers  

  

                 

first year poem

It’s “hump day” on your mission.

            There are lessons to be learned.

            Evaluate the good times

            Let the bad things “crash and burn”.

            Remember as his servant

            There is much you still can do.

            The past twelve months are over

            The next twelve months are new.

            This camel carries heavy loads

            But knows his masters hand

            Will lift them at each long days end

            And thus you’ll understand.

            Submit, as does the camel

            To your Lord, on bended knee,

            He’ll bless you with his spirit’s power

He’ll lift cares and help you see.

That missions can be challenges

            But place your trust in him…

            No matter what you’re called to do

Like the camel, you will win.

            It’s “hump day” on your mission

            There is so much to be done:

            Work hard. . . Love life. . . There’s little time;

            The best is yet to come!

                                    V/Ann Ludlow

Jan 4 1999

Clint mission #51                                                 1/4/99

Dear Family,

                Wow, where did 1998 go?  Almost a whole year in the mission field! Vern will probably have his mission call by the time that you get this letter.  ( He does it is Figi leaves 4/28/99) I am going to have to write fast and furious tonight.  We bought real doughnuts from the bakery and watched Beauty and the Beast for Family Home Evening it was great fun!!

                Friday for New Years, we went out for lunch at the Inter Continental Buffet.  Grandpa Hafen would have loved it.  They had crab and boy you should have seen the size of the shrimp.  I did not have my special fork with me so it was difficult to get to the crab.  There was a German family/group at the restaurant.  I could understand them and thought about specking with them, but I opened my mouth and Khmae comes out.

                At the start of the week, we thought that were very full with appointments, but we had so many set backs and people who had to quit studying:  IE  The guy from New Zealand decided that while he is here he should take a wife home. . . .he quit –although he has the name of the church in English to find in New Zealand and a copy of the Khmae Book of Mormon.  Sit a neighbor of ours down the street has been an investigator for about 2 weeks and has already read the Book of Mormon once.  He got word a friend is sick up in Siam Reap and he headed North to help. 

                So we have been trying to find some more people to teach.  I worry about Sarum.  He is the golden incredible man with a wife and family who we have been teaching since Sept.  He has been on a ten day business trip to Siam Reap.  I want so badly to see this family make it to the waters of baptism.  What a privilege and a test of patience it is to meet with this family once a week Sunday Night.

                Elder Badger and I had a good P-day today and as we talked and got to know each other a little better we found out we had something in common. . . .R.E.M.

                A really special fast Sunday.  I really felt the Spirit strong as ( written in Khmae ) a young woman of strong faith bore her testimony.  After her another good testimony and then a pause, a pause that grew longer and so finally I stood up. I didn’t really know what to say but I know that everyone there had felt the Spirit and tried to identify that.  Afterwards I had the privilege of staying right there at the mic and translating for Sister Johnson.

                Well I’m out of time.  I can not wait to here Vern’s call.  Here is my guess for you Vern----Phnom Penh Cambodia!  Word! 

                Love your Son, Brother, and Missionary,

                Elder Rogers

Dec 28, 1998

Clint mission #50                                                                 12/28/98

Dear Family,

                The Nativity Party was a bit rough as the members didn’t quite get as prepared with the actual play.  The costumes, decorations, etc. was great.  We had a huge turnout, mostly young people.  So many people that it kind of turned into a policing even for us Elders.  The play was performed twice.  The members did a pretty good job, but are not so familiar with the Christmas Story and also could have used just a bit more polish.  After that the costumes came off because they too wanted to socialize.  From that point on we were really policing as someone traded music from Babylon and the kids started throwing powder on each other.  Needless to say it was more of a learning experience for everyone.  ( Branch leaders, Elders, members) The thing that was the best for me was to see two people very inactive come to church.  The one lady hadn’t been to the Church in over a year or so for any activity.  Also some of our investigators made it. 

                We meet with people and need to share scriptures often.  One scripture Elder Badger likes to share is 2 Nephi 1:23 about putting on armor and how we choose everyday.

                Elder Badger and I both spent our first Christmas in the Mission Field.  It was awesome!  Definitely the most Spiritual Christmas and Christ centered of my life!  After our great phone call the Badger Family called, then we went out for an hour and talked with some inactives, went to the President’s for a good lunch, gift exchange, and a little testimony meeting as each stood and told what they wished they could give the people.  I wanted to give a Book of Mormon but someone took that one so, I said when we give them that Book that they can forget all distractions and honestly read and pray.  Give it a fair chance.  I was very impressed with Elder Brooking as he emotionally expressed how he wished he could give the people a peek of the future of the Church in this land. 

                However I think the highlight of the day may just have been the last appointment, a single school teacher about 50-55 and her 20 year old son.  We talked, explained, and read Luke 2 and other  scriptures as they never had heard the Christmas story.  She especially liked as we read to her the announcement to Mary from the Angel Gabriel that she had been chosen to do a special work.  It was special to tewll the story on Christmas day, a story that means so much to all of us, to two people who had never heard it.  No better way to celebrate Christmas than that!

                I hope you had a great time in San Diego.  I’m glad Santa still found me there at 578 Cambridge.

Thank you again for a great Christmas!

                Love ,  Elder Rogers 

Letter 48 and 49

Clint mission #48 and 49

Letter #48 was just pictures.  I think this is letter #49.  However the one year mark is Jan 14^th, so who knows. 

                                                                                                Dated 12/21/98 received 1/8/99

Dear Family,

                Merry Christmas, Merry Holiday School Break, Happy New year, and STS  ( Ski the Slopes)

                I look forward to your call on Friday. 

                You asked how Christmas was here.  First of all from my situation I have a little tree set up on my desk, a few presents, someone ( The Johnson’s the couple downstairs) is playing 12 days of Christmas with a daily present ( candybar, fruit, soap, etc.) .  On Friday all missionaries are going to the office for lunch and gift exchange from 12pm to 2 pm, and on Christmas Eve we will meet with the Johnson’s and read Luke 2, sing songs, and have a treat. 

                The Branch had a “ ward dinner” complete with a visit from Santa (me). This Saturday we will perform a small pageant at the Church for people to come and learn of Jesus Christ.

                Some of the stores in town have some Christmas decorations up but that is the extent of celebrating unless you belong to a Christian Church or want a good excuse to party. 

                The Mission Home is really decked out inside with Christmas decorations it is fun to be there. 

                Right now the weather feels like summer and will be hot the rest of the time.  However right now it is not humid.  This past week however I wore my suit coat for two days because it was cool.  There was a real cold wind, no rain just cloud cover. 

                One comment on the Bill Clinton thing, it is nice to know very little. 

                The highlight of this past week was a great mission conference.  It is always great to meet once a month and get blasted with tips, talks, goals, and most important motivation by way of the Spirit. It is always very strong at these meetings.  We set a goal many months ago when Elder Cook visited the mission to finish the year with 225 baptisms.  We humbly rejoice as it looks like we will finish the year at close to 260!!! We were truly blessed especially with help from the District Missionaries!!

                This past Sunday (20^th), Navy a 17 year old girl was baptized from mine and Elder Badger’s area.  We began teaching her in Nov and she was baptized yesterday by a District Missionary Seehea.  She was very excited and it was great teaching her and to see her be baptized!

                I think I will close with that for this week. 

                The mission thing is like a dream.  Much like life in General, I guess.  I still must pinch myself as I wake up in the morning and tell myself in Khmae “Another great day of spreading the Gospel”.  I am amazed at the blessing of health and strength, speaking Cambodian, and seeing others gain testimony in another language that I receive everyday.  It is crazy how well I know, understand, and am familiar with these people.  I love this work!! I am excited to teach of Christ on his birthday.  I continue to try and personally know my Savior.  I have heard that from Missionaries” I came to know Christ”.  I’m working on it.  I know he lives.  I know he loves each one of us.  I know he knocks at the door for each of us. 

                Merry Christmas

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary,

                Elder Rogers

               

                The District Conference was at the 5 star Inter-Continental Hotel, 600+ people in attendance.

Dec 7, 1998

Clint mission #46                                                                 12/7/98

Dear Family,

                Well no mail today!  I think it is due to Thanksgiving.  I am glad that E-mail came through.  Dad you’ve got the move pegged.  ( Elder Brooking moved back to the house with all the water and power trouble and Clint, Johnson’s and companions live in the new place still. ) From day one of the move Elder Hoare and I have been working closely with our new companions.  We went shopping for bikes together, orientation meetings, etc.  Elder Walker, who came in the group before Elder Hoare and I, and just happens to be in the first group called officially to the Cambodian Phnom Penh Mission, before they were called to Thailand, is the new D.L.    It is nice not to have to be D.L. and the trainer. 

                This has been Elder Badger’s first full week in the country.  It has been a great one. He was asked, along with Elder Stewart, to bear his testimony in Church yesterday as a new arrival.  The members perk up and get ready to giggle as the new Elders struggle with the language.  They were disappointed.  Elder’s Badger and Stewart have a good start.  Working together this week Elder Badger and I committed Sophiap and his wife to baptism Jan. 3^rd and a college student Naarith to baptism on Jan 10^th.  Some more contacts through members, inactive visits and meeting with new members.  It was a very productive full week.  Elder Badger is from St. John’s Arizona and is the middle child of 7.  He is also the first in his family to serve a mission.  He sleeps like a bear.  We bought him an alarm clock today and picked the one with the loudest alarm.  Like I say he is good with the language and the people understand as he teaches.  He has the first discussion halfway memorized.  He is good with the scriptures.  He is struggling a bit with the traffic.  It gets pretty crazy sometimes with motos, cars, people, bikes, handcarts, etc. all on the same road.  He also reminds me to be careful.

                Today Elder Hoare and I planned a P-day activity.  We visited Toul Slang the school turned into a prison.  It was fun because our whole District went: Elders Walker, Pruett, Hoare, Stewart, Badger and Rogers.  However the things seen there are not fun and there is a bad feeling there.  It is much like what happened to the Jews in the Regime of Hitler.  Just like a concentration camp with the walls of pictures of those who died at the school. 

                This week has brought several experiences with other Christian Churches here in Cambodia.  There are many.  We met with some young people who were members in another church, they said that they wanted to study with us.  Things started out great we gave them copies of the Book of Mormon and they just fizzled out.  We have not seen them back since.  How can you follow Christ and not believe in the Book of Mormon?

                Thanks for taking care of me!

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary, Elder Rogers

Letter # 47

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 26^th. 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 13^th to the 20^th. Also, we can’t visit Sophiap and his wife anymore. They have studied up to the 4^th 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