June 19, 1998

Clint Mission Letter #24 and 24

                                                                                6/29/98

Received 7/13/98

Dear Family,

                Yesterday at Church was another great day.  Luu Thom could hardly sit still all through Church.  He received the Aaronic Priesthood and then baptized Luu Sokleeny (17) and Luu Kiet (15) his oldest kids.  The family is just excited about the gospel, and they are already bringing friends to Church. 

                Saturday the 27^th was also an awesome day.  2 of the 5 scheduled appointments did not show.  Elder Heywood and I have been working on the Area Book and decided to go find some of the inactivies we haven’t met yet and things.  Strangely enough we found Lena who was only in town for a few hours and had a good meeting with him.  Also found Lida and she came to Church yesterday.  Lida is one of the first 4-5 people baptized in Cambodia.  Both of these people are “impossible to meet with” but we stumbled on to them.  The purpose of the trip was mainly to get me familiar with these houses if I’m left in this area in a few weeks. 

                Saturday morning we met with the Elder’s Quorum president of the Branch, Beang.  He also lives at and takes care of House 21.  He must of felt like talking because he told us some of his experiences he has recently had where he has received help from the Holy Ghost and also 2-3 dreams that he has had.  Saturday is his day off.  “ Usually I’m out of here” he says but last week I just felt like I should stay.  Later that afternoon a big storm came and some of the drains clogged.  Beang waded in the water and unplugged these drains before water entered the church.  I will write his other experiences in the journal and get you a copy next week. 

                Again missed appointments and other challenges have prevented our people from progressing. 

(Kun=merit) committed to be baptized on July 19, today.  He is an awesome guy who was referred by a member.  He says “ When I read in the Book of Mormon, I just feel so good, I just want to keep reading and reading”.

                Caan 15 walks to church each day with her other friends Sokhom and Chemteoun ( remember Chanteon is the leader and member missionary.)  Will be baptized July 12.  Roath 14 will be baptized July 19^th.

                This week I have really enjoyed teaching about Christ, at the start of the 2^nd discussion. 

Principle 1: Jesus Christ helps us overcome Physical Death.  Principle 2: Jesus Christ -overcome sin. 

I love to teach these two principles. 

                My language is getting better.  As Beang told us all those stories and in church I understand so much.  May not be able to answer back quickly or in a beautiful complete sentence but I understand lots. 

                Thanks for the great E-mails!  Sorry I am a little short on time tonight for the big full report.

                Love you all so much. 

                Your Son, Brother, and Missionary

                Elder J. Clinton Rogers

                                                                               

                                                                                                July 6^th 1998

Dear Family,

                Happy 4^th of July!  At mission conference we had a cake decorated as the American Flag, one as a Australian Flag and one as a Canadian Flag. 

                My house went up to the roof and sang the national Anthem, but no fireworks.  Sorry to hear about your hand Jon.  We sure are blessed living in America.  I have really found this in the land of no traffic laws and no real police, fire, or ambulance.

                I was thinking about this today pedaling down the street how I feel normal and yet all around me is the wilds of Cambodia.  The coolest part is I can talk with these awesome people, and see their lifes changed and  blessed by the gospel.

                This week I went on a sleepover with Elder Hoare.  I went to House 39 for the night and then went out all day with Elder Hoare.  He felt bad as it was one of those days when no one shows up for appointments.  He is in the Central west area, on the map look for Olympic Stadium.  We pedaled through a really pour street and just down a few blocks was the “Inter Continental 5 Star Hotel.  Quite a contrast.

                The big news is I have a new companion.  Elder Jeff Fernandez from the State of Washington.  He was born in “74 and has only been a member for a few years.  He likes to cook and proven his ability at the mission breakfast last month.  He is a “Star Wars” fan!  He has already taught me an index card of new words in just 2 appointments today.  He has the assignment of Zone Leader for the South part of the city and has 4 months left on his mission. 

                I too have a new challenge.  I am the Branch Representative at the lst Branch.  Which means I attend all the branch meetings and help the presidency run the show.  It is quite a challenge as I am young in language and experience.  My main job is shadow leader, translator, and coordinator between the mission and branch.  Dad there is no mission leader.  We are just getting organized member wise. A Native District President has been called and young men and women are being called as District Missionaries.  Most of this was done at District Conference.  President White’s member missionary force speech really caused a stir.  I have had people who are not members of the church ask when can they become District Missionaries.  “ You got one pull it up”  Also we are soon going to start going on splits with these district missionaries.  Before we haven’t been allowed except in times of sickness.

                So lots of challenges and learning experiences coming my way.  I would like to get Home Teaching going in the Branch. 

                Baptisms scheduled:

                Caan      ( female 15)         July 12

                Roath     ( Male 14)             July 19

                Someung   ( Male 30+)       Aug 2

               

Committed this past week

                Hout       ( male 18)              July 19

                Somnaang   (male 20)        July 19

                Sopawn ( male 47)              Aug 2

                Sopawn rides his bike 10+ km ( one way)  from the bounies and back in order to meet with us and go to Church.  He wants to learn so bad he at times tries too hard.  We have to slow him down.  Also he has bought us a pack of gum and coconuts.

                Elder Heywood is now comp with Elder Hoare, and the Branch Rep. For Branch 4.  Elder Fernandez was training Elder Hoare before me. 

                Lots of signs and posters here it is election time.  Also cars decked out with signs and a megaphone.  We are obeying all the rules, and also have a new rule: Can’t use cameras except for at the church and at home until after the election.  Again, don’t know much about it other than hoping and praying for peace and what is best for this land. 

                I love you all.

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary,

                Elder J. Clinton Rogers      

June 22, 1998

Clint Mission #23                                                                                6/22/98

Dear Family,

                I guess I’ll start my letter it’s P-Day, and we finished our last appointment and want to go else where but the rain is coming down and we can’t leave the church.

                Busy week.  We were visited this week by Elder Richard E. Cook. A general authority and his wife.  We met and had a great mission meeting with him.  It was like Dansie Ranch when Elder Kerr came, awesome to have a General Authority all to yourself. A General Authority and his wife, 20 missionaries, Pres. and Sister White, and 3 couples. He gave us constructive criticism and then really gave this awesome talk, and then we shared testimonies for an hour.  He also toured the mission, the property where the Stake Center ( the lst church building in Cambodia) will be built, and also our houses.  ( We had a clean-up day the day before) Elder Cook is now traveling with Pres. and Sister White as they visit the couples in Vietnam, Laos, and Burma.

                Elder Lloyd and I prepared a talk for the meeting with Elder Cook.  We talked about getting the new members callings in our branches.  We worked hard and had a good 15 min. talk prepared.  The night before the AP called and said our time had been cut to 5 min.  We felt bad because we had to use our personal study time to prepare and if we would have known we would have had more study time. 

                As Elder Cook shared with us stories about his Mission President experience in Mongolia, his testimony, and encouragement.  I was really impressed and like always with missionary work found myself wanting to be better.  Then we had testimony share for an hour.  I especially liked Elder Harmon’s testimony about the importance of finding families.  We had helped a family have their first Family Home Evening the night before.  When they got there the family had written out a program of who would do what, made a dessert and wanted to play a game.  Elder Harmon was really excited and saved the program made by the family.

                During this testimony meeting, I really felt the spirit strong.  It was a feeling in my heart, in my chest, the burning feeling of the Spirit.  As someone was talking I realized I was really feeling good and I stopped listening for a minute and thought about these feelings.  I felt the spirit again today and almost everyday as I share the Book of Mormon, Teach about Christ and bear testimony.  It is so awesome when your trying your hardest , the investigator is trying to learn, and the Spirit is there.  They get excited and understand!

                Yesterday at church I really tried hard to get all of our investigators a friend, someone to sit by, and feel comfortable.  I was really excited to hear that Luu Thom will receive the Aaronic Priesthood next week and baptize his 17 year old  daughter and his middle son.  It is so great to see this family from the first, to now be excited about the gospel.  Every time Luu Thom and I meet I just have the uncontrollable ear to ear grin. 

                We have also been working hard on getting maps of our area so that we are familiar with where everyone lives.  Each little area has a police station and we go find it and then try to motivate them into letting us have a copy of the map.  We usually have to grease the pump a little “ If you let us take the map and copy it we will bring you extra copies”. . . On one of these map missions we went clear out past Charum peav to a little town called Phum Cam to get a map.  Phum= city.  Cam=Islam.  Islam City and they have a India looking temple facing Mecca the works.  While we were there it was prayer time and all the men in the village were headed for the temple.  After copying the map, we both (Elder Heywood and I)

blew a tire on the rocky road.  We left our bikes with a guy on the side of the road fixing tires and walked to the map place and back.  It was quite an adventure but we got a really good map.  Hopefully no one will have to do that again. 

                We are trying a new food schedule this week.

                Breakfast = French toast

                Lunch = Rice with Cambodian style stir fry

                Dinner = 2 kinds of lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, pineapple, bananas

               

                It is good healthy food and we won’t have to shop for much on P-day.  Today I bought ice-cream, orange juice, and a small thing of cheese.  Yesterday, Elder Lloyd, Elder Heywood, and I had the Rogers family “ Toads in the Road”  for Sunday Breakfast.  Please send me the recipe for eyekuken. Dad, I forgot!

                Hope things are well and everyone is enjoying the summer.  How is the pool? 

                One of the things Elder Cook left us with is the Gospel Works!  I too know this as I have seen my life change and lives of others here in Cambodia. 

                I think last week I reported we wanted 5 people to commit to baptism.  Well it was a difficult week.  Sophael was sick.  Hout went out of town.  The others we did not get far enough on the discussions.  We didn’t get any one committed.  We had a good planning session yesterday for this week and will go after it again.

                Thanks for the paper and English ammo, Mom!  I love all of you and thanks for the letters, and the good Lake Powell report!  I sure look forward to the E-mail. 

                Keep up the good work!

                Love your Son, Brother, and Missionary,

                Elder J. Clinton Rogers

                PS We are teaching a young guy named Somnang.  His name means Lucky.  Saturday afternoon while looking for Lucky, we found his friend’s named Sit ( Saturday) and Sitit (Sunday) and they want to study the gospel-----true story.

                

July 20, 1998

Clint Mission #27                                                        July 20, 1998

Dear Family,

            I want to tell you that I love all of you very much!---written in Cambodian.

            My Cambodian writing is terrible.  The Cambodians say that if you write English nice, Cambodian looks nice too.  ( He is in trouble-Mom’s comment) I guess that means I’m out of luck. 

            This week Somnaang was baptized!!! (name means lucky) He was baptized by his friend Vee, a district missionary.  We practiced in the back room how to hold the hands and baptize by making sure to see that he went all the way under.  As Vee closed the prayer they hesitated a second to get set, and then Vee held Somnaang under for a second or two to make sure he went under all the way.  Perfect!!!

            It has been awesome to see Somnaang prepare. Saturday we met to finish the 6^th in the morning, in the evening he was interviewed by Elder Lloyd.   Saturday Elder Fernandez ( Zone leader) had to go on a split.  I went on a split for the first time with Ausie and MTC buddy Elder Williams.  Our major assignment was to teach Somnaang the 6^th and final discussion.  With a little help from Vee, who sat in with us, we taught the whole discussion.  Somnaang is 18.  He likes to think for a second or two before answering questions.  We had a good discussion about how baptism is just the first step, membership in the church, and the things we can do to continue to learn and progress. 

            Looks like I am going to have lots of opportunities for splits with Elder Fernandez going on one day training visits with other senior companions. Elder Fernandez is a great Elder, I really enjoy teaching and working with him.  We are language hungry, especially me, and my head is swimming with all the new words I have learned in the last few weeks. 

            I can’t believe how fast this past week went by.  Also I have no trouble sleeping at night.  Crash and then get up and go after it again.  We have a full teaching schedule and are starting to maximize our efforts with splits from District Missionaries.  I went out across the bridge to Chba Ampao ( said Chpam Pov) on a true split tonight with 18 year old Bromunl.  He rode his moto and I cruised on the Japanese Red Rider.  We went and tried to meet with a member who wasn’t home, scheduled a teaching appointment with another guy (Rothea) who wants to be a District Missionary but is not yet a member, and then tried to talk with Hout.  Little bit scary, but wow we double our efforts.  The District Missionaries also are set a part and wear name tags.  Lots of language practice. 

            Hout had a baptismal date but since has really had some struggles.  Again he has had a hard life like moat of these people here but just as he makes a commitment to be baptized and things he gets hit with a bunch of temptation.  He has this friend or group of friends that are getting him in trouble and he is not happy.  We haven’t been able to meet with him for almost 3 weeks.  We have met a few times trying to meet again and encourage him and let him know we care.  We talked to his Dad who was really nice and agreed to read from the Book of Mormon. We aren’t going to give up on him.

            We (Elder Fernandez)   have met our goal, 3 baptisms a month.  We are very blessed with good people to teach and good health.  Things are falling into place for August.  President challenged us to baptize at least 3 people a month for the rest of our missions.  I want to do just that.  Elder Fernandez and I have a motto” Progress with Patience”.  Means teach and push as fast as they can handle and yet take time for special concerns.

            Well I had better wrap.  Sounds like you had fun at the Lake.  Sorry to hear about the difficulties.  Hope everyone is well.  Just think Mom and Dad, Fire, Vern, and I will be back in a few years and can get base camp set up and then you and Dad can come in a little later on the fishing boat.

            Love all of you very much.

            Your Son, Brother, and Missionary,

            Elder Rogers

PS The raining season.  The river is really rising nothing flooded yet.  However this week no rain.  The week before it rained everyday.  The shacks, lots of them have tin sheeting which is very loud, but water proof.  Also they have gutters which empty into 50+ gallon pots.  They drink, wash, shower, etc. from this collected water.  The rain mostly comes in the afternoon or night.  Most people go home and the roads clear. 

            I eat the same thing when it rains. 

            Breakfast: French Toast

            Lunch:  Rice and stir-fry type environment.

            Dinner: Salad

            Also when it rains the power goes out which means no AC for sleep sometimes, and studying by candlelight. 

            I really like Elder Fernandez.  I am learning a lot from him.  I also had a good talk with Elder Heywood.  We are buds too.  We talked about the work in the different situations.  I am still in the same house and the same area. 

            There is lots to learn and do each day and week.  I do get a little overwhelmed, but you just got to take a bit at a time.  I feel bad about Hoffleman coming home.  It is hard, but man I am learning so much.  What an experience to see the gospel change peoples life’s in a foreign land and language.  The Book of Mormon is true and this is the Church of Jesus Christ. 

            Love ya,

P.S.P.S. On my belt I have my watch and camera case. 

              Our maid received a bad cut today pushing down the trash.  A tin can lid cut her very deep between the fleshy area of her fingers. Be careful when you push down the trash.

             

June 15, 1998

                6/15/98

Dear Family,

                I will skip the greeting and say instead—How was Lake Powell?

                Can’t wait for the report.  That week at the lake was probably the first time you really missed having me around.  Are Lisha and Bood trained boat hands yet?

                Word.  My big news is that yesterday we had district conference here with the 3 Cambodian Branches and the Vietnamese Branch.  It was at the 5 star Inter-Continental Hotel.  Quite a shock for members and missionaries alike to be in a place so nice.  The room was really nice and plenty big for all 489 members and investigators in attendance.  I know the exact number of people in attendance because that was my job.  I helped count.  The Conference was a pretty big event.  I was especially surprised and happy to see many inactivie’s out.  We made special effort to get invitations to these people.  Even old Bunrith from South Central was in attendance. 

                It is kind of a circus as there are 3 different language being used: English for the leaders, Cambodian and Vietnamese, and one for those who let their kids go for a tour of the Hotel.  They especially like the automatic flush toilets.  There are already plans for a kids room for the December Conference.

 President White gave a great talk about how important it was to spread the gospel, he also had all those who wanted to be district missionaries stand. Sister White also gave a great talk on love your neighbor and forgive others.  The Vietnamese Branch President spoke, as did Kim Chag.  He just filled out his mission papers and is getting ready to serve a mission.  Also Elder Heywood and Elder Clayton played a musical number.  Elder Heywood played the viola and Elder Clayton played the piano.  The number gave me chills and members quite liked it too.  It was neat to see the Church in Cambodia gathered all together.  The reason we rent the conference room is because it is the only place in town big enough.  However, President White announced this morning at the mission breakfast the location of the property where the first building ever in Cambodia will be built by the Church.  It will be awesome to see.  It will also be stake center size we are told. It may be built in phases.  We hope to use this as help and motivation for members to see how important it is to pay tithing and to see tithing in action.

Also I fasted this week for a young man named Sophaal who really wanted an answer to his prayers about the Book of Mormon and Church.  As I fasted for him, and thought and prayed,  I really felt

like his real struggle is just making the decision leaving the other Christian church he attends and following the feelings he already had.   Sophaal, Elder Heywood and I met fasting,  I waited as Elder Heywood shared in the scriptures about Jesus fasting for 40 days.  I pulled out the flipchart and turned to the method which God uses to show us truth.                We discussed briefly…….

                Called Prophets:  We hear or read their words.

                Feelings from the Holy Ghost:  Confirm the truth

                We are invited to pray.

                Then I went right to the concern.  “ I know that as we have met and talked we have felt the Spirit.”    I felt the Spirit strong this whole time.  Then we talked about how hard it was to leave that other church.  I then committed him to continue to pray and fast for his answer.  Then we talked about are you willing to do what Heavenly Father wants and join this church, when you receive your answer?  With the Spirit there we had this great discussion and helped him see that he needed to make his choice.  We left it at that.  He was not there at the conference.  We meet with him tomorrow. 

                We really have a full teaching schedule.  We have set the goal of committing 5 people to baptism this week.  A big goal.  I have really been trying to work on my prayers, and we are going to have to rely on Heavenly Father and the Spirit for this goal.

                Well I am out of time, 

                Love you all!

                Thanks for the Grad Nite, Graduation and Expedition photos.

                Love your Son, Brother, and Missionary,

                Clint

               

June 8th 1998

June 8, 1998

Dear Family,

                Well P-day again, I can’t believe it.  I hope the Grad party at Lake Powell is a blast!

                I wanted to get out and get some shopping done, but the day got away from us.  Sorry Bood, maybe I can get something a little nicer in the next letter.  Have a Happy 16^th Birthday!  Enjoy this one of a kind Ewotech sticker, and most especially the new Driver’s License!  Love ya Bood!

                Yesterday I stood the whole time in Sacrament meeting as the little meeting was packed.  Standing room only!  120 people at church.  There is talk of soon splitting the first branch or a bigger building.  President told me the other day that I would see a church built in Cambodia before I go home.  They are looking for property right now.  Until then we will continue to pack them in. 

                The 14^th is District Conference.  This happens twice a year and is at the conference room of the Inter Continental Hotel in Phnom Penh.  This week we have been passing out invitation to members and especially inactivies.  We have been able to contact lots of inactivies and they get excited about going to the big meeting.  All branches, the 3 Cambodian and Vietnam branch, in Phnom Penh attend and we wear suits if someone big is going to be there.  This meeting we don’t have to but in December someone big is coming. 

                On the 5^th we had a good mission conference on “commitment.” I especially liked the talks given by the AP’s about how much they have grown and how much their mission means to them.  Elder Williams from “down under” gave the impromptu talk and used Gideon in Mosiah as an example of commitment.  It was a good talk and I too like Gideon.  The Spirit is really strong in these meetings and it is great to get recharged, reexcited, recommitted, etc. about the work. Also there was a lunch after. 

                Today I had food from the country of India for lunch.  Flat, shepherd bread ( like a tortilla) and a curry soup called Dal.  Good Stuff!

                We are teaching lots of people right now, a pretty full schedule.  Most of these appointments are in the church so we stay put and they come one right after another. 

                Caan is 15 and comes from a poor family and doesn’t know how to read.  Elder Daniel’s and Ruden are teaching her and a couple other people to read Cambodian for service.  She is a friend of 16 year old Chanteoun.  Chanteoun is a recently baptized member who has all the girls in her neighborhood interested in the church.  There are about 6 of these young girls who are in the process of studying.  They walk to church everyday about 2 miles either for church or to study.  Sokhoom is another friend we had to separate her and Caan because they would just tell secrets back and forth.  Since the separation they both are making progress. 

                Sophaul is a young man studying who is a member of another Christian church.  He really likes the Book of Mormon.  However he doesn’t understand why he needs to be baptized again.  He is on the 3^rd discussion which is the restoration but it is tough for him to accept that his other church does not have the authority. 

                Somnaang is a friend of Tal’s who is now interested in the church.  As we taught him about Joseph Smith and then showed him the picture of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the groove with Joseph, Somnaang just starred at the picture for 5 minutes after we bore testimony.  It was so awesome to sit there and watch him just stare and soak up the Joseph Smith story.  The silence was powerful. 

                I really have the goal of trying to get a better relationship with my companion this week.  We have been together longer than Elder Hoare and I but still don’t have that relationship.  We are different and it takes patience and communication.  Good practice for living with someone in the future.  It is really hard, okay impossible to truly teach the gospel if you and your companion are not on the same team. This is my area of improvement for the week.  I will also try hard to help us get a good plan and stay on top of the schedule, Elder Heywood struggles a bit when it comes to making a plan.  I want to be very careful I’m not complaining or talking bad but I am a bit frustrated.  Any similar experiences Dad? 

                Well I had better wrap it up.  I’m healthy and have been all week.  Thanks for your love and support, and good letters.  I’ll try to have a little something for everybody next week.  Mom and Dad I love you very much .  Thanks for your good examples.

                Keep up the good work.

                Love your Son, Missionary and Brother 

June 1 1998

Clint mission letter # 20—no 19                                                                                       June 1, 1998

Dear Family,

                Hi. Most of my letter comes by journal copies as I am recovering. 

Journal entries:

                Two good lessons in following the Spirit both happened on Saturday.  First it was 5:00 p.m. and Elder Heywood and I needed and wanted to be productive with our last hour.  We stopped the bikes and said a little prayer for help.  Elder Heywood felt that we should go to the little area by Ming Chuner’s house.  I have to admit I was a little leery about going there because we had been there once all ready that day and we are there lots. However I trusted him and we went. We arrived  and I said another prayer and asked to help us know what it was we could do to help in this area. A couple of minutes later Ming Chanee our maid walked around the corner. I asked about her family, who has been sick. We talked about praying for them and then about Priesthood Blessings. She asked us to come to her home and bless her family. After a brief explanation to her nonmember husband Tee we anointed and blessed Chanee, Tee, Seelaa, and Pissee, a very cute family. At first I did the anointing but Elder Heywood let me and wanted me to give a blessing. I blessed Chanee and Seelaa with help from Elder Heywood to start the blessing properly in Cambodian. I really felt tongue tied but tried to give a good blessing.

                Ming Chanee is our maid and does an awesome job of taking care of the four Elders at house 43Z33. Each morning French toast, does our laundry, and then prepares a good meal for evening. She works very hard to please us and it is very nice not to worry about or take time to do laundry or make food.

                After the blessing we talked about faith and how we must first have faith in order to receive testimony or blessings. I shared Moroni 10:7 in Cambodian and my testimony. Needless to say it was a good use of our last hour on Saturday.

                The second lesson about the Spirit wasn’t so positive. Saturday I was in the process of mixing up a delicious fruit shake after dinner. I went to the fridge for my milk.  The milk had been opened for a few days and I had the thought that maybe I shouldn’t drink it.  I brushed it off with the justification that it had been in the fridge and was UHT Milk.  Well at 2:30 a.m. I woke up really sick .  Fever/ headache, body aches and diarrhea.  I didn’t know what it was at first I just knew I was hurting.  I missed all day Sunday including church, and today Monday I am slowly coming out of it.  It was food poisoning and it really knocked me flat.  I should have listened to that little voice or thought that said don’t eat that milk!

It is neat to see how much everyone cares and pulls together when an Elder “goes down” .  Splits are arranged and usually the Elder ends up at the Mission Home where Prsident and Sister White can take good care of him.  I was at the mission home most of Sunday while Elder Heywood went on splits and to church, and I have been here most of  today as Elder Heywood has gone shopping and our 2 appointments.  Also yesterday, I received a Priesthood blessing and the Sacrament from the Elders Heywood, Harmon, and Lloyd.  I hope to be up and going again tomorrow. 

                Another one of my experience that was fun this week was going on a split for a full day with Elder Hoare.  All the language practice you want and more with us out there.  I came home pretty exhausted.  We talked with one lady who told us about an experience she had with prayer.  She was worried because part of her family was still out on the town and it was getting late.  She prayed for help and the family members came home a few minutes latter.  She was excited to share this answer to prayer with us. 

                Ceevan is a young lady who came to church with her friend, and we are now teaching her.  She had a dream where she saw a man with his arms out.  She recognized the same picture on the front of the first discussion pamplet  She is excited to study  I had heard that Cambodians had lots of dreams, this is my first experience with it. 

                Well enjoy the summer.  I love all of you and thanks for your good support.  I got a good e-mail today---hot of the press as I was at the mission home. 

                Thanks!

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary,

                Clint

                  

May 18, 1998

Letters from Cambodia #18                                                             May 18, 1998

Received June 1, 1998

Dear Family,

                I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk with you on the phone this morning.  Does it feel like a missionary family?  I think so.  It was really fun to hear each of you, answer questions and tell you a little of life here.

                This is going to be short as I have got to catch up on my journal and stuff today.  My major news is Luu Thom and my area change.  

                I pedaled 20+ kilometers ( 12 miles) today and left the city limits of Phnom Penh in an approved visit to a member out in the boonnies.  He couldn’t meet with us and so we turned around and came home.  Count it as one of our fun P-day activities. 

                Again great talking to you.  I hope you felt how much I love you –yet am so grateful for the opportunity to be here as a missionary!

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary

                Elder J. Clinton Rogers

             GO JAZZ!!

               

Dear Family,                                                                                                         May 25, 1998

                I got a great E-mail today from the office!  I really enjoyed the letter from everyone.  Even though Lisha and the crew slammed the bucket run record--- you must have had pretty good plans.  It was disappointing, you killed the record, better start planning now Bood!

                I have lots to report. First I took all my pills this week and as of Wednesday I am worm and parasite free. 

                Second, a neat thing happened this week as I was sitting at an appointment.  There was some people eating behind me but I didn’t think much of it.  As I got up to leave I turned and waved good-bye, to the people.  They offered me a snack before I hit the road, a bowl full of bugs.  Yes sir ree just like in the book from the library.  They were eating big crickets and cockroach looking beetles.  They offered us some and started laughing.  We just sat there and watched for a minute or two.  They crunched them down with a big smile and said they tasted good.  It wasn’t P-day so I didn’t have the camera, otherwise I would have shot a whole roll for Hailey Hammer.

                Third, Sunday I had the great opportunity to baptize two new converts to the church: Sophuanau Rit from my old area, and Koom Taal from my new area.   Both two great young guys!  I memorized the baptismal prayer in Cambodian and the baptismal clothes came out of the suitcase. 

                The baptism took place in the water tank seen on the Internet.  This was really exciting for me as I have never been a part of somebody totally unfamiliar with the church going through the steps and being baptized.  Also to baptize these two young men in another language, Wow!  It is just amazing how much I have been blessed and the great things that I have seen take place.  It was really neat to talk with them about their feelings, and see how excited they were.  I too was very happy and excited , and in my heart I really felt good.  I took some good pictures with them and have copies to give them to remember their baptism.  Also it was a packed house as we had 112 people at church.  Some people, like me, didn’t have seats, and in the next few months the branch will be split. 

                There is lots to be done here.  Teaching is the most important part but there is much more to be done.  All the Elders here are really good and each of them have a talent or role that makes them very needed.

                For example:

                Elder Daniels, Ruden, Madden------language masters

                Elder Walker-----computer specialist

                Elder Heywood and Clayton--------Special musical numbers

  

                I see all of this.  I am studying hard on my language but also systematically mapping the city in my head, and learning about lots of stuff by listening and being observant.  I have the “Angela Rogers” desire for knowledge and things that will help.  Trying to do my best to figure out my role and work here, and my talents and stuff.  I’m learning lots about my self, and learning from the Elders here, and learning from the variety of people and experiences each day.  Dad you can probably relate and had the same types of experiences.  Any tips?

                Thanks for all the treats.  You and the family are really taking care of me. 

                I love you all.  It sounds like May has been pretty busy, trips, grad nite etc.  Over in the industrial park are some storage sheds.  I think in B-ll there is a nice spyder boat. . . . Each day I have the opportunity to pedal over the bridge.  It is a neat view.  The other day the water was real smooth and I remembered “lucinda” and wanted to hit the glass.

                                                Love your Son, Brother, and Missionary,

                                                Elder Rogers