Feb 20 1999

Clint mission 99 #6 and 7

Yes!!!!! Finally Word from Son!!!!!    Two letters on the same day!!!!!   We received these two letters 2/20/99.

Dear Family,                                                                                         2/8/99

                Sounds like you know about the move.  I am back in my old stomping grounds.  My new companion is Elder Hodson.  It feels weird to be back down south.  It was hard to leave my 2^nd branch area.  I remember when I first went to the 2^nd Branch I hardly knew anyone and missed 5^th and 1^st down south.  However I have grown quite fond of the 2^nd Branch.  Still have never served in the 4^th branch middle city.  Also up north was rollin.  Elder Badger had people comin out of the wood work wanting to study.  This area is struggling in terms of people to teach and so Elder Hodson and I are digging in.  This has happened many times on my mission so far beginning with Elder Heywood and I opening the Russian Market area.  Work like crazy and when things get hoppin --- go to another area.  Trading blue planners with the Old Elders and looking at the holes was hard.  It seems like a mountain of work, and the flesh gets lazy.  But we just bust in and take it one day at a time. 

                Elder Hodson has had a tougher family life than me.  He has lived with his aunt and uncle since he was 12.  He always has been a bit rebellious but made it out on a mission.  He planned to go home he said during the MTC and then later planned to go home after 2 weeks in the country.  We have been working together since Wednesday.  I love him and think he is a great missionary.  I want to help him, just as bad as I want to help this area.  He said that he gave it all he had this past week.  That he has never worked so hard.  Also he kept track of how many times we crossed the bridge.  We are working hard to find people, we also committed a young girl 16 the newest member of the Chba Ampov Girls Club. 

                I am seeing some old familiar faces.  Sopawn and his family, Chba Ampov Girls Club, and others. Do you remember Caan?  I baptized her a few months ago.  She was so shy and lacked self esteem.  Also she did not know how to read.  What an awesome change in just a matter of months.  She can read, she does her hair and stuff a little nicer, is helping to fellowship, and there is a glow in her smile and face.  They are poor, work hard, and live in a rough place but are happy and strong in the gospel and can be found walking to church every Sunday.  Also Srey Ning the girl with birth defects has been baptized.  I marvel at this group of girls called by the Elders the Chba Ampov Girls Club!!!!

                I live in house 109 which replaced 43233 when the lease ran out.  It is near the mission home and church.  I live with Elder Williams from Australia who is training an MTCer who came Wed. with Elder Brition, also Elder Folsom, who is 2 months ahead of me, is training an MTCer =Elder Marlow, Elder Lloyd is also here with his native companion for 1 month Elder Koam Tal ( I baptized him) Elder Harmon, Madden, and Lloyd all go home March 1 and are spending the last month with Native companions who are getting ready to serve full time.  Elder Rotha and Elder Sang are also natives who have been called for 2 years to Phnom Penh.  Trained by Elder Walker and Elder Heng ( the Cambodian Elder from America.)  Elders Heng and Rotha are struggling and say no one will listen to them because they don’t have white skin.  They have had some long days.  I have been worried about them as their Zone leader.  This past couple of days I street contacted one person who lives in their area, also past on another referral from a man member who came to church and his two brothers who want to study. 

                I am already working on my Zone Conference lesson, with Elder Sober the North ZL.  I am also packing my road bag for splits with all senior companions in my area starting this week.  Also get to play MTC teacher and teach two chapters out of the Missionary guide to Elders Rotha and Sang in their 3 day mini MTC.  ( Good-bye to personal study time) 

                Mom I wear dress pants on P-days because they are comfy and cool.  I fear wearing Levi’s would be hotter than Toby.  

                The other big news is all maids and guards are gone March 1.  The maids are already using washers on our clothes.  It is a time of big changes in the mission.  Maybe I will come home with some homemaking skills! 

                The weather is getting warmer but still a nice breeze.  No mangos yet, I will keep you posted.  The word is march with the peak in April.

                One of the perks of being ZL is meeting every Tuesday morning with Pres. White and the AP’s.  It is great to spend time with President White. 

                Love to all, Elder Rogers

Dear Family,                                                                                                         2/15/99

                Yes, that is right it is the Chinese New Year, and we have been dodging fire crackers all week.  Haven’t seen any that make whistles or colors, only the plain generic fire cracker.  It sounds like gun shots and I always think about an experience Elder Brooking and I once had. (  This must be one of those things you don’t write home about?  ) The actual Chinese New Year is Feb 16^th, 17^th, 18^th.  Most of the town will shut down on these days.  People will be coming and going so it will make an interesting week.  There is a lot of good luck and religious traditions going on.  The big one is to put a meal on your doorstep and put incense stuck in to the duck or pig and then let it burn for awhile.  It is usually some fruit, some little cakes, and then a roast duck or pig.  Also a lot of Buddhist ceremonies going on.  The stores were giving little presents.  Our maid says that our landlord should bring his renters of his house a good luck present. ( usually a fruit basket) for the new year.

                This past week the couple missionaries and President White and Sister White made Valentine cookies and brought them around to the Elders.  I also was able to attend as President White took the group of Elders out to a buffet dinner for a reward.  We went to the Friday Night Seafood Buffet.  Grandpa Hafen you should see the size of the shrimp over here also for the crab they provide a metal cracker and a special fork.  It is good stuff!  It is also quite educational as there are many things like sushi, raw fish, squid, octopus, etc.  PS no mangos yet. . . .son.  I’ll keep you posted. 

                This week I went on a full-day split with Elder Williams and also Elder Pruett.  I called and talked to these Elders a few days before and they chose area they wanted to work on.  I have a few days to prepare and then we go out for a full day.  I try to help, fill out an evaluation form, and try to provide an example.  Also try to encourage them to do good.  I had a great day with both.  Elder Williams is a new trainer and a district leader.  We talked about these and then went out and had a great day.  The highlight of the day was a discussion with a young man who said he wanted to know if there was a God.  I do not know if I can remember the spirit being there as strong as it was that day as we taught of Joseph Smith.  It was awesome!  Elder Williams and I were amazed not to mention the look on the investigators face.  There was no doubt in any of our minds that we were feeling the power of the Holy Ghost. 

                Elder Pruett has just been made a Senior Comp and was somewhat stressed with his new assignments.  He is also building up his area trying to find people to teach.  He wanted to work on follow-up however the follow-up appointment did not show.  Hopefully I was still able to help him somewhat.  I remember as a new Senior I looked forward to help from my Zone leader. 

                I was really proud of Elder Hodson this past week.  The first week in this area was rough.  We set a goal after teaching only 3 discussions to work hard and teach the mission goal of 9.  I left the area twice, on a full day split with Elders Williams and Pruett.  Elder Hodson kept that determination and taught 4 discussions in those 2 days.  We taught one more on Sunday before church to make 9 for the week!  I like Elder Hodson, I see a good missionary in him.  He is a little rebellious and has a tendency to lose focus, but he is doing good.

                Well that is all from me this week.  Elder Lloyd will be returning to Southern Utah- Parowan, soon. Homecoming is March 14^th at 2:50p.m. in the red chapel off main. 

                Also he would be happy to come and maybe do a little show and tell with all of you.  Have him cook you some food, and share a few stories.  I never have been his companion, but I have been on splits with him and lived in the same house twice.

                Thanks again for all of your love and support.

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary,

                Elder Rogers.      

2/22/99

Clint mission 99 #8

Great pouch mail service this week.

                Wow another week!!  Time is going so fast!  The highlight of the week was definitely our zone conference.  The theme was Mormon 9:27 “ Doubt not but be believing”.  I think it was the best one I have ever been too.  There were many firsts.  Elders Harmon, Madden, and Lloyd gave their final testimonies.  They have spent the past month with companions who all want to serve but have not turned in their papers.  ( Kongkea, Touch, Tal)  Elder Roatha and Elder Sang have been serving for a month as full-time Elders.  Touch just received his call to serve in this mission too.  It was the first time that we have ever had to translate this zone conference meeting.  We had the most people that we have ever had in attendance.  It was the first time that I have ever been so involved.  Elder Sorber and I prepared the Zone leaders lesson on the inspired questions.  These questions help you get to the bottom of a problem and find out what is keeping someone from making or keeping their commitment.  They work great. 

1) How do you feel about    2) How important is it for you to find out. . . .  3) What do you think you can do. . . . 4) May we share a passage of scripture with you  5) How will doing this help or bless you     6) Is there anything else    7) If I understand you correctly     8) You have made the right decision ---encourage   9) Seek the Lord’s help through prayer

                When I was a new Elder this lesson was given, everyone younger than me has never heard it, which is a lot of new Elders.  All the talks and testimonies were great!  However I think it was all over showed by an announcement.  Our mission has been granted an increase.  The number of Elders will be bumped up from 20+ right now to 52 missionaries.  Also the mission is going to be visited by Church security later this month.  They are going to evaluate things here and if things go as planned we are expanding our to surrounding areas of Phnom Penh and the Kompong Cham Province!  Kompong Cham Province is northeast about a 2 hr drive, we went there on P-day.  It was an awesome town.  It was much cleaner and more relaxed than Phnom Penh.  Give me 20 min. to pack and several boxes of Book of Mormons and I’m there.  I would love to open that city!  ( Special note --- the church security checks stuff out first before they let them in.  That is comforting. ) Elder Pruett and I have this standing joke about going up and being part of the first group that goes.  I’ll keep you posted.  It might be real slow to get mail through in and out of Kompong Cham. 

                We have worked hard this past week trying to get two people ready for baptism.  It looks like Aeng will be baptized Feb 28^th.  Aeng is 17, and is the newest member of the Chbom Ampov Girls Club.

Vereya is 14, a young man, who has a mark on every page of his Book of Mormon.  He is also the one who brought his English teacher to church.  It was an older man from England who said he was a member of the Anglican Church of England.  He was curious, and had heard about “Mormons”.  We never hear the term Mormons. )  I translated the meeting for him through the translation equipment.  I was at first a little leery because of another white guy wanting to come to church.  Vereya asked if it was okay first.  I said yes.  However I remember that one time when that guy stood up in the 16^th ward and then had to be “escorted”  out.  I did not want to have to do any “escorting” in our little branch.  I met him at the door step and found that he was very nice and just curious, ( Probably because he wanted to know what was causing Vereya to be so excited)  President White was also in attendance and President and the English Gentleman had a talk outside afterward.  President gave a Book of Mormon.  I told Vereya he ought to invite him back for the baptism.

                I also went on a split with Elder Heng.  What a great missionary!  I learned and was helped by him lots more than anything I did to help him.  I thought I could talk to the people.  Nope I understand but I just can not talk like Elder Heng can talk with the people.  He has a rough time too.  The people straight forward.  It is hard for them to find people who truly want to listen, if they do they truly want to listen.  Us whites are on the opposite end everyone wants to talk with the talking frenchie, but how bad do they want to study?  We both need help finding the elect.  One example:  We pushed a doorbell on a gate and a guy comes out of the house and says what is your business?  Elder Heng starts talking the guy says I’m busy and starts to turn.  I pipe in and say wait and give my two bits.  This stops him for a minute but after I bear my testimony he says I’m sure it is great for kids but I’m too busy.  “when saying kids he looks at Elder Heng.  I told him actually it is great for all ages. 

                I have been hearing about some of these struggles but was really impressed with Elder Hengs attitude and faith.  It has also been a good experience for Elder Rotha the new native Elder.  A little shock too probably that missionary work is not easy.

                Elder Hodson is from Sandy, Utah. Spend some time in Cedar City too.  I forgot to ask where his real Dad lives.  His real mother has passed away.  He has lived most of his life with his Uncle and Aunt Sorenson, who live in Sandy.  Also Uncle Sorenson has something to do with Tuachan.  ( Does anyone know who this is?)  President White calls him a “diamond in the rough” which he is, a good missionary.  He has been in the country for 5 months. 

                As of the 26^th the maids are gone.  Too much money, lazy Elders with no homemaking skills, also we will all be moving to smaller housing and getting out of the mansions.  We have washing machines now, but no dryers, just clotheslines.  ( and ironing boards to get the wrinkles out)

                We have not had a night guard for a month now.  We still have curfew at 6:00 p.m. There are 4 companionships that live here, but that will change soon.  Elder Lloyd is leaving and they are looking for smaller housing.  I live straight west of the mission home on the west of Monivong Street.  The street number is 991.  The maid change is going to be hard for us all including the maids.  I am going to miss the food, plus the fruit all cut up peeled and sliced ready to go. 

                The Johnsons will be returning to Benjamin, Utah in April.  I’m not sure who will fill their place.  They are here with LDS Special Services.  I think that the cannery has been turned over to the University here. 

                Well love to all, Elder Rogers 

Feb 1999

2/1/99

Dear Family,

                Let me tell you why I believe I am serving in the greatest mission in the wold.  We woek hard and we play hard.  This morning we met at the Inter-Continental Hotel at 6:00 a.m. and were in our chairs for kick-off of the Superbowl  33!  We had our own room and a Superbowl  party.   The Hotel gave us a good deal and it was even catered.  At half time President White handed the sheet that let us all know where we were moving to and what our new assignments were.  The game was pretty good, maybe because it was fun to watch sports with John Madden. The ole Blitz ski, sports ski, crunch ski, along with breakfast ski was great!  As I looked around I thought this is definitely the best Superbowl Party I have ever been to.

                However this was all over shadowed by the blessing Elder Badger and I also Elders Pruett, Walker, Stewart, and Hoare at house 210 received this past week.  The major change of Zone Conference was to get the discussions taught up to the goal of nine.  We united as a house in this goal.  We prayed together, talked strategy, and every night at dinner would ask How many?  Every single companionship accomplished this with exactly 9 each.  Also all of us were short on Sunday and headed out after church meetings to finish it off.  We had eight taught and needed one more.  We had 3 appointments scheduled that could have been a discussion and all three fell through.  We did not panic.  We had a teenage girl come to church who wanted to study.  We scheduled for the coming Wednesday.  However we ( Elder Badger and I ) thought that we could probably find her on a Sunday afternoon.  We grabbed a male district missionary, and sure enough taught our 9^th a lst discussion to this girl, her mother, and her younger sister.  Elder Hoare and Elder Stewart had the most pressure they had to teach 3 on Sunday.  They taught one.  Then asked some kids if they knew anyone who liked Jesus Christ.  They were led to a man taught him a 1^st.  And met a guy at the church at 5:45 and taught him the remaining principle of a discussion they started earlier in the week.  It also happened to be President Whites Birthday so we called in and reported military style of 9 discussions and sang Happy Birthday.  He said we made his day. 

                I am excited for the changes.  I am no longer Elder Badger’s trainer.  I’ll miss him.  I’m headed south again to the 5^th branch.  My new job is zone leader?

                Well got to get the rest of my stuff put together.

                Love you all

                Your Son, Brother, Missionary,

               Elder Rogers 

Jan 18 and Jan 25, 1999

Clint Mission

We received two letters today. One dated 1-18-99 the other 1-25-99.

Jan 18, 1999    

Dear Family,

                I want you all to keep hyping up the hut with the neighbors. I want it still to be a real popular thing so that when I come home and sleep in it, Sister Wintch will bring me breakfast!!! Hype it up!!

                Well a real busy week. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Most come from the Mission play day we had on Jan 14. We left town on a bus and went North to Kompang Cham. It was a real fun day trip. One of the best parts was hanging out in the city of Kompang Cham and the meal that we had for lunch. The pace of life is much slower than the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh. We all want to be the ones picked to come and open up the city. The people were surprised to see this bus of white people and even more surprised when we started talking with them in Khmae. We saw the Mekong, an old temple ruins built 2000 + years ago, and two mountains (small hills). Boy mountain and Girl mountain. It was a two hour bus ride. And we took the day off. It was a fun way to spend my hump day.

                Yet the highlight of the week had to be yesterday as Banna was baptized. The first discussion Elder Badger ever taught in Cambodia was the 1^st with Banna. Since then he has seen the whole process. Each discussion, each question, etc. Banna is quoted as saying, “ I thought Jesus Christ was the God of America, I now know that he is the God of the whole world.” He is awesome and fun to teach.

                Again this past week we have had two or three experiences with people who are involved with other Christian Churches. It is strange that we meet this in a county of Buddhism. Yet I think it is a way to help prepare the people. We are meeting with a couple of people who say they believe in Christ but are really confused by the things they have heard and seen. It is great to meet and help them see the gospel and cut through the confusion. However we met a man the other day who would have nothing to do with us or the Book of Mormon, because we had added to the Bible and we were wrong. First time I have ever heard that on my mission.

                We were out riding and we were going to head across our area to follow up with a man to see if he wanted to study or not. We started to pedal and then I said nope and pulled over. I told Elder Badger that I felt like we needed to go see Meng and his family. ( We had been back once but Meng wasn’t home.) “I feel like he will be home.” So that is what we did and he was home and we had a great discussion about 3 Nephi 11.

                I am very excited for Mitch! Fiji !!! Thanks for the San Diego pictures.

Jon are you the official camera man?  Your Lego boat was pretty cool.

                                Have fun in the hut!!       

    Love your Son, Brother and Missionary

                                                                                                                Clint

Jan 25, 1999  

Dear Family,

                Thanks for the good letters I received from everyone. This week the highlights were Zone Conference and a visit from Elder H. Brian Richards. Zone Conference was on the theme “ Follow the Prophet”. I remember as a little kid Mom helping us to memorize “ We thank thee O God for a Prophet.” I can still pretty much sing this song without a hymn book. Sister White recounted President Hinckley’s visit to Cambodia in ’96 it was really good. At that time there were only 200+ members but 400+ people met President Hinckley at the motel. The next morning he dedicated the land of Cambodia for the preaching of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The other big topic of discussion was that of the Discussions. The mission has a goal of nine per week and all companionships are falling short of that goal. Including myself and Elder Badger. So we are all committed, determined to get those discussions up starting Feb 1.

                Elder H. Brain Richards came and presided over a leadership training seminar for the Branches. Over 100 people attended. The older elders were involved heavily. Elder Richards sent a packet of material to be translated, which was spread through out the missionaries who were old and language masters. ( I do not qualify in either category …….yet.)

                I went with Elders Brooking and Badger proselyting for most of the day while the meeting was held. Elder Brooking’s comp Elder Harmon was busy at the conference. Three is a crowd, but it was fun. I let Elder Brooking and Badger teach and helped here and there. Then at 5:00 pm we all met back at the Inter-Continental Hotel to hear Elder Richards meet with just the missionaries for about 30 minutes. He reminded us of the urgency of the work and that there were levels of missionaries and to get up on the higher levels. It was great to hear his testimony for a second. It is kind of a period of self-reflection and evaluation for me. I see where I have come from….and yet what remains to be done and where I want to be.

                I have to tell you about a young man I met this week. Meesaa 20 +, and man is this guy hungry for the Gospel. He saw us go to visit the Branch president and then when we left asked the BP what we were up to. We talked the first time a day or two later, and he just ate it up. Went back and he had read from 3 Nephi 11 to the end. Invited to Church and he came on the 1^st invitation. By the time he left he had tithing, Priesthood, Sacrament and all of these new things figured out. He is so quick mentally, he has a notebook that he writes his questions and answers in. We teach him in a one room wood house with a tin roof. He has a bike. It is a privilege and just fun to teach him.

                We found another 20 year old young man named Vothaa. Vothaa’s parents live in the provinces and he is being trained to be a soldier and lives with his uncle. We had a great first discussion. We were excited and so was Vothaa. We went back and the uncle got after Vothaa for having us there. We were there when the Uncle walked out and looked at us and then at Vothaa. Didn’t say a word but the look said it all. He asked to hold off studying until he can get out on his own. We made sure he knew the name of the Church and said good-bye. It was hard for both us as Elders and Vothaa although we only met twice. I know that he will again see the name of the Church someday and remember the feelings he had with us.

                A huge transfer is in the works, rumor has it that we are all affected and to get the area books in good shape. We receive three more Elders from America and 2 young men from Cambodia who have been called to Cambodia. Rothaa is one of these. The missionary quota is going to be 16 companionships of foreigners and also native missionaries. Number ? There are lots of young men. Maybe I will be able to work with a native. ( Hello language study.)

                I have now been in this Kampuchea Krom area for the longest of any of my other areas ( 6 months) so I am probably packin.

                I received two packages that were sent in November and were really beaten up. One was the deer jerky. It was moldy. We have lots of  Books of Mormon so don’t spend too much trying to send them. I’m good and have everything I need.

                Again thank you all for your letters.

                “ A goal is nothing more than a dream with a due date.”  -  Joseph Fielding McConkie

I like this quote, put a few more due dates on your dreams.

                                Love your Son, Brother , and Missionary    Elder Rogers

               

                 

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