"After this next big Lexus go!"

Once again I sit at the computer to record for family and friends and for memory sake the events of our doings in Cambodia. I believe we are beginning to "be one" with Cambodia. We have become part of our neighborhood. As we walk to the office there are people that we greet and they greet us with a cheery "hello" and "have a good day".  There are people that at one time would try to persuade us to use their tuk tuks. Now they stay nestled in their tuk tuks either napping or greeting us in khmae,"We know, you walk". There are certain events that happen like clock work. We awake each morning to the sound of the garbage collector squeaker (similar to a rubber ducky). When we leave our  apartment there is always a gathering of people at the In and Out store (similar to 7 Eleven with no gas station). Just a few feet from the entrance to our apartment garage is a mobile food stand that serves breakfast to the same people day in and day out. We pass an elementary school and hear children playing and the daily announcements being broadcast over a loud speaker. Motorcycles, cars, tuk tuks, bikes, carts and pedestrians weave in and out and round about each other all working towards their final destinations.The intersection just before we get to our office seems to be the whirlpool where everyone converges. Dale usually surveys the situation and calls out the plan... "after this next big Lexus go!".  At this cross road there are usually five or more police officers. Occasionally they will stand in the center of  traffic and blow their whistles and use their hands to orchestrate a great traffic dance which moves us all forward and to where we want to be on time and unscathed. Every day we are greeted at the Church gate by the gatekeeper. He and Dale joke with each other and we are on our way into the building, up the stairs, through the gymnasium, down the musty, humid hall and into our office. Once we enter Dale clicks the power button to the air conditioner remote. We power up the computers and begin our day. About one o'clock we take a break and while the khmae are eating their rice and noodles somewhere on the streets of Phnom Penh we sit in our air conditioned office downing PBJ sandwiches, apples and water. What a life! 

This past Monday the Senior couples held FHE together. As we left Elder and Sister Snyder's apartment I was able to get my khmae photo of the week:

Yes, this is the hole that the apartment dwellers can toss their garbage down. It is lovely, convenient and the instructions for its use are clear. At our apartment we have to use the dumpsters in the garage. Perhaps some day we too will get a Trash Hole. We can only hope.

This week we visited the mission office to turn in our expense report for our trip to the provinces. We also had planned to pick up a bicycle left behind by  Elder Ellingson's. (We replaced the Ellingson's as the PEF missionaries). We were told the bike needed some tender loving care. Dale is the perfect person to nurture an old bike back to good health.

It's a beauty don't you think? The basket is a feature that in Cambodia is a must. Also the bell will get Dale through rush hour traffic in record time. There are only a few problems. The back tire is flat. The chain is rusty. The kick stand plops down if you run over the slightest bump. Mechanic Dale to the rescue. We went to the local Cambodia Home Depot...a hole in the wall...lots of different types of holes here in Cambodia. He bought a wrench and was eager to get his new project completed. While adjusting the bike seat the seat bolt broke off. I believe the bolts are made in the same factory where my mop, bunny broom and duct tape were produced. If it looks like a bolt it must be a bolt..or perhaps only a bolt wanna be. Same with the bike tire pump...it looks like a pump. If you just want to look good it works great. Now we have a dead bike in our apartment garage. Where is a Bike Trash Hole when you need one? I don't think Dale has given up yet...after all the bike was for free and we haven't spent the usual $$$ it costs when we get free bees. 

 

This is the front door to the mission home and office. I am not sure if it was transfer day or a conference day  The missionaries from all over were congregating in the foyer. Shoes are on the stairway and bikes are parked outside.

There were bikes parked in every nook and cranny. This is only one grouping of several bikes.

When we went to pick up Dale's dream bike we had been given keys to unlock it. Like everything else, the key did not work. We had some young workers at the mission home cut the chain. We were sorry to have to destroy what appeared to be a fairly decent chain and lock. The day was extremely hot and these poor guys were really sweating as they took pliers and an ax to hack and twist the chain until Dale's bike was finally freed.

This is a big transition time for Senior missionaries in our area. The office couple leave this month. They are Elder and Sister Snyder. They have helped us get settled into our calling. They have been absolutely wonderful. Elder Snyder served in the military during the Vietnam War. They are touring Vietnam this week. The Snyder's are very important to all of us as they make sure our visas are up to date. They secure housing for us, and make sure our rent is paid. They keep our calendars up to date. They make sure new Senior couples are greeted at the airport and are well cared for when they begin their mission. Their calling is for 23 months. Their replacements are Elder and Sister Westover. The Snyder's trained the Westovers for about a week prior to leaving for Vietnam. The Westover's did their first solo day Saturday. We are all impressed with Elder Westover's driving skills on the crazy streets of Phnom Penh. He and Sister Westover have worked hard to learn khmae and are doing great. Saturday morning Elder and Sister Jones from Rigby Idaho flew into Phnom Penh (pictured above). They will be serving in Vietnam. The church can not proselyte in Vietnam. The Jones' will not be allowed to wear their name tags.They are member leader support under the umbrella of charities. They requested a difficult mission when they applied. They got what they requested. Just a warning to family and friends that plan to serve future missions. 

 

This week I finally ordered a coconut drink. I have learned that"it looks cool" to drink from a coconut, but I really do not like coconut milk. This is the first and last coconut I will be drinking in Cambodia. Please note I love coconut meat and things made from coconut milk. 

 

We went to Kean Svay Branch today. We visit three branches. Kean Svay is our branch that is the furthest from our home. It takes over 30 minutes by tuk tuk to get there. The branch members are great. Two young girls were baptized after the three hour block meetings. After the baptisms we went to the Elder's home to do their monthly inspection. 

Today was fast Sunday. Dale bore his testimony in khmae. He did well. I spoke in khmae to members before the meeting began. People are very kind as I attempt to communicate. I keep listening and studying and praying that I will have a break through in my understanding and speaking. During the week we are not  exposed to the language as we would like to be. It is pretty much Dale and I together. We do have students come in. Many speak broken English and we likewise speak broken khmae. As a result our sentence structure is weak.

Dale shared with me that in Priesthood today a discussion arose concerning Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;..

The discussion arose concerning the fact that some people have never experienced snow. It was brought up that in Africa instead of   "as white as snow" it was "as white as the inside of a coconut". It works!

Have a wonderful week.