Standing on the streets of Phnom Penh in the rain.
Dale was on the hunt for a bike pump,and a replacement rod to adjust his bike seat. With the help of our tuk tuk driver Sam Ol his mission was accomplished. Got his bike ready to go...oh no a flat tire! The tube valve was broken. Walking to work we approached a street vendor that services motor cycle and bicycle tires. Dale bought a valve for $1. It was a rip off, but supply, demand and convenience won over Mister Thrifty. He calculated what it would cost to hire a tuk tuk to go back to the bike place pictured to the left. One dollar is pretty good when factoring in that option.
On Monday of this week we went to dinner at Elder and Sister Tuck's home in Ta Khmau. It is a distance from most of the other branches in Phnom Penh. The Tuck's originally were living in our apartment. We were able to rent our place because they moved closer to the members they serve. They are renting a huge place. It has 5 nice bathrooms. Very western in style. I believe there were 3 or 4 bedrooms, a study, a huge kitchen and formal dining room, a laundry room, a full outdoor kitchen and patio for BBQ entertaining, a huge food storage area....it is pretty amazing. They feed the missionaries serving in the area once a week. I believe she said she feeds 4 sets of missionaries. Sister Tuck enjoys cooking and entertaining. She also has many hobbies and the responsibilities that come with their home suit her wonderfully. She is responsible to keep the plants alive of which their are many hanging baskets and potted plants around the property. They have a fish pond which they are required to buy fish food and feed the fish. They were also required to purchase a Cambodian Flag and have been asked to fly it during the holidays. It is flying most of the time because it seems every other week there is some kind of holiday. This week is the Kings birthday. We have to put PEF loan approvals on hold while everyone takes the days off. It can be frustrating when we have deadlines to meet. Nothing can be done without approval from a committee. The committee is unavailable. Or as the operator on the telephone said, " Sorry the number you are trying to call is 'unawailable' at this time".
Pictured above is Sister Tuck, in the blue shirt. Next to her is Sister Rhyne and Elder Rhyne. Elder Rhyne was mission president in Russia about four years ago. The Rhynes are over the Family History program in all of Cambodia. Next to them is Sister and Elder James. They do public affairs. This is a new position in Cambodia so they are inventing their calling as they learn about the country. Sister James has visited one of the orphanages in the area. It was established and is managed by two LDS sisters who lived through the Pol Pot Era. Dale has been helping the James' with their laptops. The "blue screen of death" has threatened them several times. Next at the table is Sister and Elder Westover. They are replacing the office couple. They make sure our visas are current, keep track of missionaries, find missionaries homes, help purchase furniture for our homes, make sure our rent is paid on time, keep us up to date on calendaring events and much, much more. Dale is on the end. I am behind the camera and Elder Tuck walked out of the room. We had a wonderful dinner. Even when the power went out the company was great.We ate by flashlight and drank plenty of water to replace the fluids that were pouring out of us due to the lack of power to the fans and air conditioners. It was refreshing to walk outside and board the van for home.
We attended a Young Single Adult Conference this week. These young adults are ages 18-30. We were able to meet with several of our PEF students. It was great. There were spiritual moments and just fun times too. Above shows one of the games they played. They had to keep a balloon between their heads. They were given commands like jump, move in a circle clockwise, move in a circle counter clockwise, dance,etc. If the balloon came dislodged from between them they could catch it with their heads and continue on. If the balloon hit the ground they were disqualified. When it was down to 3 couples they had a bump your opponents elimination where the couples would move towards their opponent and bump them with their hip, etc. until there was one couple still standing. It was quite clever and funny. They were pretty good and it lasted for some time. Tough competition.
Food was prepared for about 300 people. As you can see getting the prepared is not up to USA code, but it smelled good while it was cooking. What would outdoor cooking be without flies? Dale and I had water, pop and a roll. Before I could say anything a Sister put a bowl of curry in my hand. I dipped my roll in it and ate some. It tasted good, but I was worried. I only ate a little. I really don't want to get seriously sick on this mission. My one consoling thought is that the food was brought to a hot temperature.
Outdoor cooking at its best. Oh the days of dutch ovens and reflector ovens! Where is the brown paper bag, slice of bacon, egg and a stick when you need them? Cambodia is hot...try standing around this big pot in the middle of the day. HOT! HOT! HOT!
Everyone was so happy working together.
Many of our PEF students from Kampong Cham are in the above picture. We have visited their province twice. They are young and amazing. The members here hold several callings + attend school + have jobs + take care of family members.
The Young Single Adults love to sing and dance. I got in on the dancing. They hired professional singers to sing and play dance music, but quite a bit of the night the members had the mike in hand and everyone was dancing to them. A lot of the dancing is just as groups. Girls with girls, girls with guys, guys with guys, and what ever other combination there might be. They came to have fun and they made it happen.
Mixing up the dancing partners I have no problem with. What I didn't think was so great was the men/women bathroom. Sitting on the stool looking down and seeing guy feet in the stall next to me was alarming. Waiting in line for my turn to wash my hands with guys and girls in the same bathroom was as my grandson Owen would say, "awkward". But then again.... it's Cambodia.
There has been lots of painting and fixing up of the church buildings in Phnom Penh. I believe three General Authorities are scheduled to visit and train the members in Phnom Penh next week end. The members are very excited to have them visit Cambodia. Elder Oakes will be one of the visiting General Authorities. He has done a lot in Cambodia in the past. Maybe Cambodia will be in the Church News or Ensign soon.
I began with rain and I will end with rain.
This is the parking lot of the building our office is in.
We want to share this news with you. Our daughter and husband are wanting to adopt another child. If you know of any birth parents looking for a loving family please direct them to their blog. Hoping to Adopt: Adoption is a miracle from God's arms to your ams to ours.
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Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers and mothers to be. And to everyone have a wonderful week.
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