We slayed the dragon...

Family and friends we are happy to announce that we can again download pictures. For $2.50 "Prince Charming", Dale resolved the problem. The past two weeks had few photo shot moments. There are some photos that I was tempted to shoot, but out of courtesy to the people I opted not to.

We have been wondering how most of the people we see on the streets live. I believe we got another glimpse of  life for the locals this past week. The streets are closed in by gates and walls. These gates and walls mostly are topped with barb wire. We did go through one neighborhood where glass shards planted in cement or some kind of mud on tops of the fence walls to deter intruders was used. Walking home Saturday evening after our institute class I was able to peer into an opening in one of the gates. I viewed a dirt area where three people sat enjoying the cooler evening air. I'm am pretty sure that dirt area is home.

On Friday Dale was asked to assist in giving a blessing to a less active member of the church. He no longer drinks, but his liver is damaged. We went to his home which is a "hole in the wall". There are no windows. The entrance to his home is a sheet of metal that can be slid shut for privacy. It is not on a slider...it probably is just lifted into place. I didn't study it out. His home is about the size of a single car garage.What I remember seeing is a small entrance way to take off  shoes. From there we stepped onto a matted area for sitting on the floor. There is a small cooking area and a bed. I do not know what he uses for bathing and toilet needs. He has a teenage boy and young girl living with him. His home may have gone further back than I could see. The only light came from the opened wall which serves as the entrance. The home is located on a narrow walled street. If a person was looking for his home they probably would not find it without a guide. In fact Elder and Sister James who called for Dale to assist in the blessing had been to his home and when Elder James tried to find it he could not. A member of Jay's ward from Salt Lake City, Blair Wu, was accompanying Sister Loy and Sister Loy's companion in teaching this man who needed the blessing. Elder James had given Blair one of his cell phones in case he got lost. He called her and she went out on the main street to wave us down. We had met Blair when visiting Jay's ward before we entered the MTC. It was good to speak with her. She is doing an internship of some kind. She will return to the states when done.

This guy  was in the corner ceiling of the cultural hall at the South District building where we work. While we were taking this photo, Khunteavy who is the secretary for the Seminary and Institute Department wondered why we would take a picture of a roach. She didn't think much of it. Big bugs and rats are just part of every day life here. Sort of like we see possum and slugs. We all have our disgusting creatures living in our native lands that we accept as part of life. We get out the salt to kill our slugs and they get out the salt to spice up their bugs.Pretty much the same things don't you think?

Here's the picture I was unable to share last week.

Pure Drinking Water

A lot of thought was put into getting the best slogan to sell this product.

Last Sunday was voting day in Cambodia. In the states we have social security numbers to verify that we have voted.  In Cambodia  the people vote in person. Before they vote they dip their finger in black ink. Monday it was kind of fun to see who had voted and who had not. I was pleased that so many had voted. With regard to the out come of the election, everyone knows who the winner will be. At least the people recognize that they have a right to vote and so they do their part.

Sipengh is a proud voter. He REALLY dipped his finger. The girls above tried to keep the dip at the tip!

I love the Perpetual Education students who are married and bring their children with them to the office. I need to create a small toy box. The only thing I had in the office when this little guy came in was a black sock. I cut out paper eyes and a nose and made a make shift sock puppet. 

I had a hard time getting him to warm up to me, but he finally took a piece of candy from the sock puppet. 

. Put this in your book for "101 uses for Forks".

This past Monday all the Senior Couples got together for Family Home Evening at Elder and Sister James. I had to take a photo of Elder James' ingenious way of clipping a poster he wanted displayed for his lesson to the frame of their window. Do you think he ought to patent this?  There was no warning on the package not to use forks in this manner. I am pleased to report no one was injured.

Our last blog I spoke of how Elder and Sister James were not going to be able to move from their ghetto apartment. They have been given the go ahead to move. They have found two places and will probably move in the next week. We are very happy for them.

I hope to have some good pictures next week. Tomorrow night we have been invited to an orphanage that is   owned and managed by two Kmer sisters from the church. Part of their story is in the documentary that can be viewed from the blog entry on "Learning about Cambodia and the People". The children will present a recital in honor of President and Sister Smedley. They wanted to do something for the Smedley's before they return to the states. All of the Senior Couples have been invited. This should be a really special evening.

We were informed this week that we will be escorting a group of young single adults to the Manila Temple in November. There is lots of preparation that takes place prior to this event. We do not know at the present time if we will be taking a bus to Siem Reap and flying directly from there to Manila or bus to Vietnam and then fly to Manila. If we can avoid Vietnam that would be great because Vietnam requires visas for Dale and me. The first option only requires our passports.I also believe the first option may be less expensive. The trip is for singles but we have a couple of singles that will be sealed in the temple and return married. It should be a wonderful experience. 

A group of about 20 saints went to the Hong Kong Temple two weeks ago. Elder and Sister Spencer were in charge of that trip. It was a challenge as they had all ages of saints. Most had never left Cambodia. The traveling experience was scary for many. Some of the older people were fearful to use the escalators and the moving conveyor belts. I got some great tips from the Spencer's to help with a smooth travel experience.

Dale still struggles with his asthma. Your prayers are appreciated. We are not sure how to get a handle on his problem. He is faithful in taking his medication. The air here is just not good. We may need to visit a doctor here.

THERE WILL BE NO BIKE STORIES.

Here is an email I sent to Elder and Sister Ellingson the couple we replaced at the PEF office:

You may be interested to know that "Harry", Ratha Meas has your bike. Elder Rhyne asked if we would like the bike. We said yes, but have not really used it since parking it in our garage. Harry came to visit us this past week. Our conversation revealed  that he would have to drop out of school next term because he has no transportation. Elder Meier had just mentioned to me  that perhaps we should let the elders have the bike since I did not have a bike and Elder Meier did not want me riding the streets of Cambodia. The amount of solo trips Elder Meier would make are so few that we decided the bike was just gathering dust. When Harry came to the office it seemed the right thing to do. After the fact we remembered the warning we had that the people here get jealous of each other and problems arise. We were told if you give something to one person you should expect to do the same for all. We hope we were directed by the Lord to give Harry the bike and there will be no problems.

Our "sewer boots" remain good as new. We have been taught that if ye are prepared ye shall not fear. We are prepared... so bring it on.

Have a wonderful week.