We have experienced rain in the past here in Cambodia, but now is truly the rainy season. We were told it will last through October. Prior to this season we experienced fairly predictable showers. They would usually begin around three or four in the afternoon and last about an hour. The streets would fill up and then drain fairly quickly. What we are experiencing this month is steady rain throughout the day and night with a few hours of no rain. The temperatures have decreased which is quite pleasant but if we had to sleep outside in the rain it would be cold. I now understand when we were told that many older people die from exposure to the cold. I have become more aware of the reality of the living conditions here. Dale took some good pictures of daily life that are shared in today's blog.
Last night Sister Rhyne and I shared a tuk tuk to attend the General Relief Society Rebroadcast. There were only four of us in attendance. I imagine the other people watched it online at home. I was surprised at how few were there. There was one location to view the meeting in English. There were viewings throughout the church buildings in the city and the provinces for the Khmer and Vietnamese. There was a Khmer viewing of the meeting in the same building we met in. About 10 sisters in attended that viewing. I don't think the members understand the significance of these meetings. What great messages of hope and comfort. As Sister Burton the General Relief Society President spoke, I reflected on my own experiences and the experiences I am aware of that so many of you have had. For those that did not hear her talk she spoke of how all that is unfair about this life will be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Meanwhile we can find peace and comfort and strength through the Savior.
As we left the building to go home our tuk tuk traveled our route to work. It was about 7:30 in the evening. It was dark and raining. As we passed by the home of "the toothless lady" I looked to my right. I could see her lying down as if settled for the evening. Her home is a platform about 5 feet square raised about 3 feet off the ground. This platform serves as her bed, a place to prepare and eat her meals and to sit and visit with friends. It is about 20 feet from the street in a small corner where a building and a wall meet. There is a overhang which protects her from the hot sun and cold rain. As far as I can see all she owns could be put into one small moving box. It would not be filled. Where she showers and gets her water I do not know. I sometimes see her walking back to her corner from a side street. Last night when I lay in bed I pondered on her life. I wondered what her childhood experiences were. Did she ever marry and have children? Does she even have a family? What was her education if any? When she dies who will mourn her passing? Where will she be laid to rest? I reflected on the evening's message from Sister Burton, that all that is unfair will be made right. This toothless woman is a child of God, a daughter of God and she has value. The big whys in life...why was she born in Cambodia into a life of poverty? Why was I born in the United States being blessed with more than plenty? I do not understand. I am grateful for my circumstances, but somewhat sickened for this woman's situations. The reality is she is one of hundreds in such poverty. Some times poverty is the fault of the individual but not always. In Cambodia many were born into "this trap". These people need a miracle. Faith precedes the miracle. The Atonement is the miracle that will right this wrong. For us that have much it is required that we give much...we can give of our time, talents and material means. Perhaps Dale and I are God's Hands in helping a young woman or man gain the skills and education necessary to prevent another generation from becoming the "lady that sleeps on a platform on 63rd street Phnom Penh, Cambodia". I hope so.
The remainder of this blog will be pictures of this weeks life in Cambodia.
Monday this cutie petootie visited us. Her grandma or mother...not sure which came to inquire for her daughter about the Manila Temple trip. Our trip has been cancelled because no one could afford the air fare. There are two other trips planned for mixed age groups. Ours was a young single adult trip.We hope she will be able to join one of these groups.
This view is looking directly down from our office window into a ally which is several blocks long. A whole community resides here. Looking off to the right in the fore front is what appears to be a rack with merchandise on it. The other day I watched the big orange box get stocked with ice and beer. I think perhaps this is a little store in this small community.
Later it is time to prepare a meal. The orange box becomes a serving table. The collected rainwater is an added advantage for cleaning and cooking. Outside is as much a part of the house as the inside is. The reality is that more happens outdoors than indoors.
As we were walking home from work we came upon these guys pulling electrical wires along the road. There is some sort of time warp here in Cambodia. Apparently jobs are hard to get and so the country chooses not to use modern tools. Cambodia is up to date with cell phones, laptops, palms, television remotes, and cameras but when it comes to demolition is remains a hammer smashing at bricks. From our office we watched a work crew passing buckets of rock down an assembly line.
I was amazed when Sister Rhyne said one of her trainers from Hong Kong had not been to Cambodia in over 7 years. As they traveled through Phnom Penh he commented on how the country has progressed. He told her when he was last here there were no stores along the roads and that the streets are so clean now. Really!!! Apparently we are blessed to be here now that it's cleaned up. Hmm...
We plan to have a wonderful week and hope you have one too.
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