Thanks for all that prayed that we would have fare weather on Monday. We began our Monday with the usual walk to the office. It was a holiday in Cambodia so the building was quiet. The office staff and service center staff of course take holidays off. Cambodia does not recognize our celebrations but we plan to take Thanksgiving and Christmas off even if everyone else decides to work. In regard to Monday evening let the photos tell the story...
We arrived at the dock about 5:00. Departure time was at 5:15. For $20-$30 tour boats can be rented for up to 18 people. Elder and Sister Henderson hosted this Family Home Evening event. They prepared boxed dinners that had meat and cheese sandwiches, grapes, bananas, Oreo and Pea-nutter cookies, Hershey Golden Nuggets (heaven in a wrapper) and water.
The Tonle Sap River current is quite swift. Just before we launched I was looking out over the view and it seemed that we were already moving. The land remained stationary but the water and the debris in the water was rushing by. It was a strange illusion.
As we traveled the river we came to a point where four rivers merge. I know three of them, the Mekong River, the Tonle Bassac River and the Tonle Sap.
Finding a spot to stand.
Dale on the lower level...let us go up top.
The evening was pleasant. We enjoyed clear air and a cool breeze. We all chose to stay on the top deck to eat, take pictures and visit. As our cruise boat approached land we were ordered to the lower deck. We were warned that if the police caught us up top while docking we would be fined. We all hustled downstairs to avoid paying bribe money to the police.
People including children playing and fishing on the concrete bank along part of the river.
The beginning of the end of the day.
What a blessing. We have been experiencing the rainy season. This evening was a real blessing.
The sun is setting behind the Royal Palace.
Let there be peace on earth.
Looking away from the setting sun.
Enjoying that wonderful boxed dinner. Love the lanterns.
Coming into dock.
We docked next to another boat. We actually crashed into it. This photo is of the people in the boat we were up against. We walked from our boat onto their boat and then onto the dock.
Too cute. The little guy on the right has really fuzzy hair. The little girl on the left was blowing us kisses. It was a great way to end a perfect evening.
The sun sets and a new day begins. Now we move on with the remainder of the week. Dale has been communicating daily with Salt Lake and Hong Kong in regards to the changes that are taking place with the Perpetual Education Fund Program. He is our student's best advocate to continue to allow them to attend colleges and universities. We are working to target any legitimate vocational schools in this country. Many of the vocational schools are here one day and shut down the next. Trade school choices are limited. Women have the fewest choices. Tailoring and beauty school and culinary school are about it. I personally feel that factory made clothing is having an effect on the local tailor's businesses.
Wednesday we attended Zone Conference. I always enjoy the opportunity to meet with the young Elders and Sisters. We were informed that these conferences are not mandatory for us to attend so we will probably not attend them in the future. When we attend these meetings we have to close the office. We thought we were suppose to participate because President and Sister Smedley had asked us to. Sister Moon said it is not necessary. It is differences in leadership. I tend to agree with Sister Moon. It is nice but not necessary.
Friday we attended a Missionary Reunion for all return missionaries from Cambodia and Vietnam. It was well attended. Touch Sophornn was the oldest return missionary in attendance. He is the Institute Director. His office is next to ours. We travel with him to the provinces.He has been pictured in past blogs. Elder Den who we taught Career Workshop to a couple months ago was the most recent return missionary. We were able to speak with many of our PEF students at the reunion which will cut down on the phone calling I need to do this month.
Missionary Reunion 2012
Sister Tuck and I registering people for the reunion evening events. We had over 100 return missionaries in attendance. Many traveled from the Provinces to attend.
The numbers on the floor were for a cake walk that was the beginning activity for the evening. We did not eat the food but they had crab, and rice and octopus on a stick and bread and some other foods I could not recognize. Dale had a can of pop and some bread.
Yum!
What would our celebrations be like without balloons and helium?
Quick and easy and effective.
Families were invited. There were party hats for the kids. They loved it. They also loved the balloons.
This is Narom and her husband and children. Narom works in the service center finance department and is the main person we work with for PEF loan disbursements.
Saturday we were at our building by 6:15 in the morning for our institute class. It is a challenge to get up and out the door that early, but it is well worth it to have our Saturday afternoon free.We just began this new schedule in October. I love it!
Our route to work has been under construction. Because of the construction the main intersection we cross is a challenge. I got across to discover that Dale had not followed me. This gave me an opportunity to snap a photo of Dale crossing the road.
Just behind Dale is the new corner store we are anxiously waiting to shop at. The shelves are still being stocked. Construction did not take long, but we have been waiting weeks for it to open. We hope it will be one more resource to shop for such things as toilet paper, soap, etc. It would be great if they sell bread and some produce.
Because of the road construction the sidewalk is now the detour for all motos. Larger vehicles have to find a different route. We walk along side the motos and bicycles.
Sand bags or broken cement slabs or boards are placed on the curbs as planks for the motos and bikes. Heck a bunch of trash works well too!!
It is now 6:15 Sunday evening for us and the sun has set. It will soon be sunrise for you. May you each have a wonderful week. We will do the same.
Thanks again for the update....love Sunday evening when I can hear the news from my friend. How is Jenny's adoption going? I think of her often. I hope to see you someday soon. I miss the laughs we had, such good therapy for the soul. connie
ReplyDelete