In Cambodia once a person votes they dip their finger in black ink. Theoretically this prevents any one from voting more than once. It is not a fool proof method. Meas Sameth is a proud voter. He loves his country and hopes for a good life for his children.
Seam Kutheavy also did her patriotic duty.
The missionaries went home to their various homelands to vote. These guys are back from voting and proud to be honorable Cambodians.
Narith likes to practice speaking English with us.
A typical conversation: Hello! How are you today? I am fine. Did you eat breakfast yet? Yes. Did you? Yes. Have a good day. Yes, you have a good day too. Good bye. Good bye.
Chhoeun Khunty one of our PEF students was able to vote before she departed for California. She was a translator for Elder and Sister Spencer who were released about 8 months ago. They served a 23 month mission. In that time they became very close to Khunty. She is one of our PEF students and is very bright. The Spencer's offered to pay for her education at Utah Valley University if she passed all the necessary tests. She did and now she will begin school at the end of August. Khunty served a mission in Washington State in Everett and the outlying areas.
PEF Student Kong Seiha was also a proud voter.
Each day when we walk to work and back home we pass by a road side restaurant of sorts. It is new since the road construction. It is run by a mother who has several children. Her youngest little boy melts my heart. He is very busy and he loves to wave to us. As we left work the other day he and one of his brothers were playing in the church parking lot. I asked if I could take their picture. The little guy was too busy with his treat to give me much attention.
Friday I did my last load of laundry in Cambodia. I washed all the towels and all the bedding. It took awhile to dry because I had to keep rotating the clothes. Everything was dry by early Saturday morning. So this is what our apartment looked like for about 12 hours.
I used every possible handle and knob I could find to hang things on.
I showed these photos to the other Senior Couples and they said their places look like this on laundry day too.
During the dry cycle our apartment seating is limited.
Phnom Penh Airport-
Sister Meier, Elder Westover, Elder Meier, Elder Wyler, Sister Wyler, Sister Capener, Elder Kohls, Sister Kohls
Elder and Sister Wyler, the new PEF couple arrived safely to Cambodia about 11:30am Saturday. Several of the Senior Couples gathered at the airport to welcome them. Elder and Sister Westover, the office couple transported them and us to the Wyler's apartment where we dropped off their luggage. We then took them shopping at Luckys. Their first meal in Cambodia was burgers at Lucky Burger. We also took a trip over to the PEF office to give them a peek at their future work place. From what we learned from them it seems that their PEF training at the MTC was minimal. We will be working with them intensely for the next two days.
They have been called by God and will do a great job. Our PEF students will receive the necessary services they need to continue their education. All will be well.
Sunday we hired our tuk tuk driver Sam OL to take us and the Wylers to Tuol Tom Pong Branch for church. Sacrament meeting started at 8:00 am. When we arrived at church the chapel was filled. There seemed to be more members in attendance than usual. It was Fast Sunday. Last week attendance was low because everyone was at the voting booths. This week the meeting could have lasted 2 hours had the branch president not stepped forward to end it.
Many of our PEF students were at church. We were able to introduce Elder and Sister Wyler to them.
Khlot Chan Pisey, one of our graduate students greeted us when we arrived at church. She gave us a beautiful silk runner woven into an Angkor Watt design.
She also gave us a black and white checkered krama scarf. A krama scarf distinguishes Cambodian dress from surrounding countries such as Laos and Vietnam. They are frequently donned underneath the hats worn by farm workers. Kramas can be used for almost anything, such as baby carriers, decorations, pillow covers, wrapped around the face as protection from dust and dirt, as a cover up when all the clothes are being washed and much more. Although primarily a rural resource, urban Cambodians use them as well. They are perfect remembrances of our time spent in Cambodia.
After church we rode a tuk tuk back to the Wyler's apartment. They put their scriptures away, drank some water and then we all walked to our apartment. We took them to the 14th floor to overlook the city. It is a great way to get a grasp of where places are located in Phnom Penh. We were all invited to Elder and Sister Westover's for lunch. We walked there also. As we walked we pointed to good places to shop for produce, get haircuts, buy bakery treats, etc. Elder and Sister Westover prepared a fantastic meal. We had baked chicken breasts, Cambodian carrots, herb rice, rolls, butter and homemade raspberry jam! When I saw the jam I asked where it came from. Parents of one of the missionaries brought it with them when they came to Cambodia to pick up their son. The Westover's are very generous to share with us such a rare treat. With our appetites satisfied we let it all digest as we sat around the table and talked about Cambodia and various experiences that we had and that other members have had. It was time well spent with friends. The Westover's drove us home. The Wyler's were scheduled to meet President and Sister Moon Sunday evening for dinner and orientation.
In two days we will return to the greatest place in all the world... HOME. It will not be easy to leave behind all the wonderful people that we love in Cambodia, but it also was not easy to leave behind our dear family and friends 18 months ago.
Called to serve. Blessed forever. Coming home. Love to all.
How exciting! See you soon!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear all about it!
ReplyDelete