November 13, 2008

Greetings and love to all of you!

Over the past two weeks we have gone from Seam Reap to Phenom Pean and back to KT, from KT to Seam Reap and we are on our way back to KT today- who needs transfers?

We have spent quite a bit of time in preparation for the auxiliary training we have been involved in- especially in our Seam Reap branch where they have just begun the three hour Sunday block time. Last week I had training with the Primary president there and felt that I had things well prepared: the Primary training DVD in Khmer subtitles, simple outlines, the handbook of instruction in Khmer with the basics identified- I was prepared! After an hour of English to Khmer translation and lots of writing on her part, I felt impressed to ask, "Do you understand what opening exercise is?" ....I didn't need Khmer to understand a head shaking "no"! We finished with prayer, I dragged my tail out the door, and got to work! I now have nearly 100% visual training outlines and that experience has truly reshaped my perception of what has to happen in order for our training to be successful here.

We always enjoy our trips to Phenom Phen- Elder Dickerson sailed through his dental work and we got to see the initial preparations for the water festival. This commemorates a time in Cambodian history nearly 1000 years ago when their boat warriors were victorious over their enemies. It is held annually when the Tonlee Sap River reverses course and flows back into the sea. It is a BIG event and all over Cambodia boat races have been held and the winners from each province head to Phenom Phem for the final competition. A much smaller event is held in Seam Reap which we attended with some of the members from the branch here.

The pictures Dad posted are comprised of local KT scenes, the parade preparations for the water festival in PP, "road encounters", scenes on the way to Seam Reap and the water festival in Seam Reap with some of the branch members.

Local scenes in KT: the two children are collecting cow dung off the road- these woven baskets you see by them are used for every kind of work. We see them used to haul gravel, sand, dung... if it can be carried, it is usually in these open baskets.

Children carrying a banana limb on their bicycle,
and children with their new puppy.



Phenom Phen: moving night with a cabinet- now that was amazing to see- this was taken right outside the guesthouse we stayed in.
Parade preparations by the river front


Way back to KT: our familiar water buffalo traffic jam


Seam Reap: on the way from KT to Seam Reap we pass numerous Buddhist watts- this particular one has brightly painted lions and guards in the entrance opening.

It is a common sight to see the water buffalo in the stream causeways, but this group of cows herded upstream was a new sight for us!

A view of the boat races in Seam Reap and
the branch members we went with.

We close again with our deepest love to each of you and our gratitude for the opportunity to see the hand of the Lord in moving His work forward across the world. Hugs and love!!!! Elder and Sister Dickerson "grandpa and grandma!"