Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Greetings and love to each of you- this month is almost over and we continue to grow in our gratitude for this mission as well as our appreciation for "home and family"!
We have so much that we want to share with you- the photographs never do justice, but hopefully we can convey with words the true picture behind the photographs. Several months ago while we were in Siem Reap, we had a few minutes between appointments. There wasn't enough time to get to another appointment, so we took the time to stroll the gardens around the king's summer residence. Near the small palace is a beautiful ornate pagoda that is very popular with the Khmer people as well as tourists who come to observe the rituals of Buddhist worship. We walked through the gate into the small tiled courtyard which surrounds the pagoda. Near the steps sat a beggar- an middle-aged man whose body was completely twisted by some malady. He could make sounds emerge from his throat, but nothing recognizable as words. Although begging is a familiar sight, it never becomes easy for us to see- especially those with physical limitations and disabilities from Cambodia's tragic war-torn past. Since we can not give money, I try to give them recognition- to give them the offering of seeing them as a person, not a beggar, but a child of God. I did the same to this man, and his response brought me to tears- his whole expression changed and he made frantic attempts to speak. I thanked him, walked up to the pagoda, and then we stepped down to leave. As we were leaving the steps, he slid over to me and tried to give me a dollar bill. I can not express in words the emotions that swept over me as I saw my life contrasted with his, and he was the one giving his all to me..... This past week, we had a similar "hole" in our time, and we went back to the park and I was able to get a picture to share with you of the individual who has touched my life and changed it for the better.
Included in our photographs this week are some "local color" shots- from the basket bicycles to one of the largest trees we have seen in Cambodia- notice the size of the car in relationship to the tree! We also saw on our way back from Siem Reap to KT, a loaded truck with a monkey pacing back and forth on the tailgate- it took me forever to get a picture- he kept turning his backside to me, which was not his best feature!
Last week we drove the missionaries out to a remote village to met the parents of a young single sister that is preparing for baptism. She is living in KT so she can attend high school which is not available in her home village. It was over an hour drive on Cambodia's normal road conditions- which means an unmaintained dirt road that varies from a cow path to a bicycle trail. The views were beautiful and the family so hospitable and kind. Their home is located along the banks of the river and between farming and the fish from the river, they are quite comfortable. They fixed us dinner and sent us home with fresh fish- I got handed the pick of the catch and have a photograph to prove it!
Elder Dickerson has started a small tie-making enterprise for some of the members in our KT branch. One of the photographs is of one sister who is making ties. After sewing with a treadle sewing machine, she irons the ties. Her iron consists of a small metal box welded above a flat ironing surface. She fills the bx with hot wood coals and replenishes them as they cool down- these are true "made in Cambodia" ties. The fabric the ties are made of is the same they use for their traditional native silk skirts, and they are beautiful.
The children out in the Providences have very few toys. They love to play marbles, but most of the time they play with whatever they have around them- sticks, rocks, and especially dirt piles! Any little puddle of water is considered a likely spot for fishing, and they use everything from home-made bamboo fishing poles to woven scoop baskets to fish with. At first, we could not imagine how anyone could expect to find fish in what looked like nothing more than a mud hole to us, but in reality, as the rainy season comes, the rivers rise to flood levels and the fish move out into the flooded fields. As long as there is any water in a hole, you will probable find fish in it.
Although life here is very different in many ways, the people are the same!!! We laugh with them, cry with them, and as brothers and sisters in the gospel of Jesus Christ, rejoice in the message that transcends all cultures, circumstances and age. With all our love and prayers for each of you, hugs, hugs, and hugs from Elder and Sister Dickerson- Grandpa and Grandma!!
We have so much that we want to share with you- the photographs never do justice, but hopefully we can convey with words the true picture behind the photographs. Several months ago while we were in Siem Reap, we had a few minutes between appointments. There wasn't enough time to get to another appointment, so we took the time to stroll the gardens around the king's summer residence. Near the small palace is a beautiful ornate pagoda that is very popular with the Khmer people as well as tourists who come to observe the rituals of Buddhist worship. We walked through the gate into the small tiled courtyard which surrounds the pagoda. Near the steps sat a beggar- an middle-aged man whose body was completely twisted by some malady. He could make sounds emerge from his throat, but nothing recognizable as words. Although begging is a familiar sight, it never becomes easy for us to see- especially those with physical limitations and disabilities from Cambodia's tragic war-torn past. Since we can not give money, I try to give them recognition- to give them the offering of seeing them as a person, not a beggar, but a child of God. I did the same to this man, and his response brought me to tears- his whole expression changed and he made frantic attempts to speak. I thanked him, walked up to the pagoda, and then we stepped down to leave. As we were leaving the steps, he slid over to me and tried to give me a dollar bill. I can not express in words the emotions that swept over me as I saw my life contrasted with his, and he was the one giving his all to me..... This past week, we had a similar "hole" in our time, and we went back to the park and I was able to get a picture to share with you of the individual who has touched my life and changed it for the better.
Included in our photographs this week are some "local color" shots- from the basket bicycles to one of the largest trees we have seen in Cambodia- notice the size of the car in relationship to the tree! We also saw on our way back from Siem Reap to KT, a loaded truck with a monkey pacing back and forth on the tailgate- it took me forever to get a picture- he kept turning his backside to me, which was not his best feature!
Last week we drove the missionaries out to a remote village to met the parents of a young single sister that is preparing for baptism. She is living in KT so she can attend high school which is not available in her home village. It was over an hour drive on Cambodia's normal road conditions- which means an unmaintained dirt road that varies from a cow path to a bicycle trail. The views were beautiful and the family so hospitable and kind. Their home is located along the banks of the river and between farming and the fish from the river, they are quite comfortable. They fixed us dinner and sent us home with fresh fish- I got handed the pick of the catch and have a photograph to prove it!
Elder Dickerson has started a small tie-making enterprise for some of the members in our KT branch. One of the photographs is of one sister who is making ties. After sewing with a treadle sewing machine, she irons the ties. Her iron consists of a small metal box welded above a flat ironing surface. She fills the bx with hot wood coals and replenishes them as they cool down- these are true "made in Cambodia" ties. The fabric the ties are made of is the same they use for their traditional native silk skirts, and they are beautiful.
The children out in the Providences have very few toys. They love to play marbles, but most of the time they play with whatever they have around them- sticks, rocks, and especially dirt piles! Any little puddle of water is considered a likely spot for fishing, and they use everything from home-made bamboo fishing poles to woven scoop baskets to fish with. At first, we could not imagine how anyone could expect to find fish in what looked like nothing more than a mud hole to us, but in reality, as the rainy season comes, the rivers rise to flood levels and the fish move out into the flooded fields. As long as there is any water in a hole, you will probable find fish in it.
Although life here is very different in many ways, the people are the same!!! We laugh with them, cry with them, and as brothers and sisters in the gospel of Jesus Christ, rejoice in the message that transcends all cultures, circumstances and age. With all our love and prayers for each of you, hugs, hugs, and hugs from Elder and Sister Dickerson- Grandpa and Grandma!!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
January 14, Siem Reap
It's another sunshine-filled day in Cambodia- it has been several weeks since there has been any rain, so from the vegetation to the roadside stands and businesses, everything is indiscriminately covered with a thick layer of dust. The bicycles don't cause much of a problem, but the motos and cars are dust-making machines.
Last week in Siem Reap, we woke up to the sound of road construction in front of the guesthouse where we stay. It is very unusual to see any kind of heavy industrial equipment in Cambodia outside the capital city of Phenom Phen, and when you do, there is generally a crowd of people watching in awe. In a country that does nearly everything by manual labor, it is amazing!!! This particular piece of equipment had a huge bristle roller in front that was cleaning the road. The layer of dirt was so think we did not even realize there was anything else on this road but dirt! After several hours, they completed the section of road in front of the guesthouse, and then proceeded to blow off the surface with a large air compressor... You can only imagine the dirt and dust everywhere. On this section of road, like nearly every other road, there are a number of small roadside stands and simple shacks where people live. From the small piles of fruit and candies, odds and ends, to the family laundry hanging on the wire fence- everything was covered in a thick layer of red dust.....
We are enjoying a much more structured schedule for our mission. And, to our joy and excitement, we are already hearing back from some of the families we teach about their gratitude for "The Family Guidebook". For so many, this is the first time that they begin to understand just how the gospel and the priesthood can bless their families on a daily and ongoing basis. It is so wonderful to be able to teach them these principles!!!!!
Our photos for the week are from a local restaurant, The Butterfly Garden, in Siem Reap that provides restaurant training and employment for children and youth of impoverished families. In addition to the restaurant training, they pay children collect butterflies form the jungle, and bring them to the restaurant where they are released into the garden area. This occurs three times a week throughout most of the year. It was quite interesting to see the difference in how the children had cared for their butterflies. Some had provided little bits of leafs and sticks for them, and others had nothing at all in the little homemade cages....
We love you- how grateful we are for the Lord's tender mercies in our lives daily and the blessing of your love and prayers for us!!!! Hugs, Elder and SIster Dickerson, "grandpa and grandma"
Last week in Siem Reap, we woke up to the sound of road construction in front of the guesthouse where we stay. It is very unusual to see any kind of heavy industrial equipment in Cambodia outside the capital city of Phenom Phen, and when you do, there is generally a crowd of people watching in awe. In a country that does nearly everything by manual labor, it is amazing!!! This particular piece of equipment had a huge bristle roller in front that was cleaning the road. The layer of dirt was so think we did not even realize there was anything else on this road but dirt! After several hours, they completed the section of road in front of the guesthouse, and then proceeded to blow off the surface with a large air compressor... You can only imagine the dirt and dust everywhere. On this section of road, like nearly every other road, there are a number of small roadside stands and simple shacks where people live. From the small piles of fruit and candies, odds and ends, to the family laundry hanging on the wire fence- everything was covered in a thick layer of red dust.....
We are enjoying a much more structured schedule for our mission. And, to our joy and excitement, we are already hearing back from some of the families we teach about their gratitude for "The Family Guidebook". For so many, this is the first time that they begin to understand just how the gospel and the priesthood can bless their families on a daily and ongoing basis. It is so wonderful to be able to teach them these principles!!!!!
Our photos for the week are from a local restaurant, The Butterfly Garden, in Siem Reap that provides restaurant training and employment for children and youth of impoverished families. In addition to the restaurant training, they pay children collect butterflies form the jungle, and bring them to the restaurant where they are released into the garden area. This occurs three times a week throughout most of the year. It was quite interesting to see the difference in how the children had cared for their butterflies. Some had provided little bits of leafs and sticks for them, and others had nothing at all in the little homemade cages....
We love you- how grateful we are for the Lord's tender mercies in our lives daily and the blessing of your love and prayers for us!!!! Hugs, Elder and SIster Dickerson, "grandpa and grandma"
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
January 7, 2009
We spent the New Year in Siem Reap over our "long week"...We were quite surprised to receive many "Happy New Year!" greetings from our Cambodian friends. Their New Year begins in April with a three day holiday, so we did not expect there would be much notice taken of the changing calender year. Our favorite was a text message from Mori who works at the LDS Service Center in Phenom Phen who sent us: "Happy New Year! 2009!! I wish you perfect health, Great wealth, Big luck, True love, Huge success, Everlasting and never ending happiness"....How's that for a New Year's greeting?
One of our work-in-progress goals has been to set up a more efficient schedule with our full-time missionaries in KT and SR. We are committed to teaching the Family Guide Book and Family Home Evening to all of our families in both branches, and we are blessed to have their support. We have become adjusted to using a translator- we know to double the time it takes to teach and use simple words and concepts as much as possible. The old adage, "A picture is worth a thousand words" is REALLY true in our situation, so we use visuals as much as we can. One of our best teaching tools has been a simple 4 piece large puzzle of a picture of a father, mother, and infant in their arms...As we teach the importance of the family, they put it together, and when one piece is taken out it leaves such a loss in the picture that it teaches the concept for us.
A brief explanation of this week's photographs: (hopefully this is in the order they are posted!)
*Taken of the baptism of a family in our Siem Reap branch- they are so excited about the gospel!
*During one of our morning walks in KT, I visited with a wonderful grandma who lives by herself in a tiny typical Khmer house. In her front yard is a little ancestral shrine, and to my delight, it is also her kitty's house! (look inside the shrine carefully, because the cat has striped fur and is hard to see)
* While on our last trip to Phenom Phen, we were walking to lunch when we passed by a large gate with this sign posted on it about the owner's dog- it made our day!
* In Siem Reap last week, we went out to a small village to visit a less active member family. After we had parked the car and were walking in, we passed by an older woman (82 years old) who was weaving baskets to take to the market to sell. She was just charming, and we exchanged hugs and laughter.( I also bought the basket sitting to my side for her asking sum of $2.25.)
*The next picture(s?) was taken of the preparations for our KT branch Christmas meal.
*The little white house photo from KT is the only "cottage western style" home we have seen in Cambodia and it sits off the road nestled in a small grouping of trees. Elder Dickerson loves to walk by it and we put off our "mission hats" for a moment and talk about our own little "dog house" we hope to have for ourselves someday.
* The group of men is from the local market in KT- they are playing a favorite Khmer board game which is a mix of chess and checkers. Two might be playing, but the crowd around them are certainty active participants!
* One of my favorite sounds of Cambodia is the wood or bone clacker bells they put on cows and ponies. Before we left our mission, I wanted to somehow get a ride behind one of the little pony carts, and last week I did! This man was hauling charcoal in bags and with my limited Khmer and lots of motions, he cheerfully let me clamber on the back and get a ride down the road- it was so fun!
* The last set of photographs (we hope!) was taken in the courtyard of our local school. They have been working on an expansion for several months, and this particular morning we got to see the children at work digging and hauling dirt to fill. As I have mentioned earlier, they use this woven wicker "scoops" to carry and haul nearly everything- much the same way we would use a wheel barrow.
Pictures really do not capture these moments or experiences as we wish they would, but they are a visual history of our life here in Cambodia. Nearly every day we experience a "new thing", but every day increases our gratitude for blessings we were blind to before. We also share our gratitude for the miracle and wonder of the Lord's work we are privileged to wittiness. We love you all- each and every one!!!!!! Hugs and hugs and hugs!!!!! Love Elder and Sister Dickerson ie. Grandpa and Grandma
One of our work-in-progress goals has been to set up a more efficient schedule with our full-time missionaries in KT and SR. We are committed to teaching the Family Guide Book and Family Home Evening to all of our families in both branches, and we are blessed to have their support. We have become adjusted to using a translator- we know to double the time it takes to teach and use simple words and concepts as much as possible. The old adage, "A picture is worth a thousand words" is REALLY true in our situation, so we use visuals as much as we can. One of our best teaching tools has been a simple 4 piece large puzzle of a picture of a father, mother, and infant in their arms...As we teach the importance of the family, they put it together, and when one piece is taken out it leaves such a loss in the picture that it teaches the concept for us.
A brief explanation of this week's photographs: (hopefully this is in the order they are posted!)
*Taken of the baptism of a family in our Siem Reap branch- they are so excited about the gospel!
*During one of our morning walks in KT, I visited with a wonderful grandma who lives by herself in a tiny typical Khmer house. In her front yard is a little ancestral shrine, and to my delight, it is also her kitty's house! (look inside the shrine carefully, because the cat has striped fur and is hard to see)
* While on our last trip to Phenom Phen, we were walking to lunch when we passed by a large gate with this sign posted on it about the owner's dog- it made our day!
* In Siem Reap last week, we went out to a small village to visit a less active member family. After we had parked the car and were walking in, we passed by an older woman (82 years old) who was weaving baskets to take to the market to sell. She was just charming, and we exchanged hugs and laughter.( I also bought the basket sitting to my side for her asking sum of $2.25.)
*The next picture(s?) was taken of the preparations for our KT branch Christmas meal.
*The little white house photo from KT is the only "cottage western style" home we have seen in Cambodia and it sits off the road nestled in a small grouping of trees. Elder Dickerson loves to walk by it and we put off our "mission hats" for a moment and talk about our own little "dog house" we hope to have for ourselves someday.
* The group of men is from the local market in KT- they are playing a favorite Khmer board game which is a mix of chess and checkers. Two might be playing, but the crowd around them are certainty active participants!
* One of my favorite sounds of Cambodia is the wood or bone clacker bells they put on cows and ponies. Before we left our mission, I wanted to somehow get a ride behind one of the little pony carts, and last week I did! This man was hauling charcoal in bags and with my limited Khmer and lots of motions, he cheerfully let me clamber on the back and get a ride down the road- it was so fun!
* The last set of photographs (we hope!) was taken in the courtyard of our local school. They have been working on an expansion for several months, and this particular morning we got to see the children at work digging and hauling dirt to fill. As I have mentioned earlier, they use this woven wicker "scoops" to carry and haul nearly everything- much the same way we would use a wheel barrow.
Pictures really do not capture these moments or experiences as we wish they would, but they are a visual history of our life here in Cambodia. Nearly every day we experience a "new thing", but every day increases our gratitude for blessings we were blind to before. We also share our gratitude for the miracle and wonder of the Lord's work we are privileged to wittiness. We love you all- each and every one!!!!!! Hugs and hugs and hugs!!!!! Love Elder and Sister Dickerson ie. Grandpa and Grandma
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)