March 11, 2009

We are thrilled to write that even though this has been an eventful and busy month so far, the "events" have been missionary kinds of events.

We had a wonderful couple's conference in Phenom Phen March 2 at the Mission Home. It is always a rewarding and renewing experience for us to get together. Each couple has so much to contribute with their own set of experiences, joys and challenges. It is remarkable to me how different our mission experiences are, and yet how much we share in common. Truly the Lord tailors each missionary to his or her own mission experience. This may be our last couple's conference with President and Sister Winger. They complete their mission the last of June and we have a new President and his wife arriving. I feel that the the divinely appointed organization of the Church is one of it's "marvelous works". On our free time there, we enjoy browsing through the large Cambodian markets where generally only the Khmer people shop, and we are treated just like any other customer, not a tourist.

We got back from Phenom Phen to jump right into our final preparations for the KT branch Open House on the 7th. We had tremendous support from the branch in getting everything ready for the 250+ people we expected to come - including feeding them. In this culture, food is an important part of any significant event- from weddings to funerals. The food preparations began early Friday morning at the market purchasing vegetables, noodles, fresh fish, coconut, bananas, wood for the fire, and all kinds of other food items. Many of their fruits and vegetables we do not have in America and the members do not know of any English words for them. Typical Khmer food can be quite hot and spicy. One of their favorite flavorings is a tiny red pepper they cut into minuscule slices and either put directly into their food or in a small bowl with crushed salt and bitter herbs. Dipping sauces are very popular and they come in all flavors from sour, bitter, hot to sweet.

The gutted fish was cooked that evening in LARGE aluminum pots over an open fire and then left to cool overnight. Early Saturday morning I helped de-bone pounds of fish, cut and chop vegetables and when I finally got up off the floor to leave, I could hardly hobble, much less walk. You really need to grow up squatting on the ground to keep those leg muscles in shape!

When the food was served later that afternoon to our guests and members, each table was given a large pot of a fish soup, rice, and platters of various greens and vegetables which included eatable fruit blossoms. Also placed on the tables were the small bowls of dipping sauces and the hot peppers and salt. Our dessert consisted of a popular cooked sweet soup made with coconut milk. To the coconut milk is added tapioca pearls, and bananas cut into large pieces- all swimming in the thin gray milk. This, like some other Khmer foods, requires time to develop a taste for, or you just politely decline if possible!

We had good attendance at the Open House, and as part of our missionary focus, took pictures of all the visitors, recorded their address, and their pictures will be delivered by our missionaries with the goal to set up teaching appointments. We also showed the new Restoration DVD several times in the chapel area- each time well attended. It never ceased to amaze me how similar their lifestyle is to the one portrayed in this movie. It makes an immediate connection and they are not distracted by the showing of wealth or lifestyles, allowing the message and power of this event to reach into their hearts.

From the Open House, we jumped right into getting ready to met with Elder Perkins on his mission wide tour. Elder Perkins is a member of the Seventy with his assignment in the Asia Area Presidency. He and his wife came to met with the missionaries in the northern area of Cambodia- comprising 4 branches of the Church, and then on to Phenom Phen to met with the missionaries there. As we sat in our small chapel area in Siem Reap Tuesday morning, I could not help but marvel at the significance of this event. Here we were, just a small handful of missionaries, being personally taught and instructed by a General Authority who met with us, shook our hands, interviewed, and in our case, dinner with.

Monday evening we were invited to have dinner with Elder Perkins, his wife, President and Sister Winger, Elder and Sister Staggs (the missionary couple serving in Battembong) and us. In every situation we were with them, there could not have been more genuine interest, sincerity, and the brotherhood of the Saints radiating from them. Such an event is one of the unnexpected and great blessings of our mission here....

We want you to know that the Lord is blessing us with greater love and ability to serve the people here. It is not an "easy" mission, but what "real" mission is? We love the Lord and are grateful for the many ways we are growing and becoming better people.

Our hearts, love and prayers are always with each of you........Hugs! hugs! Hugs!!!!

Elder and Sister Dickerson ie. Grandpa and Grandma