Roadside views
Bug catcher, a floresent light behind the plastic sheet attracts the bugs when they land they slide down in to the water trough and become dinner.
Returning from the market
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
May 27, 2009
In the past few weeks we have been back and forth from KT to Siem Reap, up and down to Phenom Phen and back again. It hasn't been all driving though! We have been at two baptisms- one in our KT branch and the other in Siem Reap. The work of the Lord is progressing in both branches and we constantly are in awe at the miraculous changes the gospel makes in the lives of individuals and families.
Most of the food eaten in Cambodia is just a few days or hours from being either freshly picked or still "alive and kicking!". One of the investigator families we are teaching with in KT raises chickens. While most chickens are free-roaming, this family is an exception with raised cages, clean pens, chicken feed, and vitamin drops. As a result, they have superior chickens and get a premium price for them. I had made arrangements with one of our Relief Society sisters to learn how they prepare a live chicken to eat, and this kind family gave me one of their young hens. We took it to our house, feet tied together, and fearing some of the stray cats might kill it, I took it into the house, still tied up, put it in a box, and we went to bed. The next morning I woke to the sounds of one unhappy chicken. It had managed to untie itself, get out of the box, and make a mess by the box. (A very large mess I may add!) We had a couple of hours before my "chicken class", so the hen went outside. This time we tied the rope from one chicken foot to one of the iron bars on the fence inside the courtyard. When I went out to get her a few hours later, she had managed to untie herself again! What a Houdini of a chicken!
The Cambodian people use nearly every part of the chicken- from head to tail and feet, it's eaten. It was a real learning experience to see just how similar some things are in preparing a chicken, and how different they are as well. For example, Brother Sal stepped on the outspread wings of the chicken- which prevents the fluttering and the whole process was very quick and efficient. After he had cleaned out the inside of the chicken, he removed the feathers by putting the chicken into a shallow pan of boiling water over the cooking fire pot, ladled boiling water over it, and within 2-3 minutes it was ready to pluck. Many of the organs are considered a delicacy and they were placed in a pot with the chicken- head, feet and all. To our up most surprise, the "sauce" was a can of soda he poured over the top of the chicken, put on the lid, and about 45 minutes later it was lunch.
As the raining season begins, the majority of people in the provinces are preparing the fields for planting rice. It is such a contrast to see centuries old farming methods being used next to modern equipment. The most widely used "modern" equipment is a large, walk-behind tractor/tiller- it's local name, "the Vietnamese cow". I honestly do not know how they manage the strength needed to manhandle it though the heavy wet clay-it is exhausting just to watch. For some reason, they prefer to plow when the fields are saturated with water- even flooded, a total contrast to the conditions we use to plow in.
One of the blessings of our mission is to hear the testimonies from members (and investigators) regarding different principles of the gospel. They have such childlike faith, and their prayers are sincere and specific to their needs. This past week, we were at a member's home where a neighbor was being taught the discussions. During the lesson, which was on prayer, the member sister shared her first experiences with prayer before she had been baptised. She said how she had planted vegetables and the ants keep eating them. She prayed that she might be able to grow her vegetables. After her prayer, a man came and told her what she needed to do for her vegetables to grow. She followed his advice, and the ants did not eat her vegetables and she had a good crop. There was such a sweet spirit as she bore her testimony and promised this neighbor that the Lord would answer her prayers as well. We have had so many experiences similar to this one- each one a lesson on humility for us....
We love you! We pray for you and we have the absolute assurance the Lord is mindful of each of us....Hugs, hugs and hugs!!! Love, Elder and Sister Dickerson, ie: Grandpa and Grandma
Most of the food eaten in Cambodia is just a few days or hours from being either freshly picked or still "alive and kicking!". One of the investigator families we are teaching with in KT raises chickens. While most chickens are free-roaming, this family is an exception with raised cages, clean pens, chicken feed, and vitamin drops. As a result, they have superior chickens and get a premium price for them. I had made arrangements with one of our Relief Society sisters to learn how they prepare a live chicken to eat, and this kind family gave me one of their young hens. We took it to our house, feet tied together, and fearing some of the stray cats might kill it, I took it into the house, still tied up, put it in a box, and we went to bed. The next morning I woke to the sounds of one unhappy chicken. It had managed to untie itself, get out of the box, and make a mess by the box. (A very large mess I may add!) We had a couple of hours before my "chicken class", so the hen went outside. This time we tied the rope from one chicken foot to one of the iron bars on the fence inside the courtyard. When I went out to get her a few hours later, she had managed to untie herself again! What a Houdini of a chicken!
The Cambodian people use nearly every part of the chicken- from head to tail and feet, it's eaten. It was a real learning experience to see just how similar some things are in preparing a chicken, and how different they are as well. For example, Brother Sal stepped on the outspread wings of the chicken- which prevents the fluttering and the whole process was very quick and efficient. After he had cleaned out the inside of the chicken, he removed the feathers by putting the chicken into a shallow pan of boiling water over the cooking fire pot, ladled boiling water over it, and within 2-3 minutes it was ready to pluck. Many of the organs are considered a delicacy and they were placed in a pot with the chicken- head, feet and all. To our up most surprise, the "sauce" was a can of soda he poured over the top of the chicken, put on the lid, and about 45 minutes later it was lunch.
As the raining season begins, the majority of people in the provinces are preparing the fields for planting rice. It is such a contrast to see centuries old farming methods being used next to modern equipment. The most widely used "modern" equipment is a large, walk-behind tractor/tiller- it's local name, "the Vietnamese cow". I honestly do not know how they manage the strength needed to manhandle it though the heavy wet clay-it is exhausting just to watch. For some reason, they prefer to plow when the fields are saturated with water- even flooded, a total contrast to the conditions we use to plow in.
One of the blessings of our mission is to hear the testimonies from members (and investigators) regarding different principles of the gospel. They have such childlike faith, and their prayers are sincere and specific to their needs. This past week, we were at a member's home where a neighbor was being taught the discussions. During the lesson, which was on prayer, the member sister shared her first experiences with prayer before she had been baptised. She said how she had planted vegetables and the ants keep eating them. She prayed that she might be able to grow her vegetables. After her prayer, a man came and told her what she needed to do for her vegetables to grow. She followed his advice, and the ants did not eat her vegetables and she had a good crop. There was such a sweet spirit as she bore her testimony and promised this neighbor that the Lord would answer her prayers as well. We have had so many experiences similar to this one- each one a lesson on humility for us....
We love you! We pray for you and we have the absolute assurance the Lord is mindful of each of us....Hugs, hugs and hugs!!! Love, Elder and Sister Dickerson, ie: Grandpa and Grandma
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monkeys at 
May 13, 2009
One of the great blessings of this mission has been to teach the Family Guidebook. This booklet, along with several others, was prepared just a few years ago for areas of the world where the Church is beginning to be established. The Family Guidebook is essentially a "how to" guide on the family. It covers everything from the Family Proclamation, Family Home Evening, family councils, finances, tithing, family history, to teaching a father how to exercise his priesthood to bless his family. We have divided the booklet into 12 lessons and are in the process of teaching families in both branches.
This week in Siem Reap, we had a visit with the Vwi family that was scheduled for the lesson on tithes and offerings. This is a very poor family who choose to give up two of their children to a local orphanage in order for these children to have an education. The father supports his family by moto-doping (instead of taxi's, people pay for a ride on a motorcycle). Moto-doping is a very common practice and there is great competition for customers. Most drivers generally make enough to cover their expenses with just a little extra.
As we sat on the floor with them, I really struggled.... we had heard that they had wondered where were their blessings they needed so much, and we didn't want to add to their concerns. But, the thought came into my mind, "This is a principle with a promise that they need". So we went on with the planned lesson on tithing. Our lesson included a miraculous story on tithing from President Hinckely, and Elder Dickerson's personal experience with tithing as a young man. We felt the Spirit to be there and as we concluded the lesson we asked the parents to share their thoughts with us. The father told us that for two months they had not paid their tithing. (my heart sank....) and then this month they had paid their tithing of 10,000 ria -about $2.50 in US dollars. The very week following the payment of their tithing, he earned 180,000 ria moto-doping, an almost unheard amount for a single week.
Afterwards, they pulled out a large plastic jar that they had wrapped white paper around. On the paper was a picture of the way to the temple. This was their temple jar which contained a few small bills of money. They told us they were using a large jar because they knew it would take them a long time to be able to go to the temple. For these Cambodian Saints who sacrifice greatly and live worthily, they will most likely attend the temple only once in their life.... Dear family, don't take for granted the blessings of sacrifice and the temple. We hope that these experiences that we share with you will bless you, as they have us, with a changed perspective.
We also visited with the Siem Reap Relief Society President who became very ill last week and went to the local Khmer hospital there. I remember Jacob sharing with us his experience of a local Russian hospital and I imagine the conditions are much the same. The doctors do the best they can with what is available to them...The floor of the hospital halls and rooms are lined with patients on woven mats, their families, little plastic sacks of food, and a few bundles of belongings. There is no food available in the hospital, so family members or friends bring what they can. Of course there is no refrigeration, so food spoils quickly. No sign of running water, wash basins, or general cleanliness. The nursing staff consists of family members or friends- and they also do the best they can. I could not help but think of the Savior and his compassion for the sick and afflicted, and how his heart must ache for the suffering of the people here. The atonement has truly taken on a new dimension for us as we have lived among these people, and our gratitude and love for the Savior increased equally.
This is the Lord's work......and in spite of our weaknesses and imperfections, the Lord has blessed us to see His hand and to wittness the miracles of His love. We love you so much!
Elder and Sister Dickerson ....grandpa and grandma
This week in Siem Reap, we had a visit with the Vwi family that was scheduled for the lesson on tithes and offerings. This is a very poor family who choose to give up two of their children to a local orphanage in order for these children to have an education. The father supports his family by moto-doping (instead of taxi's, people pay for a ride on a motorcycle). Moto-doping is a very common practice and there is great competition for customers. Most drivers generally make enough to cover their expenses with just a little extra.
As we sat on the floor with them, I really struggled.... we had heard that they had wondered where were their blessings they needed so much, and we didn't want to add to their concerns. But, the thought came into my mind, "This is a principle with a promise that they need". So we went on with the planned lesson on tithing. Our lesson included a miraculous story on tithing from President Hinckely, and Elder Dickerson's personal experience with tithing as a young man. We felt the Spirit to be there and as we concluded the lesson we asked the parents to share their thoughts with us. The father told us that for two months they had not paid their tithing. (my heart sank....) and then this month they had paid their tithing of 10,000 ria -about $2.50 in US dollars. The very week following the payment of their tithing, he earned 180,000 ria moto-doping, an almost unheard amount for a single week.
Afterwards, they pulled out a large plastic jar that they had wrapped white paper around. On the paper was a picture of the way to the temple. This was their temple jar which contained a few small bills of money. They told us they were using a large jar because they knew it would take them a long time to be able to go to the temple. For these Cambodian Saints who sacrifice greatly and live worthily, they will most likely attend the temple only once in their life.... Dear family, don't take for granted the blessings of sacrifice and the temple. We hope that these experiences that we share with you will bless you, as they have us, with a changed perspective.
We also visited with the Siem Reap Relief Society President who became very ill last week and went to the local Khmer hospital there. I remember Jacob sharing with us his experience of a local Russian hospital and I imagine the conditions are much the same. The doctors do the best they can with what is available to them...The floor of the hospital halls and rooms are lined with patients on woven mats, their families, little plastic sacks of food, and a few bundles of belongings. There is no food available in the hospital, so family members or friends bring what they can. Of course there is no refrigeration, so food spoils quickly. No sign of running water, wash basins, or general cleanliness. The nursing staff consists of family members or friends- and they also do the best they can. I could not help but think of the Savior and his compassion for the sick and afflicted, and how his heart must ache for the suffering of the people here. The atonement has truly taken on a new dimension for us as we have lived among these people, and our gratitude and love for the Savior increased equally.
This is the Lord's work......and in spite of our weaknesses and imperfections, the Lord has blessed us to see His hand and to wittness the miracles of His love. We love you so much!
Elder and Sister Dickerson ....grandpa and grandma
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
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