Elder Dickerson is working on the photographs and I am supplying the text for story behind them. (I am not sure the order these photographs will load in, but I know you will be able to match up easily_ smiles!)
On our morning walk in KT this past week we were on the final leg home when we heard broadcasting over a loudspeaker Khmer instrumental music. We walked up the street to be in time to see a funeral procession. The "boat" upon which the deceased lay was proceeded by an honor guard all dressed in white ceremonial clothing. There were several hundred people in the procession, most dressed with white shirts and all carrying sticks of incense. (White is the color of mourning here) It was an impressive and sobering sight.
The other pictures have to do with our missionary work this past week. A follow-up regarding the family who had the handicaped child... We returned with their photograph and the missionaries who shared a short message and left a pamphlet on the plan of salvation. The father was not there, which was a disappointment, but the elders were able to set up another return visit for this Tuesday. We were in Seam Reap for our assignment over Tuesday, but the missionaries contacted us and told us the father had little interest when he found out we did not bring food or money, but the mother had read the pamphlet, and was very interested. When I had met them, I knew that the plan and blessing of the resurrection would bring such joy into lives. We will be returning to KT Thursday in time for their 3ed visit with the missionaries.
The next set of pictures have to do with what we call our "miracle day". While in Seam Reap, the missionaries invited us to go with them to see an older couple who they had just been put in contact with. One of the members of the Seam Reap Branch is a sister (The one with the wonderful hat) who is the best member missionary ever. Her heart is constantly drawn out to how she can share the gospel. Last week as she left her home, she had prayed for a missionary opportunity. While on her way to an errand, she passed by a big frog in the middle of the road. She thought, "What a BIG frog!", but went on. As she continued on bicycling, she keep thinking about that big frog, and turned around and went back. On her return, she found another lady also stopping to look at the frog. In the process of their conversation, she mentioned something to the effect that God created all the animals with all their beautiful variety. The other woman stopped, and said, "What church do you attend?" That incident with the frog resulted in the woman attending General Conference and as she walked into the building said to her new friend, "This is the true church of God". This lady had been approached for many years by different churches, but had never joined or participated with them. As we visited with her and her husband, the spirit was poured out in rich abundance. They wept, we wept, and they offered their home and land to us for the Lord and His kingdom. We explained that we were only the Lord's servants, but that in time, as they learned more and as the Spirit directed, they would know what to do with their great gift of the heart. As they showed us around, I felt the impression that this is how the temple of the Lord would come to Cambodia, through the purity of heart of such people as this whom the Lord had prepared...I do not know if it will be this couple, but I knew we were walking on sacred ground that morning..... As we returned to the car, and shared our thoughts of the lesson and experience, Elder Cox shared the same impression that I had received regarding the temple. This was a moment of eternity.
The Lord was not through teaching us that He is a God of miracles however, for on the way back to have lunch, we passed one of the members of the Church on his moto. He stopped, so we pulled over, and the missionaries hopped out. I asked Elder Dickerson to move over to a small bit of shade which was in front of a small business. It was too hot to sit in the car, so as I opened the door, a younger man was right there to help- he said, "Ï know you, I am glad you stopped"....I was totally taken back, his face looked familiar, but I could not place him at all. We got out, invited the elders to come with us, and they ended up teaching a discussion to him, his wife, and several other employees. He is the president of the Seam Reap journalist association, and that small spot of shade was right in front of his business. Truly this is the marvelous work and wonder of the Lord!
We pray that each of you will open your hearts and mouths, having faith that this is the work of the Lord, and he will prepare a way- from frogs to shade!
We love each of you so much and rejoice in being an eternal family! Hugs, hugs!!! Elder and Sister Dickerson....ie, Grandpa and Grandma
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