September 16, 2009

A lot of water has gone under and over! the bridge since our last entry- literally! We had a fairly dry August and then, September made up the difference and more. We did not realize the extent of the flooding until we returned from our couple's conference at the mission home in Phnom Pehn on the 12th. As we left the city area and drove further into the provinces, we noticed a large number of cattle all tethered alongside the road. In all the times we have driven Road 6, we have never seen this before and it went on for miles. About halfway to KT, we passed about 6 men on bicycles all loaded down with fresh hay, a few miles later, another 12 or so, and on it went until we had passed probably 40 or so men all loaded down with fodder. Due to our Branch Conference in Siem Reap the following day, we had to make the entire trip from Phnom to Siem Reap in the same day, taking just a brief stop in KT to pick up some clean clothes and food. Within a few miles outside KT, there were the cattle again- only this time, most of them had small plastic shelters built along the road as well. The further we traveled the higher the water got, and within a short time the road appeared to be a bridge between lakes. It would not be an exaggeration to assume that hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by the flooding- it is nearly a 6 hour drive by car and we saw the effects for nearly the entire distance. The farmers depend on their cattle and there was simply no grazing for miles and miles. Most of these families live day to day on nearly nothing.....I have no idea how they could possible afford to pay for grass they so desperately need- much less feed their families. It was a tragic and humbling trip....But what of the Khmer people?

In one of the lowest points of the road, the water had completely covered the road, but fortunately due to the height of the road bed, traffic was still able to slowly move forward. As we moved ahead, we saw a least a hundred people all along the road, in the road, by the road, out of the road- all having a wonderful time! There were swimmers, sitters, people with inner-tubes, tree-jumpers, car splashers, even road side sellers taking advantage of the situation- all with big grins and having a wonderful time! I jumped out of the car, hitched up my skirt, and took pictures- they all wanted their picture taken! This event illustrates one of the most remarkable aspects of the Khmer people- they have the ability to turn tragedy into something they can live with, and even enjoy in this situation. I could not help but think about how I would have responded to their circumstances, and the contrast was sobering.....

This month in Phom Penh was our last Couple's Conference. We have served with most of these couples for nearly our entire mission and it has been one of the great blessings of our mission to work and serve together. Although our assignments keep us from getting to spend much time with them, the time we do have is quality and we are better people because of our association with them. In the next 4 months, 4 will be returning and then it is our turn. Are we getting a little "trunky"? Well, the reality is we are not the same people as we were 13 months ago and the changes are all for the better. Are we ready to be home? Yes- but we are more ready to finish what the Lord has sent us here to become- more humble, more grateful, more vision, and more motivated to do the work of the Lord.

We have had some wonderful experiences as we have served with our elders in KT and Siem Reap. In KT, we were with our missionaries as they followed up with a young woman whom they had just started teaching. As we met with her for the first time, I could sense that she was deeply troubled and concerned. There is no mother in the family and she takes care of her younger siblings as well as younger cousins during the day, and then sells fruit shakes and other small snack items in the evenings. Due to the rains and cooler weather, she has not had any business and was planning to leave that day to find work in Phnom Penh as a waitress. Fortunately, an older cousin works there and she had some family contact to assist her. I felt impressed to ask the elders to teach her about priesthood blessings and to ask her if she would like to receive one. The elders did so, and she expressed her desire for a blessing. There was a special spirit as the blessing was pronounced and from the flow of words, I knew the elder felt the inspiration of the Lord guiding what he said. We had to leave for another appointment, and it was not until later that day that Elder Moore, the elder who had given the blessing had the opportunity to share with us what he had been given of the Spirit to say. He told us that in the blessing our Father in Heaven expressed his great love for this young woman and told her that she was one of his most valiant daughters in the pre-mortal life. She had been sent to earth at this time and this place that she might be the instrument by which her family, both living and dead might receive the blessings of the Gospel.... As I have pondered on this experience and others similar to it, my mind went to the parable in Luke that the Savior gave regarding Lazarus and the poor beggar who sat at his gate and the differences both in their mortal life and their eternal life..... As the Lord has told us, "My ways are not your ways..." I have very different thoughts now regarding my day of judgement as well as how it may be for others.

In Siem Reap, we have had the privilege of being involved with the teaching of two families from the very beginning- the Sam and Siem families. This has been one of the highlights of our mission. They both were first contacted by Sister Hom, a recent convert herself, eager to share the joy of the gospel. They live about about an hour and half by bicycle ride from the church building. One family is able to borrow a moto and squeeze onto it, but the other, the Siem family, has no other means of transportation than their bicycles. They are all determined to attend church, and this past Sunday, the mother with the baby in a sling across the handlebars, and their other daughter, about 9 years old, stood behind her mother on the tiny nuts in the center of back tire of the bicycle - for an hour and a half each way.....On the way to church, they were hit a glancing blow by a passing moto because they had no working brakes on the bicycle. They picked the bicycle up, dusted themselves off, and undaunted, continued on their way to church. We may not have pioneers today who push handcarts and cross plains, but we do have pioneers today who are just as faithful, just as devoted, just as worthy of our admiration, praise, and emulation as the early Saints we honor. It is a priceless blessing and honor to be in the presence of these great and noble sons and daughters of God.

To each of you we send our love and prayers that our mission has been a blessing not only for ourselves, but for you. These are the days long awaited by prophets of old, and we testify that the mountain, cut without hands, is indeed rolling forth to fill the earth.

Hugs and love! Elder and Sister Dickerson- Grandpa and Grandma