What Happens When: Phnom Penh is a Ghost-town
Hello!
This week was pretty good regardless of the absent city... seriously everyone fled from the city and into the khets because it's "PCHUM BEN". Means that they celebrate the ancestors and go to the pagodas and do buddhist stuff for a few days in their home town. Made it a little hard to proselyte since everything was closed and the roads were empty, but it was a little fun for use because we could bike without getting hit or dodging flying motos! Srual. We even had only 1 hour of church yesterday because it's "family time". Even though a ton of people we usually meet were gone, the Lord really prepped us for this week and kept us busy with meeting new people. I was super happy about that. We actually piled in 5 new referrals and talked to a bunch of new people that have interest, so things are looking up for ToulSangKe!
On monday we went to teach an active member lesson and when we got there, turns out they called they're non-member nieces and invited them to attend the lesson with us. 2 Book of Mormons placed and we got a new referral! They don't live in our area, but they were really cool and had a lot of questions about the purpose of life. We got to share Alma 34:32 Moses 1:39. Pretty good lesson.
Then on Tuesday the sisters in a neighboring area showed us a new investigator and when we sat down in the lesson, we pulled out the Jesus picture book. It happened to be on the baptism picture and I didn't feel weird talking about that so we just went with it, and 5 minutes later, with promptings from the spirit, she was committed to baptism! YES.
Then we went to see Ming Saray the other day (the homeless one that makes us food and is always laughing) and she has a new friend! A few weeks ago when we were meeting with her, there was a random 35 year old lady that was sitting in on our lesson and she was asking all sorts of questions on why we were there and what we believed. Then she asked Ming about her living conditions and how she lives on the street there. She was nice but didn't seem interested at all in learning with us. When we returned to see Ming saray this week, the 35 year old lady had brought her a super expensive new born puppy, a leash, and food for it. She gave it to ming and said "this little puppy named Jimmy needs a friend. Can you take care of him for me? I'll bring the food and supplies, I just need you to keep him company." The lady comes by every afternoon to check on the puppy and visit with Ming Saray. They have become good friends and Ming now has a dog, some new friends, and has shared some of the gospel with her the lady too! I just am super touched by this random act of kindness and a new friendship that started right in front of our eyes. It's good to know there are still nice people out there who care and make an effort. :) Also, I think the best part is that the dog's name is Jimmy. But they say it "Jii mii" because... khmer...It's hilarious.
We got a new investigator that is like 60 years old.She's super good and wants to learn, but she is super stressed with watching her grand kids so we are going to try to meet with her tomorrow when she has a bit more free time.
Because it was the holiday and proselyting literally can't happen, presidnet organized a big "clean-til-it's-done/movie party" day. Best thing ever because that was MY YEAR MARK DAY TOO! Happy Birthday to us!!!! We watched Ephraim's Rescue and since then i've been on a super big pioneer kick. Before, I didn't understand or really know enough about pioneers to really care, but now, the more I study and learn, I am just so grateful that there were saints to strong and faithful that they gave up EVERYTHING just to believe in the Lord. That's amazing. And I'm evermore grateful now that because of some missionaries in the 1800s in england, my ancestors became members, endured hardship to cross the plains, and now there are a few more members in Cambodia... :) Crazy how the work is hastening and covenant people are "scattered about the earth". This is the Lord's work, and I'm so happy to be a small part of it. I love it!
I love you! Have a great week,
Love,
Sister Haddock