What Happens When: we are all awkward turtles

Chomriab SUA

This week was well.... a lot of awkward... and we met a turtle ! AND HAD A BAPTISM.

It's been interesting since all the key indicators changed for the mission now. We don't focus on less active members or member lessons at all now. We meet them to ask for referrals and check up on them but that's about it. Which means that for us out in the jungle, we just bike a LOT and try to talk to strangers A LOT. It's been an over all good week. We got a new investigator and she's really quiet but she's the granddaughter of a member, so it's easy to meet her. Other than that, we had some super awkward contacting moments out buy the river. In the evenings, everyone goes to the river to "exercise". It's basically a lot of moms dancing like Japanese super stars and the men just jog along the river side. On one occasion, we walked up to a nice group of dads in golf shirts and tried to talk to them. BUT we had just run out of car wash flyers (it's easier to bring up car wash and jesus with these people) so all we had left were pictures of Jesus. So we said "have you learned about Jesus before?" and they answered us in english like "YEAH IM A PASTURE...these (pointing to the dads) are my members". whoops... It's always a shocker for me when we find other Christians around here. I still get all nervous and awks because I don't know what to say! Anyway, it was still good to invite people to our upcoming car wash and I guess it's nice to know that we aren't the only Christians out here in the jungle too. Those awkward "why are you talking to me" moments happened a lot this week. Glad we just laugh about it and ride away...

When we were out in the far area with the senior couple this week, nothing was going as planned. Just kinda like how the rest of our week went. Sister Spencer said "I always wonder if things ever go as planned for you guys..." It's true, we change a lot of our plans on the fly, but also I think it's always worked out for the best. We get up, plan and do all the rest of the studies and things and even though we do prepare, we hardly ever stick to the exact schedule we made because the Lord actually knows who we need to be seeing. It's good to make plans and be prepared, but it's also important to listen and be flexible when the Lord directs us otherwise. Happens every day here!

The baptism for Srey Nit was so great. Actually it was the most stressful hour of my life. We show up, there's no water in the font. then we don't have keys to the font. She's 20 mins late. We can't find the towels. The Branch President left to go to a wedding. There are no leaders or any one with the priesthood to baptize her. And church starts in 45 minutes! AHHHHH. Then the MISSION PRESDIENT is there, he's like "your car wash isn't going to work out unless....." STRESS HMONG. and then all of a sudden the clouds of heaven opened and everyone showed up and we even had people to give talks and the water came out really fast and filled the font and I played the piano and it was all great. Srey nit looked so cute in her dress. I'm just really glad she was there and was able to get confirmed in the meeting right after!

Quick story for you told by the primary teacher in our branch during fast and testimony meeting:

A little boy named Somnang in our branch is living with his uncle and his grandmother. He hasn't seen his mother since he was about 2 and since then, he has stopped talking. He can understand what we say, he responds with noise and gestures, but mostly he just sits quiet to himself. He is now 6 years old and loves primary. Though he still doesn't speak or sing, he still pays attention and loves to learn with the other kids. The primary teacher had them sing a song and asked a question. To her surprise, Somnang motioned her over and whispered the answer in her ear! She just cried and was so amazed at this little boy who has never spoken a word. He has faith in Christ. He knows the gospel and church are good. Those words were his own and maybe the only words he will ever speak. She asked him to repeat again to see if he could manage to form the words again, but he couldn't do it twice. That primary teacher witnessed something amazing. She has the trust of that little boy and will continue to help him as he gets older I know it! I am grateful for all the teachers in the church and especially those who take time to care for their students! The story she told gave the little boy's grandmother and uncle a lot of hope. They are working with Somnang now to say the words "amen." When we have gone to visit him and his grandma. They're doing much better now than they were before!

Anyway, like I said, we met a jungle out in the weird wat we eat our lunch at in the far area. He was so lonely and awkwardly staring at us I couldn't help but laugh. I don't even know how he got there! That's usually how we find our investigators too. They wander over and ask us why we know khmer and then we teach them. golden. I love my mission! I love camboida. Life is GREAT. Love you all! PDAY NEXT WEEK IS ON TUESDAY. so don't freak out when I don't write you on sunday night mom. love you!

love,

Sister Hotdog