Episode 4 - The Khmer New Year still going. Sunday April 19, 2015

ជំរាបសួរ!,      

              About a month in the Mission Field in កម្ពុជា already! Wow! That week actually came by quick! Okay where to start explaining...how last week went even though the entire population of Cambodia celebrated ចូលឆ្នាំ...Last Tuesday was kinda complicated because that's the first day of Khmer New Year, and we couldn't find anyone to teach, however in the end of the day me and other Elders in the តាខ្មៅ  just had a feast for the holiday. 

              

             Last Wednesday I watched "Meet the Mormons" again at the South Stake Center, but before that we had important remarks from President Moon, my Mission President about "Rekindling Cambodia!". Basically as this holiday passes by, us missionaries are encouraged to invite Members we work with to continue or start reading the scriptures, praying consistently with real intent, and attending church every week and keep explaining the blessing as we invite them before we do that though he wants us to help our members on there needs to see if they need help on anything! And so, through last week me and Elder McGavin did as we visit, help, and teach all who we can throughout that week prayerfully and with the Holy Spirit as much we can! 

             I went to Kean Svay or គៀនស្វាយ to do an exchange for my first time in the Mission Field last Thursday with Elder Jones the members, and investigators over there are wonderful as I visited them! On Saturday, we met an investigator who's a Sister of a member (MingChanta) of our branch. She's very opened to hear from us that as she understood what we teach and invited her to be baptized. She said she want to baptized so we're helping her be prepared for her baptism that's coming up! Yesterday, there's been a fantastic attendance in Church! God bless these members from there desires to come and attend Church to feel the blessings from showing up to God's home in that day. (Hope me and my companion will see them all again!) After church, me and my companion went to the South Stake Center to perform at a Fireside! It was an awesome experience when I had a experience to sing the EFY Medly in Khmer and Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing in Khmer! My companion singed 2 solos for he Fireside! He did a phenomenal job singing "Song of Testimony" and "My Lord, My Redeemer!"  

           I really love my mission so far! Still working hard on doing my best to expand my vocabulary, and speaking my mission language so I can preach His gospel better! I testify that God loves all of us and he's a merciful God! Jesus Christ is our living redeemer! He's conquered death so that all of us can return to live in Heavenly Father's presence! The Gift of Tongues and the Holy Spirit is what truly helped me a lot in the mission field! Prayer's our key to heaven that as we pray with purpose, God will help us on our needs as long as we have faith and maintain humility. I bare this testimony in the Sacred Name of the lord, our savior and living redeemer Jesus Christ. Amen.  

    “Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.”—Alma 36:3  ជំរាបលា!, 

-អែលឌើរ រស់ (Elder Ros)

​Okay, from last week! I want to explain that I ate a Balut during the Khmer New Year Dinner for my first time!

....Not the most pleasant thing I ever ate. So FYI those eggs on the red strain bowl are not Hard Boiled eggs

they're actually Baluts or Baby Duck (Embryo) Eggs. This is all the food Elder Kiev made for all of us!

God bless this Elder he's awesome! 

Me and the តាខ្មៅ district decide to go fishing on last Wednesday! During this day!

​My first ever exchange done in the 17th of April!!: I worked at Kean Svay (គៀនស្វាយ) for a day with Elder Jones! Yes, we were sweaty, but we had lots of fun doing Missionary Work over here!

Picture didn't come through but here is the caption: Yesterday, I singed with the East Mission District and the Cambodian Youths at the South Stake Center! We were doing a fireside through the performance! This Fireside feat. a song from The Prince of Egypt movie called "When you believe"!

(I wonder how's Elder Palmer's doing? Hopes he's doing awesome at his area!)

#WheresElderPalmer

Episode 3 - The True Colors of Khmer New Year. Sunday April 12, 2015

 សួស្ដីឆ្នាំថ្មី!ជំរាបសួរ!(Happy Khmer New Year!, Hello!),  

    Before I begin!: From last week on Sunday during LIVE General Conference I just wanted to bless everyone with a Eternally Happy Easter! Hoping in my prayers that we all did remember the absolute sacred importance of he resurrection of our Lord, Our Savior, and Our Living Redeemer Jesus Christ! 

     Okay!, I am 3 weeks in the Mission Field still serving in តាខ្មៅ (Ta Khmau)! Throughout last week the Branch Church Building, all of the តាខ្មៅ (Ta Khmau) Branches in had a Cambodian New Year Party!  Before that, certain members had the other members who came to the Church Building to attend the Cambodian New Year Party  gathered in the Chapel first to hear important talks from them 1st before the party begins which I thought was excellent! The Spirit was present as the certain members gave talks about the importance of keeping the Gospel of Jesus Christ a priority as the Khmer New Year's being celebrated! They emphasized the importance of who we truly follow as a church and the importance of keeping God's Commandments, on this case we all know that they're not throw away traditions but to share what's are the best things to do to celebrate.

     During the week, I, Elder Ros, had the worse diarrhea in my lifetime... while I was proselyting in Wednesday... when we were done proselytizing, I took a bit of rest before I go and help the Elders and Sisters in my Area teach English Class, I told those who attend English Class that I wasn't feeling well (I was ready to vomit, no I am not being dramatic all!), however I told them I will my absolute best to help teach with Elder McGavin. After that day... I took a day off... had a exchanged of companions to stay in my apartment with Elder Hibbert. (He had the same problems as I did.) We recovered quickly and Friday I am better enough to continue proselyting! Now everyone, PLEASE DON'T WORRY! I am still alive and still inviting anyone in Cambodia or Ta Khmau to come Christ, just keep praying I truly appreciate all of your prayers so much! Things last week was kinda tough because everyone's getting ready for the Khmer New Year which... is going on this week. The 14th.15th, and... 16th! Which will make proselyting this week a bit difficult but me and Elder McGavin are going to give all we got ... despite the crazy traditions in Cambodia! (Note: No many people in Phnom Penh are present at that time also so it was a ghost town here!)

    In the weekend!, I took the opportunity to watch General Conference. All sessions were phenomenal! I am still kinda surprised that my (former) Stake President who set me apart as a missionary, has been called to serve as a Area 70 General Authority! His name's S. Marc Clay Jr.! Wow, so many changes going on as I serve in Cambodia already! I recorded so much in journal as I listened to all talks from the Saturday sessions, Priesthood session and Sunday sessions!!! Thanks Sister Fear and Brother Gage, members from my homeward spoiled it for me it, but that's actually alright! In fact, I didn't actually believe them at first! Hahaha!

   Here's one of the quotes that stood out to me while I was watching General Conference! 

“Grace is a gift of God, and our desire to be obedient to each of God’s commandments is the reaching out of our mortal hand to receive this sacred gift from our Heavenly Father.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

    Well, this is all I wanted to say in this blog post, LOVE the food over here! (At this time of my mission I was given guidelines to be careful on what I eat.) Still pressing on with faith choosing to serve the Lord along with my companion!  I love you all so much! God bless you all! I still missed you all Family and Syracuse, NY! I still love all members who I met in my area! Hoped they all attended General Conference as we invited them and explaining the importance of it with the Holy Spirit! (I am sure some members did took the invitation seriously.) 

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." -Matthew 22:37-40

      Ounce again (Happy Khmer New Year!) សួស្ដីឆ្នាំថ្មី!, and ជំរាបលា!,

-អែលឌើរ រស់

 Went Bowling at the Aeon Mall in Cambodia! SO MUCH FUN ON THIS P-DAY!

​I inked these pairs of Name tags with pen when I was told it was spelled wrong weeks ago, however when I found out that

 these are the correct true translations I just took a toothpick and apply white-out on the inked the didactic! #GoodAsNew

Me holding a sign Tuesday on the 14th even though the Free Class is next week because of Khmer New Year! 

(Feat. Elder Hibbert! behind me!)

​Me and all other តាខ្មៅ missionaries celebrating Khmer New Year! 

                                     សួស្ដីឆ្នាំថ្មី from Me, Elder McGavin, Elder Jarvis, Elder Khiev, Elder Chouk, and Elder Hibbert!

Episode 2 - Newly first wedded out here. Sunday, April 5, 2015

ជំរាបសួរ!(Cumriabsua!),

        The 2nd week is okay because we had a interesting time contacting some members throughout the week, that includes converts throughout that week as well within our area! Me (I don't know much about missionary work) and Elder McGavin (The one I am trying to understand) were doing what we can such contacting people to teach, however because of the Khmer New Year that's coming and there's some occasions going for the weekend, we were doing our best to contact or otherwise I had to be a little pushy on my trainer out of love because I knew doing something is better than nothing! Last Wednesday I taught a Spiritual Thought in English Class for the Cambodian People and Members last week! (Which was fun!) Before that,I handed out flyers on front of the Branch Church Building in តា ខ្មៅ, super fun! One of the bests way to find people to teach is inviting people to learn English doing it as a weekly service project, than after class we talk to the some people and ask if we can visit them to start teaching about the Church and invite them to Christ! This weekend there was a Wedding coming up so me and my companion help some members of the branch prepare for the Wedding in Church Building!  

     After that I spent the weekend visiting the church and teaching the guards of the Church and attend the Wedding as I helped, and then Last Saturday I attend the Wedding Party... fantastic food! (Note: We didn't have permission and I didn't know at all that there's a guideline that we're suppose as our mission president first before we attend. *sigh* Even though the food was good I didn't realize that I would have a hard time being obedient until I had this transfer with Elder McGavin thinking that he's the absolute best, but... he has flaws as well especially when it comes to obedience.)

        Then there's Fast and Testimony Meeting on Sunday! Heard great testimonies from members of the 2nd Branch of តា ខ្មៅ all members and the Branch President are super nice as far I see who attended. I even bore testimony and invited them to watch General Conference next week! (Hoping they understood the importance of it!) (Extra note: My Khmer language wasn't that strong at the time but I tried my best.)

       The 3rd week's been planned out and always ready to teach, preach, and invite many to Christ! Going to be super busy! Love you all and please keep me in your prayers! This weekend I will be watching General Conference, I was aware of a new Temple in Thailand which made me and my companion super excited! (It got announced last weekend I heard!) 

    "And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God." - D&C 14:7

                                          Gotta blast!ជំរាបលា! (Cumriablia!),

-អែលឌើរ រស

The South Stake Center of Cambodia! (ការសាងសង់ ដ៏ធំ! (Huge Building for a Stake Center!) (Last Friday was Zone Training!)

​Me and my Companion attended a Wedding Party we were invited to! (Super ឆាញ់ food!)

The Couple Married and the men and women hosting the Wedding Party!

​Me and my Trainer's organized Studying and Planning Room! 

Episode 1 - The Prideful-Humbling Debut. Sunday, March 29, 2015

ជំរាបសួរ,

    FYI: LANDED IN CAMBODIA SAFELY STAYED IN THE MISSION HOME FOR A DAY AND GOT TO KNOW THE MISSION PRESIDENT known as President and Sister Moon! (The Mission President and his wife are such a very nice couple I loved them so much!) It's been a super long travel, however I had some pretty tasty airplane food on the way here. (Shrimp Congee "chinese food" for example.... reminds me of Bawbaw Soup. In actuality it is BawBaw. Now in actual translation from Khmer to English... there's a few meanings for Bawbaw such as either gruel, rice soup or... rice porridge.)

     SINCE ABOUT 25-29th March 2015

    Okay, I am about 4 days in the mission field in Cambodia! I am doing fantastic, but I've been fatigued with homesickness every morning! (Hopefully it'll go away.) It's nice and very hot over here! As I made it to the field, President Moon has assigned me with my new companion known Elder McGavin, he's a very nice and awesome trainer!  He's been very cheerful to me, knowing how very home sick I got lately! My first area is called តាខ្មៅ (Daa Khmau) or Black Grandpa is the name to this particular area of Cambodia under Branch 2. 

    So.... where to start... Me and my companion met a very nice woman who's ready to be baptized! Sister Lindley and Kimball who were teaching her needed my companion to interview her before hand. (Elder McGavin Later on in the week I get to know some members or the Young Men and Women of the Branch my companion and I work in and have their help on proselyting along with me and my companion. While we're at it we were doing our best to invite inactive members back to Church, which was kinda tough. Some homes I visited are literally poor but the families I meet are very nice and are willing to listen to us. There were chickens (some looks very unhealthy) and stray animals (like Dogs) everywhere as I rode my bike around the area where I proselyte.

    Yesterday, I attended Church the first time with Elder McGavin, it was very nice experience even though everyone speaks a bit faster than me. However, I did the best I can to understand everyone in my mission language. During the first time I ever attend Church in Cambodia the Branch President for the តា ខ្មៅ area wants me to introduce myself and bare testimony to the present congregation and so I did, explaining to them about where I am truly from and hoping they can still understand me, while I explained to them that my grammar isn't perfect, as I testify to them! Later on, we had a Baptismal Service! (From the interview to the nice woman I mentioned) I can't really put up pictures yet because I am just in a Internet shop in  Phnom Penh. I'll try to put some up though! I am doing my best to enjoy my time in the field! I do really miss the Syracuse Community, Ward Family and most entirely of all my family. Oh yeah, before the weekend I met my Mother's sister or my aunt name NeaMing she wanted to give me Pizza and Drinks, (Soda and Soy milk) while I did spent time at the Church with my companion meeting them! (I felt bitter that I am not yet super good at my mission language yet as I was trying to talk to NeaMing, however I know it'll my language speaking will improve! My companion has been a great help to me as I get trained by him. I also invited NeaMing to come to Church.)  Funny thing is... as I was being familiar with my Branch I work with, some members couldn't tell if I am Cambodian just because I am from America so I had to be very consistent on telling or explaining how I am truly a Cambodian which I don't mind at all.

   The food over here .... phenomenal! I LOVE the food over here! Eating real good rice! Plus, the noodles over here...fantastic! My new home or apartment is pretty decent, have a great supply of GOOD water and shelter. It's been a humbling privilege for me to proselyte within this area (តា ខ្មៅ) along with my Trainer Companion! Please keep me in your prayers! I'll do the best I can to stay safe!  I LOVE MY MISSION no matter how homesick I get! I hoped my former MTC district are doing alright! LOVE YOU ALL! I testify that it's the gift of tongues that helps me most on speaking the Cambodian language! Doing missionary work is by far the most important decision I ever made in my lifetime, I will go and keep doing HIS work with faith! Blessing many who still needs to hear! God's the true miracle worker! Plus, the Holy Spirit has been a very comforting companion as I keep inviting it! Hope I can keep on inviting my own people to Christ!  

Here's a verse of Hymn I thought about throughout my first week in the field! (I know that my redeemer lives!),

 "He lives to grant me rich supply.

He lives to guide me with his eye.

He lives to comfort me when faint.

He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.

He lives to wipe away my tears.

He lives to calm my troubled heart.

He lives all blessings to impart."- Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints #136:2 

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Phillipians 4:13

"Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." -Missionary Purpose

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

      ជំរាបលា!,

      -អែលឌើរ រស (Elder Ros)

​My Bat Mobile! 

​The Fantastic supply of Good Water!

​Now, what is Toilet Paper? When you can use a hose!

​The  តា ខ្មៅ Church Building! I work in the 2nd Branch of this Area!