Episode 7 - Training at Level 2. Sunday, May 10, 2015

ជំរាបសួរ!,

     Happy Mother's Day! Had an opportunity to Skype with my mother and family throughout this P-Day! Shout out to my ម្តាយ. This week was a doozy... but I say its fun and kinda tough one! I'll just explain this week very briefly. 

Last Tuesday: Had a nice District Meeting that's centered on a testimony meeting since Elders ខៀវ', Jarvis, McGavin and Sister Lindley will be leaving Takhmao to transfer! We visited members homes and continued to teach!  

Last Wednesday: English Class's a bit different for this week we just transitioned from having three classes into 1 class teaching all who attend! We just helped all who attended pronounce some words and understand sentences using English words they all remember! It's tough but doable.

Last Thursday: The final day when Elder McGavin bares farewell to everyone in TaKhmao Branch 2! At this time I honestly looked up to Elder McGavin, (despite his flaws) that he does have some love to those he serves even though it's different than how I show it.

Last Friday: As I remain here still working in Ta Khmao Branch 2, I officially transitioned (transferred) from having Elder McGavin (my "Dad") to having Elder Child! (my "Step-dad"). It was a interesting time because I had to begin leading the area and oh man how tough it was. 

Last Saturday: Went to "Cow Island", to help Elder Child to be familiar with his new area! (Had my first flat tire ever with my bike... got it fixed quick.) On top of that visited members there and a investigator (MingGunThea) over there!  We just help and encourage her about the importance of Prayer and invited her to pray everyday and we gave a Book of Mormon for her to read in her spare time.  Note: She's the only investigator I knew in the entire area that is constant I knew no one else at the time.

Yesterday: Very nice session of Church in the Takhmao Branch 2 dedicated for Mother's day! New changes in the Branch Presidency! Just guided Elder Child more of the area and leading some lessons! (Note: I don't even know what I am doing I just try to take the leap of faith to try my hardest despite my language barrier with my own people tagging along with Elder Child's experience. 

I find this change of companionship tough, just because new things will be happening in the entire branch. However, it will be fun! Please keep me in your prayers love you all! So long! This transfer's going to be fun and interesting! I'll miss Elder McGavin so much, but hopefully I'll do awesome with Elder Child! 

     

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea,behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." - Alma 26:12

ជំរាបលា!, 

-អែលឌើរ រស់ (Elder Ros)

Here's some pictures of some of the members I've been serving in Takhmao Branch 2!

Have I mentioned that MingNarry has a pet Monkey already? Well... there he is!

Me with MingNarry!

Me with MingTuan's family! (Look Poo's still investigating the Church.)

​Me and Elder McGavin with MingChantha and PooVanna's family! On the right is one of our Branch Missionaries SearLong! 
​

Episode 6 - Clueless Service in Black Grandpa. Sunday, May 3, 2015

ជំរាបសួរ!,

      Whoo! It's been a super fun and I say a busy week! Here's how last week went everyone! I'll need to be super brief to explain! 

      

     Last Tuesday, me and Elder McGavin and all Ta Khmao Missionaries went out to do service for a NeakMing who's a member of the church, we did our best to help her build up a Phteah! However, corrupt police in Cambodia ruined it since day. The NeakMing even has papers that says that she owns the Land to build her home...

     Last Wednesday, I teach in the Advanced Part of English Class on that day! Very fun to talk to my own people in English so I can help them speak English! You know it's great to selflessly share the language you already know to your own people! It's amazing how so many of my own people wants to learn the English language! The student or the people who wants to learn loves to do whatever they to communicate in English! We even discuss what some English words mean and interpret them with the Khmer language. Kinda tough, but sabbay meen teen! 

      

     Last Thursday, I spent a day doing an exchange with a native Cambodian Missionary named អែលឌើរ ខៀវ! Unfortunately, on half of the day I had a in-grown toenail so I need to go to the hospital with him to get it checked out for a bit. DON'T WORRY! I am getting better than! We communicated with each other fine however, we're communicate with all we go to make sure we fulfill our missionary purpose for the day! As did Companionship Study and Prepare for the day we just did serve the same NeakMing in the same area to help plant Banana Trees... and then corrupt police just don't let her to have her own land....just ridiculous. Later on me and Him taught a progressing investigator who's referred to me and Elder McGavin by Elder Jarvis and his companion Elder Chuuk!  His name's Huey! We taught him the importance of the Law of Chastity and the Words of Wisdom and committed him to live them and even explained the blessings in details! Elder ខៀវ's an awesome guy. We really done a lot to make sure we understand each other throughout that day. 

     Last Friday, Zone Training! Just being taught how to really commit investigators to do what they need to do gain a stronger testimony from Obey God's commandments, and reading scriptures and explain blessings in details of what would happen when we commit investigators and invite them closer to Christ! Then me and my Trainer done weekly planning and proselyte to the guards of the Church and members around there like usual!

     Last Saturday, did contacting in a area a close stoplight close to church using new English flyers! Woo! Motos drivers grabbing flyers here and there! On top of that we taught another investigator! Woo he's a golden investigator in my missionary perspective! This guy's named Roat!  He's just getting familiar with church and shared very honest concerns with his life. We just read the introduction with the Book of Mormon and commit him to read and pray if the Book's true, and remind him that within his concerns we remind him the importance of free agency and it's his choice to pick which church he feel's right to go. Plus, so on we also testify and explain our experience o the church and the importance of studying, pondering, praying, and know things personally. This individual's a super nice guy and can speak English super well... so I taught him with Elder McGavin in Khm-English. (We also had a Branch Missionary to come and help us teach him!)

     Yesterday, that's been an awesome Sabbath day because not only we had a Stake Conference for the Asian Area, but there's another Baptism done on that day! The new member's from Sister Lindley and Sister Kimball as they teach the little guy and his family!  Plus, on top of that day I taught a recent convert named MingNarry who has a pet Monkey! I taught her many times along with Elder McGavin with Branch Missionary of our branch! Then we went to two more teaching appointments!

      Well, throughout this upcoming week I will be having a new companion named Elder Child. My gosh.... I am so going to miss Elder McGavin (Love you "Dad"!) so much when he moves throughout this week... he's moving or transferring to Kampong Cham! So I will be working with Elder Child my "Step-dad" Ta Khmao! Super awesome last week! Well, mother's day is coming up I hope to be able to talk to my mother soon! Can't wait until I keep teaching my new investigators with my companion, hopefully me and my companion will be able to baptize them, if they choose to members of His Church! I love my mission so much, there tough parts and fun parts in this mission! I miss my family,  the Syracuse Ward, the Syracuse Community! I am not that homesick anymore, but I love my family while I am gone! Keep me in your prayers everyone! I love fulfilling my purpose as a missionary! Language's coming and growing slowly, but I know that gift of tongues is going to keep helping me a lot in this mission as I always depend on it and the Holy Ghost! (All the glory goes to God as I do His work!) GOTTA BLAST AGAIN I AM GOING TO KEEP THIS WORK AND FUN UP! SO LONG!

                    

“Bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; … mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life.” —Mosiah 18:8–9

ជំរាបលា!, 

-អែលឌើរ រស់ (Elder Ros)

Me and Elder McGavin doing Service when we're about to build a Phteah! (Last Tuesday!)

From last Tuesday, helping a member or Neakming build her home when later on corrupted police destroyed

it....Well, I still find it worth doing service to others! ..Right?!

New member baptized by Elder McGavin! Man, so excited! Hopefully, he'll grow up to be a awesome Aaronic

Priesthood holder! 

Living the Missionary...FUN!

Episode 5 - Blessings > Luck . Sunday April 26, 2015

ជំរាបសួរ!,

     Quick note before I begin!: Okay everyone! So sorry about my excitement or I type too quick that I didn't make sure! I want to explain that when I mentioned the "South Stake Center" that's actually the the East District Center in Phnom Penh! My apologize from my thought of the ginormous building to be a Stake Center! (Perhaps the North and South Stakes are A LOT MORE HUMONGOUS buildings than I really thought! Since there are only 2 Stake Centers established in Cambodia so far.)

     Well, well, well, I am officially a month in the field however I am 3 months and 6 days in within my mission. Okay, so how'd last week went. Well, last week was decent, we just continued to teach our members within our Branch, and Less-Actives to share messages about the true importance of praying daily with real intent, studying the scriptures diligently, and attending church every week! We keep explaining mainly that if they do these following thing they can have a stronger testimony, faith and understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Been (acid) rained on a lot through that week.

     Last Wednesday, from English Class has been a fun experience as I teach young children, and some adults new words. After, English Class Elder McGavin shared a Spiritual thought about Baptism usually the Elder/ Sister who gives a spiritual thought picks a translator. (Usually someone who knows English very well and participated in English so much!)

     Last Saturday, I did an exchange with Elder Jarvis to work in the 1st Branch of Ta Khmao. While we were proselyting, we take time to contact people within the area about the Weekly English Class we do every Wednesday Night in the Church building! Honestly, I was kinda shy because I was nervous about rejection, however I just exert and rely on the spirit and just talk to my own people and just allow the spirit to help me contact and invite. Turns out I do love greeting anyone! (Hopefully, I'll do that a lot more often. Hahaha!) Later on, we attended a adult session of District Conference! Many adult members in the East District and the missionaries gathered on that day to discuss about Branch and Family counselors within the District and how to maintain unity and help families within the District. 

     

     Yesterday, was a excellent Sabbath day, there was the East District Conference for all members on that day! While, biking on the way there, me and other Ta Khmao missionaries quickly slip our ponchos on realizing we're about to face a WHOLE lot of rain on the way. It was fun, wet and crazy. My shoes were so wet and so were my pants. As I arrived at the East District Center I had to squeeze out my socks to get rid of the water that was soaked in to my shoes. Anyways, as I showed up with all missionaries in the East District to conference, we heard amazing remarks from many Presidents within the District that includes the Mission President and his wife. I sure hoped that the entire congregation who showed up are definitely excited about the new Temple in Thailand as the mission president mentioned that in his remarks! 

     Well, as I conclude this post I just needed to say the following. I don't really believe in "Good Luck" as I am doing the Lord's work, however I do strongly believe in Good Blessings. I know there's such thing as great blessings because as I am doing the Lord's work, I know there are individuals who would truly appreciate my invitation to them come or continue to follow Christ and His example. Not only me and Family will receive blessings from me doing missionary, but many who I invited will appreciate them eternally as well! Well, gotta blast! I won't give up hope, I keep pressing on and invite many to come to Christ as much as I can! Love you all!

“Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast. —Ether 12:4

ជំរាបលា!, 

-អែលឌើរ រស់ (Elder Ros)

The   ផ្សារ ថ្មី  (New Market) in Phnom Penh, I visited this place in Last P-day! 

Me and Elder McGavin just getting Lunch after last week's district meeting.

My view of a river while I was doing an exchange to work with Elder Jarvis for the day! (We were taking time contacting 

individuals about English Class me and the Ta Khmao District teach in every Wednesday Nights in the Church Building!) 

Just me on my poncho resisting the ....acid rain as much as I can as me and other Ta Khmao missionaries 

travel to the East District Center in Phnom Penh for the East District Conference! 

​

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!