Normal Week in Steung Mean Chey (Literally)

So this week seemed sooo long. Sometimes the days literally go by so fast and some hours last an eternity. Let's see what happened this week.... let's start off with the not so fun but kind of funny. I had my second injury on my mission this Friday (first being the momentous fall in the MTC). We came back from a long day of biking and proselyting and I had the simple job of warming up some of this fish with this tomato sauce stuff. As I was taking it out of the microwave, my clumsiness kicked in and boom that fish went flying and burned some of my arm. So I ran to the sink, cleaned it up, grabbed the first frozen thing I could find in the freezer (a bag of weird fish shrimp spiky things) and honestly teared up a bit because it hurt. But all is well now. It doesn't hurt anymore and it’s not a big deal. I wrapped it up with stuff and mostly every single person we talk to asks me what happened and every time I try to think of a different story which is very difficult seeing as I don't know that much Khmer. But it’s fun. I’m actually kind of sad that my first injury in Cambodia is a bowl of hot tomato fish.

Anyways... so the burn happened on Thursday night and Friday was probably the hardest day I've had yet. I don't know why. I was stressed because we were doing exchanges on Friday. That means that I would be companions with Sister Peng and lead our area. And I of course stressed out and worried because I don't know how to do anything. I don't know how to call people, find houses, speak, pay for food, plan, and all these things. And I had a burned arm from a fish so Friday was just so hard. Missions are hard. Life is hard. But I’m thankful for Friday. I’m thankful for trials. Because it's in those stressful, rock bottom, overwhelming, worrisome, discouraging moments that we are forced to lean on Him. I know I received Christ's strengthening and comforting help on Friday. I know that I receive it every day. So I'm thankful for the hard days. And it turns out that, of course, like everything I worry about, it wasn't too bad. Exchanges are stressful but also a lot of fun. So don't worry, it's the plan of God!

Let's see what else... this past week has been a little slow for our investigators but they are doing well. We’ve had some great lessons. There is a big holiday coming up so mostly everyone is going back to their home in the khites (country). But we had a little miracle. So we have been trying to find the house of one of our recent converts, Ming Poan, for the past week and a half. And on Saturday, during exchanges, I was attempting to find a house of one of our members and because Cambodia is crazy and has no such thing as addresses or anything, my attempt failed. But we searched and searched. And I saw this tree plant thing and thought to myself "that looks familiar" so we turned and kept going and low and behold, nothing. So the next day, Sister Pace and I tried once again to find our Ming Poan's house. We got different directions from a member and started on our trek. We were biking and biking until I saw the plant again!! And literally two houses down was Ming Poan's house. So on Saturday when I was frustrated and mad that I couldn't find that member's house I was literally biking back and forth in front of Ming Poan's house. I mean I don't know what benefit that was to finding her house but I thought that was cool. Also sorry for saying "literally" so much in the emails. I deleted a few…maybe it’s a Cambodia thing? (It’s not!)

Cambodia is wonderfully crazy. Here are a few funny moments (I think). We were helping a family clean their attic/roof thing. It was plenty dirty but also so fun and one box had about 11 mice in it. So Sister Pace and I got some brooms and basically played hockey with mice trying to get them out. The Americans were taking care of the mice while the 3 Khmer girls were standing on chairs screaming. Also I think my language skills are improving because I’m picking up on the insults (or "direct way of talking"... Americans tell themselves so they don't feel bad). This little boy said I looked like a boy. He said my arms look like a boy and his arms look like a girl.  Oh well, as the Khmer sisters taught me “on a kval samcan on s'at” (I don't care, I’m beautiful:)). Also this other guy said I talk like a kid which is very true. He actually turned it into a compliment. He said I speak very simply but because I do people want to listen. So yay!  And of course they call me fat, too. But it's all good. I just smile and say, “Thank you very much.” I’ll keep you updated on the insults and compliments. What else?? When we're biking, everyone stares and little kids yell, "Hello hello what is ur name. I’m fine thank you"" ""hello hello"" ""borrang"" (French person) which does not make sense. They literally (again with the literally) say Hello, French person. Oh man!

The food is still delicious and weird but oh so delicious. We eat rice with mostly every meal, which I love. Sister y (Khmer) made us this meat egg stuff in with ants! And it was delicious. So tell those girls camp leaders that the ant club is mission prep! The other day my companion asked me, "Do you want a coconut or a sugar cane juice?" What a beautiful question that is to hear.

My area is awesome (even though I haven't been anywhere else). I love it. I love Steung Mean Chey because it’s city-ish so we can buy stuff and there are some more country-ish parts. It’s so dirty though and there’s this place called Trash Mountain. Yes, dirty and stinky but I love it.

I’ve been blessed to meet some of God's most precious, sweet children--my companions and teachers in the MTC, my companions here, other missionaries, members, investigators. People here are so humble and sweet and generous and have such hard lives. It’s so hard for me to understand their lives. Most people we talk to have had siblings, parents, children die in the wars. Most people are barely getting by with money yet they are so happy and faithful. It’s so awesome. The people here just amaze me.

It was a good week. Some days are hard but lots of moments are forever happy. I love Cambodia. It’s starting to become my home. Thank you all for your love and prayers. Right back to you.

Love always,

Sister Mortell

Sisters watching Women's Conference at the mission home

Moist Week in Steung Mean Chey

Rainy season has probably most definitely officially started. Woah! I didn't know rain could hurt so much. The first really huge rainstorm happened a couple days ago. Once it starts raining, everyone hides inside, the streets are empty and the poncho selling goes crazy. So here we were, two lone missionaries wearing a blue and pink plastic poncho bag thing, preaching the gospel to all the people on the flooded streets of Cambodia. While all this was happening I couldn't help but sing inside my head "CAM-BOD-IA THE LAND I CALL MY HOME!" (instead of the pair juggler it's a mother on a moto with 8 kids—a little Princess Diary moment). So yes that's awesome. It's actually raining right now.

So I want to share a sweet little story. We were visiting one of our less actives, Ming "Arut.” She makes quilts out of random fabrics for about 17 hours a day. She sits in her little house, cutting clothes and fabrics, surrounded by piles and piles of random clothing. She is so so sweet. She wants to come to church so badly but she literally can't afford the time or the transportation. We visit her about every week to uplift her and encourage her. We just try to show our love for her. So this week Sister Pace challenged me to come up with a message I could share with our less active visits. I thought and thought and then I had an idea. I remembered a story of my mom. I wrote down the story and then did my best to translate it into Khmer. Here's the simple story: When I was four years old I started going to school. I was so so scared. I was scared to talk to my teacher and the other students. I didn't want to leave my mom. I was scared of change. I cried every day before school. My mom tried to help me. She tried a lot of different things and then had an idea. She took some paper and scissors and made me a cut out of my family. This is my dad, Tom, my mom, Stephanie, my sister, Allyson, and me! My mom told me "put this in your pocket, and every time you start to worry or get scared, put your hand in your pocket and remember your family". So I followed what my mom said. Every time I would get scared I would remember my family. For Heavenly Father, He is the same way. He gave us families so we wouldn't be alone. He loves us and He doesn't want us to be scared or fearful. We are a part of His family!" and then I would say whatever else I wanted to say. It's a simple version. So I did my best to share this message with Ming Arut. The Spirit was so strong. As part of the lesson, I brought my own little cut out of my family (I call them "persons") that my mom made for me before I left on my mission (sentimental reasons, I stopped crying before school don't worry). And I just felt so much love. And as I looked down at my "persons", I had a thought "You should give this to Ming Arut". And I thought "No, my sweet mom made this for me". But I thought that again. So I asked her, "How many sons and daughters do you have?" She said "Two sons and two daughters". So I picked up some of Ming Arut's well used scissors from the ground and chopped off part of Allyson's skirt. Now my little family changed to Ming Arut's family. And it was a simple piece of paper but it was just a tender moment. After the lesson Sister Pace said, "When you gave her your family cut out she said, 'it's like Heavenly Father is holding their hand.'" TENDER. Anyways sorry mom for giving away my persons. I made some new ones.

A random picture of me with my cute little wall and my Cambodian soccer jersey that I love so much. It seems like half the population of Cambodia under the age of 28 wear them here.

This is Sister Pace and Om Im. For some reason my picture with her won't load but I wanted to show you all how cute she is!!! PRECIOUS!

Chilee (our investigator, ten years old, green striped shirt) and some of his friends. Can we all appreciate the little dude on the bike? I promise I’m not that scary.

We did a service project on Saturday. So much fun! A couple days ago, we were trying to meet with one of our potential investigators, Srei Leak, and we found this Ming and Lookpuu struggling to move this sketchy electricity chord over this giant truck hill of dirt. So we helped and then offered to help them move the mountain of dirt. So we definitely did. We basically just tried to move this huge pile of dirt over like ten feet. But it was fun. We made a decent sized dent. And of course these cute little kids helped us with our task. The Cambodian kids here are so so adroable. So cute. Anyways they loved to help us and sings songs with us. At one point I was attempting to carry this huge cement rock and I yelled "cooey". (which actually means "to help" but it worked) and six cute little hands immediately helped me carry the rock. They are precious. I tried to teach them "I am a Child of God.” They taught me some Khmer words and I taught them some English words and for the times I didn't understand what they were saying I just laughed and smiled. I do that a lot. Anyways I just felt like myself.

During some free time I tried to write some of my family members' names! I’m pretty sure they are all wrong. I’m 98% sure the "groberg" I wrote is actually pronounced "groberah" oh well.

Ming Tiikhia! (one of our investigators) She’s awesome!

This is a great blessing to be in Cambodia, to learn this language and to meet these sweet, inspiring, quirky, cute people. Thank you all for your prayers and love.

Sister Mortell

P.S. Here are a few random things.

I have not found my shoe. Every time we go to Chilees house I hope and pray my shoe is in some dog's mouth right outside their door.

Khmer food is so so so so so so so delicious! We eat Khmer food all the time. We go to the market to buy stuff.

One of the elders that Ally met in Siem Reap (Cambodia) last month is in my district. He remembered you and that you told him to help me learn Khmer! He said, "You look like each other. I help you learn." haha so sweet. 

Learning Week in Steung Mean Chey

So I stepped foot in my first Cambodian hospital.... DON’T WORRY. All is well. Sister Pace and I were doing language study when we got a call that Sister Y and Sister Peng got into a moto, bike accident. We hurried and biked over to help. They were pretty bruised up and had some cuts so we took them on a tuktuk to the mission home and met Elder and Sister Leavitt (senior missionaries). We then went to the hospital to get them some x-rays. Don't worry they are fine, scraped up and sore but fine.

Other than crazy moto accidents, it was a normal, crazy, great week in Cambodia. And when I say "great," I mean every emotion that exists. Sometimes I'm so happy then sad, confused, humbled, stressed, worried, tired, thankful, strengthened, faithful, confused again. Lots and lots of emotions, and I am thankful for all of them.

So what else? I'll tell you about our investigators. First, Ming Tkhia. She is so so sweet and generous. She insists on feeding us every time we meet with her. We say no but she wants me to eat all the Khmer food or "know how to eat" Khmer food. (If you know how to eat Khmer food, you like prahok, this fermented fish stuff. . . and I do like it, I’m not lying so yay!)  So she feeds us and is so faithful. She's so interested in the church. And she already seems like a member. For example, we invited her to church this Sunday. And she responded, "Oh Sister no, I rest on Sundays." YES, the day of rest haha so good. Anyways she is very sweet. Last Monday we were planning for Tuesday and we thought "let's call Ming Tkhia". So we (Sister Pace) called here and arranged a time. About five minutes later she called us back and said "Sister Sister what you told me about prayer, I think it's true! About 20 minutes before, I was missing you and lost your phone number. So I prayed and you called!" WHOO! We love her!

Second, Chilee. He's a ten year old son of one of our less active members. He is so cute and so excited to be baptized. A couple days ago we were teaching him a lesson. After we were done I was trying to find my shoe and it was nowhere to be found. I'm guessing a little kid was wearing it or maybe a dog took it. (We take off our shoes outside people's houses). It was dark, muddy and probably one of the worst places to not have a shoe (gross, gunky, swampy green, trash stuff everywhere). So I rode home half shoeless and made it through the gunk. All I could think of was, "how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings." I hate to say as I was riding back home I thought "Well this sucks. I want my croc back," and then I was humbled. As I was having a pitiful, pathetic, pity party, I remembered that we just taught a lesson to a family that lives in one room that is half the size of my bedroom at home. They don't have much money or food, but they happily share what they have. They are never ungrateful. And they are not the only family like this. I can go a couple days without having one of my shoes.

I'll share another experience. Like I said before, there are so many emotions and feelings that have been felt this past couple weeks. A whole spectrum full. Friday morning was one of the lower of the spectrum moments. I just got so overwhelmed with all the things I need to learn in English and Khmer. All I could see were my weaknesses. I was telling Sister Pace how I was feeling and she said "don't worry" and then she read me Ether 12:27, “and if men come unto me I will shoe unto them their weakens. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” I've always liked this scripture but this time it made a great difference in my perspective. Usually in this scripture I feel like I used to think about the last part, our weaknesses will become strengths. This time Sister Pace focused on the first part, if we come unto Him, He will show us our weakness". She then compared this to a story. Imagine you are sitting in a dark, dark room and you're wearing a dirty shirt. Do you know it’s dirty? No, because you can't see the stains (when she said that I thought, well if you're in Cambodia you could smell it. My nose is always so confused, anyways). But if someone lets some light in, you start to see some of the stains. As more light comes in, you can see more dirty and stains. As the light increased, you can see your stains, or weaknesses. You learn where they are, what they are (fish guts, kitten tinkle, swampy goop). You now know how to clean them. Sometimes we begin to see the stains and just think, “man I am dirty. I have stains everywhere. I smell horrible. There isn't a white spot on this shirt". That’s not the point. The purpose of seeing our weakness is so that we can have a clean shirt. That really hit me. Yes, I have many weaknesses, doubts and stains. But one by one, I can clean them.

I'll share one more experience... Yesterday night we were heading out to teach a lesson. It was about 5 or 6, pouring rain and getting dark. We were trying to find one of our less active member's house. So we stopped by a few places to contact and ask for directions. We decided to go one more street. We saw this lookpuu (like older middle aged guy) and asked for his help. We introduced ourselves and began having a conversation. He shared all about his life. He was recruited to be in the military during the Cambodian war. He learned to be a doctor and saw all sorts of wounds, blood, death, amputations, everything horrible. He said he had to flee to the Thai border. He lived in the forest for some time during the wars. While he was in the forest, he taught himself English. (But he told this story in Khmer so it’s a little fuzzy). He said his wife died ten years ago. He said he has no hope that he will be able to see her again. He just had so many more heartbreaking, eye opening life experiences. And we just listened and testified. I couldn't understand much, or speak much, but I could sure feel something. I think we were meant to be lost that day to find him. Maybe twenty years from now he'll see some missionaries and remember those two white girls he talked to about Christ's restored gospel. Who knows...? (God does).

Anyways that's all I really remember from this week. These people amaze me. And this gospel does too. Much love and prayers!

Love,

Sister Mortell

P.S. some things I learned this week:

1. Everyone drinks Ovaltine. "It gives you strength."

2. The word for dimples is "khoic" (maybe?). Everyone always tells me that while they say "sa'at" (beautiful) to Sister Pace.

3. Zayn Malik and David Beckham are on every haircut advertisement.

4. Half developed bird, egg things are delicious once you get over the feathers.

5. In every picture frame for sale, they have a picture of Hillary Duff (Lizzie).

Krazy Week in Steung Mean Chey

Hello sweet family and friends!

So yes I have survived in Cambodia for 11-ish days? And it's still crazy, but awesome! Naked babies have been seen, crocs have been worn, coagulated chicken's blood has been eaten, buckets of sweat (and some tears) have been shed, but most importantly there have been loads of smiles and tender mercies.

Tender mercy #1: I feel like my whole life I've been told "follow the promptings of the Spirit." Sometimes that is hard. So this week I promised myself I would do it. Two distinct times this week we were contacting and I felt a prompting to stop. And do you know what I did? I kept on going. I thought "Oh it's too late. I’m just a koon (means child in Khmer, but people call all the newbies koons), and we already biked past." And do you know what happened next? Both times, Sister Pace stopped, turned around and then talked to those people. Wow. First off, boo on me for not stopping even when I promised myself I would. Second, how amazing is it that God's ways always work out. We are not perfect. Eighteen and nineteen year old Mormons who go on missions are not perfect. But God is. And His work can't be stopped. I can't mess up His work, but I sure do want to help Him with it. Also, the second girl we talked to came to our English class and stayed for the spiritual thought at the end. And her name is "mdaay." So we share the same name.

Tender mercy #2: Since it was the end of the month this week we have been a little short on food at our house. It’s also rough because the Americans get ripped off at the markets. Don't worry I have never been hungry ever, let me tell you. (Khmer food is so delicious). But again and again the Lord provides. On Thursday, we were fed at the mission home, on Friday we were fed at the mission home, on Saturday our investigator, Ming Tkhia, insisted on feeding us and on Saturday night the we received leftovers from the sweet Kosal family and a ming (Aunt) at the church fed us some yummy, yummy spring rolls (Like Sawadee but Khmer and in Cambodia!). Obviously we wouldn't have starved. We could have bought some food but because of the generosity of these people we didn't. None of these times we asked for food, or even mentioned that we were a little worried about it.  It actually blew my mind. Oh and yesterday was fast Sunday so we literally had perfect timing. And when I say we, I actually mean Heavenly Father. Now again, don't worry (Mom, Dad, Grandma Tell) we would have definitely had food but this just shows how sweet these people are and how loving Heavenly Father is.

So those two tender mercies, amid so many more, really showed me this week that Heavenly Father cares about each and every one of us. He cares "mdaay" and He cares about me and He cares about you.

Like I said earlier, we had two meetings at the mission home this week. Before we get to the sweet, tender parts let me just tell you that it's kind of a long bike ride. I seriously sweat so much and all the members and investigators love to point it out. Anyways, I might be a little sore. Also the traffic here is crazy. Truly crazy. I now understand why I had to drive through the Rocky Mountain parking lot for four years. I am beyond so surprised that a tuk tuk has not taken me out but somehow I'm safe. Okay so now to the sweet moments... we had two meetings at the mission home for trainers and trainees. We learned so so much that I hope I remember and live it. But what truly amazed me was my mission president. During all these meetings and interactions I just felt like I was meant to be here. Sister Pace told me "I think we're called to a specific mission but also I think a specific mission president". And after this week, I really do think that's true. I already love President Christensen. He actually reminds me a lot of my dad. So I feel very blessed to have someone that I trust and love.

This week I feel very blessed to have a Heavenly Father. I might be away from my earthly family for a short time now, but I can talk to my Heavenly Father any time I want. And He listens. I encourage all of you to pray to your Heavenly Father. Ask Him for help, tell Him what you feel. Be honest and don't try to hide your feelings. Especially since He already knows. But He wants to listen to us. I tell people in my broken Khmer that He will listen and answer their prayers but do I believe it? That's what I'm working on. Anyways I love you all so much! Cambodia is as crazy as it seems :)

Love always,

Sister Mortell

The new missionaries on arrival day

Lovely MTC sisters

Today we went to the market. Oh my goodness it is so crazy and awesome. The ground is just full of mud, guts of animals and vegetables and who knows what. Sometimes it smells so delicious and then you walk two steps and it smells like throw up. Oh well, it’s awesome. We had a delicious breakfast called "babaw". It’s this rice porridge stuff with fish and chicken (oh also the babaw had coagulated chickens blood and it was sure delicious).  You get to put all of these mixings in…so fun. Anyway, can I just describe this moment. Here I am sitting next to this old, wrinkled sweet lady, eating my babaw, sweating, sweating more because it's hot rice soup stuff, a kitten is licking my leg (hopefully licking.. it was wet so I don't know…cross your fingers), outside there are people killing fish with a whack of the knife and smelly, spiky fruit being sold and all the Khmer is being spoken everywhere. I don't know it’s just crazy. I thought to myself "what in the heck did I get myself in to."