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
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