Madeline in Cambodia: Optimistic Week in Steung Mean Chey

So another week in Cambodia. Weird. It was such a good week but honestly I can't really remember what happened...

Let’s see. Remember last week when I said "rainy season has officially started". Haha. No. Now rainy season has officially started! I have officially biked through a lake, also known as a road in Cambodia. It's kind of like Peter walking on water but me attempting to ride a bike in Cambodia. Also when it starts raining, everyone puts on these rain poncho jacket things and rides on their motos. And somehow they always look like quidditch players.

So on Saturday it was a big Cambodia holiday. It sounds something like "bon mawshoom." And during the holiday mostly everyone goes to their home khite (country, province thing) to gather with family and friends. So it was a pretty slow week this week. All of our investigators were out of town this week and mostly everyone else was busy with family and the holiday. Usually we meet around 5 or 6 people, usually 1 or 2 investigators, 2 or 3 less actives and maybe one member each day. So this week was a lot of house finding, biking, and empty streets. It was actually such a relief to bike on the street and not have to dodge people, cats, trash, cars and motos. It was almost an eerie feeling. The streets and markets which are usually so busy looked like ghost towns. Because no one was in the city, my mission president had us deep clean our house on Friday. It was actually super fun. And we also got to watch a movie! Wooh!!! Ephraim's Rescue. We gathered with our stake (south stake) and had donuts and watched a movie. So so fun.

Also I told you about Bunna right? He's the fifteen year old boy who always comes to English class. He comes twenty minutes early every time. He’s so awesome! And he has started learning with the elders! Wooh! Anyways on Saturday, the holiday, we "had English class.” We thought no one would come but low and behold BUNNA! and the Relief society president (she is so so so so sweet and always gives us coconut candy). So we had a blast on Saturday learning months of the year, colors and times of the day. I love English class! I’m thankful for my sweet little Khmer friends.

Also a sweet moment this week. We have this recent convert, Bong Mom. She is so so sweet. She has lots of struggles and hardships in her life, but she is so faithful. She asked the elders to give her a blessing. Elder Palmer gave her the blessing. He had been randomly transferred to Steung Mean Chey for two weeks and we were all confused. But when Bong Mom asked for the blessing she said, "you were the elder that baptized me.” She thought that was the coolest thing. So maybe his two week random transfer was for her. I also learned another lesson from her. At the end of her lesson she prayed specifically for answers and help. She prayed with faith that those answers could be immediate. That really touched me. I think growing up in the church I’ve heard so many time "answers will come, but only God's will.” And yes, that's true. But also God has the power to give us help now too. These people I'm teaching have so much faith. I learn from them more than they could ever learn from me. I want to have the faith to ask for immediate answers and have faith to continue until then . . . just something I was thinking about.

Anyways I love you all! Thank you for your love and prayers. This gospel is so good and Cambodia is awesome.

Love always,

Sister Mortell

Random thoughts:

My cultural shock is okay. I don't think I’ve had too bad of cultural shock. I mean sometimes things are really gross and they smell horrible and so many naked people but when I do have those cultural shock moments I just think "of course that would happen. I am in Cambodia” but really everyone here is so sweet and friendly. I am very blessed.

The language is hard. Last night I read one whole chapter (22 verses) in 38 minutes. Usually I can read about 7 lines in 2 minutes. So much brain power! But my pronunciation is getting a lot better.

The sky here in Cambodia is probably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Every time you look up, it's different. Sometimes I look up at the sky and I know everything is going to be okay haha.

We get to watch conference next weekend. The mission has made me a lover of all things church. General conference is like Christmas for missionaries. We are all so excited.

There are so many butterflies here.

In Cambodia everyone just touches your arm and gives you side hugs and is so friendly. Everyone here makes me feel so special.

Also everyone loves my eyes here.