Madeline in Cambodia: Quality Week in Steung Mean Chey

It was another great week! It actually really was a great week. On Wednesday, we had zone conference with President and Sister Christensen. Sister Christensen talked a little bit about the history of Cambodia. And can I just say, I truly think Cambodia is the coolest, most interesting little hidden treasure ever. Holy Cow. The Khmer empire history is crazy. It's so awesome. I love Cambodia. Anyways zone conference was so fun. We listened, talked, ate food, Asian squatted (my knees will never be the same) and just had a fun time.

Missionaries can actually have fun! So this week was so crazy. We got 5 new investigators! Holy cow what! So awesome. We now have 11 investigators, some progressing more than others. But this week, Sister Pace and I truly worked hard. I think this was the first week that I truly worked hard AND I actually liked it. That's a lesson I have learned. If you don't have a desire to do something (read scriptures, eat healthy, do homework, serve, be happy...) you won't have a desire until you actually do it. So buck up and do it and then you'll find that you actually like doing it. Anyways, we truly worked hard. We tried to be more obedient, call members to help us, serve, use all of our time, be happy, prepare good lessons. . . and it paid off. We stuck to our goals this week. Let me just tell you a little miracle. We had a goal to have four investigators come to Sacrament meeting. We invited everyone and it seemed like everyone would come. We tried so hard. Then Sunday came. And we called people to remind them about church AND one out of our four said they could come. We then continued to call our other investigators and Ming S (Buddhist lady that is so sweet but also very much opinionated) said she would come. I thought to myself "out of everyone, Ming S??" We had a teaching appointment before church with a recent convert, Bong Niam. AND guess what? She brought two friends, we taught them and they came to church. So, lo and behold we had four people come to Sacrament meeting. Now I know it is never about the numbers but we truly worked our hardest this week and God helped us all along the way and more. So cool.

Saturday we had probably the most fun English class ever. We teach English every Wednesday and Saturday to people 15 years old and up. It's so fun. Anyways, we were teaching direction words and phrases like "on the right hand side" "continue straight" etc. So we had the genius idea to make a scavenger hunt around the church (thanks mom for inspiring me from your many scavenger hunts). Anyways it was so so so fun. Also the prize was a bunch of candy and some Book of Mormons (oh so missionary-like). English class is one of my favorite times of the week.

Sunday was so happy. Usually Sundays were really hard. The church culture here is just very different and it's so hard to understand what anyone is saying. But, this Sunday was so happy. I just felt so much love for everyone we met and talked to. Also the members here are so kind and sweet. They just give hugs all the time and tell me I have dimples. Also my favorite English class student, Bunna, was at church (he's in a different ward). He's learning with the Elders! And he was wearing a white shirt and tie and he just looked so happy. So so awesome! Also can I just say that the members here are so amazing. Yes, the culture here is so different but these people are so faithful. Most of the people with big responsibilities and callings have only been members for about five-ish years. The church here is so new here. Sometimes it's easy to get frustrated but then I think to myself. "Let's see if I had a years’ worth of knowledge of the gospel, had to work every day to have food for my family, change my whole life, culture, would I do it?" These people change their whole life for this gospel. They have to change from their country's culture and everyone else. It truly is amazing. For example, I'll share one of my favorite members story. Her name is Sokcia. She is awesome. She said when she was around 20, she was learning in Phnom Penh and living with her sister. She began meeting with the missionaries and going to church. When her sister found out that she was going to church, she stopped sharing her food. Sokcia was left with $1.50. Her sister said if she stopped going to church she would share food with her again. Her sister then told her parents all these lies and bad things about Sokcia. Her parents said, "If you stop going to church, we will pay for everything for four years." And Sokcia chose church. She somehow got a job, continued to study at school and she still went to church. She said that was the hardest time in her life. She said now she has great relationships with her family. They tell her that she is lucky. They see how happy she is with her husband. They thinks it’s so great that her husband doesn't drink. She is such an example. The church here reminds me of the early saints. The church here is as old as me, 19 years old. I get the privilege to meet some of Cambodia's pioneers. It's a gift I am so grateful for.

Sometimes missions are hard. Sometimes I feel alone. Sometimes people laugh at me when I speak. Sometimes they laugh at me when I don't speak. Sometimes it stinks so so bad (literally Cambodia smells so bad sometimes). But I love it. It’s awesome. We can find joy in every circumstance (queue President Nelson). Anyways, have a great week! Much love and prayers to you all!

Love always,

Sister Mortell

Random thoughts:

My fish burn is almost all gone. It’s just a little red mark now.

I’m teaching a piano class! haha who would have thought! So fun!

We always ride our bikes. We only ride tuk tuks if there’s a weird situation or if we were at the mission home or something and it’s too dark to ride back.

Most of the young people that are members just hang out at the church every night. They play soccer, talk, whatever. When we have a lesson at the church, someone always wants to join in.