Madeline in Cambodia: Extraordinarily Enjoyable Week in Kean Svay

Well another week in Cambodia. First of all, can I just say, I truly believe Cambodia is about the coolest place ever. This last P day we went to the Royal Palace. It's a total tourist spot but so cool. (Tourist: Khmers or anyone who looks Khmer = 25 cents, White people = $10) But it was cool so all is well. Khmer history both old and new is so so interesting. I feel privileged to be in such a cool place with the craziest, sweetest people.

The big highlight of my week was Friday. I got to go on an exchange with Sister Kosal back to Ta Khmau! So beyond happy! I love Ta Khmau and Sister Kosal with all of my heart! And by many tender mercies I got to see all of my favorite people! I visited Bong No. She is a now a recent convert! We walked up to her little shop. She said hello to Sister Kosal and didn't look at me. Then Sister Kosal says, "I have a surprise" She looked at me and started jumping and dancing and patting my stomach. She is one of my best friends. Anyways so sweet to see her. About two months ago she walked into the church one Sunday. Her husband had just left her alone, with two kids. She was hopeless and afraid. But this past Friday she looked and was completely different. She's started going to the church's English class. She's confident. She's totally opened up. She's hilarious. She asked me to pray for her to be able to go to the temple. And she's determined to come to the Boise Temple with me...yeah we'll see. But I pray with all my heart she can endure and find a way to go to the temple in Philippines. I just want to testify that the gospel changes people. I've experienced it for myself and these past months I've experienced it with Bong No. Living a life with Christ at the center can change anyone and can give us a light that can only come from our Savior.

Also in Ta Khmau I got to see Sheilla! So awesome! She helps the missionaries, two of her friends are now learning and her mom is going to start learning! Awesome! Sheilla is one of my people! Talk about golden! Also Hand of God. I was about to leave the Ta Khmau church to go home when all of the sudden Ming Sokha walks through the doors. She was an English student in Ta Khmau. Sister Kosal and I started teaching her but we found out she lived in the other branch's boundaries. She was only free at our branch's time so I sat with her every Sunday. Anyways she walked through the doors and started doing this crazy dance and started hugging me and crying and sniff kissing me (picture below). My heart was so touched. She is so awesome, sassy and sweet.

So such a great week. Love it here in my home, Cambodia. Thinking of all of you home back home. Wish all of you the best wherever you may be. Good luck!

Love always, Sister Mortell