Fun Faithful Week in Kean Svay

Hello once again. The mission is still going on haha. This week we randomly had a lot of service. On Tuesday we cut down a bunch of banana tree leafs and on Wednesday for like four years we moved a huge pile of dirt. Moving huge piles of dirt is actually a very common service here. I even have a certain shirt that I wear for dirt moving haha. And what was super awesome! On our big dirt piling service day other missionaries from our zone came! Aka Ta Khmau!! Sister Kosal, Sister Chin, Elder Otto, Elder Khiav (Elder Justin Bieber) all came to help our district. And Sister Kosal brought three of her friends, our recent convert, SHEILLA and Srey Nooc and Sophia! Woooh! I love them all so much. They are some of my best friends. So we worked hard, got some blisters, laughed a lot. lots of laughs and lots of sweat. Also another random Ta Khmau connection this week: We were biking home for lunch and all of the sudden I hear a soft voice, "Sister.” So of course I'm like, "okay this is one of those cool Holy Ghost missionary moments" It wasn't the Holy Ghost but it was a still soft voice of one of my favorite members in Baku, Saphia! She works literally right across the street of our house. She said she always sees me but she's not allowed to leave the building but that day she had a break so I got to talk to her for a few minutes. So sweet. 

As for Kean Svay, I’m still trying to be familiar with the area. We have some awesome investigators, Bong On and her daughter, Sokia. They are truly prepared and so excited for baptism. Oh I almost forgot we had an awesome moment this week! There is this girl, Sokaroat and she has been learning with the Sisters for close to one year. She really wants to get baptized but her grandma won't let her. But this past Wednesday she came into English class and said, "Sister! Sister! My grandma told me I can get baptized!" So Sokaroat was baptized this past Sunday! So happy and excited for her. 

Also just something I've been thinking about. Missions are hard. I have felt stress and feelings that I have never before felt. This week I was just struggling with all those feelings and I so badly wanted to have Sister Pace with me. And randomly last night Sister Chhel was on the phone with Sister Pace's companion. So I asked if I could talk to Sister Pace, my mission mom. And she helped me so much. Just from a couple laughs and advice. She told me, "If Jesus walked in the room right now what do you think He would say to you? Would He say, "Yes you're a horrible missionary?”  No. He would say, "You’re doing awesome. I'm so proud of you." It's so true. And not only is it true for missionaries, it's true for you too. If we are trying to do good, He is proud. He loves you. And He is proud of all the little efforts, the attempts, the failed attempts, the successes, the wanting to be better and all the in between.  Remember God. Remember He loves you. Remember His Hand in your life and He will lift and carry you. I will try and remember too. Also shout out to Sister Pace if she reads this, you're awesome. 

Much love to you all!

Sister Mortell

Sokaroat's Baptism

 

Service with Ta Khmau

 

Saphia!