Numerous Niceties in my little Nation of Kampong Cham

Hello Everyone! Happy Pchum Ben!!

So this week it was Pchum Ben in Cambodia. It's this holiday where everyone goes to their relatives house or to their hometown and eat food, go to the wat (Buddhist temple) and play games. So we celebrated by deep cleaning our apartment and watching movies (the Phone Call, John Tanner, and Joseph Smith). Loved them all. I am so grateful for the leaders and Saints of the church, then and now, that sacrifice all they have to build God's kingdom. 

Then on Thursday as a mission we did a read-a-thon. We accepted President Nelson's challenge and studied about Jesus Christ in the topical guide. Such an uplifting experience. I studied about Jesus Christ feeding the 5,000. 

13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

18 He said, Bring them hither to me.

19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

God asks us to give what we have. Even if it's just a bit. And then He takes it and makes it into something so great and so magnificent, we cannot comprehend it. I feel the same way about my mission. Maybe I have given my time, some faith, even it be just a little, but God has given me so much in return. I have heavenly gratitude and love for my mission. Serving and representing Christ is a privilege that I love. I will always be eternally grateful for my decision to serve. And if you are deciding whether or not to serve a mission I would highly advise, YES. DO IT. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. It’s hard and it's worth it. 

So as for KC, things are good. We have some really great investigators. I love Ming Ta, Ming Sok, Tela and Kuntia so much. Also Ming KumOn. Some really prepared people here it’s unbelievable. Sorry don't have that much time. Sister Dy and I are loving it up here in KC. Excited for this next crazy week in Phnom Penh (exchanges, zone conference, training) and excited for this next month. Thanks for all your love and prayers. Coming right back to you. 

Love always, 

Sister Mortell

Random:

For breakfast, I usually eat basically anything but usually bubba (rice porridge), or this delicious stuff that is rice and pork with pickled vegetables.

For lunch and dinner, I usually eat soup, curry, stir-fry or fried fish

I eat rice for all 3 meals. I am made of 70% rice instead of water.

 

More Miraculous Moments in Kampong Cham

Don't have much time! But Hello! Hope everyone had a great week!

It was a great week in KC! So I can't remember if I told you all about it but last Sunday this lady came to church. She is the younger sister of the old District President in KC. And she came up to us, introduced herself and said, "I want to learn and join your church." Her name is Ming Kumon. Come to find out her house is way far, hour and 15 minute bike ride, but one of the most beautiful bike rides ever and she has already become one of my favorite people. She is so excited to learn. She prays every day and has started to read the Book of Mormon. She said, "I already know it’s true, but I will ask God too." She is one of the most prepared people I've met. So I’m looking forward to teaching her and helping her repent and be converted to the gospel. 

Our other investigators, Ming Ta and Kuntia, are super great! They are also some of my favorite people. Ming Ta doesn't know how to read so our recent convert, Tela, walks with us to their house and helps us teach. Tela is probably one of my best friends in KC. She is so precious and I love her. 

Eng Lay is our other investigator. She loves learning and loves the missionaries. She has such a desire to be baptized and to learn about the gospel. She has come to all baptisms these past three weeks but not church, so we will try and try again to help her come to church. 

Bong Kom is making somewhat progress. She is the mom of Sokcia, Soka and Camraun. She loves to come to church but she has an alcohol problem. Her husband died about 7 months ago, she has three kids, very, very poor, can't read and has to work to provide for her kids. Sokcia is 13ish years old and makes all the food, cleans, takes care of the other two kids. Bong Kom works at this construction place where she carries big bags of sand all day. So she is so so tired and exhausted. She said that the alcohol helps her forget her husband, helps the pain go away and helps her body not be so achy. She has a very very hard life. I know Christ can heal her I just don't know how we can help her know that. So we will continue on trying. 

Things are great here in KC. We are having a good time. And looking forward to a weird week with Khmer holidays but oh well. The gospel is the best. Life is good. 

Love always, 

Sister Mortell

Random stuff:

Typical day: 5:30 wake up and pray. Plan for 30 minutes, personal study for an hour, exercise for 30 mins, get ready, eat, leave at 9. Bike, teach, lunch, language study, bike teach, companion study somewhere in between, come home at 7:30. Eat, shower, write in journal, little bit of free time

P day (Preparation day): wake up, plan, personal study 30 mins, clean house, go to market, get ready, email, do whatever, proselyte at 4:30

Ming Kumon and Sister Dy :)

 

Loving my Lovely Life in Kampong Cham

Hello everyone! Hope everyone had a great week!

So this week was some change up! Sister Jennings said goodbye to me and Sister Dy (pronounced Dee) said hello! Sister Dy is fresh from the Philippines MTC! It's actually funny, I met her in Battambang before. Her family are long time members in Battambang. Her dad was the old District President in Battambang. She has been a member since 8 years old! Very cool here in Cambodia. I remember one day, close to when I left Battambang, her dad said, "How many transfers do you have left?" I said, "Three," and he said, "Cool, you can be Sister Dy's trainer" and he was right! She is way cute and sweet and I'm super excited to be her companion. It's kind of weird because she will probably be my last companion! crazy!

So update about Kampong Cham (KC). Eng Lay, our new investigator is great!! What the heck! We met her and she came back with the Restoration pamphlet all marked up, she even answered the questions on the back of the pamphlet. I have never even looked at that page haha. So she was asking questions like, "What is the priesthood?" "What is baptism?" she is awesome. She loves to learn. She said, "I just feel so happy about this." 

Ming Ta and Kuntia are great. We biked all the way to Phnom and had a great time meeting them. Ming Ta is friends with Ming Sok. Hand of God moment: During Sacrament meeting Ming Ta and Ming Sok sat together. I was sitting by Ming Sok (probably one of my favorite people) and as the bread and water were passed, I looked over and saw both Ming Sok and Ming Ta sitting there with folded arms, closed eyes and moving lips. Such a sweet experience. 

We have some great new investigators this week! Really exciting! Anyways not much else, don't have that much time but things are great. Sister Sok has been giving us Khmer culture and history lessons. I think Cambodia is probably one of the most interesting, unique places on this earth. Much love to you all. I know God loves you all and I know we have a Savior. 

Good luck, and love always, 

Sister Mortell



Sister Dy!

The crew: Sister Dy, Sister Lay and Sister Sok :)

 

Keeping on with my Khmer Kin in Kampong Cham

SO... I am staying in KC but Sister Jennings is ចោល'ing and heading to Siem Reap!! AND I am training a new Khmer Sister! Super pumped.  Ah! So that’s the big news... also this week was amazing!

So last p day we explored this mountain and a bunch of monkeys followed us and it was amazing and terrifying. Everyone was like "this is so fun" and I was keeping my distance except for when there’s a chance to share a pamphlet haha AND then we went to visit Ming Sok and Tela. They live way far away so it’s quite a trek to their house but Sister Chhel's sister told us, "Sister there is someone else that wants to learn," so she led us to their house. Her name is Ming Ta and her daughter, Kuntia. Super pumped for them to learn!! 

Also we found another solid new investigator this week. We did a "park party" by the river about English class. So then Wednesday we had English class and I sat by this girl. So after the spiritual thought I was talking to her and asked her if she wanted to learn and she was like "yeah!!" so we taught her and she is amazing. Her name is Eng Lay. She is 17. She came to the baptism we had on Saturday. So sabbay. She also told us, "Sister when I pray I feel so happy and I feel close to God." She is so cute. 

SO...we had some great baptisms this week! And lots of hands of God. This baptism was the smoothest baptism ever. I was worried because we have 6 people. A little stressful. BUT all was well. Sister Jennings and I doped (gave them a ride on our bike) the kids (Sokcia, Soka, Camraun) to the baptism. Their mom, Bong Kom, left from work and made it to the church just in time for the baptism. Ming Sok and Tela were doped by Sister Leng and Bong Line came on time. We magically had enough baptismal clothes and all the people doing the baptisms were ready to go. It was amazing. And it made for a very sweet baptism. I love these people so much. I've seen them change, bit by bit, and I know they will continue to repent. I am so thankful for the blessings of baptism. I'm so thankful that I was baptized and that every week I can renew those sacred covenants I made with my Father and can continue to covenant with Him. The Sacrament has become something very sacred and tender to me. 

Also I was reading the Book of Mormon this morning. I had prayed to Heavenly Father and asked Him what I should do these next transfers to finish strong. And I read 2 Nephi 5.This chapter is about the people of Nephi, after they left the Lamanites. They were industrious and hard working. They worked about righteousness and did many good things of their own free will.  Verse 27 says:  "And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness." It's so cool to realize that when we are about the work of the Lord. When we are anxiously engaged, we do not worry. We are filled with happiness. I am excited to work and to love God. To give Him these next 12 weeks. To be a deliberate disciple.

Well I wish you all a happy week!! Thank you! Be safe and have fun! Remember God and pray to Him. He will listen. 

Love always, 
ស៊ីស្ទើរ ម៉ូរធែល

Glossary of Terms:

sabbay means happy.

ចោល means like "throw away" but you can use it if you say they are leaving you.

Dope means to bike or ride a motto with someone on the back seat, the metal seat thing on the back of bikes. No drugs involved, don’t worry. Sorry I forget about English and Khmer and it just makes sense to say Khmer instead.

Sister Jennings is way cute and she is one of my very best friends.

because it was p day and CAMBODIA

Heading to the baptism: Soka and Sister Jennings



Bong Line. Her story: she has a way hard life. Her husband did not like her learning. Her husband would hit her a lot. Then her husband had a dream that God and Jesus Christ came and started hitting him. So he woke up and told Bong Line and she responded, "It doesn't feel good does it?" And then he let her learn and doesn't beat her anymore. She is inspiring. 

Sokcia, Camraun, Soka

Ming Sok and Tela--they are so cute. I love them so much.



My face because she is leaving me. I will miss her, but I'm pumped to train again.