Dear Family and Friends,
This week was challenging, but we also saw a lot of great things happen too! Once again, one day this week, the streets were flooded with about 2 feet of water. That really makes it challenging to contact people because everyone is either in their houses or in a mad rush to get into their house. When the rain hit this time, Sister Kuoch and I had just received a call that one of our investigators had a couple friends at their house that wanted to learn. Our plans were flexible and so as we were on our way to teach them, water was spraying us from all directions... I don't even know how that happens! Once we got to our investigators house we were drenched! But that wasn't our biggest problem... because the roofs are all tin- it makes it absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to hear anything. We sat there for about 30 minutes until the daughter asked why weren't teaching them! haha She said she would say the prayer and after she did, miraculously the rain slowed and we were able to teach the lesson. This family is AMAZING and their friends were also very open to learn with us as well! They have SO much faith. The Mom and ten year old son can't read, but the seven year old and 15 year old daughter can, and so they read the Book of Mormon to them each night and LOVE it. Unfortunately they aren't very educated, and so it has been difficult to understand, but just by showing Heavenly Father that they are trying is incredible and fills their home with the spirit. Yesterday they came to church for the second time and they will be getting baptized at the end of the month!
This week was also full of lots of service. We spent a couple hours helping a less-active with her business. Basically what she does is grind up rice until it is a powder and then puts about 3 tablespoons in a little bag and seals it. Apparently Cambodians put it in soup and it is delicious. Our ward also had its turn cleaning the church this Saturday. Sister Kuoch and I decided we would go and help and so we showed up at 8 AM and discovered that the Elders from our ward were the only other people there. After a while, the second counselor from the bishopric showed up as well and between the 5 of us, we managed to clean the church. You may be thinking that it can't be that hard, but the stake centers here are HUGE! It was great to help though!
On Sunday we had quite the miracle! We had just finished Sacrament meeting, when a husband, wife, and their 1 year old son came walking in. They said that they saw all the bikes/motos out front and wondered what this church was all about. They ended up staying for 2nd and 3rd hour of church and LOVED it! Turns out they live right near our house, and so we will be teaching them this week. I am super excited!
We had two baptisms planned for this weekend, but unfortunately an issue came up with one investigator and her baptism is postponed temporarily. BUT, Sotheavy, our 14 year old investigator is getting baptized on Sunday! I am so excited for her. She is so cute!
Anyway, the work continues to move forward in the Teuk La'ak Area of the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission! Tonight we are going to teach a new investigator that we found through English Class. The Lord has blessed us with MIRACLES.
As I was reading from the Book of Mormon this morning, I read from Alma 26 and really found strength. Ammon and his brethren had just labored for years in sharing the gospel and is talking about their success and says, "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." This last week there were a few times when I felt like I wanted to turn back- especially when I was biking through the rain- BUT I know that if I bear with patience the afflictions that I feel, the Lord will give me success. I know that is true for everyone that is going through ANY trial. Trust the Lord!!
I love you all!!! Thank you for the support!
Love, Sister Lindley
P.S. On a more cultural note, now that I am living with all natives, I have seen some very very interesting meals. Pig skin soup, frog, deep fried fish (the whole thing... including the eye balls!!!), etc. Luckily it doesn't offend them when I choose to eat my American food Mom sent me :)
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