Yesterday, we visited this family at their home in a rural area (Baku neighborhood?) about 30 km from the village of Takhmao. The father, mother and daughter (back row) were baptized earlier today. The other people in the photo are youth from the Takhmao Branch who like to visit people with the missionaries--Elder Ballard and Elder Da. Look taa and look yiay (grandpa and grandma) Snyder were privileged to accompany them, and provide transportation. The two elders in this photo have each made the 60 km round trip to this neighborhood three times--by bicycle--within the last few weeks.

Cambodian children will steal your heart. These were in the rural neighborhood we visited.

This home is next door to the home at which we ate a meal of rice, chicken soup, fish, egg and cooked vegetables. It was humbling to see our host family serving us, and waiting for us to finish before they ate. We were inwardly concerned about the quality of water used in the cooking and washing of our utensiles before we ate, but outwardly enthusiastic. The food was delicious but created a few gastrointestinal issues for us later. It would have greatly offended our hosts if we had declined to eat. They are such humble and serving people.

This old wagon is still being used. It was in the yard of the house in the preceding photo.

This little girl is enjoying her ride back from the airport. She and her family spent the week in Hong Kong attending the temple. Prior to this week, her two siblings and their mother had never ridden in/on any vehicle bigger than a moto. (Not sure if the father had or not.) The look on their faces as they had their first escalator ride was priceless, and we can only imagine their thoughts when on the airplane. We don't know who the old guy driving the van is, but his profile looks vaguely familiar.

This lovely family is on their way to the Hong Kong Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be sealed for time and all eternity*. As you can see, the two "sisters" made a special connection, and the two children delighted in using "look yiay" (grandma) to describe the older of the sisters. *Note: Latter-day saints believe that family units will exist in the life after this for all who accept eternal ordinances performed in holy temples, and who strive to lead righteous lives thereafter.

We can always tell the number of people visiting the mission home by the number of shoes on the doorstep. We were at a dentist's office this week, and it was the same thing. However, most businesses don't have a no-shoes rule, although it is a "must" in individual homes.

These are the bicycles that the missionaries ride in Cambodia. Out of the hundreds of bicycles we've already seen along the roads, we've never seen one that would compare to the mountain and road bikes in the USA--of course, the most expensive bike here only costs $65, and the only reason we know that is because one of our extra-large missionaries needed an extra-large bike and that's what it cost to get a bigger one. All of the bikes are the old-fashioned "girl" type--so all the guys ride these, too.

This is the Phnom Penh Mission's indespensible office assistant, Tay Phirum, and his sister who is currently serving a mission. Tay was the first Khmae missionary to become an Assistant to the President, and is now completing college requirements while working full time in the mission office.

Women working in the rice fields between Kampong Cham and Phnom Penh.

A house on an island across the river from Phnom Penh. This was a pretty little village with more horse-drawn carts than motos.

The elephant fighting a tiger is a symbol of Kampong Thom, an outlying province. This statue is at the town entrance. We were at Kampong Thom to examine a possible new home for the missionaries working in that area.

These next few photos depict industrious and ingenious workers using their motos to transport almost everything. We've seen 10-ft ladders carried upright, and a long ladder horizontally balanced on the shoulders of the driver and passenger. We passed this couple on our way home from Kampong Cham, an outlying province. Note the home in the background which is typical of the rural countryside.

Another example of an ingenious and hard-working people. This was taken from our van window as we passed this moto coming home from Kampong Cham.

This moto is carrying glass and aluminum shelves for dishes and food. Yet another example of ingenuity. Note the rain hitting the top of the load.

A Humbling Experience

This past Thursday evening, we went with two young missionaries to visit families in a rural area. To get to one of the homes, we drove down a narrow roadway with vegetation scraping both sides of the vehicle, parked when it became too narrow, and walked the rest of the way along a muddy path. We were humbled beyond words to see people living in one-room homes with dirt floors. The family we visited brought out small rough-hewn benches for everyone (14 adults and children including a grandparent, neighbor and son-in-law) to sit around a lantern and listen to the missionaries. The light attracted more than a few flying insects, so the father gave his daughter some money to purchase a smoke device from a neighbor. Although the purchase was probably only a few cents, it was a lot of money to that family. We would have paid for it, but knew that it would have greatly embarrassed the man. We were guests in his home and he honored us. It is experiences like these that renew our understanding of the real meaning of life, and that our happiness does not depend upon any of the material things we may have. The experience was so sacred to us that it was not appropriate to take a photo of the home. Sometime in the future, we will include photos of some representative homes in rural areas.

Every year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrates its pioneer heritage at the end of July. It was remarkable to see the youth of the Takhmao Branch square dancing in pioneer garb for their celebration. They were excellent dancers, and bowed and curtsied with style, albeit a little shy. The two senior couples (Nelsons and Snyders) were invited to join the group. We're grateful no one recorded those moments on camera! After the indoor festivities, everyone went to an outdoor area to enjoy a meal of bread and soup.

I was privileged to have my photo taken with the president of the Takhmao Branch, President Chheun, in front of the Pioneer Day eating tent. President Chheun is a security guard by day and performs his ecclesiastical duties nights and weekends. This quiet, humble man shepherds many people in their quest for spiritual growth. Over 200 regularly attend Takhmao Branch sacrament and other meetings.

Throughout the world, those who serve in church leadership, teaching, missionary and other callings do so without pay. (However, the "benefits" plan is great!)

This is the rented home in which the Kean Svay Branch meets. It has a beautiful interior with large rooms. Many of the older buildings in Cambodia reflect French architecture.

More than 100 people attended the sacrament meeting that we attended. The Sunday School teacher was apologetic because he was substituting for another person who had just had surgery performed by a group of visiting surgeons from the USA. The Elders Quorum instruction was lively as the purposes and functions of church auxiliary units were taught and discussed.

This delightful member of the Kean Svay Branch gave the traditional cum riap lia (goodbye) greeting with folded hands just before departing on her moto. In the background is an outdoor baptismal font--unusual but needed because this branch of the church is meeting in a rented property until land can be procured and a building constructed.