Last weekend we were asked to accompany a new senior couple to their 23-month assignment in Battambang, located about 300 km northwest of Phnom Penh. It took us a little over five hours, one way, to negotiate the travel over a road that is, shall we say, not maintained to modern standards.

We enjoyed the trip but wished we had taken photos of the "rest" stops. We stopped at one that had several busloads of people also there. It featured a large (40m sq?) concrete slab covered with a tin roof. Vendors sold meat, fish, fruit and other items of undisclosed origin so the odors were pungent. There was a bathroom (bantup tuk) facility in a separate building which pretty much grossed out the two sisters in our traveling group of four--no toilets as we know them, just kind of a porcelain squat pot not designed for the faint of heart.

The following six photos, taken along the route, are much nicer.

This Buddhist temple, or wat, is located a few kilometers south of Battambang. We were attracted to it because of its colorful architecture and, as depicted in the next two photos, its unique statue and entryway.

We're not sure of the significance of this statue to the side of the wat, but it is very different from anything we've seen at other wats.

Every wat we've seen in Cambodia has an elaborate archway at its entrance. However, we've not yet seen archways with faces like this. We're sure to see and learn much more when we have the chance to visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap.

Sister Snyder cannot resist taking pictures of children. These were enjoying the nice day, AND the nice-looking grandma that stopped to take their photo.

An example of the many roadside stands that line the road.

This friendly water buffalo posed for Sister Snyder's up-close photography as Elder Snyder bravely kept the air conditioning going in the vehicle.

Every finishing missionary in the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission walks a special "red carpet" prior to departure. This photo shows Elder and Sister Peterson as they take their final steps in completing their mission. They had many special experiences as country directors of LDS Charities and made many friends in their ecclesiastical assignments as well. It can truly be said that they left the country better than they found it.

It was like a Hollywood reception for the Peterson's as a crowd of well-wishers shed tears and bestowed flowers and hugs at the airport departure.

A beautiful family from Kampong Cham on their way to the Hong Kong Temple to be sealed as a family for time and all eternity. Fifteen people made the trip. Many thanks are extended to Elder and Sister Liggett who, prior to their departure, did so much to assist families in researching and preparing their ancestral names for temple ordinances.

This is a re-enactment of the "Thalman 5" in honor of Elder (and Sister) Thalman who recently finished their mission and helped prepare this family for the Temple. The Thalman's were masters at putting smiles on the faces of children--and adults!

It only takes a moment for a Cambodian child to steal your heart.

This little boy held tight to his father's hand while observing the strange sights and sounds within the terminal.

Cambodia Service Center manager Kim Sang and his wife, Voroda, who hosted a two-hour social on the Tonle Sap River which featured roasted shrimp, squid and lots of pleasant conversation in the night air. The rental fee for the 60-foot boat, with a crew of three, was $30.

Three stalwarts—Long Saret, Tay Phirum, and Tra Hout (Vy).

The Henderson’s (left) and Shelley’s, are pictured at the airport having just survived the 30-hour trip from the USA. Elder and Sister Henderson will become the country directors of Latter-day Saint Charities, and Elder and Sister Shelley will provide member and leader support for Kampong Cham. Sister Shelley will also serve as the mission nurse specialist. We are soooo glad to have them all here with us!

This photo of the Shelley’s, Snyder’s and Henderson’s--sans the photographer, Sister Henderson--was taken a couple of days later at the Khmer Surin restaurant. As you can tell, it is rough duty in Phnom Penh. (Oops, we should have hidden the fancy napkins.)

When branches of the Church become big enough, they are generally divided into two smaller units so that all the membership has a chance to serve. The Ta Khmao Branch was divided today. Pictured are Elder Sanford and President Sam Saphon doing some of the background work; i.e., creating a new map of the branch boundaries. Sam Saphon is a member of the mission presidency.

Unfailingly cheerful, Elder Sanford is a great example of selfless service, as is Sam Saphon.

Since the focus of our mission is on administrative and transportation support, it is a blessing when our schedule permits us to accompany missionaries in their work. Prior to Friday's late-night run to the airport, we were able to participate in a special Family Home Evening conducted by our Vietnamese friend, Ong Dung (pronounced Yoom), for his wife and daughter and a few of their neighbors. Dung's house is literally on the river front, with water oozing to his front step. The home is a patchwork of rough lumber with various levels interwoven to accommodate times of high water. We climbed a narrow ladder (right-center in photo), left our shoes at the doorway, and then sat cross-legged on the worn floor, enjoying the soft breeze coming in from the river. A single light illuminated the room showing a photo of the Manila Temple and a depiction of the Savior on the wall. After song and prayer, Dung proceeded to teach a lesson about our need to serve as The Master served. Then we played charades, with lots of laughter at our various antics. One elderly man, whose hearing was poor, kept repeating aloud the "prompts" given by the missionaries. He had us all in stitches. We closed the meeting with prayer and refreshments, fruit and candies, and then spent some time talking. I asked Dung to talk a little about his war experiences, knowing from previous conversations that he had been wounded several times as a soldier for South Vietnam. He told us how he had been beaten and imprisoned by the Communists after Saigon fell, spending three years of near starvation in a Laos prison camp. After release, he decided to leave his homeland and make a new life in Cambodia. He found the Church 11 years ago and has served faithfully despite his poverty. Dung and his family typify those in this land who have so little and yet so much.

Four Vietnamese-speaking missionaries headed for three weeks’ preparation at the Manila Missionary Training Center. From left to right--Elder Tien from Hanoi, Sisters Ly and Nguyen from Ho Chi Minh City, and Sister Nguyen from Phnom Penh.

Coming from Battambang, an area in northwestern Cambodia known for its rice production, Elder Sorn (with his parents) on his way to the Provo, Utah Missionary Training Center. Most of our outbound missionaries have never been in an airport or on an airplane. Can you imagine young people with scant English negotiating a 30-hour trip with layovers and terminal changes in such places as Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, and Los Angeles? We are convinced the Lord leads them by the hand.

The Star Bakery is a project of the Cambodian Children’s Fund wherein young adults with no futures can learn the skills needed for employment in the food service industry. Latter-day Saint Charities helps to support the training by providing equipment and classroom materials. Knowing that Elder and Sister Peterson, LDSC Country Directors, were finishing their mission soon, the Star Bakery staff and students put on a farewell reception for them. This photo shows all the students in the current class.

Here are Elder and Sister Peterson holding their appreciation cake—which was quickly consumed by all the guests!

Suon Sokhom is shown enjoying the buffet-style meal.

The camera caught Sister Snyder in a light-hearted moment. She is always the life of the party!