We have witnessed the most heart-rending scenes this week. Mai Thi Hong Thao (Sister Thao), a faithful member of one of our Vietnamese branches and 43-year-old mother of 7 children ages 15 and under, suffered a massive stroke that led to her death two days later. When the physicians determined that she had no brain activity, she was kept on oxygen and moved to our South District Center so that her family and friends could say goodbye. She was placed on a small mattress on the cultural hall floor. Tears flowed freely as her children spoke to her, held her hand, and sang a primary song. Women from all three of our Viet branches were so caring and compassionate as they managed the details and shepherded the children. The aged matriarch of the community, Ba Thu, quietly caressed Sister Thao's face and then took her seat in the front row of chairs filled with the 100+ people in attendance. Then everyone gathered around Sister Thao and hymns were sung. Her husband wept while pulling his wife's oxygen tube and gently cleaning her face. A daughter combed her mother's hair and women held makeshift curtains from sheets and blankets while the mother was dressed in a favorite outfit.
A formal funeral service was held in the chapel early the next morning. One of the daughters (9 years old) gave a beautiful opening prayer and hymns were sung. Sister Thao's husband talked and thanked everyone for their love and support. Three members of the congregation then spoke of their love for Sister Thao. I had been asked the night before to prepare a talk on the Plan of Salvation. I felt it important to honor the family by giving my remarks in Vietnamese, so was grateful for the advance notice. As I spoke of God's love and how we may return to Him, I could feel the Spirit transforming my halting words into strong testimony. So humbling.
The services concluded and our young strong missionaries were asked to carry the brightly-decorated casket to the "hearse", an open-air vehicle with painted dragons on each side. There were five vehicles in the procession, the hearse, two buses, and three passenger vehicles--all marked by four-way flashers and a flower in the windshield. Our van was the last of the vehicles and it was a remarkable ride as the police at every major intersection waved us through red lights, and, when traffic allowed, on the wrong side of the medians to make turns. We were given free passage on the toll road and arrived at the Christian cemetery (beyond the airport) in record time.
With all of our rain, the cemetery was wet and muddy. The grave had been dug, but it had a foot of water in the bottom. After the dedicatory prayer, workers took buckets to bail out the grave and then used ropes to lower the casket. Onlookers were concerned that the head of the casket was lower than the foot so workers spent the next 30 minutes digging under the foot of the casket and putting rocks under the head to make it right.
Everyone then departed the cemetery. A remarkable experience that will not be forgotten. We love these kind and gentle people.
I had the privilege of baptizing Heng Vu Thy last Sunday. He speaks Vietnamese so the baptismal prayer was said in that language. Thy is a new member of Branch 10 and is one of the humblest people anyone could hope to meet.
Sister Snyder surprised Sister Sparks and Elder Sanford with birthday cakes this last week at the mission home. Elder Nguyen is hamming it up in the background. The cakes are pictured in the next slide. One is an ice cream cake from Swenson's and the chocolate cake was made by a local NGO that trains pastry chefs.
All* the senior missionaries serving in Cambodia and Vietnam posed for this photo during the senior-couple conference held in Phnom Penh. Senior couples have responsibility for the Church's extensive humanitarian efforts, the Perpetual Education Fund which supports university studies for about 150 students, administering finances, travel and housing, and providing support for members and leaders throughout the two countries.
These are Vietnamese-speaking missionaries, caught in a relaxed moment prior to six of them leaving for assignments in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and one finishing his mission and returning home. They are 'our' missionaries because we are assigned to their branches. It is an undeniable privilege to be associated with them.
We took this photo while driving down a side road in Kean Svay, close to Phnom Penh. Some of the homes were dry and some not, depending on the drainage in particular neighborhoods. It is remarkable how the people adapt. Seemingly unconcerned (unless the water gets too high), the people just go about their lives.
Meet Giang (the proud father), his wife, Thuy, and their infant daughter, along with 6th Branch President Kiet. In a special blessing given by the father, the daughter was given the name of Thuy. It is the practice of the Viet people to also give Khmer and English names, and they chose Lisa as the English name. Giang is 27 and his wife is 21.
These two cheerful missionaries--Elders Christian and Hem--are helping to push a tuk tuk on a road in Siem Reap. The tuk tuk had almost capsized when it hit an underwater sinkhole. President and Sister Smedley were also in the vehicle and came close to being thrown into the water. Siem Reap has been experiencing flooding but the mission area worst hit has been Kampong Thom.
You have to look closely to see that this woman is in a 3-wheeler powered by a hand pedal. We were entering Monivong traffic from a side street and waited a moment for her to cross in front of us. She waved to us in thanks and, when we caught up to her at a stoplight, Sister Snyder snapped this photo. There is a definite pecking order to Phnom Penh traffic--the biggest vehicle has the right of way--which means that bicycles and those with physical challenges are very wary of trucks, cars and motos.
Ice is done the old-fashioned way in Phnom Penh. Here a delivery man is sawing up an ice block for a customer. They also have a small machine to chip ice. Needless to say, this ice is not safe to use in drinks. Every now and then, the mission will purchase chipped ice to cool sodas for group meals held at the mission home.
This is Hun Sen Park with Independence Monument in the distance. The park's perimeter is 1 km and we walk the park on most mornings. This was taken mid-morning so no people are present. In the early morning (5-6:30), there are always well over 100 walkers, as well as exercise groups and street vendors. Hun Sen is the Prime Minister and the park is across the street from one of his homes.
