This is a letter from Michelle's aunt & uncle who are serving a mission in Cambodia...
Hello to Everyone,
Well, we did it! On the 15th of July we reached our one year
anniversary since arriving in Cambodia. It's been an amazing year
filled with laughter and tears. The photo of the family attached
is just one of the reasons all of you are needed in the mission
field....yesterday!
The man right in front of Steve is Khem. He
and his family, along with his friend Raa and his family, are
investigating the gospel. We have been visiting them about twice
weekly during our temporary assignment in Kampong Cham, which is a
province city about 2 hours northeast of Phnom Penh. These two
families live side by side at a small brick factory where they earn
$2.00 per day making bricks 12 hours per day every day of the
week. We have been teaching them in Khem's house, where we all are
in this photo. Oh, and also in the house right behind Steve are 6
baby pigs that Khem is raising for food and extra income. They
have no electricity so we read by candle light, flash light and
occasionally, a small overhead light that they attach to a car
battery. But it doesn't work too often. You can see us well only
because of the camera flash. These families are so amazing!!!
They are positive, happy, friendly and grateful for what they
have. They welcome us into their home like royalty. When the
missionaries teach a lesson or when Robyn tells a Primary story,
the Spirit is so strong that it almost hurts. And to sit around
the candle light watching the children....AND the parents all
coloring a picture of Noah and the Ark, it's something we hope you
all get to experience as you will never think about the Gospel, or
your lives quite the same. When Khem and Raa came to church for
the first time, they couldn't believe how clean everything was and
how nicely they were treated. Of course they loved being in the AC
(air conditioned room) as that's a luxury only for the wealthy here
in Cambodia. They also took one of the hymnals home with them so
that they could sing together. So far they love....A Child of
God. We sing it every time we go. We also bring a big tin of
cookies for treats which is something they could never afford on
their own. These families, and others like them, have helped us
change our perspective on what's really important in life and what
we truly need to be happy. It can be found in a small, humble
bamboo and grass house that's about the size of a 12x12 bedroom
complete with pigs. It's the pure love of Christ that we read
about in the scriptures. It's charity, hope, faith and love.
It's being satisfied and thankful for what we've been given but also
willing to give it all away for someone else to enjoy. Thank you
so much for your prayers and support. We know the Gospel is true
and is alive and well in Cambodia.
Love,
Elder and Sister Wallwork aka Steve and Robyn
Steve and Robin are wonderful examples to our entire family as they have given up 18 months of their lives (and they are relatively young!) to serve the Lord. We really look forward to their reports from the mission field!
Yesterday Emilie cut her foot and James and Justine took her to the clinic to get stitched up. She was a real trooper, and really toughed it out during the Lidocaine shots; she actually fell asleep during the stitches. I wish I would have had the camera for that!
I love teh missionary story -thansk for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHer poor foot -ouch! I can't believe she fell asleep -great drugs!