Out In The Provinces...near Kampong Thon February 2015

We visited Kampong Thon and the garden projects.  I think Dad told you about them with his pictures.  They were amazing.  LDS Charities (LDSC) brought in dirt to raise family gardens so the rainy season doesn't flood them.  This way they can grow crops all year long instead of one planting. It has made such a difference in their lives.  Many now are self-reliant and some with produce to spare to sell at the market.  They work hard but know the rewards.

Here is a family garden that is doing really good.  Dad wanted to try their irrigation system...

The trip to these provinces made me think so much about how life looks so different to these people.

This puts a new light on repairing a broken sprinkler head...

We talked with an old (OLD) grandma who was raising her 2 grandsons, one was 12 yrs and one 14.  I thought they were about 7 or 8 yrs.  She was going to have them stop school and begin working.  They struggle for daily existence.  I thought, 'what is the hope for these 2 boys?'...No education and living on almost nothing out where there is nothing and grandma isn't going to live forever.    They were so small, obviously nutrition is a problem.   Then I asked,  (yes, we had an enterpreter),  if they were able to get to church...she said, "yes, and these boys are both deacons. "
 There is the hope !  Hope in our Savior Jesus Christ.  My heart felt a witness that if they can hang on and go on missions they will be blessed with what our Father knows they need.  This life is not about things, but about gaining the knowledge and living the commandments Father in Heaven has given us for happiness and Eternal life.  Again so many smiles on their faces.