Busy Week In The Provinces, February 9-13, 2016

This week was crazy with three trips to the provinces, all for different things.   Tuesday we left at 6 am to be at a puppet show at a Primary (elementary)school in Kampong Cham. I love going to the schools.  Dad sent the little video of some children in class right before they saw the show.  He is so cute with the kids, they just laugh and laugh at him.  He now has made a video for Newsroom, I think we will publish it March 10, along with an article and pictures.

 A fun game of something.

 Yes, they have football teams.

 This little beauty and her sugarcane juice...

The school snack store

Oh no, this is bringing back a nightmare memory of that day.  And I can't even tell you about it.  Well, I will tell you this much...it involved a squatter toilet. (this is one that is flat on the ground.  Just a little ceramic hole thing with a jar of water by it with a scoop you use to wash it down.) 

 Seriously my worst experience ever...

However, it is amazing what you can survive!


Friday we went to Prey Veng for a Government Ceremony noting the finish of some big projects LDS Charities did up there, and noodle distribution to the poor.  We were with the humanitarian missionary couple.  After the speeches, we went outside and handed out boxes of noodles to the very poor people.  Sorry , no pictures...not enough hands.

Then Saturday we went into (I don't know exactly where we were)  about 2 hours away.  We were deep into Cambodia 3rd world outskirts countryside. (also with the Humanitarian couple) Pretty rural, Dad could have spent hours in photography there.  Maybe we will go back.

First there was a rice and noodle distribution for the poor.  Those receiving the food were all seated on the ground, waiting when we arrived.

 They have us walk up through to the front like we are really special.  (This wasn't even a donation from our church).  The Minister holds us in high esteem.  Not sure what he tells the people, but we always recognize the word Utah when he introduces us. And he always has us sit up in front.

 So this is the Minister of Cult and Religion, His Excellency Min Khin.  He always has a pillow to lean on and he sits on his side.  Always has this assistant with him to cater to his every whim, whether it be tea, water, pillows etc.  at every event.

 I am sitting right here by the water glasses facing all those dear people...oh my heart....

 Dad takes the photographer's part, and wanders around taking photos.  No worries for him about getting cramps in his legs.  (from sitting on the ground mats) Actually, this day he said he had a hole in his sock and couldn't take off his shoes.

Here they are all putting their hands together in gratitude.

We walk through them after, giving hand squeezes and smiles to everyone along the way.


  We went  on to tour the nearby village.  We had a member of the ministry riding with us for directions to show the way.  The Ministry of Cult and Religion wanted the Church to help repair some houses that were in pretty bad shape.  These are basically bamboo and palm huts.  So we went to see them and assess the situation.  This was a super poor area.  This was a tootsie roll for the children area.  Again sorry no pictures...  These children were possibly the most impoverished that we have seen.

The Ministry knew it was their turn, so they bought us lunch on the way home.  Now I can't remember if I have told you one of Dad's standards about roadside eating places, is if they have plastic chairs he passes.  This place had wood chairs and nice dishes.  The Ministry had set it up ahead of time and the meal was all ready for us when we arrived.  Still sketchy about eating, you never know what it looks like behind the scenes.... we ate some, me more than Dad....we were worried about the 2 hour drive home....(we always carry pepto )...... we survived.   Dad told me the last course that came out was cucumber soup... wrong....It was for the Ministry's General Director to wash her hands in.  Haha...

Visiting Bangkok and Hanoi... February 20-27, 2016

It is so amazing how our lives are guided by the hand of our Heavenly Father.  This visit to Bangkok proved to be a tender mercy for Dad and I.  Although the reason for going there was stressful, the environment was a bit of a reprieve for us.  Dad didn't have to drive for a week, that in itself was therapeutic.

The trains were great and we caught on really fast to Thailand money and what we needed for fare, and where our stops were.

  Very crowded... You just squeeze in...

Our hotel was a Marriott since it was one close to the hospital.  This felt like we were in the U.S.  I told Dad I could be fooled to think we were in California and our return airline ticket would say California to Salt Lake.  For a bit the stresses of Cambodia were left in Cambodia.

The doctors here at the hospital were really caring and nice, while at the same time professional.  We felt like I was in good hands.  Everything was really clean and seemed like a normal hospital.  You all know the story there.  We are grateful for all blessings given.



Food was sooooo delicious.   McDonalds right off, (first picture was at McDonalds, can't find it) and Krispie Creme twice.  Our hotel status gave us the executive floor lounge which  had delicious western breakfast and food available all day and night. 
Restaurants all around ...we ate way too much.  Even 7/11 by us for night snacks.  A snicker bar for like 20 cents...

Apple pie and ice cream for Dad

The malls here were amazing!  Every high fashion store you have ever heard of, and many that Salt Lake has never seen.

An aquarium that looked amazing. Wished we had time to go in.  It was like an all day thing.

Some sight seeing...

 Notice the orange monk behind the pole.

This was how all the walls were hand painted.  They were amazing.

 Dad just goes right up to the what ever it is...stuff... 
His camera gives him power...

 Here is that monk. I thought it was a statue.  I leaned close to look at it, (him) then realized he was breathing...oops  He seriously had been sitting still for so long and looked kind of waxy.

There were monks living quarters here.  

Some monk sounds coming from their temples... sorry again another to watch and hear when we get home...

Now Hanoi...

Not the Marriott anymore but nice.  We did have to ask for a different room because our shower had mold, so they upgraded us to a suite which was perfect because we needed to spend most of the next day working in the room on assignments.  We each had a desk so it was comfortable.

We accomplished what we were assigned to do with photography and the write up on it, and had a wonderful experience listening to Elder Stevenson.




                                                      We did a little sightseeing later in the day.

They wouldn't let Dad in unless he checked his camera, which was not an option, so I went through to see Ho Chi Minh alone.  Definitely dead.... kind of eerie..  But when I got out the other side, they wouldn't let me go back to where Dad was, they asked for money, which I didn't have (I left my purse, with my passport and money with Dad) They couldn't understand what I was saying, they just made me go a certain direction.  I had to walk around a couple of blocks by myself, kind of unnerving, (remember what country this is).  Along the way 2 young adult Vietnamese boys on a tour saw me and were concerned.  They spoke a little English and accompanied me back, talking to the guards telling them I was just trying to get back to my husband. They stayed with me until the guards let me in past the ropes to where we could see Dad.  So thankful for them.

Getting tickets to see the Temples.  Dad is always easy for me to find.  The other tall guy is a rarity. 

Happy to fly back to Phnom Penh the next morning.  

Different geography to see on the flight screen. 

On with our Mission!!!