Miracles, Miracles ...

How rare is it for us, Senior Missionaries, to teach and help baptized someone?  How rare is it for us to be also teaching in Chinese, not Mandarin, but Cantonese?  

When we first arrived here, President Neang asked if we could help out in the Chinese congregation, we have a missionary in the office, Elder Ethan Arkell who speak some Chinese (Mandarin), Elder Arkell studied Chinese in high school, he is able to carry a conversation in Chinese, Since he is also assigned to the International branch, he has been helping to teach Chinese (beside Khmer).  We told President that we would so we have been going to a Chinese discussion group every Sunday.  The common dialect is Mandarin although some do speak Cantonese.  One of the sister, Vivian, told us at our first meeting that she had prayed for many years for a Chinese couple to come to Cambodia.  She was so happy that we are finally here!!!  I am grateful that I am able to communicate with them.  I am reminded of how God can use us in his service.  It was not by choice that I learned Mandarin; our family were so poor and my parents were going to put me to work instead; I wanted to go to school and was lucky to find this secondary school that my parents could afford.  This school is from Taiwan and I had to study Mandarin; if I had known that Mandarin would allow me to communicate with people today, I would have paid more attention and be more diligent; a lesson I learned from this is that regardless your circumstance, by happy and do your very best; God is always able to use our talent to do his work!

This group of members joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1-3 years ago.  Because of Covid, they have not been to church for almost 2 years.  They took discussions from missionaries in London (American missionaries who spoke Chinese and was serving in London), These member accepted baptism but as far as gospel knowledge, they are still new.  I remembered reading with them in the scripture about the light of Christ and the scriptures (Doctrine & Covenants 6:21):  "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. ... I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not:" They couldn't understand what it meant and as we discussed this, you can see the understanding that they were taught by the Spirit, their eyes lite up and they exclaimed now I know!!!  It has both been challenging to correct misunderstood gospel principles and practices but I am constantly reminded of God's love for these my brothers and sisters in this foreign land, How patient God is with our individual weakness and how much he is willing to forgive and invite us to come and follow Him!  

During the last 2 months, we have met and taught multiple Chinese people, some of them knows what we are teaching are truth but are set in their own ways, some are very willing to accept:

1. Michael Tian:  He is a missionary referral, Elder Clarkson met this man in the Aeon Mall, he said he is willing to learn from missionary so we inherited him, During our second lesson with him, he told us about his life in China and Cambodia.  He went to USA to start a new life but was stranded in Cambodia during Covid.  He was "kidnapped" by some Chinese gang for about a year and finally was able to get out, he had just enough money to buy a ticket to the US.  While we were talking to him, a feeling came across as never before; I looked at this man I hardly know, can only understand enough of what he said (he spoke with an accent), but as I talked with him, I feel this love for him, a very pure love that I know could only come from God, I told him that God loves him and whatever he experienced so far will help him come closer to God and that as a son of God, he can make choices that can help him with the rest of his life!  We ultimately was able to help him with a ticket from LAX to Seattle, he is now staying with my sister, Flo.  We pray for God's direction to him so he knows what path to take for his future!

Our second meeting with Michael at the East Chapel building

2.  Gavon Gok:  When Elder and Sister Randall Jensen left in November, he introduced us to his young man from China who lived in our building.  Sister Jensen had brought over cookies to his family before Covid. Since then, Gavon's wife had returned to China and they had been separated (not by choice) because of Covid.  He has two children; a four years old girl and a one year boy whom was born a year ago and he had only met over video chat.  As we taught him about eternal family, he readily accepted the gospel.  He is set to be baptized next Sunday!  We hope one day, we will get to meet Gavon's wife and that she will be willing to accept the gospel too!

First Sunday to Church with E/S Sellers & us, He learned about Fast Sunday and Fast with us, he thought part of keeping the Sabbath was fasting, he fasted two Sundays in a row!!  He even bought a white shirt and tie for Church!  He told us the last time he looked so sharp was one his wedding day!

We are finally settling into a routine of missionary life (again).  This mission seems a little harder for us (me); I do not understand why... I am willing to serve and am okay to be away from family whom I dearly missed!  Whatever it is, we know we are supposed to be where we are, there are so many miracles happened so far.  I know God is in charge and we are grateful for this opportunity to serve Him.  

This Christmas season, may we remember always what the true meaning of Christmas!  A gift given to us 2000 years ago in Bethlehem, a sacrifice made by a sinless Son, God's love to all of us;  It is FREE!! all we need is to choose to accept and use this gift in our lives.  Merry Christmas!