I cannot believe we are starting our 10th months here in Cambodia already. I remembered when we first came, we went through two weeks of quarantine before being picked up by the Sellers, who at the time had been in Cambodia for a little bit more than 2 months. They are serving a short one year mission in Cambodia. When we arrived, we have a total of four couple senior missionary; two medical humanitarian (Sellers & Anderson), a communication/public affair (Jensens) and us, mission office. When Elder & Sister Jensen left in November, we got another couple (Dandoys) who came in to be Welfare humanitarian. Not only were we small in numbers, we were also spread apart in difference part of the country. The Dandoys were in Siem Reap (6 hours away), the Anderson in Kampong Chom (3 hours away), the Sellers and we were the only couple in Phnom Penh. We were busy each doing our own projects.
We each faced different challenges; the Sellers working to figure out how to make connection with higher level hospital personnel and figuring out what and how best to help with improving provincial hospital in Cambodia. We, trying to figure out how best to support the Mission President in running the mission. We have our learning curve such as figuring out how to pay bill each months, and how to remember all the Khmer missionaries' names and their needs. It was frustrating at first because when we asked too many questions to gather information, we came across of not caring - not giving what people want! The Anderson were busy but Sister Anderson felt particularly isolated because there is no one in her town that can speak English.
This past week, we welcomed two couples who are taking over the Dandoys and Sellers assignments: Elder and Sister Rod Smith in Siem Reap and Elder and Sister Neal Clinger in Phnom Penh.
We had farewell dinner with both the Dandoys and the Sellers at this new Chinese Restaurant on May 3, before Dandoys left for the airport. Then on Friday, all the couple missionaries had a meeting with Elder and Sister Muers (who will be leaving Asia Area to their new assignment in New Guinea in August). It was wonderful to see all the progress that had taken place during the last 9 months. The improvement of medical projects in not only providing supplies but training to physician to help better their skills with mentoring from doctors from United States to assessing the needs for Neonatal needs. There will be so many projects in this next year. It infuses a new level of energy and excitement for the future of Cambodia and the growth of the Church in this part of the world.
By the end of this year, we will have at least a total of 11 senior couple missionaries who will be serving in Cambodia. It is exciting to feel and see the growth that will be taking place here! I am so thankful to be part of a church who practice what it taught: to love our neighbors as ourselves and to help those who are in need. We are grateful to be part of this miracle of unconditional love and service to our brothers and sisters in Cambodia.
We said goodbye to Elder and Sister Daniel Sellers. They have done so much here and they have passed the baton to the Clingers who are sent here by inspiration. The Clingers are parents of a co-worker of the daughter of Sellers, Elder Clinger has served in Taiwan as a young missionary and they have been looking for opportunity to serve in Asia again. However, they were not able to find any. It so happened that we needs medical couple missionaries here. The Sellers quickly called and talked with them about the opportunity to come to Cambodia. They accepted and was at peace about coming to Cambodia, but they would like some confirmation from Heavenly Father that this indeed was something they were supposed to do. They received a call from Salt Lake asking how they know about Cambodia because the need was not public yet. Elder Davis shared with them when he received their application for service, he has a overwhelming feeling that they should go to Cambodia. What a tender mercy it is for the Clingers to received confirmation from our Heavenly Father that they are where they are supposed to be!
Miracles are still happening today and God does live and He is in charge and very much interested in our lives! I know this to be true!
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| Meeting with Elder/Sister Peter Muers (center) From left to right: President/Sister Neang, E/S Sellers, Elder Chadchana, Area Seventy; E/S Clingers, E/S Smith E/S Anderson, Doctors from US, E/S Yan |
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| Farewell dinner with E/S Bret Dandoy and E/S Daniel Sellers |
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| The four couples that started in 2021, Andersons, Dandoys, Sellers & Yans |
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| Dropped off Sellers at the Airport |
