The AC and washing machine have now been installed. Yay! Our appliances are a mishmash set from varying countries and languages: the fridge is a Toshiba - with instructions in Chinese. Microwave is a Samsung with instructions and icons in Thai. The washing machine is a Panasonic - with instructions and icons in Thai. The crockpot is an Otto -with instructions in Thai.  The range is a "Lucky Flame"  with instructions in Thai. The toaster (no instructions needed) - came in English. We are adjusting to no hot water in the kitchen, and the need to Clorox wash everything, every day. To our children: NEVER AGAIN WHINE ABOUT UNLOADING THE DISHWASHER.

Today (Sunday) we went to church for the first time in Cambodia. We went to the Kampong Cham 1st branch, which started at 8 a.m., then to the 2nd branch, which started at 2 p.m. The people are so gracious.  The room hushed as we walked in, and people came up to us like we were deity or something (which we're NOT!). They gave us an honorific greeting (palms and fingers pressed together, about nose high), and we responded in kind - but with our hands under our chins. We tried to mimic their greeting (nose high), but were scolded that people of our status shouldn't stoop to the nose high kind. Who knew! We were moved when a lady with polio in both legs crawled into the chapel - dragging her useless legs behind her. She was dressed in her Sunday best and participated in all the meetings. She would not allow her disability to keep her from worshipping. And here I am, whining about the AC. Sometimes I'm really pathetic. There was also a baby blessing in one of the meetings. Usually LDS members do a baby blessing within the first month or two of a child's birth. This "baby" looked to be nearly six months. Fully alert, head up and reverent during the whole experience.

During each meeting set, we were asked to introduce ourselves. We had missionary translators nearby, but we did our halting best to share our feelings and testimonies in Khmae (Cambodian). The audience buzzed as we butchered their language, but it was a buzz of appreciation for the effort, not the outcome. We are getting better at recognizing the pronunciation nuances -even though we still have very limited vocabulary. I've learned to be a little careful when speaking in Khmae. When I say a little (and I'm VERY proud of myself), the person assumes I know a LOT, and bullets off a blur of Khmae words in return. I sit there like a carrot - rooted to the ground and unable to speak. So now I use the term "tik tik" - which means "a little." It usually works.

After the service, there was a baptism. A very faithful lady (who was demonstrably terrified of water) entered the font and followed the example of Jesus. It was a wonderful experience.

Baptismal font outside the church building