Have you ever heard a song on the radio and said to yourself, "I know that song, but just can't remember the name." That's what Sunday church meetings are like in Cambodia. The structure and schedule are the same, but it's just enough different that it still seems somewhat unfamiliar. People come in their best clothes - which sometimes means matching shorts and tops. Flip flops and bare feet are the norm. NOBODY (except missionaries) wears shoes (this past week a sister wore Winnie-the-pooh fuzzy slippers when she gave a talk - awesome).
In the three sets of congregational meetings we attend, only one has a member who can play a piano. The other two are a capella (in multiple simultaneous keys). And only one keyboard works (nothing is being fixed because we are moving into a new building with brand-new everything in 6 weeks). I will start giving piano lessons in the new building next month (it's ok to laugh). There's a program administered by the LDS church which provides piano instruction and keyboards to members in remote areas. The Harman foundation generously provides keyboards to all, and allows students to keep them if they are diligent and complete all their lessons (THANK YOU HARMAN FOUNDATION!).
Congregation attendance ranges from 20 to 100 - depending on the week. Sadly, attendance drops by nearly half just after the main meeting (Sacrament Meeting). It makes it tough finding both teachers and students. The "parking lot" is a long driveway filled with motos and bicycles (last week we counted 36 motos, 10 bikes and one car - ours). And my favorite so far...we sang "Silent Night" for the Sacrament song. What does NOT change, however, is the spirit that is felt in a meeting when sweet, genuine people share their sincere testimonies. My heart is touched as I listen to members testify of Jesus and His sacrifice for everyone. I'm certain He is listening and telling them, "just hang in there. I'm coming."
Yesterday there was a "youth activity" sponsored by the KC 3rd branch (youth means anyone over 12 and unmarried). We hiked "Phnom Tooc" - which means hill, small. The hike consisted of 201stairs (I counted them) up to a small temple overlooking a beautiful valley. Food for the event was "corn-on-the-cob roasting on an open fire." It's pretty simple. Build a fire, throw corn (still in the husks) on the fire, pull the cobs out (takes about 5 minutes), shuck the burned husks, eat the sometimes scorched corn, throw the cobs on the ground. The Cambodians don't grow sweet corn like farmers do in the US. They grow field corn - the kind US farmers grow for livestock. It's tougher than sweet corn, but still tastes good (after you've been here for a couple of months).
In the evening there was another activity (different congregation) and I was asked to give a short talk and come up with a game. The branch president (local congregational leader) wanted us to demonstrate what "family home evening" looked like. I told them it consisted of three things: 1. learn about Jesus. 2. Have fun. 3. Eat. We did all three and it was a fun night. We taught them how to play, "this is a fork (spoon)." I haven't seen adults laugh so hard since we got here. Erin taught the kids to play "I have a little doggie and it won't bite you." They loved it. The food was cooked sweet pumpkin chunks in a bowl.
We wound up our night teaching English to our next-door neighbor family (and our landlord). We do this every Monday evening on their patio/kitchen/dining room/lounge area. The kids won't let us end the class until we've done a song - so we taught them "I've been working on the railroad," accompanied by dogs and mosquitoes. What an adventure!
Have you ever heard a song on the radio and said to yourself, "I know that song, but just can't remember the name." That's what Sunday church meetings are like in Cambodia. The structure and schedule are the same, but it's just enough different that it still seems somewhat unfamiliar. People come in their best clothes - which sometimes means matching shorts and tops. Flip flops and bare feet are the norm. NOBODY (except missionaries) wears shoes (this past week a sister wore Winnie-the-pooh fuzzy slippers when she gave a talk - awesome). 
In the three sets of congregational meetings we attend, only one has a member who can play a piano. The other two are a capella (in multiple simultaneous keys). And only one keyboard works (nothing is being fixed because we are moving into a new building with brand-new everything in 6 weeks). I will start giving piano lessons in the new building next month (it's ok to laugh). There's a program administered by the LDS church which provides piano instruction and keyboards to members in remote areas. The Harman foundation generously provides keyboards to all, and allows students to keep them if they are diligent and complete all their lessons (THANK YOU HARMAN FOUNDATION!).
Congregation attendance ranges from 20 to 100 - depending on the week. Sadly, attendance drops by nearly half just after the main meeting (Sacrament Meeting). It makes it tough finding both teachers and students. The "parking lot" is a long driveway filled with motos and bicycles (last week we counted 36 motos, 10 bikes and one car - ours). And my favorite so far...we sang "Silent Night" for the Sacrament song. What does NOT change, however, is the spirit that is felt in a meeting when sweet, genuine people share their sincere testimonies. My heart is touched as I listen to members testify of Jesus and His sacrifice for everyone. I'm certain He is listening and telling them, "just hang in there. I'm coming."
Yesterday there was a "youth activity" sponsored by the KC 3rd branch (youth means anyone over 12 and unmarried). We hiked "Phnom Tooc" - which means hill, small. The hike consisted of 201stairs (I counted them) up to a small temple overlooking a beautiful valley. Food for the event was "corn-on-the-cob roasting on an open fire." It's pretty simple. Build a fire, throw corn (still in the husks) on the fire, pull the cobs out (takes about 5 minutes), shuck the burned husks, eat the sometimes scorched corn, throw the cobs on the ground. The Cambodians don't grow sweet corn like farmers do in the US. They grow field corn - the kind US farmers grow for livestock. It's tougher than sweet corn, but still tastes good (after you've been here for a couple of months).
In the evening there was another activity (different congregation) and I was asked to give a short talk and come up with a game. The branch president (local congregational leader) wanted us to demonstrate what "family home evening" looked like. I told them it consisted of three things: 1. learn about Jesus. 2. Have fun. 3. Eat. We did all three and it was a fun night. We taught them how to play, "this is a fork (spoon)." I haven't seen adults laugh so hard since we got here. Erin taught the kids to play "I have a little doggie and it won't bite you." They loved it. The food was cooked sweet pumpkin chunks in a bowl.
We wound up our night teaching English to our next-door neighbor family (and our landlord). We do this every Monday evening on their patio/kitchen/dining room/lounge area. The kids won't let us end the class until we've done a song - so we taught them "I've been working on the railroad," accompanied by dogs and mosquitoes. What an adventure!
This sounds so familiar. Our very first sacrament meeting, in July, was opened with Silent Night. It ALL sounds familiar. Including teaching about and holding family home evenings and playing games such as I have a little doggie. And the hokie pokie. They all love those games. Adults and kids alike. And does everyone come to the YMYW activities? From ages 2-to ancient? The spirit is great, and so is the enthusiasm. I miss those genuine whole body laughs over such simple things. I miss the thunderstorms and the beauty of the earth and the people. But I don't miss the heat! I love those people
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