January

We have been very busy this month with many different projects going. We attended a ceremony where some people in a hospital were given some rice and other food items to help them. We found ourselves in the middle of a government propaganda event where the minister gave a very political speech with all the hospital patients there. There was also many cameras there as there always are when a high government minister shows up. There had been more demonstrations the week before that had gotten violent with some people killed so the speech seemed more a justification than anything else. The Church tries very hard to stay neutral so it was a little uncomfortable but we had to be there to be courteous. The following week we were at a press conference to mark the finish of a successful measles immunization project here. There were 4.5 million children vaccinated against measles and rubella and these diseases seem to have been irradicated  here in this country. We found out last week that we are responsible for 2 groundbreaking ceremonies for new buildings that will be started in February. So we have a big rush to print flyers and VIP invitations to send to Kampong Thom and Kampong Cham. We seem be operate in rush or panic mode a lot! We are also spending a lot of time preparing a presentation to try to find sponsors for the Young Ambassadors concert.  We will begin presenting it to businesses next week and hopefully find the money we need.  We hope to raise extra money through the concert to make a donation to Smile Village which is a new village area for people who have always lived at the dump. A really great project that will benefit many very poor people including some members of the Church. We are also working on the committee to plan and prepare for the 20th anniversary celebration here in Cambodia. In May it will be 20 years since the Church was first here.  We are hoping it will also be when the first Stake is formed here too. They have asked us to head the part of the committee responsible for open houses in all the Churches in Cambodia. Big job!  Anyway, we are feeling pretty busy right now! But as always, everyday is interesting and brings something new. What an amazing experience to be here serving these wonderful people.