This week has been full of activities so here is a hodgepodge assortment of stuffs.
We had a triple baptism service! Two were investigators of the sisters in my district (area). After the service we had spontaneous service because something overflowed (I think it was the font) and we had to mop/squeegee/sweep the water out of the church. It was a wonderful service and I always love to hear the new members bear their testimonies of how learning has changed their life and the gratitude they have for their savior. I had the privilege of interviewing the two in my area to make sure they were prepared to make this sacred covenant with their savior and it always fills my soul with joy to see the change and joy that learning of Jesus Christ has brought into their life.
We got rained on several times this week.
One of our members got engaged to a Khmer lady from Texas.
Our bikes decked out for rainy season. Additional mudflap protection and ponchos attached via plastic bags.
We went to a 3D art world last Monday and had fun taking lots of pictures. Here are some of the better ones.
And one cool story. We were setting up for the engagement and it was raining. We went to take a break and look out over the parking lot (it's like a covered balcony with a railing and mesh net above that). As we're admiring the downpour a car pulls up to the church gate and a girl hops out and starts walking towards the church. As she gets close she stops, looks up, and we wave to her. Then she shouts something like, "Can I ask you some questions about your church?" We waved her to come in downstairs because of course you can! That's my job, answer your questions. The sisters went down to talk to her and came back to get us because she had a guy friend along and they only really spoke English, and two of the sisters are natives and one is American. The guy and girl, Kena and Paul, both have American dads, but Kena has a Vietnamese mom and Paul has a Khmer mom. So turns out Kena watched the musical "The Book of Mormon"(not produced by our church), but it sparked her interest and she really wanted to learn more, so she googled where the closed church was and dragged her friend along so she didn't have to come alone. She's been Christian for a year now and Paul has an interesting back story. His grandparents were missionaries for a Christian organization and his dad was born in the Philippines. Then his dad went to America for highschool and seminary and returned to the mission field in Cambodia where he has remained. His dad was key in helping translate the Bible into Khmer, which I use, and is currently working on the updated translation of the Old Testament. We had a good first lesson in English. Feels so weird to teach in English and not in Khmer. And passed her info along to the office elders, they teach english speakers and go to the international branch and she came to church on Sunday!
When the Spirit leaves you both dumbfounded.
Love y'all!
Elder Taylor
