Pilgrimage to the Phillipines Temple

The smiles and glow from the faces of these 25 beautiful, humble saints can only be surpassed by being blessed to actually accompany them (along with Elder & Sister Thurston) on this Pilgrimage to the Manila Temple in the Philippines. Prior to the day we left we had NEVER met any of them - but in 4 short days precious friendships were formed that will always be remembered with deep affection. There were both Vietnamese and Cambodian members (neither language of which Lance or I speak) can you spell charades? We had only ONE translator, a young woman who spoke all three languages - NONE had ever been on an airplane or traveled out of Cambodia. What a sight just watching us clear customs. 15 hours from Phnom Penh to landing in Manila - with 6 hour lay over in Siem Reap arriving at our rooms by 5:00 a.m. #stillstandingbarely Each person came with a purpose and goal which was happily accomplished before making our 15 hour long trek back to Cambodia.

December 2016 - Success Story

Dec. 7th, 2016- Christ fed the hungry and so can you.

The local Ministry of Cult and Religion in Kampong Thom Province asked for assistance for needy families suffering without food in the area.  LDS Charities was thankful for the opportunity to serve in this capacity.  

One hundred thirty families were invited to receive the needed commodities.  Rice, noodles, fish sauce, and oil in amounts that would assist a family from two weeks to one month depending on the size.  As the villagers gathered to receive instructions they were attentive as they listened to the reasons that friends they had never met from so far away would be willing to sacrifice so they would have what they needed to eat.  They learned about Jesus Christ and His admonition to feed the poor and to watch over each other.

                                   

The local LDS Branch President, his clerk, and missionaries were on hand for translation and heavy lifting.   We also noticed how neighbor helped neighbor, packing, lugging, and transporting the precious cargo.

                                 

Joy filled the warm Christmas air, smiles, thankful hearts and hands could be seen by all involved.

Blessed with Bikes! Christmas in November!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...and there are no words to describe this event/experience so just had to post these amazing pictures...you could title it "Blessed with Bikes" I like to call it "Christmas in November"" except they don't celebrate Christmas in this Country. However, as Senior Missionaries serving here we had the opportunity to be part of presenting 500 bikes to the school children from 6 different schools and 2 Provinces in Cambodia provided by LDS Charities a Humanitarian arm of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Can't put it into words. #heartwarming #worddefying #gratefulhearts #countyourblessings

Dowd's in Oct

  October Short Summary Report

Open House Kampong Cham October 22, 2016

H. E. Uong Vibol Under Secretary of State Minister of Cult & Religion greeted  by Elder Dowd Pinned by Vanaak Roth, (blue) Cambodia National PA Assistant with Theany Reath Cambodia National PA President  (Gold blouse wearing glasses) looking on.

Open House Kampong Cham Chapel Open House October 22, 2016

Her Excellency Min Chandyneth Minister Cults & Religion arriving Greeted by Sister Dowd

Under Secretary of State Say Amnaan (in center wearing short sleeved black shirt) 

Open House Kampong Cham Chapel October 22, 2016

His Excellency. Srey Sopheak, Minister of Cults & Religion Kampong Cham attended and delivers personal remarks and welcome to community  during Open House Program.

October 22, 2016 Open House Tour of Chapel at Kampong Cham

High Ranking Government dignitaries in attendance pictured here (front row) visiting booths

Facing table (in suits) (l-r) H. E. Srey Sopheak, Minister of Cults & Religion Kampong Cham

Under Secretary of State  H. E. Uong Vibol Minister of Cults & Religion Phnom Penh

Vice Governor Kampong Cham   Keov Sok

Her Excellency. Min Chandyneth, Minister of Cults & Religion Phnom Penh

Back row (glasses white shirt) H.E. Nguon Sim An Parliament of National Assembly Of Kingdom of Cambodia (Law Maker)

October 22, Open House Kampong Cham Chapel

His Excellency Nguon Sim  Member of Parliament of National Assembly of Kingdome of Cambodia (Law Maker) attended and is pictured/greeted by Sea Samnang – Director of Cambodia Service Center

October 22, 2016 Open House Tour and Program Chapel Kampong Cham

H. E. Srey Sopheak, Minister of Cult & Religion Kampong Cham Province

Vice Governor Kampong Cham Keov Sok – of Kampong Cham Province

H. E. Uong Vibol, Under Secretary of State Ministry of Cult & Religion

October 22, 2016  Special Luncheon Hosted by Public Affairs for Opinion Leaders attending Open House

His Excellency Srey Sopheak (sitting middle tan shirt) - Minister of Cult & Religion, Kampong Cham Province.  Pictured here with President Theany Reath Cambodian PA National Council (Gold Blouse) & her Assistant Vanakk Roth (Blue Dress) – attending/assisting in

Kampong Cham Building Open House and Dedication, Elder/Sister Dowd on the left.

October 27, 2016 Invitation to meet with Her Excellency Ing Kantha Phavi, her husband Trac Thai Seign

Following their attendance/participation to International Religious and Law Symposium at Brigham Young University where she was a guest lecturer.  On behalf of Public Affairs of the Church, the Family Proclamation to the World, was placed in a beautiful frame presented to them.  Dr Phavi is the Minister of Women’s Affairs for the entire County of Cambodia and a very influential figure.  She and her family found the Proclamaion contained principles very compatible with many of their core beliefs.  She shared she plans to share some of the verbiage during her upcoming attendance to a Conference out of the Country.

WAITING FOR PICTURE

October 28, 2016 - Luncheon

H. E. Min Chandyneth, Minister in Cults & Religion and Say Amnaan Under Secretary

Met to discuss forthcoming plans for rice distribution including ceremony with government officials in the Provinces hardest hit by drought.  Estimated to feed over 96,000 families.  Additional conversation to put in motion the erection steeple planned for new chapel dedicated October 23^rd to make it complete.

Beach Clean Up gets noticed on local TV NEWS...

The YSA's Beach Clean Up Made the news!  Check out the youtube link below!

 https://youtu.be/Ka2MgTpiO2w