Battambang and Siem Reap Self Reliance Services Training

21 March 2015

When we received our call to serve as full-time missionaries, our specific assignment in Cambodia was PEF (Perpetual Education Fund)/Self Reliance.  Before we ever made it to Cambodia the name was changed to Self Reliance Services (SRS) and PEF.  Education is one of three emphasis that is taught.

The Church has provided wonderful and inspired printed material for us to use, starting what is called "My Path."  The My Path booklet is the basis for a two hour devotional where the spiritual and temporal principles of self reliance are taught.  At the end of the devotional the participants decide if they need Starting and Growing My Business, My Job Search or Education for Better Work.  Right now we only have the first three lessons of Starting and Growing My Business translated into Cambodian, but the rest of the lessons are promised by the end of the month.  There are twelve lessons in the manual and there is a small manual called My Foundation which we use with all three options.   Without a spiritual foundation and other basic principles, like budgeting and time management, they will not have a firm foundation to build on.  You can see these manuals at  SRS.LDS.org, then click on Self Reliance on the left of the screen and then manuals and videos, the videos are great too.

This morning started off with a My Path Devotional in Battambang taught by Phanna, the full-time Church Employee who works with Self-Reliance.  There were twenty-three members there who were anxious to learn and that they would commit to attend all twelve sessions and learn from each other.  If they attend ten out of the twelve classes they receive a certificate from LDS Business College stating they understand the principles of self reliance.  There was a great spirit in the devotional and they are a humble and willing people.

We drove back to Siem Riep this afternoon so that Phanna could present the My Path devotional there also.  We had about twenty for My Path in Siem Reap.  There were also ten non-members who had come to learn English that ended up getting invited into the devotional, along with six full-time missionaries.  It was a big group, but less than ten committed to attend the twelve week course.  Next time we will not invite in those who are not there for the devotional, but we may ask for the full-time missionaries help in the future.  Live and learn.

What a full and rewarding day.