A Cambodian LDS Wedding and The Final Day of The King's Birthday Holiday

As we have mentioned previously in our Blog, the Cambodians really go all out for their weddings. One thing that was really emphasized at the YSA Conference was to change that culture and to move to more realistic weddings.  It is common place in this very poor society for the groom to pay a dowery of $5,000 to $8,000 to the parents of the bride and for that money to be used on the wedding. Instead they are telling the members to tone back the cost and use the money to go to the temple and be sealed instead, and to not go in debt.

Chbar Ampov and Kean Svay Branch Building 

Last week as we were going into the Mission Home one of the guards, Try (Tree), asked us if we were going to his son's wedding.  We had not heard about it, but the Holenzer's thought that they had emailed us about it.  Today's wedding was a complete break from tradition. It was held at the Church, with President Moon, our Mission President, officiating.  They had a light Khmer meal after the ceremony and we only saw the couple change outfits once.

What was interesting to us again today is the respect that they have for Senior Missionary Couples. The groom and his parents kept pulling us into the various pictures being taken after the ceremony.  It is truly humbling to realize the kindness that they have for the Senior Couples, whether they really know you or not.  We were encouraged as couples to go and support their efforts to brake from tradition and to help with a gift, which is always cash. All five Senior Couples, including the Moons were at the wedding today.  It seems like and feels like we have spent a lot more time with the other Senior Couples lately.

This afternoon we took the opportunity to just lay back and take it easy.  We did have to finish the preparation for our Institute class tomorrow morning, but that was most of the way ready.  This time of year in Phnom Penh it is way too hot to just go outside. Every day is in the high 90s to over 100 and the humidity is starting to rise.  The rainy season will be here soon enough.