Welcome Elder and Sister Hassell to Cambodia

Today was (of course) another holiday; International Children's Day! I'm not sure why we do not celebrate this holiday back home in the U.S., but this gave us another day away from the office. With it being a new month this also meant we had a car report to complete. The signals, lights and horn all still work, tires are in good condition, fluids are all full, and only one new scratch to report. Not bad for all the driving conditions here in Phnom Penh!

With our office closed we were not missed as we went to the airport to greet another senior missionary couple, Elder Lewis Hassell and Sister Mary Hassell to our mission. Their travel plans originally showed them arriving this Wednesday evening, but they were selected to travel with a mission returning home to Malaysia from the MTC on their way here. They have been to Asia many times, but never to Malaysia, but it was still a long day of travel for them.

Elder and Sister Hassell will only be in Phnom Penh temporarily (at least in theory) while they wait for visas. Their assignment is to serve in Vietnam. Their call was originally as LDS Charities Missionaries, but was changed to MLS (Member Leader Support). With this change, they were given training in both areas of focus. They should be well prepared for their assignments in the mission.

President Moon, Hassells, Meinzers,
Elder Hollenzer, Ovesons, VanBrocklins.

After their arrival, our group went to lunch at the Khmer Surin Restaurant. This was a new place for us to try featuring Khmer and Thai cuisine. We stayed within our comfort level of new foods and found Pineapple Fried Rice (which was served in a half-pineapple), and Stir Fried Vegetables With Pork. Both were very tasty, and there was nothing left for "Take-Away" (their way of saying Take-Home.)

Elder and Sister Hassell are about our age, so now we are not youngest seniors in the mission. Elder Hassell is a Pathologist, and has taken a leave from his practice for 2 years. What a wonderful addition to our group of Senior Missionaries! We will have to wait and see how long the Lord chooses to let them stay here before they move on!