Gathering All The Missionaries Serving in Phnom Penh

As the leaders of the Church visit Cambodia they always want to meet with the full-time missionaries.  Today all of the missionaries that serve in the Phnom Penh area gathered at the South Stake Center to be taught by Elder Randy Funk, Sister Neill Marriott and Sister Cheryl Esplin.  It was an extraordinary opportunity for them to learn from these faithful servants of Our Savior Jesus Christ.

The Funks, Esplins and Marriotts have all served as leaders in missions, so they knew exactly how to talk to and teach the missionaries.  They are more willing to be a little more casual with the missionaries also.  Sister Marriott is not very tall so as she got to the podium she pulled out the little step for children to stand on, so that she could see the missionaries better.  She taught the missionaries about the importance of love.

As Sister Esplin stood up, she said that she was going to hum a Primary song and as soon as we recognized it, we were to stand up and sing.  It took about four notes for most of the missionaries to be singing with all of their heart, "I Belong To The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints."  The only ones not standing were the Cambodian missionaries that did not grow up in Primary, the Church is so new here and many have only been members a couple of years.  Again a wonderful teacher spiritually fed the missionaries.

It would not be a missionary gathering without a group picture, so after the meeting we went to the Cultural Hall for that.  Naturally that is our picture for the day.

We were invited to go with the visiting leaders for lunch at one of our favorite places, Brooklyn Pizza and Bistro.  After that we said goodbye to them as they went to visit Trash Mountain and Cambodian Children Fund.  They left this evening to go to Hong Kong and then on to Mongolia.  What a blessing to this part of the Lord's vineyard to have these great leaders come for a visit.