Goodbye Elder and Sister VanBrocklin

We love the young and dynamic leaders and Church employees here in Cambodia. In most areas and cultures it is hard to get anyone to really want to do presentations. Last week when we mentioned that we were scheduled to do the Service Center Devotional Training today, Phanna almost begged to do it instead. He was supposed to do it last week, but with Human Resources (HR) in town the devotional got canceled, so he really wanted to do it this week. He taught the group the difference between being a Manager and a Leader. It was a very good presentation.

As we got to the Service Center this morning we realized that we had left our cell phone at the apartment. Most days it never rings so we figured that we were okay without it today. About 11:30 Sister Thurston came up to let us know that Sister VanBrocklin was trying to get ahold of us. The VanBrocklins leave tonight and they were trying to make sure that we could help with rides or luggage as needed tonight. We reassured her that we had their back and would help in any way we could.

We had a Summer Intern from the Cambodian Job Foundation (CJF) come to visit us to explain a program to help individuals open their own little business. CJF was started by some Senior Missionaries after they went home but now it is basically run by our former Mission President and his wife, David and Kathryn Moon. They have a deep interest and concern for the emerging economy here in Cambodia and want to help those who are willing to work hard and show that they can succeed.

Most days we just eat lunch at our desks, but since we needed to get our cellphone we went home to eat today. On the way back to the Service Center we stopped by the Mission Office, we had not been by in a couple of weeks. After a quick stop at one of our favorite bakeries it was back to work for the afternoon. One of our Institute Class members came by to see us and talk. He has been attending the class the whole time we have been teaching, about sixteen months. Right now he is actively seeking a good job because he has finished all of his classes to graduate, but still needs to finish his final project to graduate.

This evening was one of those tough ones as we said our goodbyes to the VanBrocklins. We have served together for almost seventeen months. When we go home we plan on getting together with them periodically since they live in Centerville. They have been great missionaries and great friends.