ñum baay hauy? = Did You Eat Rice Yet

There is an important question we are asked frequently in Cambodia, "ñum baay hauy?" which literally means "did you eat rice yet?" Rice is served at every meal and can be purchased from many of the street vendors. It is served with a variety of side items, including pork or chicken and vegetables.

Not only is rice an important food for every meal, it is a major crop grown in this little country. Driving throughout Cambodia this time of the year the rice fields are growing tall and green in the water that has risen from the rains. This year the fields are still lacking as there has been less rain than usual.

Some of the missionaries have helped plant the rice fields, but we have not had that opportunity. We have borrowed photos from some of the other senior couples. As the rice begins to grow the plants need to be separated and spread throughout the fields, and the roots pressed into the mud under the standing water.

Battambang is known for growing some of the best rice in the world. The drought has left many rice fields cracked and dry this year. We pray for the rains to fall that the people in this land may have enough to grow the crops that are essential to supporting their families for another year.

Today Elder Robert William, an Area Seventy from India, was visiting from India and provided training in the service center devotional. We spent time on our PowerPoint presentation for next week's devotional, as well as working on our Institute lesson for this Saturday which is turning into another PowerPoint presentation.