Kampong Cham Cambodia - Preliminaries

This weekend is the long awaited celebration for the completion of a new chapel in Kampong Cham, about two hours North of Phnom Penh. This building has been under construction and waiting on delays for several years. Elder and Sister VanBrocklin did so much in their Public Affairs role to prepare for this day, only to complete their mission in July without seeing the finished product. Their photos and hard work are very much a part of this grand event. We just wish they could be here to see this day!

This morning it seemed that everyone at the service center was focused on the final details before heading to Kampong Cham. The senior couples, about 20 young missionaries, most of the service center staff and many local members gathered at the new building this evening to set up displays and do a run-through before tomorrow's exciting Open House.

We have seen this marvelous building several times over the past 20 months, but always from outside construction barriers. Our first impression is WOW! This is probably bigger than either chapel in Phnom Penh.

After rehearsals and set up was complete we went along with the other seniors to a Khmer BBQ. This is one where you cook your own meat and vegetables over a hot charcoal grill. We were missing Elder and Sister Leavitt, who will join us tomorrow, and Elder and Sister Dowd passed on tonight's meal in favor of getting some rest. They picked up where VanBrocklins left off and have put in so much time and effort for this final production.

We look forward to tomorrow as so many come to tour this grand new chapel.