The drive over to the restaurant was interesting. There are so many types of vehicles from luxury SUVS, motos (small motorcycles) and muscle-powered carts. Even though there is a hierarchy, depending on the size of your vehicle, there is a flow to the traffic and every spot of road is full. Apparently, no one makes eye contact. You just move forward at intersections and hope for the best. These are a couple of examples:
We had a lovely dinner and got to know our fellow senior missionaries. What an impressive group.
We spent a couple of days being hosted by the Hollenzers. We were able to get oriented in Phnom Penh, our role and responsibilities and the food. Everyone was so helpful.
We were especially delighted to go to Stean Mean Chey (also known as Trash Mountain), the site that inspired the novel, The Rent Collector. So glad we had read this book before we left home.
These are latrines that LDS Charities is constructing near Trash Mountain.
We also went to an orphanage that LDS Charities (Church Humanitarian) is partially supporting. The tables are empty because the children were in school. It is operated by some sisters who joined the Church and is the same orphanage highlighted in this video a friend of ours produced and narrated.
http://www.whitneymerrifield.com/guarding-the-bamboo-forest.html
We spent an afternoon with the Ovesons who oriented us in the Self Reliance program and the Perpetual Education fund. We also learned about the Church Education System. These will all be resources as we serve in Battambang.
These are the Hollenzers. They were kind enough to put up with us and put us up while in Phnom Penh. Sister Hollenzer is telling us their incredible story! We love them!
We feel fortunate that we got to see these places before leaving for Battambang, an outlying province five hours from Phnom Penh.
