Hey Dad, Family, and whoever else reads-
Well here is my first real email from Cambodia. And the first thing I have to say about that is.. . . it's so blasted hot I think I'm gonna die!!! oh my goodness the humidity combined with the unbelievable scorching hot temperatures is deadly. Well my first area is the city of Battambang, it's Cambodia's third largest city, which isn't saying much but yeah. Virtually everyone here drivesa little moto scooter kinda like vespas. They are all over the place here. I wish the missionaries were allowed to have some because we ride our bikes anywhere from 14-20 miles a day and it's pretty crazy. When we are teaching, both of us look like we just walked through a water-fall. The people here are so so so so so poor. It makes you wanna cry when you see the way they live. I've seen some of the most poor circumstances I think you can possibly imagine. It's actually really tough. The Mission is physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually draining. My first day of proselyting was one of the most difficult experiences I've had in my life. We teach a lot of investigators and inactive members of the church. It's pretty difficult in Cambodia with the Buddhist culture, which is basically a belief of complacency and everything is ok if you don't kill, or steal, and etc. People here have very poor education and they need things to be explained very very simply. Teaching lessons is quite the experience too, we usually teach the people in their homes and we sit indian style" around on a surface made of bamboo, my feet are killing me but i'm starting to develop calicuses. I've almost come to accept that I will never feel comfortable as far as "ac" and "Being wet" goes. But all is well in Cambodia, I still don't quite have the language but it's coming along. I have a great companion, who has been a great source of help and strength. His name is Elder Douglas, and he's from Georgia. He actually finishes up his mission in 5 weeks and his parents are coming to pick him up, so I think that it shouldn't be a problem for Mom and Dad to come when I'm finished. Oh one really scary thing that Mom probably won't like is that there are bugs everywhere. Because it's so tropical and humid and wet, bugs flourish here. We have geckos and ants in every building, yes, even our house. The geckos just kinda chill on the walls and every once in a while make a "cricket" like sound. It's actually pretty funny. All the kids and people in Cambodia are so nice. Alot of the time when we are riding around, we'll have a group of people yell, "HELLO" because everyone here wants to learn english and things it's hilarious that the american missionaries can speak Cambodian. Speaking of which, twice a week for an hour, we teach an english class for anyone who would like to come to the church. We are teaching the advanced class today and it's very very fun. During sacrament meeting, wow! it's absolutely crazy! I've meet more crazy people in Cambodia in the short space of a week than I ever have in my entire life. Our Branch President always says crazy statements that don't make sense in either english or cambodian and none one quite understands what he's saying. Oh I have a pretty hilarious story to tell you. On my second day here, my trainer prep'd me for the lessons we'd be teaching. He told me that we were going to teach an investigator by the name of "Phiap" and that was reading his scriptures, coming to church every week, and praying everyday, but that he was having some trouble with alcohol. Well anyways, we biked i think like 5 miles to this guys home and we sit down and we start teaching him. And we start teaching about the word of wisdom and Phiap starts saying that he wants to get baptized but really feels like he can't stop drinking... so we start teaching that if he tries and prays and goes to church he'd be helped, and when we tried to commit him to stop drinking altogether, he said, "okay, I'll stop drinking if you guys join me for one last drink." And then he pulled out three glass beer bottles from his little cooler and he opened them and set them in front of us. And he said again, "have one last drink with me and I'll stop and be baptized." and I'm like I'm sorry we can't it's against the word of wisdom and i've promised to never drink that. And my companion is saying the same thing. And this goes on for another 3 or 4 minutes until my companion says, "okay, you promise that you will never drink again if we do?" and Phiap says, "Yes yes, I promise I promise." And my companion totally starting drinking it! I am like. . . what are you doing!!! and he just looked and me and said, "Hey, it'll help him get baptized, he needs to get baptized, don't you wanna help him?" I'm like, yeah I wanna help him but what the heck are you doing? and I'm thinking in my head, "oh my gosh, I have to call President, my companion's going home, what am I going to do?" And all this while, Phiap is saying to me, why won't you drink with me? If you don't drink with me you don't love me. And i'm like Phiap, I can't drink it. And finally he said, "okay, just take a very very small drink and it'll be enough for me." And I'm like, I can't Phiap! I'm sorry. and He kept on saying stuff like "Oh you don't love me, you don't wanna help me, I want to get baptized but you won't help me, etc." and finally he says, "ok, just take your finger and dip it in the beer and that will be enough" and I'm getting really frustrated here, because his whole family is getting in on this saying that I'm not helping their dad and going off about how much they wish their dad to stop drinking. However, I remained strong and kept my cool. And after like 20 mins of this my companion looks at me and takes a cup and poors out the bottle and it's just sprite! I was sooooooo mad!!!!!! I was about to kill him!!!! Everyone was laughing uproariously, it was quite the scene. Anyways that's my funny story for this email, one which I will not soon forget. So anyways, All is well and sorry the beginning of this email seemed like a downer, but everything is great here, and the Lord truly blesses and watches over his missionaries. I've felt so much comfort and peace as I've been adjusting to this very very very very different environment and way of life. All the missionaries tell me that the first 3 weeks are pretty tough, but that after that it's all great and very fast paced. My companion tells me everyday that he can't believe he's going home. he keeps telling me that he was in my place yesterday. Well I'd like to leave you with this testimony:
God lives, and He loves His children, every single one of them. And He is very mindful of the "war-torn" people of Cambodia, and He is pouring out His spirit among them and is setting at hand the way for peace, joy, and comfort in their lives. I know I am a part of that great reaching out to offer His love. I'm enjoying my time here in Cambodia and can't wait to hear from you again!
Love, Elder Ormsby
Thursday, June 26, 2008
June 18, 2008 Cambodia!!
Hello Everyone!
Well I've made it. I'm sending you this email from the mission home in Phnom Penh. We just had lunch and it's so hot here. I'm not joking we are always wet here and will be wet for the next two years. But I am absolutely loving it here. Our mission president is a great guy and I'm so excited to start working. I'm not exactly sure what we are doing for the rest of today, but it sounds like tomorrow we are going to start working right off the bat so that will be the beginning of my proselyting. Anyways, My P-day is on Wednesday, so I guess the earliest you can expect emails and such will be on Tuesday night Utah time. Sorry can't talk more but I'll talk to you later!
-Elder Ormsby
Best way to write is www.dearelder.com and use the free pouch system. Its fairly quick and reliable. Elder Ormsby, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Well I've made it. I'm sending you this email from the mission home in Phnom Penh. We just had lunch and it's so hot here. I'm not joking we are always wet here and will be wet for the next two years. But I am absolutely loving it here. Our mission president is a great guy and I'm so excited to start working. I'm not exactly sure what we are doing for the rest of today, but it sounds like tomorrow we are going to start working right off the bat so that will be the beginning of my proselyting. Anyways, My P-day is on Wednesday, so I guess the earliest you can expect emails and such will be on Tuesday night Utah time. Sorry can't talk more but I'll talk to you later!
-Elder Ormsby
Best way to write is www.dearelder.com and use the free pouch system. Its fairly quick and reliable. Elder Ormsby, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Danny's ninth e-mail
Well everyone, this is officially my last email during my stay at the MTC, not because I don't like to send emails, but because I'm heading out to Cambodia. I'm pretty much going to die. We spend about 16 and 1/2 hours in the air over the pacific. . . . it's like driving from Utah to California and half way back non stop, and there's no stopping for gas or a break. Well. . . .I'm not exactly sure what to write. But I did hear some information. I'll arrive in Cambodia on thursday their time and will spend the day with the mission president and then spend the night there, before getting my new companion and getting to work! I'm so excited!!!! So the next 40 hours or so of my life will be spent at the airport or on a plane.. . .the perfect way to start the proselyting. But anyways, have a great day, and I'll let you know what Cambodia is like as soon as I get there. :) -Love, Elder Ormsby
Danny's eighth e-mail
Hello Everyone!
Well this is officially the beginning of my last week at the MTC and I now have my flight plans for Cambodia. Here's the deal:
Detla air Lines: flight 1133 I leave 9:23 PM 17th June I Arrive at LAX 10:34 PM Then I leave from LAX 1:30 AM 18th of June (EVA airways flight:15) and Fly to . . . . Taipe Taiwan and Arrive 6:20 AM on June 19th then I wait another 3 hours and fly to Phnom Penh at 9:10 AM (EVA 265) and Arrive 11:35 AM June 19th in Cambodia! Hurray. . . . I'm pretty much going on the plane ride across the world. . . Lindberg's got nothing on me. . . ok well he may have gone a little further but he was the pilot so it doesn't count. I am so excited and can't wait to actually get out and get my new comp/trainer in the field. The first thing we do is eat dinner and get my bike. Then it's off to the races. It's so strange to think I've been her over 2 months. .. . I'll finish this email in a little bit.
Hey. . . sorry about the abrupt end to the first half of my email. I just had to go and get my depature haircut. So. . . what's new with me? I don't think anything. I'm still working on the language and ever trying to be ready for the Cambodian People. We'll see how that turns out next week. Oh by the way, if anyone would desire to write me. . . I would strongly suggest using the "DEAR ELDER" website and write using that method. Because my mission uses the pouch system. The address is : Elder Ormsby
Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City UT 84130-0150
USA
That's the best way to get a hold of me. Well let me see if i can write something interesting for a change. Oh, well one of the goals my Zone had was to be friend the person sitting next to us on the plane and to share a pass-a-long card with them or briefly see if they are interested in our message. However, my companion and I will have 3 different flights and one of them is like. . . . 15 hours long. the longest of the others is one flight and 3 1/2 hours long. So I'm a little scared about that, but once I start just talking to them . . . I'm sure it it'll be fine. I guess I'll have plenty of time to study. Well the soaking fingers in the vinegar continues, but they are almost completely healed. Oh. . . and the cambodian people will most likely refer to me as Elde Awhms Bei. . .which literally means Elder "Uncle Cabbage" which i think is a pretty sweet name. Not really fiercesome or anything but cool all the same. Well I'd just like to end by telling you I'm still having the time of my life and can't wait to share this message with the world. The Gospel is true and Christ is our Savior. I love you all and wish to hear from you soon!
-Elder Ormsby
Well this is officially the beginning of my last week at the MTC and I now have my flight plans for Cambodia. Here's the deal:
Detla air Lines: flight 1133 I leave 9:23 PM 17th June I Arrive at LAX 10:34 PM Then I leave from LAX 1:30 AM 18th of June (EVA airways flight:15) and Fly to . . . . Taipe Taiwan and Arrive 6:20 AM on June 19th then I wait another 3 hours and fly to Phnom Penh at 9:10 AM (EVA 265) and Arrive 11:35 AM June 19th in Cambodia! Hurray. . . . I'm pretty much going on the plane ride across the world. . . Lindberg's got nothing on me. . . ok well he may have gone a little further but he was the pilot so it doesn't count. I am so excited and can't wait to actually get out and get my new comp/trainer in the field. The first thing we do is eat dinner and get my bike. Then it's off to the races. It's so strange to think I've been her over 2 months. .. . I'll finish this email in a little bit.
Hey. . . sorry about the abrupt end to the first half of my email. I just had to go and get my depature haircut. So. . . what's new with me? I don't think anything. I'm still working on the language and ever trying to be ready for the Cambodian People. We'll see how that turns out next week. Oh by the way, if anyone would desire to write me. . . I would strongly suggest using the "DEAR ELDER" website and write using that method. Because my mission uses the pouch system. The address is : Elder Ormsby
Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City UT 84130-0150
USA
That's the best way to get a hold of me. Well let me see if i can write something interesting for a change. Oh, well one of the goals my Zone had was to be friend the person sitting next to us on the plane and to share a pass-a-long card with them or briefly see if they are interested in our message. However, my companion and I will have 3 different flights and one of them is like. . . . 15 hours long. the longest of the others is one flight and 3 1/2 hours long. So I'm a little scared about that, but once I start just talking to them . . . I'm sure it it'll be fine. I guess I'll have plenty of time to study. Well the soaking fingers in the vinegar continues, but they are almost completely healed. Oh. . . and the cambodian people will most likely refer to me as Elde Awhms Bei. . .which literally means Elder "Uncle Cabbage" which i think is a pretty sweet name. Not really fiercesome or anything but cool all the same. Well I'd just like to end by telling you I'm still having the time of my life and can't wait to share this message with the world. The Gospel is true and Christ is our Savior. I love you all and wish to hear from you soon!
-Elder Ormsby
Danny's seventh e-mail
Hello everyone out amongst Babylon. It's great to hear from you as always and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. This has once again been a very fast week and I only have one more week before I leave for Cambodia. It's really very very very exciting. My teachers has told us that his flight though was around 30 hours or so. Wow, I think I might die on that plane. 30 hours is an eternity on a plane and I don't know what I'm going to do. Well it's official now, I no longer am speaking english. I still can't read very fast but it's coming. As far as my fingers are going they are finally finally finally beginning to heal. And for good. Last week I went and saw the dermatologist again and he had me soak my fingers in vinegar 3 times a day for a week. I'm not going to lie, every time I did it. . . .I felt like I was purposefully setting my fingers on fire. It hurt so bad. I was tough though, and to everyone else, it seemed as if I had drifted into paradise. (while soaking them).
Something worth mentioning is that Sister Dibb. (President Monson's daughter) came and spoke to all the missionaries. She was wonderful, her whole talk was about her experiences with her father. Remarkably President Monson's family sounds strangely simliar to my own family. He had a large family and they had family gatherings and he brought his dates to the family activities to I guess get their opinions and such. He's very much like Randy Turner from what she said.
Well. . . I'm just sitting here. . . waiting for my clothes to dry for the second time. I'm very happy and am so blessed to be able to come and serve the Lord. I truly have felt His influence so much stronger than I've ever felt before. He's carried me a long way, over compensating my efforts tenfold upon tenfold. I love this work (and believe me, it's work.) One thing we were able to watch was Elder Holland's talk on my Missionary Work is so hard and why living the gospel is hard. He said the reason is because "Salvation is not a cheap experience. It never was and it never has been and it never will be. Our salvation required the best blood. If you ever wonder sometimes in life (missionary work) about why things are hard, or if there isn't an easier way, don't forget that you aren't the first to ask that same question. Christ, God Himself, fell on His Face and asked that same question, 'if this cup can pass from me, let it pass." I can tell you this. I absolutely believe that. I know this is the truth and the reason why life is hard is because Salvation isn't cheap, it required the ultimate sacrifice, and if we have to take a step or two towards calvary, spend a minute or two in Gethsemane, be grateful. Because the price has been paid.
Well I guess that's my inspirational thought for the week.
I love you all and hope to hear from you soon!
-Elder Ormsby
Something worth mentioning is that Sister Dibb. (President Monson's daughter) came and spoke to all the missionaries. She was wonderful, her whole talk was about her experiences with her father. Remarkably President Monson's family sounds strangely simliar to my own family. He had a large family and they had family gatherings and he brought his dates to the family activities to I guess get their opinions and such. He's very much like Randy Turner from what she said.
Well. . . I'm just sitting here. . . waiting for my clothes to dry for the second time. I'm very happy and am so blessed to be able to come and serve the Lord. I truly have felt His influence so much stronger than I've ever felt before. He's carried me a long way, over compensating my efforts tenfold upon tenfold. I love this work (and believe me, it's work.) One thing we were able to watch was Elder Holland's talk on my Missionary Work is so hard and why living the gospel is hard. He said the reason is because "Salvation is not a cheap experience. It never was and it never has been and it never will be. Our salvation required the best blood. If you ever wonder sometimes in life (missionary work) about why things are hard, or if there isn't an easier way, don't forget that you aren't the first to ask that same question. Christ, God Himself, fell on His Face and asked that same question, 'if this cup can pass from me, let it pass." I can tell you this. I absolutely believe that. I know this is the truth and the reason why life is hard is because Salvation isn't cheap, it required the ultimate sacrifice, and if we have to take a step or two towards calvary, spend a minute or two in Gethsemane, be grateful. Because the price has been paid.
Well I guess that's my inspirational thought for the week.
I love you all and hope to hear from you soon!
-Elder Ormsby
Danny's sixth e-mail
Hello to everyone and family,
Well I'm sure you're probably getting really bored of this, but this was yet another great week at the MTC. We had President Monson, Elder Holland, and Elder Eyring come and speak to us. . . . ok, well not really but it could happen. Well, our group of four Cambodian Elders are moving on to solely speaking Cambodian 24 hours/5 days a week. It's getting pretty intense, I get my flight plans to Cambodia in about 9 days or so . . . I'm so excited! I'm still working hard on trying to read the Cambodian script. . . . and memorizing as much of their vocabulary as I can. It's pretty tought though, their language is . . . difficult, but I have no doubts that I will be able to be fluent when I'm needed. Ok, does anyone know what is going on with the weather here? The Missionaries are not informed on any weather information and so we walk outside and it can be eighty degrees one day and then the next it can be freezing and raining. Just a funny thing. Well I'm now making another trip to the dermatologist to take a look at my infected fingers. . . I know it's pretty nasty. They constantly weep and bleed. It's funny. . .I've been to 3 different doctors and they've all tried different things and none of them really work. But this time. . .I think the doctors pulling out the big guns. . . Hopefully some needles and a scaple or two. In my study of the scriptures I've been trying to study more than ever about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I've come to see now that all miracles in our lives are brought about through the Atonement of Christ. I've also seen from those I speak to on the Phone at the Referal center, feel like God doesn't love them, because so many bad things have happened to them. It's so wonderful to know the truth and be able to explain that yes, everyone has difficult things in their life, but the Atonement is there. Often people feel like Christ's Atonement isn't helping them and that they are alone. However, in order to feel of its healing and comforting power we must obey His commandments and have faith.
I'm so happy to be here. And I love being a missionary. I love you all and hope to hear from you soon! This Church is true. By Reading and applying the teachings of the Book of Mormon a man will get nearer to God than by any other book.
Love, Elder Ormsby
Well I'm sure you're probably getting really bored of this, but this was yet another great week at the MTC. We had President Monson, Elder Holland, and Elder Eyring come and speak to us. . . . ok, well not really but it could happen. Well, our group of four Cambodian Elders are moving on to solely speaking Cambodian 24 hours/5 days a week. It's getting pretty intense, I get my flight plans to Cambodia in about 9 days or so . . . I'm so excited! I'm still working hard on trying to read the Cambodian script. . . . and memorizing as much of their vocabulary as I can. It's pretty tought though, their language is . . . difficult, but I have no doubts that I will be able to be fluent when I'm needed. Ok, does anyone know what is going on with the weather here? The Missionaries are not informed on any weather information and so we walk outside and it can be eighty degrees one day and then the next it can be freezing and raining. Just a funny thing. Well I'm now making another trip to the dermatologist to take a look at my infected fingers. . . I know it's pretty nasty. They constantly weep and bleed. It's funny. . .I've been to 3 different doctors and they've all tried different things and none of them really work. But this time. . .I think the doctors pulling out the big guns. . . Hopefully some needles and a scaple or two. In my study of the scriptures I've been trying to study more than ever about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I've come to see now that all miracles in our lives are brought about through the Atonement of Christ. I've also seen from those I speak to on the Phone at the Referal center, feel like God doesn't love them, because so many bad things have happened to them. It's so wonderful to know the truth and be able to explain that yes, everyone has difficult things in their life, but the Atonement is there. Often people feel like Christ's Atonement isn't helping them and that they are alone. However, in order to feel of its healing and comforting power we must obey His commandments and have faith.
I'm so happy to be here. And I love being a missionary. I love you all and hope to hear from you soon! This Church is true. By Reading and applying the teachings of the Book of Mormon a man will get nearer to God than by any other book.
Love, Elder Ormsby
Danny's fifth e-mail
Hey Everyone,
It's great to here from you as always at the MTC. This week seems like it's only been a few days long. It's flown by. We have been working so hard to learn this language. Our class is steadily progressing in the language and we love it. Let's see . . . what happened this week? Oh, well I learned almost a hundred new words in cambodian over 5 days and it was pretty intense. It's different than English, considering that english has handfuls of verbs and a ton of nouns, where as Cambodian is the exact opposite. So few nouns and a whole lot of verbs. In one of my dictionaries, there are nearly 20 different words for carry. To carry a child on one's hip, shoulder, arms,etc. So it's nuts. Oh and everyone cambodia refers to each other as family. If I were to walk up to an elderly man in cambodia, I would say, Hello Grandpa. After the greeting they will then tell you there name. But it's the same for an elderly woman: Grandma. It's really funny. I also learned of another painful part of the culture that I'm going to have to adjust to. If i walk up to a man sitting in a chair in front of his home, I have to walk up and squat (both feet exactly together and squatting as low as I can with my knees touching together with my arms over my knees) and i'm supposed to just sit there like that until either he gets up or we finish talk/teaching and leave. I can't do that know and I'm in the MTC, so i've been working a lot on my stretching. It's pretty tough, but that's the way it goes. I've probably already told you some of that, but I can't remember what i've said, time and events get so mixed up with all ther other things i've done here. Well, I officially have only 4 weeks left in the MTC. I only get to send 3 more emails from here, and then it's off to Cambodia. I can hardly wait, but I do love it here. The only depressing thing is when the english Elders come and go in 3 weeks. And as of now, i've seen 10 English groups come in and leave our Zone, it's funny because most complain about how long they have to be here and such. It's really funny But Anyways, I can tell you only this: I love it here, the Church is True, Christ lives, President Monson is His Prophet, Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration, and I am about to go to the front lines in the Greatest Work the World has ever known. I love you all and hope to hear from you soon! God Bless.
Love, Elder Ormsby
It's great to here from you as always at the MTC. This week seems like it's only been a few days long. It's flown by. We have been working so hard to learn this language. Our class is steadily progressing in the language and we love it. Let's see . . . what happened this week? Oh, well I learned almost a hundred new words in cambodian over 5 days and it was pretty intense. It's different than English, considering that english has handfuls of verbs and a ton of nouns, where as Cambodian is the exact opposite. So few nouns and a whole lot of verbs. In one of my dictionaries, there are nearly 20 different words for carry. To carry a child on one's hip, shoulder, arms,etc. So it's nuts. Oh and everyone cambodia refers to each other as family. If I were to walk up to an elderly man in cambodia, I would say, Hello Grandpa. After the greeting they will then tell you there name. But it's the same for an elderly woman: Grandma. It's really funny. I also learned of another painful part of the culture that I'm going to have to adjust to. If i walk up to a man sitting in a chair in front of his home, I have to walk up and squat (both feet exactly together and squatting as low as I can with my knees touching together with my arms over my knees) and i'm supposed to just sit there like that until either he gets up or we finish talk/teaching and leave. I can't do that know and I'm in the MTC, so i've been working a lot on my stretching. It's pretty tough, but that's the way it goes. I've probably already told you some of that, but I can't remember what i've said, time and events get so mixed up with all ther other things i've done here. Well, I officially have only 4 weeks left in the MTC. I only get to send 3 more emails from here, and then it's off to Cambodia. I can hardly wait, but I do love it here. The only depressing thing is when the english Elders come and go in 3 weeks. And as of now, i've seen 10 English groups come in and leave our Zone, it's funny because most complain about how long they have to be here and such. It's really funny But Anyways, I can tell you only this: I love it here, the Church is True, Christ lives, President Monson is His Prophet, Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration, and I am about to go to the front lines in the Greatest Work the World has ever known. I love you all and hope to hear from you soon! God Bless.
Love, Elder Ormsby
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