Week 21: Prime Minister-ing

Hello everyone! I hope you're all doing well! This week was pretty good. There's some good stuff to look forward to soon. Our friend Charlie passed his baptismal interview yesterday and will be getting baptized next week! I am super excited for him. He has come to church almost every Sunday since I've been here and I know he is ready to be baptized. He has worked really hard to change and to make his life better in order to be baptized and have a happier life. In the past couple of months he has completely stopped drinking coffee, tea, and alcohol. Last week he went to his hometown for his sister's wedding and when he came back, he told us that he told all his family and friends that he doesn't drink anymore because he's Christian. Literally so awesome. 

All the missionaries in the city got to go to a conference this week with a bunch of other Christian churches in Cambodia and the Prime Minister spoke which was pretty cool. We had to wake up at 4:00 am and be at the place at 6:00, but it didn't even start until 7:00. I was zoned out for most of it, but I heard the Prime Minister say "Jesus Christ" and "Amen." It was a little too early for me, but I guess hearing the Prime Minister of Cambodia speak was a one-time opportunity so it was pretty cool.

Transfers are coming up this week which is crazy. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Not for sure what will happen, but I will most likely get a new companion and stay in my area for another transfer to lead it out. We'll see what happens though! I know that no matter what happens, it is God's plan for me.

Recently I watched a talk called, "Jesus Christ is the Answer" by Elder Rasband. Before actually watching the talk, I did not realize the main focus of it was about suicide, but I still watched it because why not (just to be clear I am doing great and have no thoughts of harming myself) but I thought maybe someone else might need to hear the message. Anyways, it was a really good talk and I was able to learn a lot from it. No matter what we're going through in life we can always turn to Jesus Christ because "He has taken your very personal challenges and mistakes upon Him. He has shouldered them for you so that you would have One who will minister with full understanding of where it hurts and why." He knows every single thing we have been through and has felt every pain we have. He knows us better than we do ourselves. He is there in every step we take and everything we do. He is our greatest minister. No matter what you are going through, always know you can turn to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Answer.

"Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come." (D&C 68:6)

I love you all so much! Jesus Christ loves you even more!

Love,

Elder Mendenhall

📸 All the photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Bgcnr25uJdQ1sYcY9

A sampling: