Week 32: I Did Drugs

Hello everyone! This week has been very eventful! In terms of missionary work though, it has been very slow because of Khmer New Year, which is now one of my new favorite holidays. Everyone parties for three days straight and they just have a huge rave in the streets, throwing baby powder on everyone and spraying water guns and hoses everywhere. I did a pretty good job avoiding it the first couple days, but on the last day it was inescapable. I got covered in baby powder and was soaked from head to toe. It was so fun. Probably the most fun I have had this transfer. I am definitely coming back to Cambodia for Khmer New Year when I am not a missionary.

I did drugs! By accident. A member gave me this weird leaf and some nuts and told me to try it. Probably shouldn't have. One of the Khmer sisters ate it too so I figured it was ok. I didn't know I was only supposed to chew on it, so I ended up swallowing it. I got super sick and threw up 7 times the next morning. Then had it coming out the other end the next day. I am doing better now. My family told me it was drugs today, [see Wikipedia - Betel nut chewing] so that's great! Luckily, we have the great gift of repentance! Don't do drugs!

I had a crazy miracle happen this week! I met my cousin! We were heading home one night, and some missionaries wanted to stop at this bridge to take a picture. We stopped for a few minutes and this moto pulled up right in front of me and stopped. I looked up and was really confused at first, but then I realized it was my cousin! I was so happy. I met him once, about 6 years ago, when my brother finished his mission in Cambodia. He lives about 30 minutes or more outside of the city, but he was in the city that one night for Khmer New Year. I know God placed us both there so we could meet. God is in the details!

This week I have really been able to see how aware the Lord is of each and every one of His children and how much He loves us individually.

Here are some things that helped me feel of His love this week.

1 Nephi 19:9

D&C 121:7

"One in Christ," By Elder D. Todd Christofferson

"Peacemakers Needed," By President Russell M. Nelson

"I Stand All Amazed," Hymn 193

I invite you all to prayerfully read or listen to all of these. God loves you! Jesus loves you! I love you!

Love,

Elder Mendenhall

A sampling: