Now it is time for a science class. Class is in session. Fun fact. Did you know warts spread in humid climates? Warts thrive in humidity. Well, Cambodia's humidity is 35%. I am not sure what that means. But that one American wart had a Cambodian child. Using the humidity from the very air we breathe, a half American-half Cambodian wart was created on my right hand. And because of it's ability to use American innovation with Cambodian grit, it succeeded in creating another child, just a few centimeters above its creator.
Well, now that leaves me with 3 warts, one on my left hand, and two on my right. These two American/Cambodian half-breeds were very persistent and very strong. In fact, they were stronger than any thing I have ever seen before. They created one more GIANT wart on my right hand-pointer finger knuckle.
These three warts worked together on the very right hand I use to write and eat with to create SIX MORE CHILDREN!
Now, at this point, I am sure you are wondering, "Elder Slavens? How could you allow the warts to get to this point, that they create so many children and almost take over your whole entire hand?" That is true, I had 9 warts on my right hand at one point. Six of them were extremely small, but still; isn't that how we all start? Small, and grow large over time? So that is when I thought:
It is time to act.
Knowing that Cambodians are extremely street-smart (see second paragraph, fifth line) I went to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the kingdom of Cambodia for help. I would show them my warts. I would shove my hands into their faces, fall to my knees and beg for help. They would scoff at me. Mock me. laugh at me. Tell me to turn to someone else. No one would DARE be seen with someone so INFESTED and UGLY as I.
Until. One splendid woman. The age of which nearing 70. She had the sweetest spirit I have ever crossed. Not only did she help me find the true answer to my quest, which I thought would soon become a life-long venture, but she actually solved it for me.
She told me all I had to do was apply heat. I did not know how. I let fear enter into my heart. Until she went into her house, grabbed an incense stick, lit it, and began to apply it gently, lovingly, and carefully to my hand. Within minutes, the wart was burnt to a singe. She equipped me with three more incense sticks and sent me on my way, with instruction to do as she does, just as I had seen.
As so it was. I applied heat gently to the remainder of the large warts. The leaders of them, as you will. In total, I burnt four warts, using non other than the Buddhist incense that I teach are false. Now, my hands are covered with bloody scars. Members still to this day will mock me. "You look like you were attacked by a zombie. Did you fall off your bike?" they will say.
One day, I know with all my heart that my bloody scars will be pure and white, just like the rest of my skin. I know that if we will test truth, and open our hearts to the possibilities of it, we will be blessed in the long run. We may think it is hard, maybe even painful at first. But let me promise you, as a servant of our lord and Savior Jesus Christ that anyone who will seek truth, and test it, will find the truth with the aid of Heavenly help. And then, on that day when we all stand before God at His judgement seat, we can say, "I tried and did all I could do in order to find your truth. Thank You so much for granting it unto me, your child."
Please, everyone. Remember my story. Remember how it can be applied into your lives. Of this, I write on this day.
Yours truly,
Elder Slavens
The super adorable ladies in my ward. Literally my Cambodian best friends. one of them brings sodas to church every week, calls over the missionaries super secretly, takes us over to the corner of the room, and forces the sodas into our bags and tells us not to tell anyone.
Spell iCup eewhite. It's the new prank amongst 5th graders
Speak of the devil.
Classic Cambodian lady walking around, selling food from right off her shoulders for a living.
My investigator Two one who works at Dominoes. Only $3.25!
He also gave me his balloon which I added to my helmet. I love wearing a bike helmet!
My newest favorite LDS boy band!
Whats on the menu at Cambodian restaurants?
Wow! What looks good?
Well, it ALL looks good, if you ask me!!!!
The super adorable angry birds
Dallin's companion Elder Ros' email
57th Episode of អែលឌើរ រស់ - Raining Mangos on Dirty Water
Here's one of the best investigator ever Non. :) Along with the twins Mey and Mean in the Te'uk La'ak Ward that are leaving to there missions soon ENGLISH speaking....WHOA!
Elder Slavens looking fantastic teaching about Facebook English Terms in REAN! (Last Saturday!)
Here are a bunch of adorable looking small chickens while visiting a somewhat Potential Investigator!
Members in the North Zone! It's great to be back serving around the North Zone I love serving here!
ជាតំបន់សូមជំរាបសួរ!,
What is up everybody! It's Mango Season around this time in Cambodia even in Te'uk La'ak so we've been randomly given Mangos throughout the week.... YEAAAAAH! HAHAHA! Will need to break this post down as quick as possible because I love remaining busy in this mission here's some swift highlights!:
Well then.... pretty much throughout most of the week we've been "monsterous" throughout the week literally asking some people and inviting all to learn about Christ some understood,and some are curious about REAN English Program...Yep! (Last week was the most I ever contact throughout last week because we talked for over 130 people about the Gospel inviting them to learn about the restored Gospel many heard, but very few took the invitation to learn the Gospel and sometimes English class/REAN! We've been following up on a return appointment and met this new investigator since last Tuesday! This one investigator's name Nean or Nian the one who I contact off the streets from 2 Sundays ago around a restaurant! This guys excellent! Contacting pays off! By a whole lot! For real throughout this week as we met him ounce more he's committed on a baptismal date on June 11th 2016! Super exciting that he accepted it as he's really taking time to learn with me and Elder Slavens!
For another investigator throughout the week, we've been meeting with Bong Chun from last Tuesday and Thursday.... heh he's an interesting investigator! Still needs work to up to his potential! But by all means no one can't force people to develop a strong testimony of their own of the Gospel even the Book of Mormon! Around Wednesday we've visit a Om that's super nice named Dally along with her son Chetra, just encourage to help them pray with each other oftenly just to help them stay love and maintain peace! REAN Englsh on that day was fun, some people had shown interest of the gospel since learning REAN English and a bit of the Gospel! Woohoo!
Some of you may wonder how's Non doing he's pretty much one anyone can be patient for! Love him so much. We've been following up on his reading on the Book of Mormon and he's doing his best on His part I love him! I love me and Elder Slaven's investigators here in this area! On Saturday we took time to visit some less actives and remind them of the Restoration with them by watching the Restoration video, felt the Holy Spirit every single time of how important and crucial the restorations is! Yesterday, Church was fantastic! It's great to see members of the Ward returning from Khmer New Year and our investigator Bong Nean showed up to Church with the Toul Kok session! We're so happy to see an investigator like him to come and see how church is like every Sunday!
Well, me and Elder Slavens are doing phenomenal together! I love this mission, I still love serving my divine heritage and I meant that so dearly each and every single time! I am so grateful to be called to serve along with Elder Slavens this transfers! We got this area in the bag along with the best companion ever such as the Holy Ghost and plus the gift of tongues! Missionary Work's not easy but it's indeed doable I love this work! I gotta enjoy more of this journey along with Mangos.... I meant Elder Slaven! HAHAHA! Well got to blast off serving and inviting others to Christ will be posting next week, stay fantastic and blessed my fellow congregation who's subscribed to my post! Here I go! Lea Sen! The adventures of Elder Ros still continues!
Syracuse, NY USA
"But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them. " - Mosiah 3:12-13