New Email 12/6/09

From Colleen

Janet, I do not know if Elder Smith told you that MANA stands for Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association. it is not a government organization.

Today we had our interview with the Mission President. His name is Michael Smith, his wives name is Janis. They have been trying to get a visa to come to Myanmar since they have been in Thailand. They got their visa's the day we left Thailand Today we went for an other excursion to a market near buy. It was very crowded. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Meats, chicken, pork, fish, shrimp,prawn lots of different kinds. Some especially chicken very fresh. We each had a pastry I think that sister Merkley called it croissant a piece of dough fried in oil. Because it was cooked on the spot and we could choose our pieces, we each had one, very good. We watched them make chili powder I think it might be Ciane. they take the dry little chilis and pound them in a mortar with a pestle. they do it in a several stage processes. we also saw them using a hand grinder to make a spice that is bright gold in color I don't know what it is. I bought some banana's the bunch was 500 Khate in other words 50 cents.

We next had breakfast at Sukara we had congee and fried noodles. Then off on an other shopping spree back to bojo. Elder Smith will have to tell you about his learning experience. We bought several charcoal sketches, straw art cards, and I was looking for a bag but didn't find any thing I wanted. We were constantly being followed by the beggars and the Monks and Nuns. It is an amazing place it is mostly covered but with places that open up on to the street. It can get really close and closed in and warm. The little shops are very small but they can sure stack them high and stack them deep. Sister Janis Smith is somewhat claustrophobic and it was a bit of a problem for her. But as long as she could get out into the open in a hurry she did OK.

We have another appt with Jacob our investigator his is bringing some friends with him tonight. We are so excited about the people who investigate the church, they come to us asking questions and then sometimes bring their friends. The ones that we have talked with share experiences about why. They tell us that they have been searching for something, a lot of the time they do not know what! Some have seen pictures of Christ, then say that they have seen him in dreams. They have lots of questions and they are very sincere and want to know. Of course when you answer one question it brings up so many more questions.

We got word today that our trip down to the delta has been rescheduled for next week. We have realized that the lord is very wise and having it canceled for last week was good, If we had gone there would have been a great problem with the service project. Making benches and desks for schools.When we checked there was a miss communication with the saw mill. They were not planing on delivering the supplies to the meeting house. It would have been a real problem. So it was good that we were not able to go.

So because the Merkleys and the other Smith's are going to Kalay, it will be Our Job to make sure that the next 20 tables and benches are taken care of on Saturday. It is also Tun's day off. So we will see how well we can do the taxis and all the other things. We have to learn to do it .so now is as good a time as any. Well I need to go so Just a last note We love you all and want you to know that yes it is true. We know it.