On Tuesday night (Feb 2nd) we get a phone call from someone who only speak a little English, but she is excited to come and visit us on Sunday night (Feb 7th) and bring me a B-day gift. She said she is Sophat's sister. As I am talking to her (trying very hard to figure out who she is-Dad had already asked her who she is, but couldn't understand her name before handing me the phone), I mention that we love visiting Br. 9 and feel badly that we have had to visit other Branches for the past 2 Sundays. Then my mystery caller said "I want to live in Br 9. I looking for house in Br 9, but I not find yet." So now I REALLY don't know who I am speaking too. We have visited Sophat's home a couple of times. We know her family (11 extended fam. members living in the home), but now my mystery caller doesn't live with Sophat, so WHO IS SHE?After 5 days of curiosity Sunday evening finally arrives. I thought it would be wise to bake some oatmeal raisin cookies to share with my "mystery guess". Dad wisely suggested that we make "rice & some stir-fry veggies" for our visitors. We were counting on Sophat coming with the "mystery guess", as Sophat knows where we live. So we busily work together in the kitchen to be ready to receive our company. The ladies arrive and we are so happy to see Sophat (left of me) and our "mystery guess" (far right) whom we recognize but still don't know her name. As I am talking to her, Dad quietly pulls Sophat aside to ask what the other lady's name is. He then said to Channak "I didn't know that you were Sophat's sister." "I am Sophat's good friend" came Channak's reply. Why didn't we remember that the Khmer custom is to call anyone you like sister, aunt, uncle, or brother!
Our dinner was a surprise to them and very much enjoyed. It was a break through for us as we communicated for 1 1/2 hours without a translator! Sophat doesn't speak any English, but Dad kept talking to her in simple Khmer sentences, and she would help him with correct word order. Channak, a return missionary sister, likes to practice her English, so she kept talking to me and I had to listen very carefully to understand her. We had a wonderful evening! I was very humbled that these two special sisters would give me gifts as I have been blessed with so much more temporaly than they. Channak gave me a nice lady's wallet and Sophat gave me a lovely "gramaa" (Cambodian scarf that I am modeling above). I have become very close to Sophat during the past year. I have seen her reach out and help the poorest of the poor members in Br 9, have been with her and the young Elders to visit the less active in the Branch, have tasted her delicious cooking at Branch parties, and have had the privilege of having her in our home to teach us how to make Khmer curry. Sophat keeps our branch alive and well. She has been a member for 9 years and is precious. How blessed we are to have made eternal friends while serving in Cambodia!
