August 8, 2004

We are a bit behind in reporting events. So a quick update.

Since the last report we have added another granddaughter, Kelly, born in June to Kenneth and Emily. We were very excited for them and plan to stop in California on the way home to visit the family. Kelly will be nearly a year old. We have been very blessed as a family during this mission.

I was called to serve in the Mission Presidency in June and was sustained July 4^th at the District Conferences of the North and South Districts. This is a big job involving training and keeping the districts and branches organized. We now have nearly 6500 members in Cambodia. The Big thrust is teaching the District staff their duties and helping them in training the Branches. Money management is a big issue for some of these Branch President. They are asked to be stewards of more money than they seen. These people have never budgeted before and some do not know how to plan ahead.

Susan was called as the Mission Public Relations chairman and immediately given the task of hosting the BYU Hawaii Polynesian Cultural Center dance team the 14^th and 15^th of June.

We went with them the Vietnam for their performances in the Hue Festival. The team was well received here in Cambodia.

We met and invited radio, TV and newspapers and several came. We had a mission family home evening for members on the 14^th and nearly 600 came. We had two performances on the 15^th at a local cultural theatre that seats 600 people. Put in an extra 100 chairs and just about filled it twice. The trip to Vietnam was great. The City of Hue has served on and off as the capital of Vietnam since before Christ.

Among the cultural attractions is the Citadel (a city within a city within a city).

Most of the citadel was destroyed by the French prior to the Vietnam War. The Tet Offensive was fought in and around the city but there was not too much damaged in the Vietnam War. The city remains a cultural center in Vietnam with some of the finest universities in the country. Hue is a beautiful city with parks and clean streets - lots of bikes and motos and a few taxies but few cars. Cars will introduce a big problem because of the narrow streets. The economy appears to be in very good shape.

The director of the dance team went to Hanoi for a reception and meeting with government officials while we went to Hue with the dance team members. We understand that meeting went well. The Church is still seeking recognition in Vietnam. We cannot meet and hold sacrament meetings nor can the American and the Vietnamese meet together. But the people are very warm and we were entertained by the Festival Chairman and vice governor while we were there.

We did a bit of site seeing going down river to some temple and three kings tombs that were beautifully designed parks gardens, and buildings on various levels and all very symbolic. The Kings started their tombs when the take office and it usually took years for them to be completed. 6000 to 10,000 workers were used and often the king died before his tomb was ready. We caught a sunset by boat that was wonderful also.

Thank you for your support and interest.

Elder and Sister Taylor